Oahu
Directly across the street from the swanky Halekulani, the much more modest Waikiki Parc has made a name for itself with its tidy, no-nonsense rooms, hip clientele, efficient staff, and prime location (808-921-7272; waikikiparc.com; doubles, $205-$415). For those who prefer a more full-service resort, the gracious Moana Surfrider underwent an extensive renovation when it became a Westin property last year; it's still one of the best loved properties on Waikiki (808-922-3111; moana-surfrider.com; doubles, $430-$740).

Recommended Reading
For general guidebooks, both the Revealed series (Wizard Publications; $16-$17) and the Moon Handbooks ($18-$25) cover all the Hawaiian Islands in fine detail (the former with more attitude, the latter with more history). Fodor's guides are best for their extensive hotel and restaurant listings, suitable for all budgets, and great maps ($18-$20). For more insight into the lives and traditions of the early Hawaiians, pick up Herb Kawainui Kane's lushly illustrated Ancient Hawai'i (Kawainui Press; $15). Lastly, Hawai'i's Story by Hawai'i's Queen is a poignant and deeply engaging autobiography by the islands' last monarch; Liliuokalani's accounts of daily life (mother-in-law grievances, volcano camping trips) and landmark events (namely, the American-led coup that seized the throne) is the stuff of gripping novels (Mutual Publishing; $14). On Oahu, the Honolulu Weekly, which comes out every Wednesday, is the island's best source for local music, new restaurants, and cultural events. Honolulu's Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii store in the Ward Warehouse shopping mall has perhaps the widest collection of local fiction and nonfiction, maps, and guidebooks (1050 Ala Moana Blvd.; 808-597-8967).