Where to Stay in Kailua Oahu in 2025: Best Areas for Vacation Rentals

Looking to escape the craziness and find the best base for your Oahu trip?

Kailua is where I lived for 8 of the 9 years I that I lived on Oahu, and I loved it!

It’s about 30 minutes from town, as Honolulu is referred to, so I could drive in to Waikiki and take in the chaos whenever I wanted.

But I didn’t visit Waikiki – a neighbourhood of Honolulu – often. Kailua is a beautiful beach town with all of the shopping, dining, and beach activities I could ever ask for – without all the people.

There are a lot of options on the island aside from Waikiki.

Before I moved to Oahu from Canada, I would spend a night or 2 in Waikiki when I vacationed and then fly straight on to Maui. Because I hated Waikiki, and I didn’t realize how much more there was of Oahu to see!

If you’re looking for an alternative to the tourist hub that is Waikiki, while still being able to visit easily, Kailua is for you. And so you know where the best spots to stay are so you can enjoy the best of Kailua.

I have them listed for you here. You’re going to love it!

I also hand-picked a great vacation rental for each one. Ideal spots to make the most of your time on Oahu.

Kailua Beach and it's turquoise water, with kite surfers on the sand — *Kailua Beach!*

Escape to Oahu contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of the links below, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we use and trust. Read our privacy policy for more information

Kitesurfing in Kailua — *Kitesurfing on Kailua Beach*

The Best Areas for Vacation Rentals in Kailua

Kailua gives you easy access to one of the island’s top beaches. It’s popular for water sports like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and kitesurfing.

Kailua isn’t a place where you need to worry about whether the area you’re staying in is safe. But there are definitely better areas to stay while you’re on vacation. The following are all good, residential spots. Read on to find out why.

The brilliant blue water through a Lanikai Beach Access — *Beach access to Lanikai Beach*

1. Lanikai

Lanikai is a beautiful residential area in the east end of Kailua. It’s known for its stunning beach and incredible views. Parking is a big problem though, and can make it really hard to enjoy Lanikai Beach unless you can walk there.

That’s just a part of what makes this cottage so great. While it’s not on the beach side of the loop that goes around Lanikai, it’s just a few minutes walk and you’re on that soft white sand.

Aside from being unbelievably beautiful – thing turquoise water under a deep blue sky – it’s also a nice, calm place to snorkel. There isn’t a lot of sea life in the area, but you may see some fish and the occasional turtle in the water.

This area is a long-ish walk to the little market, the pizza place, and the kayak rental shop, and you’ll need to drive anywhere else.

But if you’re hoping to be right by what has often been named on of the most beautiful beaches in the world, this spot’s for you.

Lanikai Cottage (pronounced laan-ee-kī)

No pets, children, or smoking

This great little cottage is rated 10 out of 10 and has 96 reviews. Here’s one:

Amazing location (<5 min walk to the beach, 5 min drive into Kailua – cutest little town!!), perfectly clean cottage with everything you could need, including beach chairs and snorkel gear… it was incredibly private with our own private yard/patio. Bed was incredibly comfortable… we honestly couldn’t have been happier with our stay.
– MANDY E (READ MORE REVIEWS)

The 2 person cottage is beautifully decorated with features like elegant acacia hardwood floors, custom shaker-style cabinets, and granite countertops. You have a queen-size bed, a remodelled bathroom with Italian tile, and a spacious walk-in shower – and a hot tub.

There are even beach towels and chairs provided for for your visits to Lanikai Beach, and superb hosts. And nearby is the well-known hike Lanikai pillbox hike. The views from the top are spectacular!

🏝️ Click here to check check availability and book the Lanikai Cottage!

*Google Map of Kailua Areas in this Article*

2. Kuulei Tract (pronounced ‘koo-oo-lay’)

The Kuulei Tract is walking distance from Kailua Beach. The neighbourhood is mostly residential and has a community feeling.

There are local businesses and eateries within walking or biking distance.

I lived on Kuulei Road for a while, across the road from the edge of Kuulei Tract. It was a perfect spot – I could walk to the beach or to Kailua Town.

Staying in Kuulei Tract also puts you just a short drive from other attractions in Kailua and nearby Lanikai. It’s a great location if you’d like a quiet place to stay, while still having access to some of Oahu’s best sights and activities.

Houses along beautiful Kailua Beach, from the water — *Kalama Beach towards Castles Beach in Kailua*

🐠 Kuulei Road Studio

no pets or kids under 3

The cottage has a 9.8 out of 10 rating, with 87 reviews. Here’s one:

Me and my wife spent a week here. It was amazing! The location was perfect. We were so close to the beach and so close to all of the shops and restaurants in Kailua. The room was very clean, the amenities were wonderful, and the owners were very friendly!
– N.P. (read more reviews)

This 2 person studio has a great location – just a short walk to a great beach, and you can even walk into Kailua town. I lived across the street from here for a while, and I loved being able to walk to the beach with my dogs.

There’s a nice little courtyard and a few different places to sit and relax outside. Just down the road is a 7-Eleven, as well as a burrito place, and a 10 minute walk will take you to the heart of the town.

This ground-floor studio has a private entrance and a newly remodelled bath with a large walk-in shower. You’ll have a breakfast bar with the essential appliances, a queen-size bed, air conditioning, and additional amenities like cable TV and Wi-Fi.

There are beach chairs and boogie boards for your use, and your own parking spot.

🏝️ Click here to check check availability and book this Kuulei Studio!

Kalama Beach, with gorgeous blue water and golden sand — *Kalama Beach*

3. Kalama Tract ( ‘a’ is pronounced ‘aah’ in Kalama)

Kalama Tract in Kailua, Oahu, is the next neighbourhood northwest of Kuulei Tract. The neighbourhood is lined with family homes, giving you a glimpse into local life.

It’s closest to Kalama Beach, which is just a continuation of Kailua Beach.

Kalama Beach has its own beach park, which means there are restrooms and showers here. The Kalama neighbourhood is a short walk to the beach and to Kailua town, with its shopping and restaurants.

The farther northwest you get in Kalama, the farther you are from the heart of the town, but never too far. There are still shops and places to eat as you move in this direction, but fewer of the ‘good ones’, in my opinion.

🐠 Luxury Beach House

no smoking, no pets, no bachelor/ette or similar parties

The Beach House has a 9 out of 10 rating, with 62 reviews. Here’s one:

Location was INCREDIBLE!! We loved being <5 min walk from our favorite beach on the island. Huge fridge, full sized couch, fast wifi, clean, comfortable fluffy pillows for a good night’s sleep! Super nice and large washer/dryer. Amazing beach amenities provided! Loved having chairs and a boogie board. Cute table and chairs on the patio!
– Goldman (read more reviews)

This property has pretty garden views and comes with great amenities like a tennis court and a washer and dryer. Be aware that it does NOT have air conditioning, but plenty of windows to let the trade winds blow through.

You’ll appreciate the convenience of complimentary WiFi and private parking during your stay. The home also has its own private entrance and everything you need to feel at home.

🏝️ Click here to check check availability and book this Luxury Beach House!

The view from the beach rental front yard out over the green lawn to the blue ocean and the Mokes in the distance. — *You can’t stay closer to the beach than this!*

4. Beachside

Beachside is a fantastic area that stretches along the beach. It is separated from Kuulei and Kalama Tracts by Kalaheo Drive, North and South. So while these neighbourhoods are close to the beach – Beachside is actually beach-side.

The neighbourhood itself is again a residential one, which keeps things quiet and relaxed. Being closer to the beach means being a bit farther from the local shops and eateries.

But in a town the size of Kailua, nothing is ever very far away.

Its number one appeal is its proximity to the excellent beach. Beachside also tends to be a bit more upscale – if people can afford to live this close to the beach, they can generally afford a little luxury.

🐠 Private Beachfront Rental

no pets, no smoking, no events (eg. reunions, bachelor/ette parties)

This property has a rating of 10 out of 10, with 94 reviews. Here’s one:

…The AC and ceiling fan is fantastic for night sleeping. The kitchen was well stocked with all your needs. The little pocket ceiling windows bring in the daytime light so perfectly… The chairs and umbrella are a bonus for sure. Everything you need for the beach was there…
– Linda l. (read more reviews)

You have your own private entrance here, with easy parking just a few steps from the door. The queen-sized bed has a ceiling fan over it, but you’ll have air conditioning as well.

The kitchenette has a Keurig coffeemaker with four complimentary K-cups to get you started. You can bring more if you like, or pick them up in town.

The kitchen has everything you need except an oven/stove. But there is a microwave.

Just outside is a private walkway leading to a front lawn where you can relax and take in the stunning views of Kailua Bay and the Mokulua Islands.

There’s quick access to the beach from the yard, and there are lounge and beach chairs for you to use on the property. There are outdoor hoses and faucets, too, to rinse off the sand after a beach day.

You even have and clotheslines right outside your door for drying everything from suits to towels.

🏝️ Click here to check check availability and book the Private Beachside Rental!

Other Kailua Areas

There are other areas of Kailua where you’ll find vacation rentals, and it would be hard to find a bad area to stay in. You can pay into the thousands of dollars a night, or (slightly) less than a hundred.

As usual, a good clue to to the quality of the rental and the area is the price.

But due to the size of Kailua, you won’t ever be too far from the beach, shops, or eateries. You may not be within walking distance, though.

But I do recommend having a car while on Oahu, and nothing in Kailua is a long drive away.

You may decide you want to spend your entire vacation in Kailua. But the pretty beach town is an easy drive to everything else there is to see on the island.

From here you can hop on the main roads to Waimanalo, the Makapu’u Lighthouse, Waikiki, or anywhere on the North Shore. Kailua is an excellent base for your trip!

Summing It Up: Best Areas for Vacation Rentals in Kailua

As you can see, Kailua is an ideal spot to stay in Oahu! And as beautiful as it all is, there are better areas to stay in. Kailua doesn’t have hotels – visitors get to choose from a wide selection of top vacation rentals.

Now you know where to get your dream place to stay in paradise. But if you still have questions – get in touch!

Aloha – & hele hauʻoli!
(happy travels!)