Waimanalo Beach Cottages

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Grace Long
4 months ago
Our stay at the Waimanalo Beach Cottages surpassed all expectations! The cottage was spacious, well equipped and the view from the lanai was motivation to get up early to watch the sun rise! The beds are VERY comfortable and everything is clean and organized. The location feels secluded and we often had the beach to ourselves, what a dream. We appreciated the use of beach chairs and boogie board. This review is 2 months after our return home, I think it was denial that we had to leave your beautiful property! Thanks for making it a trip to remember!

  Thai Huynh
2 months ago
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  Antoni Doleczek
7 months ago
I had the most incredible stay at Waimanalo Beach Cottages! The location is simply breathtaking; the cottages are nestled right by the pristine, powdery sand beach with crystal-clear waters. The accommodations were clean, comfortable, and tastefully decorated, providing a true Hawaiian getaway experience.The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, making sure all our needs were met during our stay. We enjoyed watching the sunrise and sunset from our cottage s lanai, and the sound of the ocean waves was the perfect lullaby every night.The cottage s kitchenette was well-equipped, allowing us to prepare some of our meals while enjoying the outdoor barbecue facilities. The proximity to local attractions and activities, like hiking in the nearby mountains and exploring the charming town of Waimanalo, made our stay even more enjoyable.I can t recommend Waimanalo Beach Cottages enough for a relaxing and rejuvenating Hawaiian vacation. It s a hidden gem that provides an authentic and serene island experience. I ll definitely be returning!

  Summer Steinhebel
7 months ago
Loved staying here! We stayed for 7 days and loved the beach within a 2 second walking distant. The Cottages were nice and came with everything we needed and they had beach equipment we could use. The plus was the 3 cat mascots they have. We enjoyed them so much and loved getting to pet them every chance we got. I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking to get away from Waikiki. There is food right up the street along with Kailua and Lanikai only 20 minutes away.Rooms: Rooms were nice and clean a little dated but we didn't mind.Nearby activities: Waimanalo Beach is right outside the Cottages. Ono steak and shrimp is amazing along with the market for breakfast lunch or dinner. There is also good shave ice too.Walkability: Walkability to the beach a few seconds. 5 minute walk to 711 or Ono Steaks.Food & drinks: Ono Steaks and shrimps, deli marketplace for breakfast, lunch or dinner.Noteworthy details: Cats!!! Cottage was super quiet and peaceful beach was amazing

  Thomas Brendel
a year ago
Currently spending 2 weeks in this great little place that is definitely off the beaten path. We are in cottage #1 which is a simple little efficiency that is clean and well appointed with everything we need. The view out the 2 windows facing the beach are breathtaking. Proximity to the beach is great, just a 1 minute walk and you're on one of the most beautiful beaches that I have ever seen.I have really enjoyed my first few days here. Very quiet, relaxing and away from the craziness of Honolulu.The little town of Wiamanalo is awesome. The cottages are walking distance to a couple of awesome local restaurants a 7-11, delicious fruit stand and some small markets.I will definitely be coming back.

  Sondra Daroshefski
8 months ago
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  Don Fasone
7 months ago
This is the only hotel on the east end of O'ahu. It sits right off the largest white sand beach on O'ahu. On over 2 miles of white sandy beach, you will rarely run into another person during the weekday, and weekends, they are sporadic.The cluster of buildings and cottages are arrayed on manicured lawns among lush foliage.It's quaint, quiet, and relaxed right off the beach with access to the beach through a gate on the park.This is truly an example of island living.Bravo to the owners for creating a magical experience for both visitors and locals.

  David McComas
8 months ago
Awesome magical place We could come and go at our leisure. Accommodations were perfect. Our go to place for our extended family while on Oahu. We are kamaianas who like to return to our Hawaii, its Beautiful beaches and secluded restful Waimanalo. Thank YouWill for sure come backRooms: Nice Island decore. Very comfortable bedNearby activities: Able to walk to resturant post office shave ice etcWalkability: Easy walk to beach

  Leah
a year ago
We stayed in the smallest cottage , (cottage 9) and we had a very nice time. The beach is beautiful and not crowded. The area is very close to some great attractions like Hanauma Bay, Lanikai Beach, the hike to the lighthouse and more. Cottage 9 is a pretty nice room - its the one room they have that doesn't have air conditioning but we didn't really need it for our february trip. The property was very peaceful and it was in a residential neighborhood with the mountains as a beautiful backdrop. We were able to street parking , the designated parking for the property is 25 dollars a night which we felt wasn't worth it. The laundry isn't ideal- you have to have 8 dollars in coins to wash and dry one load.

  Iain Johnston
2 years ago
Perfection! Secluded, undeveloped, relaxing, and just what we needed for a quiet relaxing vacation. Almost didn t need a car as this place is on the beach and we didn t want to go anywhere else!The beach itself is usually calm enough for relaxing swimming or snorkeling, unlike the north shore with 40 waves :) sunrise views are absolutely incredible.We had cottage 1 and 11, perfect for ocean views and wave sounds all night long.Self-catering is easy with well equipped kitchens, coin operated laundry on site etc.NOTE: this is not the four seasons, people return to these cottages over and over again for its location, quiet undeveloped neighborhood, and self-catering amenities. The hosts were always there and very accommodating with tips and recommendations!! INCREDIBLE VALUE

  DrA Ay
2 years ago
This was the perfect place to stay for us. We enjoy being out of the big city, and really love the local feel. It is steps from a gorgeous blue beach, and convenient to several delicious local eateries and many attractions. The accommodations were good, and customer service was prompt. We would definitely stay here again. The kitties and pigeons made my trip complete personally.

  Lenore Kaibel
2 years ago
I stayed in 2019, apparently before the remodel and loved it. Beautiful and recommend highly.However, a word of great caution. When I made a new reservation in February of 2021, I read the cancellation policy to mean that during peak times they needed 90 days notice for a full refund but if you cancelled you could move your reservation to another date.I called 21 days in advance to cancel, was first told I could not reschedule or get a refund. Then told I could get a refund for time re-rented (but no option to reschedule). Ultimately, they said they re-rented 4 days of my ten scheduled and refunded the 4 days. The website appears to say they rented more than that, at a 20% rate hike no less, but okay.They told me that had I gotten the worry free insurance with my reservation, I could have cancelled for any reason. However, a look at the worry free insurance website says only health energies and family deaths with proof. That, and you should not have to buy insurance to make a cancellation three weeks in advance in one of the most popular tourist spots in the world on a $2,600.00 reservation.Great place, nice hosts, great beach. Draconian cancellation policy that cost me close to 2k and I did not cancel on a whim by any means, serious stuff on my end. This may well be commonplace in Hawaii but read your fine print and buyer beware.

  Tamara Remington
2 years ago
We stayed at the Cottages for a week while preparing for and hosting our Son's and new Daughter-in-law's wedding at this venue. The patio in the middle of several cottages allowed us to hang out, eat meals and play games together which we could not have done in a hotel setting. We were very satisfied with the week we had at the Cottages. Carolyn and Tommy were exceptional to us and any of our needs. They went above and beyond any of our needs through these trying times of dealing with constant changes in Hawaii's regulations with the pandemic. The Cottages were just lovely and extremely comfortable with Island breezes cooling everything down even though each Cottage has it's own air conditioning unit. Carolyn and Tommy have been working hard on updating the Cottages and property and their hard work is evident. The gorgeous beach is just steps away and welcomes you to an early morning or evening walk. We would highly recommend the Cottages for anyone looking to host a family event.Mahalo,The Remington Family

  Jackie Miller
2 years ago
My extended family and I stayed at the Cottages for over a week while preparing for and attending a wedding. The patio in the middle of several cottages allowed us to hang out and eat dinner together which we could not have done in a hotel setting. The cottages are comfortable and you get the ocean breeze although each cottage has air conditioning. The beach is only a few minutes walk from the Cottages and there are hoses at the cottages to wash away the sand. We all had a great time and if we go back, we'd certainly want to stay there again. Cafe down the street has great food and don't forget to get the ice cream sandwiches they sell.

  Hey Little Bird
a year ago
We had such a great 2 weeks here, with 12 of us total. If you want to get away from the bustle of Waikiki, this is a great place. 2 minute walk to the beach, and we got our money's worth of boogie board and bodysurfing every day. The owners were super nice and responsive, and the town of Waimanalo is friendly. Also close to Sea Life Park, Makapu'u Beach, Kailua, Hawaii Kai, etc. All we wanted to do was hang out with our friends and enjoy the ocean for 2 weeks and this was utterly blissful. Exactly what we need to unplug after 2.5 years of world insanity. I think I drove a total of 3 times, everything we needed was within walking distance. Thanks again Tommy and Carolyn, we will be back!

  Thomas Rinschede
a year ago
Close to the beach an the view from the balkony are the plus points for this location.The apartment was dirty and not in a good condition and this has nothing to do with the humidity and close to the pacific!Good location to tour around but no restaurants and shopping places close to this place.

  Max Max
3 years ago
Day 3 of my staycation and I can already see myself coming back next year. Perfect if you want your own little secluded area of Hawaii. Walking distance to my favorite beach (it's literally right there). Our cottage was very spacious and had everything we need to cook all of our meals at home. friendly too.

  Michael Bearden
2 years ago
We had a wonderful week here, rented 10 cottages for our extended family to celebrate 1 couples' 50th Wedding Anniversary. The owners are very generous people, very helpful, and maintenance is excellent. I have a great example of how well they take care of things, the air conditioner in my cottage wouldn't turn on 1 day. I called the number which is an answering service, and was told to text a different number with the need and information. They came within an hour while I was napping and fixed it.

  Koy Centolanza
2 years ago
You get what you pay for. Pros: location is great, Waimanolo Beach is amazing, and cute cafe nearby within walking distance and you feel like a local. Cons: the cottages are just really dated. Our ceiling fan was not working and took 3-4 tries before it got fixed, toilet was running the whole time, no nightstand on other side of bed, half the windows did not open in our living room and bedroom. We paid for parking but other guests parked in our spot one night. The next morning the maintenance person was complaining to us and telling us we were in an emergency zone- even though they used the parking all day for themselves and there are no signs on the ground to designate it as a fire zone. We also had permission from the owners to park where we did- there was miscommunication with the staff. Overall the place feels a bit run down. Things just need to be updated cosmetically and it would be a really nice rental- but in its current state- it s really a 2-3 star place. For Covid- it was a good stay as we were not around other people- but probably would not come back to stay here again. There was also some homeless camps at the main beach/park area. They didn t bother us- but something to note- while you are making your accommodation decisions. Wanted to love the place but it needs some repairs before I would stay there again. Also- bbq is briquettes only- would be nice to have one gas option for faster cooking!

  Victor McCoy
4 years ago
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  Stephen Litz
4 years ago
First time visiting Hawaii. My daughter and now my son-in-law wanted to get married in Hawaii. My son-in-law's family is from California and ours is from Kansas. We could have not picked a better place to bring together our 2 families for a destination wedding. Waimanalo Beach Cottages are the best. Tommy De Harne, our host of the cottages was the best. The hospitality that Tommy showed our family was above and beyond. If we needed something, or needed help with the local area, Tommy was there. So if you are every deciding to make a trip to Hawaii, and what a wonderful place to stay, that can hold a lot of family and friends in one area. This place is for you. Thank you again to Tommy and his family and staff for allowing us to spend our wonderful week at the Waimanalo Beach Cottages.

  Susan Suzuki
4 years ago
Two weeks into December us generally not the time to plan a beach cottage vacation with extended family and friends, but this was great!Large group retreat for 9 families, many with small children. Easy access to the beach and a large, open park next door. Central house and 8 other cottages housed and entertained all.This was a weekend of high winds, so a little challenging to stay outside all day, but it makes you feel more alive! Then extra cozy while inside.Secure gates kept the children and our belongings safe.

  Jackie Sanders
4 years ago
Other then the cottages being dated, and cottages lacking a few more supplies ( shampoo) everything else exceeded our expectations!!!!Carolyn and Tommy are amazing owners and hosts!The location is basically your own private beach, in an area of the island the call "God's Country".You will NOT be disappointed with the location, beach and communication.

  Brian Bradley
9 months ago
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  H. LPN
5 years ago
Local. Quiet. Stunning beach. Stay here!We stayed here a week. We would stay here again. We had a two bedroom cottage which is at the end of a residential street that is almost right on the beach. The beach is simply a 30 second walk down the little path. This area is quiet and lush and beautiful. We enjoyed coffee watching the sunrise every morning. The cottage came equipped with everything we needed to cook any meals. Full refrigerator and stove and in our cottage... we did not have air conditioning. That was not necessary! The breeze that you get through the windows is incredible. The crosswind is enough. Some units have air conditioning but I would ve felt cheated had we had it due to the amazing tropical breeze coming right off of Waimanalo beach! There is a standup shower in the bathroom which can get a little tight if you ve eaten too many Hawaiian delicacies. LOL the bedrooms were clean and we appreciated the fan in each bedroom. The only thing I think we did not like was they get tiny ants sometimes if you leave anything out. We did not leave anything out but we saw a few here and there and understand this is tropical paradise. The owners are very nice to deal with. Caroline was easy to deal with in the nine months we held this place via booking. She was friendly and the husband Tommy was always doing something at the facility in the morning to take care of things and he was very friendly and new great recommendations to eat. He is fifth generation so he really knows the area. Again we would stay here again and felt that what we got for the money was very reasonable and we certainly felt comfortable. It was very hard to leave. They also provided boogie boards and beach chairs and umbrellas as well although I think some of the equipment might need a little updating. We also had. Coin operated laundry facilities which we took advantage of .....a washer and dryer on site. They provide the detergent. It was still a nice ad on.

  Kev Marklew
a year ago
Stayed here in May and loved the beach a short walk from the cottage I stayed in.The owner, Tommy, was great.Self contained accommodation suited a solo traveller like me.Compared to what you get elsewhere, this is excellent value.

  Nicole B.
6 years ago
This place has reasonable prices. The beds were comfortable and the unit was clean. Some of the appliances were showing wear and a few rust spots but everything functioned as it was supposed to. The access to boogie boards and chairs was nice and we liked having the charcoal grills to throw burgers or steaks on. I love that the beach access is right next to the property. My only complaint is to make it a little easier to check in. Most people look for an office to check into. There was none, which is ok but there were no directives on the invoice I received prior to my stay on check in procedures. Please give more info to future guests so it alleviates any confusion once on property. Mahalo, our stay was lovely and I recommend this establishment to other travelers.

  Lauren Anderson
4 years ago
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  Carrell Halley
2 years ago
I don t normally post reviews, but our stay at Waimanalo Beach Cottages was terrible.Here are our issues:Individual cottages:Cottage 1 - Brandan to emailCottage 3 - blinds in bedroom not working (Tommy fixed), cockroaches, dirty silverware & utensils in drawer, 2 stove burners not working, shower faucet fell off and hit guest on foot, back patio slats rotting, mold and mildew on windows and jams, faucet in kitchen is bathroom faucet & didn t turn.Cottage 4 - air conditioner broken & toilet consistently running entire time (Tommy checked, couldn t fix need to replace), no rods on blinds so couldn t open or shut, FYI - guest left day early so let Tommy start on SaturdayCottage 5 - large burner not working, toaster only one side working, ripped bedsheet, TV not working (Tommy fixed), very old pac n play-thin pad, stainedCottage 6 - refrigerator in front of window, no hangers, stains on bathroom curtains, rusted mirror, no hooksCottage 9 - mold and mildew on bathroom screen and frame, stopper had to be pried out, rust on mini fridge, counter broken, no range or oven, old front blinds top rusted couldn t lower (Tommy did get them lowered)Cottage 10 - no air conditioner, sofa cushion ripped, loose refrigerator handle, loose sink handle, broken can opener, only one bowl, broken blinds, crooked picture hanging over TV, cockroachesCottage 11 - broken oven handle & ripped chair cushion (Tommy did tell me about it, said last guest did it), refrigerator has rust & makes loud squeak when opened/closed, bad shower head & no stopper, outlets sparked when plugged in, broken blinds, bedroom door sticks, no toaster, dirty rug and carpets.Waimanalo Beach Cottages charges exurbanite rates for less than what would be expected via their website. My suggestion is:Please DO NOT stay at Waimanalo Beach Cottages unless you expect to accept less than what you expected, and are willing to spend lots of cash for what you re NOT getting.We are currently asking for a reduction in our charges based on our grievances (see above) and Carolyn is overlooking and minimizing our concerns and refusing to issue us a rebate of our charges saying the Cottages are rustic . No they re not rustic they are run down , plain and simple. She just doesn t want to admit that her Cottages are run down and unacceptable.We had a wedding there and every time I spoke with Carolyn, the rules and regulations changed. We were told we could only have 25 people at the Cottages/Wedding but then learned they d booked a party of 30 for the week after we left for a weddingSeriously ???Carolyn is an opportunist and if you choose to stay there Beware!!!!

  Ellen Sheppard
6 years ago
Location is fabulous. My family of nine stayed in cottages 8 and 11. We loved our stay and highly recommend it. Cottage 11, especially, is very comfortable. Grounds are beautifully maintained. Beach is practically right in front of you, though the access point requires a brief walk. State Park is right next door, but the cottages are contained within a gated fence surrounding the property so you'll feel very safe.We had a wonderful cookout one night using the grills there and the common area picnic tables. (Thank you Costco, for your always-great steak and ribs). Perfect evening, made even more spectacular by the view of the full moon on the water. Wow...a memory we'll have forever!But these are not for everyone. Though maintained adequately, and retaining simple islands charm, the cottages are basic. Most are not air-conditioned, though ceiling fans move the air well. They are pesticide free (yay!) so expect some ants & gnats and maybe an occasional roach. Toiletries not provided, other than a bar of Dial, nor is a hairdryer. Stop at one of the four island Costcos! Furniture and appliances are a bit dated, but for me, this was part of the charm. Do not go expecting Holiday Inn standardization, new appliances, or crisp square edges on the sheets or the door jambs!If you are a jogger, you'll love the little town for running through, with it's tidy square blocks. The view as you run on the main Street toward the lighthouse is amazing. The neighborhood across from the park is sketchy but interesting to run through in the daytime. Tents along the property bordering the park are homes to the homeless, a reminder that there are problems even in Paradise. But these are blocks from your cottages and pose no problems or concerns to your safety.The two restaurants at the end of the street provide delicious local food, just don't judge based on appearances! 7-eleven is very convenient for everything... Just a three minute walk. And there's even a nearby McDonald's.