It's not often that I get to visit the North Shore of Oahu and stay there overnight. The cost adds up quickly, so I usually treat it as a daytrip instead. But recently, I booked a stay at the only budget hotel on that side of the island, the Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore, and found it to be a family-friendly, affordable option.
What I love about staying on the North Shore is that it makes the experience less stressful and more enjoyable. I was able to take my time and stay longer exploring various spots. Best of all, I didn't have to worry about driving back to Waikiki an hour away.
The rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore were large and spacious, and some have ocean views. Photo Credit: Courtesy Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore
Located in the town of Laie, the Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore is a 144-room hotel with prices starting from around $300 per night, depending on the date. It provided a great homebase for my son and me. He liked that it was right next to a McDonald's, and I loved that we could walk to the Polynesian Cultural Center that's right next door.
The room was spacious and comfortable, and we had a view of the ocean. The beach is accessible right across the street. When we stopped to check it out, the water looked bright blue and very inviting, and there were only three other people on the white-sand beach.
But the hotel has its own pool and activities that make it hard to choose which to do first. The large pool has a waterfall and whirlpool with cabanas along its side. It's a clear favorite among guests, who I saw playing in the water. Next to it is a pickleball court and volleyball net. My son decided on the pool, and we spent an hour there before readying for the luau and evening show at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
The Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore is family-friendly, affordable hotel with a large pool that’s a favorite among guests. Photo Credit: Courtesy Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore
It had probably been a decade since I last saw the evening show at the Polynesian Cultural Center, mostly because it would mean a long, dark drive back to Honolulu, so I jumped at the chance to experience it again. This is one of the big advantages of staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore. After the show, while everyone else was walking to their cars, my son and I just walked to our room.
The next morning, I got a Starbucks coffee from the hotel's eatery, the Bistro, then visited with Aunty Kela, the hotel's ambassador of aloha, for a ukulele lesson.
I had never played ukulele before, yet Aunty Kela made it very easy to learn. In just 10 minutes, she had me and my son strumming chords and singing to "Pearly Shells," then she had us out of our seats dancing to "Hukilau." It's an experience my son and I will remember for a long time.
As we got ready to leave, I realized what I liked the most about staying at this hotel, aside from its convenience and affordability, was the staff. Mostly residents of the town, they were all very friendly and warm. They were also patient with our questions and were open to "talking story" and just made us feel welcome from beginning to end.