White Sands Hotel
Retro 1960s–70s Hawaiian walk-up. Think bamboo bars, koi ponds, swing seating, and vintage postcards made three-dimensional. Laid-back rather than resort-formal.
Poolside King rooms are on the ground floor and step directly onto the pool deck
Why It Matters
One of Waikiki's only surviving low-rise walk-up hotels, dating to 1957. Designers from Vanguard Theory used era postcards and pop culture for inspiration. Home to Heyday — an open-air poolside tiki bar with literal swing seating — and the Green Lady Cocktail Room, a speakeasy hiding behind Door 8. The Green Lady earned a 2025 nomination for Best Hotel Bar, U.S. West.
Built in 1957 and self-described as 'the last of the vintage walk-up hotels,' White Sands sits three stories tall on Nohonani Street, two and a half blocks from Waikiki Beach. The 94-room compound reopened in May 2021 after a full renovation by the team behind the Surfjack Hotel — bold tropical colors, exterior walk-up corridors, and private lanais on every single room. It has the kind of mid-century Hawaiian character that can't be designed from scratch, because it's actually been here the whole time.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
ADA Tradewind One King
Accessible room with king bed, private patio, and ADA-compliant features. Same standard amenities as other rooms.
King
One Bedroom Bungalow Suite
The top of the house. Separate king bedroom plus a proper living room — not just a pullout sofa situation. Nespresso machine, in-room audio entertainment, and slippers. If you want to spread out in Waikiki without paying beachfront tower prices, this is it.
KingPool View One Double
Single full bed with pool and garden views. Works well for solo travelers who want the better views without paying king prices.
Double/FullPool View One King
Steps up from standard with views overlooking the outdoor pool and lush gardens from the lanai. A nice upgrade — you get the pool atmosphere without being on ground level.
KingPool View Two Doubles
Two full beds with pool and garden views. The go-to option for families or groups of three who want the elevated view category.
Two Full/DoublePoolside King
Ground-floor room with a patio that opens directly onto the pool deck. The closest you'll get to private pool access here. Slippers included. Best pick for guests who want to roll out of bed and be in the water.
KingPoolside Two Doubles
Two full beds on the ground floor with direct pool access from the patio. Great for families who want to be in and out of the pool all day. Slippers included.
Two Full/Double
Tradewind One King
Standard king room with the hotel's signature retro-tropical design. Private lanai, mini-fridge, microwave. Solid value for couples who don't need a pool view.
KingTradewind Two Doubles
Standard-category room with two full beds. Good for pairs or families who want extra sleeping space without paying for a pool view. All standard amenities included.
Two Full/DoubleThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Beach chairs, boogie boards, GoPro cameras, and battery packs available to rent — all included in the daily amenity fee.
Hotel guests receive 15% off a regular bay at ITL Golf Club.
Surf lessons with the school run by World Longboard Champion Kai Sallas, operating on the quieter side of Waikiki away from the crowds. Guests get a 2-hour free equipment rental when they purchase a surf lesson — the rental portion is covered by the amenity fee.
The pool courtyard has a koi pond. Koi feeding for children is included in the daily amenity fee.
Certified instructor-led yoga every other Saturday poolside. Alternate Saturdays feature a poolside core workout. Both are included in the daily amenity fee.
Discounted tours to Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor, the Oahu Grand Circle, and North Shore Dole Pineapple plantations through the hotel's concierge partnership with Roberts Hawaii.
Private yacht charter on the waters off Waikiki. Hotel guests get an exclusive discount with code WHITESANDS10 at booking.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
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