There was bamboo everywhere. Everywhere.
As I walked down the entry hall to the front desk at the White Sands Hotel, I periodically stopped to look, laugh and take it all in. Up, down, all around — I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much bamboo in one small spot. A few steps more and the pool in the center courtyard came into focus, surrounded by white umbrellas decked out with long, dangling orange fringe. It was that moment I realized it would be a fun couple of days.
Originally opened in 1957, the White Sands Hotel is a Waikiki relic that oozes retro-cool vibes. As the hotel stands just three stories tall, Honolulu’s urban setting towers around it — but thanks to a recent property-wide reimagination, it’s not disappearing into the shadows.
“White Sands Hotel is an elevated version of what Waikiki was like in the 1960s before the concrete and the high-rises,” said Ben Rafter, president and CEO of Springboard Hospitality. “White Sands’ style of hotel doesn’t exist anymore in Waikiki, and appeals to a specific traveler looking for something that is not like the faceless, big-box branded hotels.”
White Sands Hotel is an elevated version of what Waikiki was like in the 1960s before the concrete and the high-rises.
The property’s 94 guestrooms and suites are centered around a lush center courtyard with a pool, a grotto-style hot tub and a circular tiki bar trimmed with swings. Inspired by the Hawaiian vibe of the ‘60s and ‘70s, accommodations boast vintage maps of Hawaii, tiki mugs, shaka-shaped towel hooks, popcorn ceilings and old-school, push-button telephones, complete with those curly cords. White Sands’ standard view rooms feature bustling Waikiki city views; pool view rooms look out at the pool deck and bar.
The pool at White Sands Hotel
Credit: 2021 White Sands HotelModern travelers will appreciate the large flat-screen televisions, but will likely notice the lack of USB ports and coffee machines. All guestrooms have a patio or balcony and a wet bar with a sink, a microwave and a counter-height refrigerator.
Accommodations are clean and comfortable, and with rates starting at just $179 a night (for a pool view room with one double bed), they are a bargain hunter’s dream — but be sure to prepare clients for the rooms’ vintage quirks. Hot water flowed fast and plentiful in my room, but I had to step up a good 18 inches to get into the shower. Once in, the shower head was notably low — at 5’7”, I had to bend my knees a bit while I washed my hair. There wasn’t a dresser or luggage rack in my room, but there was a good size closet. It just happened to be located in the bathroom.
All guestrooms have a patio or balcony, a wet bar, a microwave and a fridge.
Credit: 2021 White Sands HotelLife at the White Sands revolves around the pool and open-air bar, Heyday. While lounging about, guests enjoy a steady stream of Hawaiian tunes with their dose of vitamin D. The bar, popular with both visitors and local residents, is especially festive in the evening, when tiki torches throughout the courtyard are set aflame. A new restaurant also recently opened, with a farm-to-table focused menu.
Grab-and-go options — including sandwiches, salads and soft drinks — are available from a large refrigerator in the lobby area. Front desk staff do double duty as baristas, whipping up espresso, cappuccino and lattes every morning and evening.
Though not on the beach, White Sands Hotel boasts a great location in central Waikiki. Located just off bustling Kuhio Avenue, it’s just a couple of blocks from Waikiki Beach and a short stroll from the International Market Place.
Although guests would never know it, almost all of the property’s energy is generated from 348 solar rooftop panels. To reach full carbon neutrality, White Sands Hotel is partnering with the Hawaii Legacy Reforestation Initiative to plant trees. In addition to having examples of rare Hawaiian trees on property, the hotel will offer guests opportunities to plant trees at ranches across Hawaii and track their progression through GPS and tagging.
“It will be an immersive experience,” Rafter said. “Guests who want to make a day of it and ride on horseback out to a forest can do so, while others can participate remotely. Either way, guests experience a different part of Hawaii while helping the hotel invest in Hawaii’s future.”
The Details
White Sands Hotel
