Jul 26, 2010

Where to stay in Waikiki ~ Sand Villa Hotel

Where to stay in Waikiki ~ Sand Villa Hotel 

Sand Villa Hotel General description:

• The Sand Villa Hotel is a one and a half star rating hotel that is located on the Ala Wai Boulevard, corner with Kanekapolei Ave. It has 2 different buildings, the oldest one was built in 1971, it is a high rise with 13 floors and a second low rise structure built next tot he pool area in the 80′s with a total room count of a little over 200 units. The Sand Villa Hotel has a pleasant common area including an inviting pool and a sun-deck that includes a jacuzzi, an adequate lobby and a restaurant/bar.
• Parking is available but limited and quite expensive.
   

What we like about the Sand Villa Hotel:

• For a low end hotel, it has a nice pool area that adults and children can enjoy.
• The location is very central and is only 5 minutes walk to the most central part of Waikiki beach.
• The rooms by the pool, the ones in the low rise newer building are very spacious.
• At the Sand Villa Hotel all rooms have internet access.
• The Sand Villa Hotel includes a small continental breakfast, coffee, cream, pastries, etc.
• The Sand Villa Hotel has a small exercise room with a couple of stationary bicycles, a treadmill and a simple combination weight machine.

What you may not like about the Sand Villa Hotel:

• The Sand Villa Hotel is undergoing renovations that will extend well into 2009; you may want to stay clear of this hotel until all renovations are finished. There are other hotels of same star rating and price in Waikiki without having to endure the inconveniences inherent to renovations.
• The Sand Villa Hotel lobby is almost on a second floor accessible via ramp or stairs what can be a problem for visitors with challenged mobility.
• At the Sand Villa Hotel the rooms in the high rise are very small, but then again, one star hotels have small rooms, if you need to stay in this hotel, try to request the rooms by the pool, they do not have much of a view but they are a lot more comfortable.
• Ala Wai is a major thoroughfare in Waikiki; noise can be a problem, especially for the rooms closer to the corner.
• The Sand Villa Hotel has been well maintained over the years with minor improvements made from time to time but no major renovation was undertaken.
• Work is being done on the main building, therefore balconies and some public areas are subject to be closed, some lower prices may be found but the inconvenience is not worth the savings, you may want to look for other affordable hotels in Waikiki that are not undergoing this type of renovation. Stay tuned for an update on the work.