Oahu Hotels

On a beautiful white-sand beach, this collection of rustic studio, one-, and two-bedroom duplex cottages was under total renovation, to the tune of $1 million, as we went to press. All units are being remodeled and the studios were being razed. Everything should be completed in 2006, resulting in an end product that won't resemble anything like the old ramshackle budget bungalows that have stood here for decades. Prices have gone up, but considering the units are snuggled on a large lot, each with its own 200-foot stretch of white-sand beach between two legendary surf spots -- Waimea Bay and Banzai Pipeline -- the units are still affordable. The winter waves are rough stuff; we regular folks can only venture in to swim in the flat summer seas. But there's a large lava reef nearby with tide pools to explore and, on the other side, Shark's Cove, a relatively protected snorkeling area. Nearby are tennis courts and a jogging path. All units have full kitchens and their own barbecue areas. Tip: Stay on the beach side, where the views are well worth the extra bucks.

- Frommer's