Waikiki vs Lanikai (Kailua: restaurants, shop, nightlife)

[southkakkatlantan]

I'm staying in Oahu June 30-July 10.


I'm having trouble deciding whether to stay in Waikiki or Lanikai.


How far of a drive is it between the 2 places? From pictures, I feel as though Lanikai will have nicer beaches/prettier water, which is what I'm attracted to. But I don't want to be too far from nightlife, shopping and restaurants, which we will want to have close access to as well. It will be me, my mom, and my brother is flying in separately from Thailand. He likes to surf, and I was thinking the Lanikai side might be better for that...? I just don't want him to feel 'bored' if the area is super quiet...I'm 37 but he's 30 and likely will want to be a little closer to the action while I know I'm mostly going to be concentrating on relaxing, the beach, food, and just a few activities here and there.


Any suggestions on what to do? At first I thought about splitting up the time between the two places but since my brother is flying in from so far away, I was thinking I should keep us in one place the entire stay, but I'm not sure.


For our budget, on AirBnB I am currently seeing nicer places in Lanikai than in Waikiki.


Any/all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[whtviper1]

To stay in Lanikai would mean staying in an illegal rental.

Roughly 40 minutes give or take Lanikai/Waikiki commute. There is virtually no nightlife in Kailua so plan accordingly

[oceanus]

Surfing in Lanikai? Since when? Maybe a mile off-shore? Lol.
Waikiki/town is where the shopping, museums, surfing, and nightlife is, imo.
If I was visiting here I'd stay in Waikiki, and then take a day trip to the windwird side just to see the beaches one day, maybe two at the most.

[ScottStielow]

Waikiki, You can walk to any of the intertainment and stores, or the Mall if you like to hike. Then drive to the Lanikai, and other windward side places to visit. But would go during non-weekend day. That is ticket weekend time, and traffic.