If you want to get to know the real Hawaii, there’s no better place to do that than Honolulu. The capital and gateway to the island of Oahu, is the perfect place to kick off your tropical vacation! It boasts a number of impressive art museums, Victorian architecture & that Hawaiin bliss. Not only that, you’ll see the only royal palace in the USA, before picking up some cool stuff from the largest open-air shopping centre in the world!
But where to stay in Honolulu? The Hawaiian capital can be frightfully expensive. Along Waikiki’s shore, there are hotels galore – but their eye-watering prices might put you off. Instead, check out the scene for rentals in Honolulu. You’ll certainly get a lot of bang for your buck! Whether you want a cosy private room in a local’s home, a relaxing apartment with an ocean view, or a luxury apartment, there’s an Airbnb in Honolulu for you!
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at 15 of the best Airbnbs in Honolulu. We’ve considered a wide range of budgets, personalities, and travel styles, so it shouldn’t be too hard for you to find your dream Honolulu apartment. Let’s jump right in and take a closer look!
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Quick Answer: These are the Top 5 Airbnbs in Honolulu
Cute Private Studio in Waikiki
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Great location
- > Swimming Pool
Cosy Room near Waikiki/Diamond Head
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Close to public transport
- > Parking available
Beach Condo with Gourmet Kitchen
- > $$$$$
- > 6 Guests
- > Spa-like bathrooms
- > Awesome views of Friday fireworks
Tropical Room in heart of Waikiki
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Great location
- > Fully equipped kitchen
Private Waikiki Skyline Room
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Private Balcony
- > Dining and Lounge Area
The Top 15 Airbnb in Honolulu
Cute Private Studio in Waikiki | Overall Best Value Airbnb in Honolulu
Let’s kick off with one of the best all-around Airbnbs in Honolulu. Yes, this place is right on the Waikiki shore and you’ve got awesome views of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll also get a front-seat view of the Friday night Honolulu fireworks display! You really don’t need to leave this apartment for your whole time in town – there’s a kitchenette where you can prepare your own meals. As it’s a studio, this is a great place for a couple to stay.
Take a dip in either the swimming pool or the hot tub to get some respite from that relentless Hawaiian sun!
Cosy Room near Waikiki/Diamond Head | Best Budget Airbnb in Honolulu
It’s no secret that Hawaii is pretty pricey. However, that shouldn’t put you off as with a bit of research, you can find a great value Airbnb in Honolulu! This cosy room is a little out of Downtown and Waikiki, but don’t worry. It’s close to lots of public transport, and with the money you’ve saved, you can definitely afford to shell out on a bus ticket or too!
To keep costs down further, you’ve got your own kitchen and a supermarket nearby so you can stock up on food. No need to head to expensive, fancy restaurants. Save your money for exploring Hawaii!
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIBeach Condo with Gourmet Kitchen | Over the Top Luxury Airbnb in Honolulu
Always dreamed of being a chef? Then it looks like this might just be a great place for you to practice your craft. After all, that incredible kitchen has some great appliances for you to make the most challenging of dishes. Settle down on a Friday night with your delicious meal and watch the fireworks from your balcony.
You have walk-in stone and pebbled showers, and once you’re cleaned and fresh, enjoy the big and fluffy towels before curling up in your huge king bed!
Tropical Room in heart of Waikiki | Perfect Honolulu Airbnb for Solo Travellers
If you’re travelling solo to Hawaii, you’ll want to be somewhere close to the best nightlife so it’s easy to meet people, right? Well, check out this tropical room in the centre of Waikiki. It’s one of four rooms on a private property, so hopefully, you might meet other people at your Honolulu Airbnb! There’s a kitchen which comes not only fully equipped, but with complimentary water, tea, coffee, honey, and a few snacks!
You’re also really close to a cool market if you want to pick up some delicious treats to prepare yourself.
Private Waikiki Skyline Room | Perfect Short Term Airbnb in Honolulu for Digital Nomads
If you’re a digital nomad, the key things that you’ll be searching for are a fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection and a laptop-friendly workspace. Happily, this Honolulu Airbnb has both of those and a whole lot more on top! The king bed is the ideal place to get some rest and wake up refreshed and recuperated for working the following day. And you can head out to that gorgeous balcony and work! Who knows what way you’ll be inspired by the awesome views of the city?!
There’s also a gym on-site if you need to keep up with your workout routine. Perfect!
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Airbnbs in Honolulu
Here are a few more of my favorite Airbnbs in Honolulu!
Healing Hawaii Ocean Apartment | Best Airbnb in Honolulu for Nightlife
If you go a little too hard while you’re partying in Waikiki, it’s good to know that there’s a lovely, relaxing short-term rental in Honolulu to come back to. This healing Hawaii Ocean apartment! No matter how many Pina Coladas you enjoy, this will be the perfect place to get rid of that hangover – especially with those tranquil ocean views!
There’s a fully equipped kitchen where you can whip up some delicious food, and if you’re travelling with your own transport – there’s free parking!
Studio in the heart of Waikiki | Best Short Term Rental for Couples
Travelling with your other half? Then you certainly won’t want somewhere run of the mill. Luckily, this Honolulu Airbnb has plenty of character, it’s in an awesome location, and you get a king bed so that you can both starfish and still not touch the sides! Once you’ve dragged yourself out of it, head out to the lanai.
That’s a traditional Hawaiian balcony, by the way! You can enjoy a coffee and breakfast out there with awesome views of the beaches – which are less than 100 feet away!
Modern Tropical Convenience | Best Homestay in Honolulu
Want to get a really traditional and authentic experience of Hawaii? Then a Honolulu homestay is the way to go! And this one really makes sure that you have an incredible time. The apartment is cute, cosy, and there are high ceilings. It’s also in a great location – not in the centre of Waikiki, but close to Downtown Honolulu.
From here, it’s easy to get to the Art Museum or Chinatown on foot! You’ve got access to a swimming pool and your own private bathroom – and to top it all off, a friendly host!
Artist’s Home and Studio | Runner Up Homestay in Honolulu
There are some great homestays in Honolulu, so we couldn’t just leave you with one! Check out this artist’s home and studio if you want to get to know the biggest city on Oahu! This is a house with a bit of difference, as you’ll be surrounded by art made by your host! It’s a little out of the city centre, but it’s still within 1.5 miles of all the attractions.
So, if you don’t fancy walking you won’t have to spend long in a taxi or on public transport!
Grand Waikiki Residence Ocean View | Amazing Luxury Airbnb in Honolulu
Looking to splash a little cash on your Honolulu Airbnb? Then this is the perfect place to do that! This residence not only has views of the ocean but the mountains too! The house is a stunning example of interior design, with teak and marble flooring, and polished concrete throughout.
The fully equipped kitchen is a great place to prepare a dinner party for you and four more of your nearest and dearest. After eating, retire to the comfy living room and enjoy your favourite series or a movie on Netflix or Amazon!
Quiet and Clean Downtown Apartment | Best Airbnb in Honolulu for Families
For an awesome short-term rental in Honolulu for families of all ages, check out this great apartment! In a quiet, downtown neighbourhood. It’s also a great option for groups of friends because there’s space for up to 5 guests! The calm, open space is relaxing and tranquil and you’ll properly be able to chill out here after a long day of sightseeing in Hawaii! If you’d rather stay in and cook, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a kitchen with an oven, rice cooker, and toaster!
Waikiki three bedroom Apartment | Best Airbnb in Honolulu for a Group of Friends
With Waikiki Mall, Kalakaua Street, and Hilton Beach all within a hop, skip, and jump, you don’t get locations much better than this. And those are all really cool places to check out with your friends! Once you’re back in the apartment, you’ll all have to fight over who gets one of two king beds and who gets the sofa though! The great news is that if you have 5 friends to split the cost of this short-term rental in Honolulu with, it doesn’t even end up that expensive!
Rooftop Pool and Ocean view Studio | Best Airbnb in Waikiki Shore
We know you’ve seen a lot of Honolulu Airbnbs in Waikiki so far, but that’s because it’s such a cool place to stay! This cool condo has a rooftop pool with awesome views of the Pacific Ocean – you’ll want to spend all your time here rather than exploring Honolulu! There’s a desk and Wi-Fi too, so this is a great place to stay for digital nomads! If you’ve been travelling a long time, you’ll be pleased to know there are washing and drying facilities here too.
Modern Waikiki apartment near beach | Another Great Apartment in Waikiki Shore
Okay, we promise that this is the last short term rental in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighbourhood that we’ll show you! Just steps away from the beach, this awesome spot has an outdoor balcony and dining space – the perfect place to enjoy a pleasant meal and watch the sunset. When you want to leave the apartment, you don’t have to go far for something to do. The iconic Waikiki Beach is less than 100 feet away!
Large Studio in Downtown Honolulu | Top Value Airbnb in Downtown Honolulu
Last but not least is this awesome Airbnb in Honolulu. In the apartment building, there’s a recreation area complete with hot tub, restaurant, and a free parking space. All of these you’re welcome to use during your stay! There’s space for 4 guests, so this is ideal for a small family or a group of friends on vacation. And if you split the cost 4 ways, it makes it a lot cheaper!
FAQ about Airbnbs in Honolulu
Here’s what people usually ask us when they look for vacation homes in Honolulu.
What To Pack For Honolulu
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for an Airbnb stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Don’t Forget Your Honolulu Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Honolulu Airbnbs
So, that concludes our list of the best Airbnbs in Honolulu. We hope that our extensive list has given you some ideas on the best way to enjoy your holiday and that there’s a Honolulu apartment that suits your every whim and wish.
As you can see, there’s lots of variety. Cool downtown apartments, cosy Waikiki studios, and private rooms which are kind to your pocket and give you a local experience are all up there on the menu of Honolulu Airbnbs. What’s that… we’ve given you too much to choose from?!
If that’s the case, take a deep breath and have a seat. Then, just keep it simple and go for our favourite Airbnb in Honolulu – Cute Private Studio in Waikiki! It’s the perfect combination of style, value, and it’s in a great location! You definitely won’t regret it.
Now, all that’s left is for us to wish you good luck while you plan an incredible trip to Hawaii. We hope you have a great time!
- Check out our Backpacking Hawaii guide for in-depth info for your trip.
- Use our Where to Stay in Honolulu guide to plan your adventure.
- Backpackers and frugal travellers can use our budget travel guide.
- Make sure you visit the other best places in Hawaii too.
- That will of course include many of the stunning National Parks of Hawaii.
- A great way to see the country is by taking an epic road trip around USA.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
