Island Sands by Coldwell Banker Island Vacations

Hotel Description

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Island Sands when I first pulled up – the Coldwell Banker name made me wonder if I was checking into a real estate office or something. But you know what? This place completely surprised me in the best way possible. It’s got that relaxed island vibe without trying too hard, if that makes sense. The lobby actually feels like someone’s really nice beach house rather than a sterile hotel chain setup, and the staff genuinely seemed happy to see me when I walked in around 3 PM on a Tuesday. Check-in was smooth – no waiting around while they “find your reservation” or any of that nonsense.

What really struck me about this place is how they’ve managed to nail that sweet spot between having everything you need without feeling overwhelming. The rooms are spacious (I mean genuinely spacious, not hotel-brochure spacious), and I loved that they didn’t go crazy with tropical decorations everywhere – it’s tasteful coastal touches that actually work. The balcony view varies depending on where you end up, but even the partial ocean views are pretty decent. One thing I appreciated – and this might sound weird – is that the walls are actually thick enough that you’re not hearing every conversation from next door. You’d be amazed how rare that is these days. The beds are comfortable too, though I will say the pillows are on the firm side, so if you’re a soft-pillow person, maybe bring your own.

The location is what really makes this place shine though. You’re close enough to the action that you can walk to decent restaurants and shops, but far enough away that you’re not dealing with party noise until 3 AM. I found myself just wandering around the neighborhood in the evenings – there’s this little ice cream place about two blocks over that locals seem to love, and the beach access is honestly better than some of the more expensive resorts I’ve stayed at. Parking was easy too, which honestly shocked me given how crowded the island gets during peak season. The pool area gets busy around midday (families with kids, mostly), but early morning and late afternoon it’s pretty peaceful. I spent quite a bit of time there with a book and never felt rushed to give up my chair. For a 4-star place, Island Sands delivers exactly what you’d hope for – it’s comfortable, well-maintained, and the kind of place where you can actually relax without constantly thinking about what you’re missing or what’s going wrong.

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults

Reviews

• Barbara from Canada (8/10)

  Centrally located to all things on the island.

• Debra from United States (9/10)

  The location was perfect for our purposes. We came to Maui for whale watching and we were only a 5 min walk to the harbor.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities