White Sands Hotel

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!

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.

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.

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.

I kind of want to gatekeep this hotel/bar so it doesn't get too popular. So much fun!

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!

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. Pros1. 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 thin5. Only 12 pool lounge6. Parking is very limited7. Coffee in lobby but a feeMy 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.

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.

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!

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.