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We’re taking you back to a golden bygone era cloaked in hazy memories. Here, at the last of the vintage walk-up hotels, you can connect with your own visions of Hawaii right in the middle of Waikiki. So, come and tap into the Kuhio Avenue “Heyday” culture of the early 70s. Kick back with swaying palms, mai tais around the pool, and remodeled rooms with lanais and cool island colors. Rinse your sandy feet off in our outdoor shower. As you fall into the rhythm of the island, you’ll feel the tropical fever that captivated the world. The newly renovated White Sands Hotel joins understated elegance with vibrant Hawaiian style, so you can experience the essence of old Waikiki without sacrificing the comfort and convenience of modern times.
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White Sands Hotel emerges as a favored choice for its prime location close to beaches and local attractions, although parking may require some patience. Guests enjoy the hotel's vibrant amenities, from the bustling bars to the inviting pool, despite occasional noise. The establishment's retro, tropical vibe, complete with live music, adds to its unique charm, though some guests mention noise disturbances here as well.
While the service is generally applauded for its warmth, room issues have been a point of contention. Room conditions reflect a nostalgic appeal, but cleanliness and upkeep are areas noted for improvement. The hotel's value proposition receives a mixed response, with its affordability contrasted by additional fees.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Eclectic
Rooms
Cozy
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Relaxing
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My husband and I decided to vacation in Hawaii for our 1 year anniversary. We were recommended to stay at White Sands by a close friend, and we don’t regret our decision. The staff was friendly and greeted us well upon arrival. One of the staff members helped us bring our luggage to our suite, and they even checked up on us after getting settled to make sure our room was fully supplied and up to good standards. Whenever we needed anything for our room (extra towels, shampoo, etc), the front desk was responsive and a staff member came in a quick timely manner. Our suite overlooked the pool area, and our room was kept clean and checked on daily during our entire nine day stay. The valet staff was great, and even with busier times and multiple cars they would have to move, each of them brought us our car in a safe condition. The hotel is a smaller hotel compared to the other hotels in the area, which we liked very much. It’s close and walkable to all the tourist attractions (beach, shopping malls, restaurants), which is nice and convenient so you don’t have to worry about driving and parking to get to these areas. It made the stay feel more like “home”, and it wasn’t as hectic as the other hotels. The food at the Hey Day restaurant was amazing, and another plus is that the restaurant and the bar, Green Lady is open to the public. This is a great option if you have other friends/family that are vacationing with you, and want to have dinner or night out with and not be in touristy setting. Overall, I would highly recommend White Sands Hotel to any families traveling or even couples who are getting away for a vacation.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Bring a water canteen, as they have a water and ice station.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at White Sands Hotel
Responded 9 Nov 2024
Aloha Sharlynnc2024, Congratulations on your 1-year anniversary! Mahalo for choosing to celebrate at White Sands Hotel and for sharing your thoughtful review. It’s fantastic to hear our friendly team could help make your stay feel like home, from the attentive service to the relaxing suite overlooking the pool. We’re glad you enjoyed the welcoming, intimate vibe of our boutique property and our convenient location near Waikiki's highlights. Hearing that Hey Day and the Green Lady added to your experience truly warms our hearts. We’d be thrilled to welcome you back for more unforgettable memories in paradise! Warmest aloha, White Sands Hotel
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This hotel had fantastic service. The building is older but was renovated so the rooms are nice. It's smaller and homier than the huge skyscraper buildings all over Waikiki so it felt like a refresher after being out with all the tourists. It's just a block or two away to Waikiki beach and many shops in walking distance. Traffic getting out of Waikiki is really bad but that's not the hotel's fault. Housekeeping comes every few days punctually, and when we needed new towels or other supplies in between they quickly and politely gave it to us, no questions asked. Same for beach and pool towels. Staff were always very friendly and welcoming. The customer service was our favorite part about our stay. Our room had a counter with a mini fridge/freezer and microwave which was perfect for packing picnic lunches. Parking is very limited but there was a larger parking garage a block away for the same price. Slightly more inconvenient but worked just fine once we figured it out. The pool area is really nice and we love the hot tub. There are pool parties a few times each week. Not being the drinking/partying type, we didn't enjoy the noise or smell during the afternoon/evening and the morning after. But it was just a few times and I know some people come to Hawaii to do that. Overall a great place to stay, highly recommend!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
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Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at White Sands Hotel
Responded 8 Oct 2023
Aloha loganovard96, Mahalo for staying with us at the White Sands Hotel and taking the time to share your fantastic experience with us. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and that our service left a positive impression on you. We take pride in the fact that our hotel combines the charm of "Old Hawai'i" with modern amenities to provide a homely and refreshing experience away from the bustling skyscrapers of Waikiki. Our location is indeed a gem, just a stone's throw away from Waikiki beach and within walking distance to many shops and attractions. We understand that traffic in the area can be challenging, but we appreciate your understanding in this regard. It's wonderful to hear that our housekeeping and front desk teams met your needs promptly and courteously. We're thrilled that you found the customer service to be your favorite part of your stay. Regarding the pool area, we're sorry to hear that the noise from pool parties wasn't to your liking. We'll consider ways to minimize any disruptions during those events to ensure all our guests have a comfortable stay. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on your next visit to Waikiki. A hui hou! Mahalo nui loa, Guest Services
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I booked three nights at this hotel through the RCI trade program. I was not able to request an ADA room and they had none. I requested a first floor because I can’t take steps and they upgraded me to a pool side room with two double beds. They upcharged me which I was not happy with. I was concerned the pool side would be too noisy, but it actually was not. They had free entertainment on a Wednesday night around the pool. In addition to the bar outside, they have a Hidden bar that is indoor/outdoor and opens at 9 PM. They serve food out by the pool until nine. There were a lot of young people staying here and it definitely had a Vegas vibe. Nice private pool area. The location is several blocks from the beach but they offer amenities such as beach towels, beach, chairs, and toys to borrow all paid for by the $25 a day amenity fee . Parking is very limited and they allowed us to park there due to my disability, but $45 a day. Bed was too soft, shower was so small and AC would not go below 68 so pretty warm. The ceiling fan light seem to be controlled by the neighbors, remote control because it would suddenly come on around 5 AM. We ended up, disconnecting the light during our stay to prevent being woken up. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The location is near the main action of shopping and eating. Honolulu traffic is horrendous and if you dislike crowds the city isn’t for you.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Parking onsite is very tight and limited.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at White Sands Hotel
Responded 27 Aug 2023
Aloha Live2traveldaworld, Mahalo for choosing the White Sands Hotel and for sharing your feedback about your recent stay at our hotel. We appreciate your thorough review and are glad to hear about your experience, both positive aspects and areas for improvement. We're sorry to hear about the inconvenience you faced with not being able to request an ADA room and the challenges related to room preferences and charges. Your concerns about the pricing and the upgrade experience are valid, and we apologize for any frustration caused. It's great to know that despite the initial concerns, the pool side room exceeded your expectations in terms of noise and that you were able to enjoy the entertainment and amenities offered around the pool. We're pleased that the hidden bar and its indoor/outdoor setup provided a unique experience. We appreciate your honesty about the aspects that didn't meet your expectations, such as the soft bed, small shower, AC settings, and the issue with the ceiling fan light. Your insights about these elements are valuable as they help us understand how we can make improvements for future guests. Thank you for taking the time to provide your review, and we hope that despite the challenges you faced, you were able to enjoy your time in Honolulu. Your feedback is important to us as we continuously strive to enhance the guest experience. We hope we have the opportunity to host you again. Mahalo nui loa, Guest Services
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Looks fine in pictures, but not in person… the rooms are tired and are in desperate need of some basic routine maintenance.
Our room has exposed drywall (did they run out of paint?), burnt light bulbs, AC that works on full blast or does not cool at all, a cold water tap that puts out warm/hot water and a ceiling fan that gets controlled by the next door room… suffice to say this remodel was rushed…
The location is pretty good, but parking is hell… either pay $44-$79 per night or spend the evenings looking for street parking. We are on vacation, but we couldn’t afford the parking on top of the resort fees (!!!), so it was hours of taking turns looking for parking…
The rooms get made every two days instead of daily. Likely to save money and as a post lockdown policy.
Staff is largely trying to help, but when I brought up the issues with electrical and plumbing, they were helpless…. There’s nobody to so repairs….
The hotel was pretty booked so there weren’t other options…
I would not recommend or stay here again…
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Beware of hotel fees (daily) and parking fees. These add up to about a hundred more per day.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at White Sands Hotel
Responded 8 Dec 2024
Aloha Bobby, Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. We're truly sorry your experience fell short of expectations and that you encountered maintenance issues and challenges during your stay. Your detailed comments about the room conditions, parking, and lack of immediate resolution are invaluable, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you faced. Our goal is to provide a seamless and enjoyable stay, and it’s clear we missed the mark this time. Please know your feedback has been shared with our team so we can address these concerns promptly, especially the maintenance and guest service challenges. We appreciate your recognition of our staff’s efforts and will use your feedback to make improvements. We hope you’ll give us another chance in the future to provide the exceptional experience we aim to deliver. Mahalo, White Sands Hotel
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We chose this hotel to close our last 2 nights in Honolulu in the best way and it was quite a mistake. The service was bad at all times, from the time we arrived until we left, it offers many inclusions in the resort fee that then do not give you by machine off of slushies, coffee machine without supports or sugar, beach towels that are never there and we ended up with a white hotel, people of the bar using loungers and the Jacuzzi as any guest for just buying a drink. Very cute in nets but the reality is that we were given a dirty room of previous guests, then one that when opening a drink came out cockroaches to the glass, to the can, trash, a disgust, we lifted the belongings and changed to another with a dead bug in bed, we ended up in another in front of the bar with noises until after 10.30 pm because the closing time was not respected. We complained, we had a very hard time changing rooms with all the luggage without any assistance and we only received apologies. When they check out they tell us that since they didn’t find us they couldn’t offer us drinks at the bar to remedy this situation, it was the worst closure they could give us. They had our mail, phone, they could leave us a note, nothing, luckily they reinstated our resort fee but the bad experience remains for life. Don’t go, the web, photos, social media looks divine, the reality is very different!!
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We just got back this week from Oahu, after spending 10 nights at the White Sands Hotel. I've stayed at this hotel before precovid and pre Reno's. Beautiful Reno's were completed! The rooms are huge, paired with adorable patios, table and chair seating inside, with microwave, sink and fridge. Great for couples, singles and families! We booked a pool view room on the mail floor which I highly recommend, so it's just a few steps to the pool and easy access to your room. Included in your resort fees are beach towels, pool towels, beach chairs to take anywhere on the island, pool toys, surf/boogie boards, and iced tea in the lobby. There's a cute HeyDay swing bar on site that has amazing food!!!! It's a nice touch after a long day around the island, to be able to relax by the pool with a Mai Tai and tasty food. Another peek is they have a hot tub/waterfall which isn't common in Hawaii, but lovely to see on Rainey days or in the evenings. The only hiccup we had was our room was incorrect on arrival and we had to ask the front desk to have our room cleaned. BUT everything was fixed right away for both issues, and the front desk & managers were so helpful and very kind. They even bought us coffees the next day as an apology for the room mix up. The hotel location is wonderful, your 1 block from markets, food, bars, restaurants, and only a 7 min walk to the beach. It's really a great location for a hotel, as it's on a quiet street but close to everything! Pro tip, book a room away from the main lobby, as they do have a pub at the front that can be noisy with guests in the late evenings.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at White Sands Hotel
Responded 4 May 2024
Aloha Chelsey G, Wow, thank you so much for sharing your amazing honeymoon experience at White Sands Hotel in Oahu! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your 10-night stay and that the renovations impressed you. It sounds like you had a wonderful time exploring the island and then coming back to relax by the pool with delicious food and drinks from HeyDay swing bar. We're glad that any hiccups you encountered were quickly resolved by our helpful and kind staff, and we apologize for the room mix-up. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we're delighted that you found our location convenient for exploring the area. Thank you for the pro tip about room location; we'll be sure to share it with future guests. Congratulations on your marriage, and we hope to welcome you back for many more special occasions! A hui hou (until we meet again)! Mahalo, Guest Services
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This place is wonderful! Staff was awesome. Food and environment was delightful. The swings at the bar was a great touch. The pool was always clean and sparkly every morning. the Parking is not easy but available on site. $40 not easy meaning it is cramped parking and there is allot of 3 point turns to get in to park or to exit sometimes. I rented a Chrysler 300 and it was a bit of a challenge compared to parking a Kia soul, but no biggie I am a good driver so it was not a big deal. If parking is not available they have a hotel across the way you can utilize at $35 a day at they only clean the rooms every 3rd day. they do host parties, during my stay was an LBGT super bowl party and it was Lit! LOL then at Night there was 2 fellas singing love songs and playing guitar from Stevie Wonder to Dennis Brown.. My stay was very nice & I would most certainly stay here again.
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Date of stay: February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at White Sands Hotel
Responded 4 Mar 2023
Aloha EboneyO, Mahalo for staying with us at the White Sands Hotel and leaving a wonderful review! We are glad to hear our staff was able to make your stay better. You stayed at the perfect time to catch the Superbowl Sunday pool party and the live music at night! Parking is our one struggle here at the hotel, but we are working on making it better. We strive to provide the best experience possible for our guests, so if there's anything we can do to improve our services, do not hesitate to contact us directly at the hotel! A hui hou, Guest Services
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We were glad we chose this hotel. The staff especially Randy was very helpful with the parking situation at our arrival and overall the rooms are spacious and clean. We didn’t use the pool area but it looks great just like in the pictures. You get an instant chill vibe when entering the hotel it’s really calming an relaxing. Also the location is great, not even 5 minutes to Waikiki beach and shopping opportunities.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Rooms
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Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at White Sands Hotel
Responded 3 Dec 2023
Aloha Julia K, Mahalo for sharing your positive experience, and we're delighted to hear that you found White Sands Hotel to be a great accommodation at a fair price! We truly appreciate your kind words about Randy and the helpful assistance with the parking situation upon your arrival. It's wonderful to know that you found our rooms spacious and clean. Even though you didn't use the pool area, we're glad you could appreciate its inviting atmosphere. The calming and relaxing vibe you experienced upon entering is precisely what we strive to create, and we're thrilled that it resonated with you. The central location, just minutes from Waikiki beach and shopping opportunities, adds to the convenience and enjoyment of your stay. Thank you for choosing White Sands Hotel, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more memorable experiences in the future. A hui hou! (Until we meet again) With warm aloha, Guest Services
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Very cool hotel! Loved the bar and pool area. The old school tiki vibe was really nice and made me happy. The drinks are really good and the food looked delicious. The price per night was very accommodating and it's extremely walkable location to everything.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at White Sands Hotel
Responded 11 Jan 2024
Aloha 28cbs2024, Mahalo for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the cool and old-school tiki vibe at White Sands. It's fantastic that the bar and pool area, along with the delightful drinks, contributed to your happiness. We're also glad to know that you found our pricing accommodating and appreciated the central and walkable location. Your positive feedback is truly appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you back to White Sands for another great experience. Warmest aloha, Guest Services
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White Sands Hotel is an oasis close to Waikiki Beach. The courtyard with the lovely pool, retro loungers, tiki bar, hot tub and waterfalls will welcome you to Oahu the minute you arrive. Complimentary coffee, slushies, popcorn and outstanding food and drinks at the tiki bar will ensure that you love this place! The pool is kept refreshingly cool and there is live music in the evening. The rooms are retro cozy and comfortable. Choose a room that faces the pool and courtyard. The rooms facing the back are not ideal. We loved our room but the mattresses on the beds were too soft and need replacing...our only complaint. All of the staff are very friendly and Zach our bartender and Uber driver was so personable and helpful! This is now my favourite place to stay on Oahu and am I craving a pina colada with kimchi rice,topped with an egg, as I write this. Mahalo White Sands! We will return.❤️
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:There is a kitchenette..but no cutlery or bottle opener. Bring along.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at White Sands Hotel
Responded 5 Nov 2024
Aloha lynngW2728AU, Mahalo nui loa for your heartfelt review! We’re thrilled that our cozy retro vibe, lively tiki bar, and relaxing courtyard pool made your stay memorable. Your recommendation to choose a poolside room is spot-on for enjoying that true oasis experience, and we appreciate your feedback about the mattresses — it’s something we’ll look into for the added comfort of our guests. Zach will be delighted to know he added to the warm atmosphere, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for more island treats and relaxing Pina Coladas! With warm aloha, The White Sands Hotel Team
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Valet was available when I was there in July and it was staffed most hours. The parking lot is small, but the staff were magicians to fit cars in.
Don't know about the swimming pool comment--it was gorgeous and sparkling when I was there for a pool party with a radio station.
There are more places to choose from in the Honolulu area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$307 - AU$488 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Celebrity Resorts Waikiki
LOCATION
United StatesHawaiiOahuHonoluluWaikiki
NUMBER OF ROOMS
93
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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