Includes Beach Gear 2 Shores at Waikoloa

Hotel Description

Honestly, when I first pulled up to 2 Shores at Waikoloa, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place – but you know what? Sometimes the best surprises come in unassuming packages. What immediately caught my attention was the “includes beach gear” part of the name, and they actually deliver on that promise in a way that made my lazy vacation heart sing.

The thing about staying in Waikoloa is that you’re right in the sweet spot of the Kohala Coast – close enough to the fancy resorts that you can walk over and pretend you belong (the Hilton Waikoloa Village is practically next door), but without paying those ridiculous nightly rates. I mean, we’re talking about savings that let you actually enjoy your vacation instead of wincing every time you order a drink. The beach gear situation is genuinely clutch here – they’ve got snorkel sets, boogie boards, beach chairs, the works. No more of that “oh great, we need to buy $80 worth of stuff we’ll use for three days” nonsense that usually happens on Big Island trips. The staff just hands you a mesh bag of gear like it’s no big deal, but honestly, it saved us probably $150 and a trip to the Waikoloa Beach Resort shops where everything costs twice what it should.

What really sold me on this place was how it feels more like staying at someone’s well-equipped vacation house than a hotel. The rooms aren’t fancy – we’re not talking marble countertops or anything – but they’re clean, comfortable, and actually designed by someone who understands that people come to Hawaii to spend time outside, not admire their accommodation’s crown molding. The 8.0 rating makes sense once you realize this place knows exactly what it is and does it well. You can hear the ocean from most rooms (though not see it directly), and there’s something about falling asleep to those Big Island waves that just hits different than the sound machines everyone uses at home. The parking is easy, check-in was refreshingly straightforward, and I loved that they give you local recommendations that aren’t just the touristy stuff everyone suggests. The front desk person told us about this little coffee spot up in Waimea that we never would have found otherwise – those kinds of insider tips that make a trip memorable. Sure, you’re not getting room service or a concierge, but you’re also not dealing with crowds fighting over poolside chairs at 6 AM because some resort oversold their amenities.

Rooms

• Holiday Home with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 2 × 2 large double beds for 6 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities