By
anonymous
2008-07-17
Excellent location, near beach, supermarket, restaurants, shopping. We rented a car and got lucky, found free parking next to the canal every night! Saved 20/day. My son loved the pool. Great kebob BBQ by the pool on Sundays for only 7.95. Friendly staff. No ocean view, but still very beautiful to look out the window (except some of the beat up apartment buildings nearby), there is a golf course across the canal and we had a partial view of Diamond Head. Happy hour every day from 4-7PM, cheap beer! All rooms have mini refrigerators, a few have kitchenettes. You can rent a microwave for 10/day. They are working on the balconies 9AM-5PM, don't expect your young child to be able to nap through it... We stocked up on drinks and snacks, saved a bundle. Bought a disposable cooler at the Food Pantry supermarket (literally across the street). Best 9 I ever spent, carried the cooler everywhere. Our 3-year-old napped in the car while we went out on day trips. We got a random call in the middle of the night (they thought we ordered a 5AM taxi!). Also, the smoke detectors went off about 4 times one day (in the middle of our son's nap) but I think these two incidents were not the hotel's fault. Our next door neighbors were a little noisy . Service everywhere on the island was on the slow side (they are on Hawaiian time brudda!) All in all, Waikiki Sand Villat was a great value.
By
anonymous
2008-06-24
For someone who needed to save money on a hotel - this is a gem! We had a view of the canal and golf course, which was great. If you like a morning jog - the Ali Wai Canal has a great paved sidewalk beside it which my roomie loved to use. After reading tons of reviews on budget hotels in Waikiki, I chose this one because it seemed to be cleaner, have nicer rooms and a free breakfast. I didn't mind the walk to the beach (and this is from an out of shape 56 year old). It was a few blocks away, but didn't take as long as I feared. Everything was clean. The hospitality floor is awesome, with computers, spa, laundry and showers for those like us who had to check out, but still had a day to kill until our late flight. They stowed our luggage and we played on the beach until we sadly forced ourselves to clean-up and get ready for the airport shuttle for home. It was nice to be able to use the money we saved on this hotel to do some extra activities and tours. Unless you are dead-set on an ocean-front room....this is the BEST of the BEST budget hotels in Waikiki.
By
anonymous
2008-06-19
A basic hotel in prime waikiki location catering to the Japanese tourist trade - if you're not hanging out in the hotel this is the place for you - three blocks off of Waikiki beach across the street from the Food Pantry grocery store - skip the breakfast (coffee was hot though weak, pineapple canned) and go to Food Pantry for great coffee & bakery items instead- 10th floor has upgraded bathrooms - though drag racing late at night next to the canal. We spent one night at the Waikiki Hyatt and after decided for the price (3 nights at Waikiki Sand Villa vs 1 night at Hyatt) we'd return to the Waikiki Sand Villa. (My daughter loved the pool - has an small island in the middle she could swim around)....
By
anonymous
2008-06-11
I stayed here with my boyfriend to celebrate my graduation from college. The only major compliant I had was they put us in a room with a double and single bed, and would not give us a room with one bed without paying a fee to be upgraded. We did not want to be upgraded, we just wanted one bed. The staff was very helpful and friendly, and we loved the bar downstairs. The food was not good! but the bar prices were great and we made a lot of local friends. I would recommend staying here if your not planning on spending a lot of time in your hotel, but your in Hawaii so why would you want to be in a hotel anyway! If your going on a budget and want to have fun, stay here.
By
anonymous
2008-06-02
Arrived 5/31, 6/2 elevator renovations began and wil continue for 6 months. No advance warning of renovations, little remorse from Hotel staff. Noise is unbearable, I'm eaving today. Note: The Ko'olina Resort I checked out today had the timerity to tell me of their construction PRIOR to my booking it.
By
anonymous
2008-05-27
Nice hotel located next to Ala Wai Canal, approx. 10 minute walk to beach. Clean room with lanai, nicely decorated, very firm bed. Never had to wait long for an elevator. Very nice, tropical pool area with bar that serves food. Free continental breakfast served poolside (coffee, pineapple juice, toast, croissants, mini cake donuts, yogurt and pineapple), Fitness room next to pool had "out of order" signs on most of the machines, so unfortunately didn't use it. Small coffee stand and Asian food stand in lobby, as well as activity desk for booking luau's, etc. Nice staff throughout. Food Pantry grocery store around corner, as well as ABC stores on most corners (where you can get just about anything you need). Many restaurants close-by. Would recommend this hotel to anyone who doesn't mind a little walk to Waikiki Beach. We felt safe and had a very nice view of the canal and palm trees from our room/lanai. Also, would recommend Germaine's Luau.