Shores at Waikoloa 201 – MCH

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Shores at Waikoloa 201? It’s got that perfect sweet spot vibe – upscale enough that you feel like you’re treating yourself, but not so fancy that you’re afraid to drop sand on the floor after a beach day. I mean, this is Big Island living done right, and honestly, the 8.0 rating makes total sense once you settle in.

The whole Waikoloa area is interesting because you’re right in this resort corridor, but it doesn’t feel completely touristy if that makes sense. You’ve got the Hilton and Marriott nearby (which some people love for the restaurants), but staying at Shores gives you more of that condo feel – actual space to spread out, a real kitchen where you can make coffee without those terrible hotel pods, you know? The unit itself has this lived-in comfort that I really appreciated. Four stars feels about right because everything works well and looks good, but it’s not trying to be some over-the-top luxury experience. The lanai situation is actually pretty great – I spent way more time out there than I expected, especially in the mornings when it’s still cool and you can hear the waves from Anaehoomalu Bay.

What I really loved, though, was how easy everything felt. Parking wasn’t a nightmare (which, let’s be honest, can be a real issue at some of these Waikoloa properties), and you’re literally minutes from A-Bay – that’s what locals call Anaehoomalu, and it’s honestly one of the better beaches on this side of the island. The water’s calm, there’s decent snorkeling if you swim out a bit, and the sunset views are ridiculous. Plus you’ve got the Kings’ Shops and Queens’ MarketPlace close by, so you can grab groceries at Island Gourmet or hit up Sansei for dinner without driving all over creation. I actually ended up at Lava Lava Beach Club more than I planned – it’s right on A-Bay and perfect for that casual dinner-with-your-toes-in-the-sand thing. The whole setup just worked, you know? Sometimes vacation rentals can feel isolated or inconvenient, but this felt like I had the best of both worlds – my own space but easy access to everything that makes Waikoloa worth staying in. Would I book it again? Yeah, definitely, especially if I was planning to spend real time on the property instead of just using it as a base camp.

Rooms

• Holiday Home with large double bed, 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities