Hawaiian Surfer Hotspots

1/30/2006 at 11:59 AM
Tags: Hotels

The New York Times goes to the Beverly Hills of surfing destinations--the North Shore on Oahu.

The article takes on a very in-depth tour of the local surf scene, sprinkled with historical facts and new ones like the fact that the TV show "Lost" films there. (The article smartly glosses over the other TV show, titled "North Shore" that bombed on Fox.)

If you're not a surfer and want to enjoy the action from afar, there's Turtle Bay Resort, which is pretty much your only option for a resort. It has 375 rooms, 26 suites and 42 beach cottages, along with two golf courses, tennis courts and a private beach for beginning surfers. Rooms begin at $229.

Ke-Iki Beach Bungalows is at the other end of the hotel spectrum. It has just 10 bungalows right on the beach and within walking distance from Sunset Beach and Velzyland. Celeb alert: Morgan Freeman and Owen Wilson aka Butterscotch Stallion have stayed here. With amazing rates---$120 for a studio and $210 for a two bedroom, the bungalows are booked very far in advance.

Lastly, for the travelers who don't care where they sleep but rather about what they do, there's the Backpackers Vacation Inn and Plantation Village. It's a "funky surf hostel" but you have to sleep on bunk beds in rooms with other surfers. On the bright side, they do have private rooms, with shared kitchen, bath and living room that start at $67 and full-on studio apartments start at $125.

Need we say, Cowabunga, dude? Hmm..no we don't. Ok then...Surf's Up!

Related Stories:
· For Surfers, All Waves Lead to Hawaii [NY Times]
· Oahu Hotels [HotelChatter]
· Hawaiian Surf Hotels [TripAdvisor]