Makaha Valley Towers

Loved this place as a "home base" while exploring Oahu. The West Shore seems isolated on a map, but in actuality, it's only an hour from Honolulu, and 2 hours from the furthest point on the island, the NE tip. And ALL of the drives on the island are gorgeous. I found that most of Oahu has been gentrified. The West Shore, however, still "keeps it real." To save on food costs, I went shopping at local markets, and had conversations with real lifelong Hawaiians who weren't jaded by constant tourist interaction. The complex has gas grills near the pool, so you can microwave or "oven bake" in the unit, or grill by the pool. While I wondered whether my car would be broken into at some Oahu locations (all over the island; there are signs telling you to be careful), I didn't have that concern at the Towers. Guards are on duty 24 hours at the entry/exit gate. They greeted me every time I entered or left. They also cruise the grounds fairly regularly. The grounds themselves are well manicured. Loads of exotic plants growing in trimmed lawns. Every day at dawn, every bird in the valley started singing. It sounds annoying, but it wasn't.