The best places to stay in Waikiki in 2026 are the vacation rentals that give travelers more value, more flexibility, and a more authentic island experience than traditional hotels. Hawaiʻi is undergoing a major tourism shift. According to Honolulu Civil Beat, the islands are welcoming fewer visitors, yet travelers are spending more per day — not because they’re splurging, but because Hawaiʻi has become significantly more expensive to visit. Hotel...