The West Coast of Oahu is home to adventurous activity, beautiful beaches, and magnificent sunsets.
Colloquially known as the ‘second city’, Kapolei is one of the fastest-growing areas in Hawaii, offering an incredible community alongside exciting attractions and natural beauty.
The Residence Inn lies in the heart of Kapolei providing the perfect base to explore the area as well as offering contemporary and comforting accommodation to rest your head.
Whether you’re in Hawaii for work or play, the location of The Residence Inn offers easy access to shopping, dining, and local amenities in addition to being just a short drive to historical attractions, exhilarating hiking trails, and stunning beaches. With the best that Kapolei has to offer right on the hotel’s doorstep, you will be split for your choice of activities to fill up your days with.
3. Paradise Cove Luau
Paradise Cove Luau offers the Hawaiian experience you’ve always dreamed of. After a short drive from your accommodations at The Residence Inn, Paradise Cove welcomes guests with a tropical Mai Tai greeting and the soundtrack of traditional Hawaiian music.
The Hawaiian village allows immersion into the culture with teachings of the arts and crafts of the islands in addition to testing your skills at the Hawaiian Games. The fishing methods of old Hawaii are taught on the beach whilst the time-honored techniques of underground oven cooking can be witnessed at the Imu Ceremony.
Feasting in the company of old and new friends, award-winning performances of song and dance from Hawaiian and Polynesian culture will be the highlight of the evening and make the finale of your Paradise Cove experience unforgettable.
More info: Paradise Cove
4. White Plains Beach
Reminiscent of Waikiki but without the frenzy and the wiki wiki, White Plains offers the ultimate Hawaiian beach vibe as a great location to surf, relax and gather with friends.
In addition to being a great place to swim, surf lessons and volleyball courts are available making White Plains the perfect place to enjoy an active beach day. The golden sand is spacious with enough room to find your own patch away from other groups and shaded areas with grills and picnic tables enable you to complement the day with a tasty feast.
If you want to enjoy the day with friends and family, patio rentals can host a wide range of groups. Whilst located slightly off the beaten track, at just a ten-minute drive away from The Residence Inn, a day at White Plains Beach is well worth the short trip.
5. Coral Crater Adventure Park
An adventurous, thrill-seeking destination for all the family, Coral Crater Adventure Park is packed with opportunities to laugh and play. Offering off-road ATV driving, a 25-mph zip line, and a 50-foot free fall, Coral Crater Adventure Park is the ultimate attraction for adrenaline junkies.
Whether you want to participate in a single activity or enjoy an adventurous day, Coral Crater will cater to your requirements and challenge you to take risks. After a day outdoors and getting your blood pumping, Coral Crater is under a mile from The Residence Inn, so you’ll be able to relax in no time.
More info: Coral Crater Adventure Park
6. Golf at Ko Olina
Hawaii is famous for some of the world’s best golf courses, and a round at Ko Olina is one of those world-class courses. Set in a lush environment with tropical scenery, Ko Olina Golf Club has stunning surroundings to tee off in.
Not only does Ko Olina offer a beautiful and luxurious setting, but it is also Hawaii’s Best Golf Course and the club is dedicated to providing guests with an incredible golf experience. With both golf lessons and independent rounds on offer, Ko Olina is suitable for both beginners and golf pros and the club is also easily accessible from The Residence Inn.
More info: Ko Olina Golf Club
7. Maili Pillbox Hike
Overlooking the suburbs and beaches of Oahu, the peak of Maili Pillbox is one of the best places to enjoy panoramic views of the island.
A short hike along the ridge between the West coast suburbs, the Maili Pillbox hike takes you along five different routes. Each route has a different challenge level from steep to kid-friendly allowing all ages and fitness levels to enjoy the hike.
Like with any hike or when enjoying the outdoors, be sure to Leave No Trace.
The hike is full of natural beauty and breath-taking scenery to admire as well as fun pillboxes to snapshot at the top. The hike is also a great one to be accompanied by your four-legged friends and with The Residence Inn being a pet-friendly hotel, you have no reason not to bring them along for the trip.
With the west side of Oahu providing so much to do, it is a must-visit destination and after an adventurous day, The Residence Inn is the perfect accommodation to return to.
The hotel is an incredible base for exploring Kapolei as the hotel’s location is perfect as a launchpad to the surrounding area with all attractions no further than a short drive away. Whilst Kapolei might be a must-visit destination, The Residence Inn is a must-stay hotel.
Learn more about The Residence Inn on our podcast.
Bryan Murphy is the owner of Hawaii’s Best Travel and is a recognized authority on responsible travel to Hawaii. Combining years of on-ground experience with insights from the top-rated podcast, Hawaii’s Best, he connects with a broad online community, offering a richer, more responsible way to experience Hawaii.