A darling and unique boutique hotel on Waikiki. The peninsula is covered in huge high rises and corporate brand hotels, and The White Sand is an oasis. The only part that leads me to give four instead of five stars is the severe difficulty with the wifi. It is entirely likely this was due to weather, which was a major issue during our stay. I would still stay here again. The retro designed hotel is small by comparison, and only three stories. I agree with their description of "vintage island vibes". The center courtyard is a lush pool and bar, Heyday, comfy white loungers and a tiki bar with swings. There is a small waterfall hot tub, koi pond, and seating area as well. Our room was clean and comfortable. I liked that in addition to the mini fridge (note no freezer) there was also a microwave. The location is towards the canal, but an easy walk to the beach. It was also a quieter area to be able to sleep as well. The highlight though was the staff. The hotel has the kindest, most helpful employees. I hesitates to give four stars as they were wonderful, absolute all the stars to the staff. Maygan was particularly helpful and lovely. We also loved their speakeasy, the Green Lady. read more

White Sands Hotel - Pool - Hotels Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Living next door to the white sands sucks, they do pool parties with crappy music and think its Ibiza by the way they act. The street is full of drunk clowns at the end of the night all the time. Try and enjoy and relax on your one day off and you can't hear your TV over their loud ass pool party crap music. Like its not even decent music. read more

Boutique hotel in a decent location 4 blocks from beachfront has a lot going for it, unfortunately years of neglect reflect poorly on overall ambiance. The outside lobby and pool area are pretty nice and well maintained but the hotel rooms and hallways were in desperate need of maintenance, remodeling and cleaning. Many of the issues were cosmetic and seem to be easily remedied so I'm not sure why they have let things go so long (probably a cost issue, but at some point upgrades are a necessity) Service was ok, most of the people behind the desk were young and buried in their computer working but friendly enough when spoken to. Just not the friendly vibe that a 4 or 5 star resort would demand. We weren't offered any free drink upon check in (albeit is was 5PM) and the free cookie they touted was a bit of a joke among us. The hallway carpet looked like it hadn't been cleaned or changed in decades. Our ceiling had visible dustballs throughout. The AC was cranked as low as it goes and it was still warm in our room even with the ceiling fan going. As pointed out by many others the pool and bar area are pretty nice and the food was decent. The Green Lady speakeasy was pretty cool although there was only one server for the room and it took 20 minutes for him to take our order, 20 to get our drinks and 20 more to get our check. All in all the price might have looked like a good deal when booking the room but there were just too many little details that spoiled the overall vibe of the hotel. read more

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I chose the White Sands Hotel for our stay due to the reasonable pricing and the location! It's just a block in front of the International Marketplace, and one more block from there to get to the beach. Because of its central location, it was still very close whether we wanted to go left or right down Kalakaua Ave. Check in was very straightforward. Unfortunately I didn't know they didn't have elevators, since it's only a 3 level hotel, and of course we were on the top. Not a huge deal and you can ask for assistance, but something to consider if you have little ones or a lot of heavy items. Additionally our room in particular was right above the main pool/bar area (but seems like all the rooms surround that area) so the loud music plays until about 9pm or so. Service was hit or miss! We mostly got great service and they were helpful when we did ask something. But I just found it odd they wouldn't even greet you with a simple hello when you arrive back to the hotel, especially here in Hawaii where greetings and friendliness is so common. I also noticed they skipped a day of room cleaning for us, which is a lot when they already only come every other day, and we wouldn't have been able to ask since we returned back late at 9pm to the uncleaned room. When we asked the next day they confirmed we would be on the schedule. On our last day at check out I was also frustrated when we were standing there waiting for our valet and needing to hurry to the airport, only to find out they had the car keys in the front drawer all along, after I walked out and noticed our car pulled up. They didn't apologize or anything. Valet is an additional cost (about $50/day) but it was very convenient that we didn't need to find parking every time we came back. They do have little perks such as the free items in the lobby at various times - cold iced tea, popcorn, and slushies. They also have a cafe there so you can buy coffee drinks and the coffee was not bad! We didn't get to use the pool but they did have a koi fish pond that the kids enjoyed visiting. I also appreciated the beach towels available so that we didn't have to pack them in our luggage! Other than those little hiccups mentioned earlier, it was still a pleasant stay, you get what you pay for type of thing...I think for the price and the central location it was still very much worth it. read more

White Sands Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Overall: 4/5 Breakdown: Hotel: 3/5 Check-in is strictly at 3 PM, but the staff was kind enough to store our bags so we could explore Waikiki and grab drinks at their pool bar while we waited. When we got to our room, the pillows were missing, it took about an hour for room service to bring them up, but the front desk was extremely apologetic about the delay. The room itself is pretty basic, but the bed was very clean and comfortable, which is honestly my top priority. Housekeeping comes every other day to make the bed and refresh towels. You're given a towel rental card to check out two towels at a time, don't lose it or the towels, or you'll be charged. Boogie board rentals are also available at no charge. Just grab and walk off. They have live music at least on Tuesdays and Thursdays until around 9 PM, and Fridays can get a little louder, but things quiet down by about 9:30-10 PM. Valet: 4/5 Valet parking is $45 per night. If you want to save, the Ala Wai is within walking distance, though I believe you need to move your car between 8-10 AM daily. Each time I requested my car, valet had it ready within five minutes, super time efficient. Bars: 5/5 The bars are easily the highlight of this place. Heyday has a great daily happy hour from 12-6 PM with solid drink and small bite options. The Green Lady Room #8 is open nightly from 8 PM-1 AM, the drinks are delicious and absinthe-lutely worth a visit. Final Thoughts: If you're looking for an affordable, basic place to stay with all the essentials and great on-site bars, this is definitely a solid choice. read more

White Sands Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The outside ambiance is awesome. The swings at the bar, the cozy lounge chairs & stylish umbrellas by the pool & the cozy hot tub(although it wasn't super hot) were great! Staff was excellent, they were even able to check us in early at noon. About a 10 minute walk from the beach & they have free beach chairs & body boards to borrow. Also a free slushy machine! Deducting one star because we saw a roach in the bathroom & we were right above the nightclub so the noise was pretty loud until 1am read more

White Sands Hotel - Poolside - Hotels Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Pros: Great location off the strip and really close to everything in walking distance. Cute bar with swinging chairs with great drinks and food available during happy hour. Each room has a balcony and AC blows super cold. Cons: Hotel is aged but could use regular maintenance and cleaning. The walls are thin so you can hear doors banging and daylight under the front door at night. The grotto spa didn't feel clean. We usually stay at a bigger hotel but decided to try something different. We stayed four nights and each night was not restful. I think the White Sands has good intentions but needs to be managed better. Workers are helpful but not friendly. Well maybe one valet guy did smile and was helpful. Otherwise, you don't feel the aloha and the feels are, you get what you pay for. Valet parking is $45 a day. Bar and restaurant open at 2pm. Pool is limited to 12 lounging chairs but there are tables and chairs around. read more

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So much great & then so much bad. Loved being a guest here, nice vibe, however...... once people buy resort passes to hang here it gets taken over, hot tub is full (9+ people), loud, foul language, frat party vibe at the pool. NOT COOL. We are paying as guests, they are ruining it with their day passes. Unacceptable. read more

For those who are just tired of the plastic resort vibes, come and check out this cozy tiki oasis. Happy hour is from 12-6p (yup... a 6 hour Happy Hour... more like a Happy Day) and the drinks are legit. Not touristy and overly sweet, but a nice balanced pour. Oh...and the bar has swings! Everything we ate was on point too. Not featured, but the smash burger was a nice cheesy bite. So good that we ordered it two days in a row. This place definitely surprised us. Will definitely be back! PS... We had to book our stay through a manager because we had a voucher. Giving 4 stars because it took us two days to book. Eventually the front desk booked us, but it was a lot of follow up on our part. read more

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I was so looking forward to staying here because I have been to the pool bar and of course the Green Lady. So I thought it was be so much fun to be able to stay. Well let's just say this staycation was NOT what I was hoping for. I still love the style, pool area, pool bar and the Green Lady is still one of my favs! On the other hand when you are unable to sleep because the room next to you is so loud the pics on the wall shake it is not cool. The front desk staff said they would ask them to quiet down, then After the 4th time they tell you well they paid to party here, it is not ok!!! I paid too. Missed out on my early morning dive adventure due to not being able to sleep. Not to mention the next day the valet could not find my car, and instead of telling us, after waiting 20mins and seeing them bring other cars, we asked where ours was she just said "oh, we can't find it" like what!!! After another 20mins they finally located my car. Insane!!! When finally talking to management she did try to help by comping night. And giving free drinks, it was nice but my weekend anniversary staycation was already ruined. read more

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This place is for the budget traveler through and through. We got a special rate for being CA residents plus a $20/day credit for food/drinks at the on-site bar. Check in was easy and simple. Our room was on the second floor facing the pool and was nice for the price. Some elements looked a little tacky/cheap, but were the kind of people who don't plan to spend much time at all in the room, so we didn't really care. Our room had a microwave, kitchen sink, large mini fridge, and a small table plus the expected bed and bathroom. It also had an AC unit and a ceiling fan, which was nice for the hotter days. The music in the pool area is loud, but they turn it off at a reasonable time each night, so it wasn't much of a bother. Be warned if music bothers you though. The drinks at the bar are bad. I'm sorry. We got pins coladas with rum floats and were choking them down. We also got a daiquiri and moscow mule respectively, which were pretty weak. The swings are cool though. Overall, it had a cool beach party atmosphere and was a great deal! Super close to everything in Waikiki and great for anyone looking for night life in the area. read more

I was surprised with a Waikiki staycation by my boyfriend and the best part- we got to bring our dog Lando! I'm kinda glad that I didn't know where we were staying because if I read the harsh reviews beforehand, I think it would've soured my mood before we even got there. It's off the strip nearby the famous international market place, so there's tons to do and awesome eateries all within walking distance. The rooms are actually really cute, I love the old school Hawaii touches. You can tell that everything was recently renovated. The AC made the room very comfortable -- it wasn't until we stepped out onto our balcony when we realized how hot and humid it actually was outside. Lando was obsessed with the big comfy bed. All 3 of us all had a great night's rest. There isn't an elevator so if you have a lot of baggage, beware. It actually worked out for us, because it was easier to walk our dog up the stairs rather than wait for an elevator just to go up one floor. The best part has got to be the pool area. It's super cute and the swings at the bar is so trendy. As Kamaaina we even got a food/drink credit at the hotel bar and restaurant. I think a more harsh critic would give them a 3 star or lower review but I really enjoyed my time, the staff were amazing, and Lando had the best first hotel experience! For the price, this was a great spot for a staycation! read more

I didn't realize that there was a hotel right behind Marugame Udon! This hotel is in such a great location; about right in the middle of Waikiki! :D The front is well hidden; gives the vibe of a secret location. Just to let you know, parking is $45 per night :0 The room was very spacious and the tv had more channels than other hotels we've stayed at! The design of the room seemed very old tropical hotel vibes which was cool. I love how there is a small kitchen with a microwave, sink, and refrigerator! It came out very handy! :) The A/C was lovely and the little balcony was cute! The bathroom was small, but it was ok. The shaka towel holders were cute! The coffee machine was complimentary and available every morning, which was really nice. The koi pond with the Japanese bridge was nice. The bar had swings which was awesome! The itinerary paper we were greeted with was helpful but we sadly didn't get to experience some of it. The hotel workers were nice and helpful. When it was after 10pm one of our neighbors were blasting their music and one of the hotel workers were quick to let them know it's 10pm and to turn off the music. That was nice. The walls and glass door was thick enough that you could block out sounds like talking or machine sounds. But there was a party on one of the days we stayed there and the music was so loud that lasted from 12pm-9:30pm. I understand that it's nice to have a party there but we aren't really party people lol. It was fine during the day because we went out but when we came back in the afternoon/evening to eat our dinner it was...kinda difficult. XD But it was nice to experience the treats and the party vibe. Sad we didn't get to try the slushies :( We didn't know that they would serve it at all the day of the party and Sunday the machine wasn't ready when we had to check out. Hope next time we could try. Overall it is a nice hotel to stay at if you don't want a huge hotel to stay at and it's very close to everything in Waikiki! read more

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Another one of those places that you're going back and forth on with the ratings.... There's plenty of good as well as the bad. Started off with the good. We booked everything through a package with Expedia. The price was great which did help with chowing the place. And hearing from others that like it, it was a win win. Upon arrival, location was amazing. Close and central to everything. Shopping, beach is minutes away, restaurants and bar. Check in was fast and easy. The girl that helped us was friendly but seemed like she was just starting it training. Could be wrong. We had the second floor pool view room. What thought was a a queen size was a double. Room was ok, size wise it was nice. The balcony was decent overlooking the seating area wight in the middle of the pool and bar. The bar area was great, the bartenders were amazing. Also happy hour from 12-6 which was great. There's also a speak easy in the evening which was amazing. Sort of hidden but just follow the music. The whole stay, I believe housekeeping came in to tidy up and take the trash out twice. Left some towels on the bed. We made our own bed the entire stay as we thought there was no housekeeping when we checked in. So sheets wasn't changed the entire stay. And the towels that was hung on the drying rack on balcony never was moved. Pros 1. Location was amazing 2. Cute boutiques hotel right in the heart of the city and walking distance to everything. 3. Bar area with swing that opens from 12-6 for happy hour 4. Speaks easy in the evening 5. Live performances certain nights in the evening around pool and bar area. 6. Staff at the outdoor bar was excellent Cons. 1. No coffee in room but did have microwave and fridge 2. Shower was small and pressure was non existent 3. The cabinet console is a pain. It has to be aligned in order to slide from one side to other. 4. Walls are thin 5. Only 12 pool lounge 6. Parking is very limited 7. Coffee in lobby but a fee My major ick factor was the whole saving the pool lounge in the morning. There's people that come out and put a towel on it to save it. But it's basically empty for a while until they come out. Hotel should implement a grace period of no one is utilizing it, it's open. So in the case, we never spent time at the pool throughout the day. It tends to be available toward the end of the night when we did utilize it a time or two. And I think pool is not heated. read more

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Beware of additional "resort" fees and parking costs... this place looks great in photos, but in person, it's all a bit tired and in need of some basic maintenance. From the AC only working on full blast or not cooling at all, to the cold water tap spilling out warm water, to the ceiling fans interfering with the next room's fan... this hotel looks like it was part of a renovation reality TV show where everything was done in a hurry. The vibe in the pool bar is great and the location is actually very close to many local eateries and malls. But if you want a quiet and restful vacation, this ain't it. However, my main complaint is that, for this price, the rooms should have basic maintenance done routinely... When I brought up these concerns to the front desk, I was given another room which is about the same: poorly kept. The rooms are supposed to be designed or something, which, clearly someone took the time to choose things that make for good instagram moments... however, plumbing, electrical and exposed drywall can't be missed... With all of that said... the bedding appears clean and most of the staff was accommodating (albeit unable to help with these maintenance issues)... With parking and additional fees, it'll be another hundred a day. I was able to find some street parking and meter parking which saves a bit. read more

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The rooms are old and spartan on amenities. The TV barely works. Internet problems. However I decided to change this review because the place is old Waikiki. Built in the 1950's. The staff are very friendly and nice. The pool and bar is the attraction here. A bar with swings, good bar food and drinks. And of course the ambiance of old Waikiki. There's also a speakeasy which is fun. I am going to change to 3stars. read more

I absolutely loved this place. Yes there is no elevator so if that's a problem, it isn't go you. It was a younger crowd here but not a rowdy younger crowd. The staff and hotel itself gives you so many ideas on what to do, see and eat in the area. The room was cute and clean and they give you robes. They also have things you can rent for the day included in the resort fee. We were able to get towels, beach chairs and a boggie board on the day we checked out. Our room overlooked the pool, there are two bars on site and the hotel is walking distance to everywhere in Waikiki. Would definitely stay here again! read more

White Sands Hotel - Door tag - Hotels Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Got the bottom floor room facing pool. Nice size room. Didn't care for the bathroom. No shower light and no shampoo/conditioner/shower gel placements on wall. read more

Review is for a dog party we went to. We werent an actual hotel guest here. White sands is located off the beaten path on Kuhio. Its a two story tiki looking building with retro vibes to it. Apparently they did a full renovation to their hotel and it used to be a motel like place where you can rent the rooms by the hour. Its a pretty small hotel but their outdoor pool area is kinda neat. It had a tropical jungle vibe. There is a pool bar with swings that looked pretty neat. I didnt get to try their foods since all of their seats were taken. Theres also a cute koi pond and a hot tub in the back (it didnt look like the jets were on tho). They recommended us to park at the international marketplace which is a short walk to the hotel. There is only a handful of stalls there (10-12 for hotel guests) which i assume is probably not enough since they probably have more than 12 rooms at their hotel. It would probably be helpful if they had valet there, especially for a party they're throwing. They invited some dog vendors out to this party, and that was nice to hear that they didn't charge them a vendor fee to be there. We also got to take a look at the rooms. We saw one on the first floor that also connects to the pool deck. The rooms are small, with a kitchenette that included a sink, mini refrigerator and microwave. The bathrooms were re-done but the shower stall was pretty small and you'd have to step over a small barrier to get in. It's probably to keep all the water inside, but probably not great if you're traveling with a older person that may trip and injure themselves. Otherwise it was a cute event to have for the dogs. Kind of a good way to market themselves to dog owners too. read more

My partner and I stayed here for 5 days and had a great time. I will be transparent and say this was not a resort-eque experience and if you're looking for that, this hotel probably isn't for you (and low key if you're coming to Oahu just to live the resort life and not explore, I'm judging). But if you're coming to Hawaii to explore and have a nice place to sleep for the evening with cute amenities, friendly staff and ambiance of vintage Hawaii that gives you a Elvis's Blue Hawaii vibe, this is the place to go. The rooms are not luxurious but so comfortable. They are on the smaller end so keep that in mind. For my partner and I, it was perfect. Usually guests were hanging by the pool until 10-11pm at the bar but it didn't bother us, I love a bustling night life. Made the hotel feel alive.I also loved the little touches of personality in the room like the headboards, paintings, tiki motifs and touch of color. Some of the lighting felt a little dated and bathroom felt older but I didn't mind it much to be honest Parking was tight but felt reasonable since the staff took care of our car. It is pretty pricey for valet but you will find that it's pretty average for Waikiki area. We did a mix of taking the bus and renting a car so we didn't spend too much. Love the perks of free coffee in the morning, towel uses and passionfruit tea. We didn't use the pool because we were usually at the beach (again, why come to Hawaii and use the pool when you're surrounded by beach??) Overall, we enjoyed it! They did such a good job making us feel comfortable and welcomed. read more

White Sands Hotel - View from the pool view room - Hotels Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Terrible front desk/customer service. This may come as a surprise to White Sands management and staff, but finders keepers is a bad policy for a hospitality establishment. Should have wrote this earlier, but feel compelled to notify everyone of the staff's behavior at this hotel. I forgot an item of value in my room, which is definitely my fault, but forgotten items from guests is a normalcy and it should (I emphasize should) be a refined, established policy at a hotel. If a forgotten item of value is found, protocol should be followed by employees to return the item to the guest or at the very least, contact the guest to notify them. This is a very low bar for a hotel. I called front desk shortly after checking-out once I learned of the issue, as I live on Oahu and could easily return to the hotel to collect MY belonging. Front desk said they would call me back. Two hours passes, I do not receive a call back. I call front desk again. Front desk is irritated with me contacting them again, I suppose I interrupted their Tik Tok scrolling. How rude of me. Front desk communicates they will tell housekeeping and call me back. Why wasn't this done on my initial call? Fifteen minutes later, front desk calls me to communicate that nothing was found in the room. Two hours without being contacted about my inquiry, then only fifteen minutes later front desk is certain housekeeping found nothing in my room? This implies that the front desk had no intention of returning or even checking for my forgotten item. Perhaps the housekeepers or front desk had a use for my expensive belonging. Moreover, the hotel asked for a review and when I reiterated this situation to them, I never heard back. It is clear this behavior from employees is accepted and management only cares about your money. Like me, you should spend your hard earned cash supporting another establishment that will treat you and your belongings with respect, not only while you are a guest, but even after you have departed the premises. read more

These people think this is Vegas by the noise levels that come from their pool party. They give no concern for the 1000's of neighbors who live nearby. Sunday and most people try to enjoy the last day of their weekend but they don't give one sh#t! #worstneighborinwaikiii #screwyouwhitesands read more

The rooms were adequate but by no means elegant- just old fashion Hawaiian. I would give the room just a 3-star especially when there is no elevator to get to the upper floors. But the friendliness and ambience of the pool and bar area bring back memory of the old Hawaii I knew. The hotel is just about a block away from the Royal Hawaiian shopping center but you feel that you are miles away from the hustle . I love the nice touch of free coffee from the expresso machine from 9-11 am . The cafe ales served a great Loco Moco. You won't get luxury but you do get a taste of the real aloha experience. read more

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Very cute decor at this hotel. While my room was noisy because of the proximity to the Green Lady bar, it was quite comfortable. The bed was cozy and the place was well appointed. I even had a dining table and microwave. The pool and bar area was really cute and they give you free popcorn and slushies in the lobby. read more

Checked in on Wednesday February 14th, 2024 to Room 331 with a dirty glass on the counter (it happens), trash from the previous guest, dirty towel on the floor and a bed that may or may not have been made/changed from the previous guest as the AC was off, balcony door was open with a slight wind having the bed looking ruffled. I personally have never encountered these issues at their South Lake Tahoe Location - and booked this property based on it being in the same hotel chain. If Waikiki wasn't already booked solid for Presidents Day Weekend, I would have gladly changed to another hotel - however, at the last minute and being 10 PM, I decided to rough it out as I was exhausted. When I woke up the next morning - the staff never asked how the stay was, etc. nor did housekeeping come at all on the 15th and did not arrive till the 16th. Otherwise, I am not going to nitpick the smaller issues - i.e. being unable to park after paying for a parking spot and leaving keys with front desk, limited seating at pool, remodeled rooms (carpet was quite worn) and must be 20 years old. After the stay I emailed the CEO of the Hotel Chain directly, as occasionally firms have a bad day and I'd like to give them a chance to correct it as their staff on property had no desire to even ask about my experience, as I've enjoyed their Lake Tahoe Properties and GM of BaseCamp from Tahoe, who acknowledged the initial email, but did not hear back from anyone about these issues roughly 2 weeks later. On some positive notes the staff at Heyday's was excellent - enjoyed the Happy Hour Cheeseburger at $8 & a cold beverage. Otherwise, the hotel is a short walk to the beach thru the mall. Frankly, I simply couldn't recommend the White Sands Hotel in Waikiki under any circumstances and would gladly pay slightly more for a more established hotel. read more

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The stars are misleading because overall I did enjoy my stay. Although your emails and online booking do not align. I specifically booked a room with a record player. No record player. I kept getting emails for upgrades. Including early check in. Day of I call to confirm upgrades. Which I immediately replied to via email link. No upgrades were shown. While at the hotel I payed for a late check out. My initial check out was 11:00 a.m. When 11:00 a.m. rolled around I was locked out of my room. I go to the front lobby and ask. Sure enough records showed I did indeed have a late check out. The staff were friendly. The room was clean as opposed to other reviews. This place would easily get a 5 star if it wasn't for numerous hiccups. I would still recommend although one would need patience if these discrepancy persist. read more

This old style Waikiki hotel is so awesome. The rooms are fairly priced and large and cool. It's next to Kuhio Ave and the beach is a short walk thru international market place. Another cool spot to hangout is the pool bar and the food is excellent. We tried everything on the menu and we were super satisfied with all the dishes. The chef is consistently awesome for breakfast lunch and dinner. Lots of local flare and the people are so friendly and knowledgeable about the island. We met Romeo who is a manager and he was so professional and catered to all our needs while we stayed for four nights. Highly recommend White Sand in Waikiki read more

What a hidden gem this place is. Its design is lovely, tropical and fun. It's not a 5 star hotel. But totally deserves 5 stars for what it is. Incredible staff. Great bar menu. The pool and bar area is so adorable. We will be coming back here for sure. Dined eating the BOLT and Steak frites. Both delicious. Steak came prepared as ordered. Medium rare. read more

White Sands Hotel - Pool side at dusk - Hotels Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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My wife and I recently stayed a week at the White Sands. In the middle of Waikiki, the location is great. There are a ton of shopping and dining options within easy walking distance and the beach is just a couple of blocks away. We booked a pool-view lanai room and definitely recommend this room type - the large balcony overlooking the pool was a great space. The shower was rather small, but the water was hot and the pressure good - great for rinsing salt, sand, and sunscreen off. Our issue with the room related to cleanliness/servicing. It appeared that the counters in our kitchenette and bathroom weren't cleaned very thoroughly prior to our arrival - there were several sticky stains of varying colors that attracted a lot of small sugar ants. After asking the front desk three times over two days for housekeeping to spend some extra time on these areas, it became obvious that it wasn't going to happen. We cleaned as best we could with water and hand sanitizer, but the ants kept returning throughout our stay. Rooms are cleaned/serviced every other day (which is plenty), though we got missed on one of our scheduled days and had to request service the next day. The bartender, Zack, at the pool bar was excellent. Deeply knowledgeable and personable. There pool deck hosts live music/DJs a couple of nights a week. I think it's supposed to be Tuesdays and Thursdays but there was also someone present on a Monday during our stay. The pool loungers are few in number but definitely quite comfortable if you use a towel or two to cover up the worn and somewhat unattractive cushions. A suggestion would be to disallow smoking around the pool - we noticed smoke drifting up onto our balcony and even a bit into our room once or twice. The $30 amenity fee is...a bit excessive, I think. We did take advantage of the complimentary coffee, tea, and slushies and appreciated the post card. The list of things that the amenity fee provides includes things like the live pool music and pool yoga (only offered on alternating Saturdays) so if you're not around for those offerings, you're basically just over-paying for coffee and iced tea. Might be a better deal if you use the hotel's beach equipment (chairs, boogie boards). Parking is expensive at $45/night, but the valet service is excellent. You can request your vehicle ahead of time digitally, which we did almost every day. Our rental was always right out front at the requested time. We needed a vehicle for some of the activities we had planned around the island but if you're sticking around Waikiki, ride-shares, Biki bike rentals and your own feet might be enough to let you skip a rental car. Overall, White Sands is a decent option if you get a good deal on the room rate. While it describes itself as vintage, a less charitable observer might instead say "old," or "dated," so if you're looking for new buildings with high-end finishings it might not be for you. read more

Was in Oahu for the Tiki in Waikiki event, staying at the White Sands for the 4th year in a row. This really is a charming little spot! Rooms Clean and current, even somewhat spacious for a hotel room. Microwave, refrigerator included. Beds are comfortable. My room had a nice patio with pool access! Food and Drink There are two bars/restaurants on the property. Hey Day is the pool bar with really good tropical drinks delicious food. The Green Lady is their speakeasy night time bar and lounge, also with delicious cocktails. It's got a cool vibe with a little lanai. Property The grounds are old school. Pool with loungers are clean and comfortable. It's a small resort but that's part of its charm, it's intimacy. Only drawback is the limited parking (they're doing valet only as a solution to this). And also, there are no elevators so if you're staying on the second or third floors you'll have to carry your luggage up. Location is close to everything including International Marketplace. Summary I took away a star the lack of amenities that many of the other hotels in the area offer like a sundries store, breakfast options, activities desk, etc. White Sands is simply an old school place that provides a decent place to those looking for a more affordable option. I'd definitely stay again. read more

The White Sands Hotel was built back in the 1960's by local general contractor who built a few other hotels in their time. It was later purchased by a Japan Hotel Developer in the 1980's. Modern day, this property is managed by Springboard Hospitality. The hotel was renovated back in 2018. Almost 100 hotel rooms were refurbished in Vanguard fashion. The lobby area and central ground floor area has a swimming pool and a bar named HeyDay with a very retro design and feel. About HeyDay, please know that it is partnered with Fete and Chef Maii. Even the adult beverages have names that follow the Fete beverages. HeyDay has the neatest decor. The seats are swings that surround the bar. How neat is that? There is a pseudo mini water fall in the back area and the pond is filled with koi. While I've not dined there I make no mention of the food. I am looking forward to my next visit there one of these days. A few things to consider and keep in mind is It's Waikiki so parking is a problem There is a small parking fronting the hotel entrance and nominal street parking. Check their website as I believe they have entertainment and check on their menu read more

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Such a great find, thank you for the California offer rate, we are so glad we stayed here. Good food, comfy clean rooms and helpful staff. read more

White Sands Hotel - Guest ice and water dispenser, shower next to the pool - Hotels Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I don't have very many positive things to say about this place. I should have believed the reviews but chose to go by their photos (big mistake). Ants in the room, dividers on the deck are flimsy, no elevator, tiny pool, absolutely no parking unless you want to pay a daily rate... And if you don't purchase a parking pass when you book good luck getting one while you're there. Staff is lazy, our hotel was supposed to be cleaned once during our stay (stated to us at check it), and it wasn't, so we asked about it and they said since we were there so long they'd only clean if we requested it... When asking for more towels they told us we'd have to come get them ourselves, there's really no room service. The only reason they get two stars is simply because of their hot tub, bar (which got a separate-better- review) and the A/C which worked wonderfully. The speak easy, live music, bar/cabana and open pool mean that people from everywhere else flood over and there's never any space for you to enjoy any of the stuff you paid for. I would recommend coming by for live music and the bar... but stay elsewhere. It's not worth what it costs, even if you plan to go out and about and only be there to sleep/shower. read more

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I'm a local Hawai'i resident who's done a number of staycations at this point and I have to say that this place is my all time FAVORITE. The staff are amazing. They really make their guests feel special and valued and go out of their way to be accommodating. They also ensure the small walk-up style building is safe, which I appreciate. Special thanks to David and Tafuga (aka "Dad"). We appreciate both of you. The building has been renovated with cool retro touches which make it a unique and fun stay, conjuring up Austin Powers vibes. From the furniture to the common areas to the music- it's definitely a vibe from when Waikīkī was in her prime. The lanais are pretty awesome. They're quite large and have a table and 2 chairs to sit out and enjoy. Each one feels private. There's a small coffee bar at the front desk and they make a mean drink upon request. It was waaaay better than most coffee shops in the area. The pool/ pool bar and hot tub area have to be my favorite by far. Their pool chairs have big puffy cushions on them, making for a comfortable perch to get some sun, read a book or take a nap. The hot tub is hidden in the foliage and has a volcano-esque shape with a waterfall feature. It's definitely a custom build and has lots of seats around the sides. The pool bar and restaurant (HeyDay) are a nice touch. We had some food and drinks there which were all pretty good. Zach the bartender was our favorite. I love that there's swing chairs as well as bar stools. Their Mai tai was really good! Also super mega points for being one of the few actually dog friendly places in all of Oahu. I don't say that lightly. I have asked many places about their dog policy and they all have a size limit of no more than 25-50 pounds. This place doesn't discriminate :) they even have a special promo rate that lets you waive the pet fee. Otherwise it's $35/ dog per night. The building is small so there's not a ton of other guests and the guests are friendly. Not pretentious at all. You can't be the kind of snooty person who wants the Kahala hotel but stays here. It's just different clientele. If you want fancy, and don't want to walk up stairs (they have ground floor rooms so it is ADA accessible) and demand room service, this is not the place for you. You can get your own ice, not expect turn down service (or housekeeping to come at all) and get and return your own towels. Overall, it's a great place to relax and you can't beat the central location. Although you won't want to leave! read more

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Never thought I'd be writing I'd give 0 stars if I could. Run away from this place. Pest infestation every corner of this establishment. I understand the gigantic roaches since it's an island but there's an infestation in the rooms. And this creatures not even shy to come out during the day, on your stuff, in your bed, in the closet, all over the bathroom sink and toilet. My phone had a water damage from the beach so I was inly able to take one video and now they're denying that the place is infested. Even the guy at the front desk said he wouldn't stay there. And now don't get fooled by their photos, on the contrary it looks somewhat like the photos but old and smelly with extra guests that invade your shit. Disgusting disgraceful read more

My 3rd time staying here and a great experience as usual. Best value and relaxing stylish retreat hidden gem in overpriced Waikiki. read more

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This hotel is structured like an old apartment building. It's cute and quaint but definitely a little rundown and not upkept well. For examle: the vent in the bathroom was packed with thick layers of dust. The shower head is extremely low I had to bend down and backwards to wash my hair. The shower itself is so tiny that I could barely move around to clean myself. I think the hotel would benefit from a remodel, new towels, extra luggage stands, and providing slippers to guests. Most of the workers are very friendly and helpful, especially our bellman, RJ! The food was very mediocre and I would not recommend - we ordered the coconut shrimp with fried rice and a salad. The fried rice was just kind of greasy and plain. The coconut shrimp was decent but only comes with 6 small shrimps. The salad dressing tasted like oily water, literally no flavor. The drinks tasted good but I was surprised at how tiny the daquiri glass was. Same with the pina colada, they don't even fill the glass. I asked for an extra shot of the special rum they put in the pina colada but the bartenders didn't know what it was. The service not great, none of the bartenders seemed to care when a customer came to the bar, they took their sweet time and didn't even smile. read more

Cute boutique hotel! It's definitely an older building but it's remodeled nicely with a retro vibe. Since it's older, you can hear noises out in the hall pretty easily but wasn't a bother for us. There are no elevators so be sure to request main level if you need that and I would definitely recommend paying the extra for a pool facing room. The area around the hotel isn't the most beautiful. The hotel location is centrally located and off the main roadways. We could walk to anything we wanted to do in Waikiki. We walked thru the international mall and down the surf board alley by Cheesecake Factory to get to the beach. The live music at the hotel on Monday was some of the best I've ever heard! The hotel has a cute tiki bar with good happy hour deals on drinks and delicious food. The Green Lady speakeasy bar onsite is nice too. The vibe in the pool area is nice and relaxing, great bartenders, and the hot tub was nice. We enjoyed our time! It's definitely not a luxury resort feel but the low key vibe is what we were looking for. read more

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I LOVED this hotel. Ya, I've seen other reviews- if you have bad knees, it's not for you, cuz there's no elevator. Let's get that out of the way. BUT, as a New Yorker who lives in a four story walk up, I know stairs are good for your butt. My room was so charming! And clean which is also important too lol. Yes, there's a fridge. Location was super close to marketplace, and beach. I LOVED HEYDAY, the bar/pool area. I believe my bartender was Zack (crap I should have written this sooner cuz of course I forgot his name) and he was FANTASTIC! The happy hour (12-6) deals were SO GOOD! A bottle of wine by the pool for $20? COME ON! I WILL GLADLY TAKE THE STAIRS FOR THAT! Easy luggage check for those of us on the red eye too. I'll be back. read more

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I stayed here last year, and have raved about my stay then. I gave them top marks ! I planned to ALWAYS stay here when in Honolulu. I returned for a stay last weekend, but was disappointed that this time wasn't as enjoyable. It seems there has been a change in management, and staff seems to not be on their game: kinda "phoning it in." Things were not available at posted times, hours of services/amenities were reduced, a voucher a staff person gave me had time restrictions making it difficult to use, etc. It's still a cute retro/hipster/Insta spot, but next time I'll stay someplace with less charm, for better service and amenities - like available parking. If you do book here, spend the extra money for a pool view room: they are WAY better than the ones that look onto a tenement building next door. read more