3 Places on O‘ahu Where You Can Live the Resort Lifestyle

Make every day a vacation at these oceanside villas.

February 23, 2018

Rachel Ross Bradley,

Photo: Kat Wade

You know that feeling when you drive through the gates at Ko Olina on your way to the beach or valet your car at The Kāhala for a nice dinner, and your shoulders drop as you enter the vacation zone? There are a few places to live on O‘ahu where you can get that feeling full-time.

Ko Olina

The Beach Villas at Ko Olina are located at Lagoon 2, just past Aulani and the future site of the Atlantis Resort. You get all the amenities: lap and resort-style pools, a gym, a sauna, beachfront living and even a pool bar. Everything about this complex feels like a high-end vacation. There are currently 12 units for sale in the complex. Building B is closer to the ocean, but Building O has stunning views of it. Prices range from $1.25 million for a three-bedroom, three-bath unit (MLS 201610775) to $1,999,888 for a three-bedroom, three-bath unit (201725175). Sales in the past year ranged from $942,500 to $1.85 million. Wake up and jog the winding pathways of Ko Olina, or jump right in and swim the lagoons full of fish and turtles each day. All those amenities come at a price—up to $2,000 per month in maintenance fees.

Ocean Villas at Turtle Bay

Prefer the North Shore? Ocean Villas at Turtle Bay offers the vacation-owner experience up north. For $1.2 million for a studio (MLS 201704739) up to $3.65 million for a four-bedroom, three-bathroom unit (MLS 201721704), you can enjoy oceanfront living with access to Turtle Bay's restaurants, golf course, tennis courts and beach activities. The last sale was in 2015, when a studio sold for $799,000. As at Ko Olina, you pay for the amenities, with maintenance fees between $1,000 and $2,400 per month, depending upon unit size. There are only three units currently for sale.

Kāhala Beach

Living at Kāhala Beach, sandwiched between The Kāhala Hotel & Resort and Wai‘alae Golf Club, is pretty comparable to living at the iconic resort. Fifteen units sold in the past year for between $50,000 and $300,000. There are seven on the market right now, widely ranging in price, from $80,000 (MLS 201725030) to $2 million (MLS 201723624.) You get direct beachfront living along Kāhala Avenue, resortlike pools and grounds, full-time security, and large, open residences. The buildings were designed by Edward Killingsworth FAIA, and they were home to Jack Lorde in the height of the original Hawai‘i Five-0 heyday. For this resort lifestyle, you pay $1,000 to $1,600 in maintenance fees, plus an additional lease rent of $1,700 to $2,400 per month, depending upon unit size. The lease expires in 2027, and the land owner could potentially send everyone packing and redevelop the property, but many are willing to take that gamble for the luxurious lifestyle.