Includes Beach Gear 1501 Waikoloa Colony Villas

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest with you – when I first pulled up to Waikoloa Colony Villas 1501, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place. But you know what? Sometimes the unassuming spots surprise you the most. This isn’t one of those flashy resort complexes where you’re paying extra for marble lobbies and concierges in white suits. Instead, it’s tucked into the Waikoloa area with that low-key Hawaii vibe that actually lets you breathe.

What sold me immediately was realizing they weren’t kidding about the beach gear thing – and I mean actually useful stuff, not just a rusty boogie board shoved in a closet. We’re talking snorkel sets that don’t leak, beach chairs that won’t collapse under you, even those mesh bags that make hauling everything so much easier. Honestly, when you add up what you’d normally spend renting gear for a week (especially around Waikoloa where everything’s priced for tourists), this place basically pays for itself. The unit itself feels lived-in rather than sterile – sure, the furniture isn’t brand new, but everything works and there’s actually space to spread out your stuff without tripping over suitcases.

Here’s the thing about this area that a lot of people don’t realize until they get here: you’re positioned perfectly between the fancier Mauna Kea and Mauna Lani resorts, which means you can walk their beaches and grab drinks at their bars without paying resort prices to sleep there. The Colony Villas sit just far enough back from the main drag that you’re not dealing with constant traffic noise, but close enough that you’re not stuck if you need groceries or forgot sunscreen. I actually loved the morning quiet – you can hear the mynah birds doing their thing instead of pool music and landscaping crews at 7 AM. The 8.0 rating makes total sense when you consider what you’re getting for the price point. This isn’t luxury, but it’s solid and practical with that one feature (the beach gear) that genuinely makes your vacation easier. Perfect for families who want to spend their money on activities rather than thread counts, or couples who’d rather be out exploring than hanging around a hotel room anyway.

Rooms

• Holiday Home with 2 × 2 single beds and 2 × 1 large double bed for 5 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities