Backpackers Hawaii Vacation Inn and Hostel
Hawaii
Avaliações
I had an amazing stay here! The price is incredible for what you get. The hostel is very clean, well organized, and the beds and linens were comfortable. The location is perfect—just a short walk to the beach with an amazing view. They also have a fully equipped kitchen and plenty of gear available to borrow, which makes it even better for travelers. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting the North Shore. I would definitely stay here again!
You get what you pay for, the location is unbeatable. There are so many mixed reviews this place and I understand why. Originally I had booked the dorm but really it’s a cabin and it’s more like camping. Where my bed was located, the walls are half walls and half screens. The crickets are incredibly loud and the roosters start going off at about 3am every day right next to your window. The dorms do not provide towels which is brutal when traveling and the only linen provided was 1 flat sheet. No blanket or anything else. As other reviews stated, it is very outdated however I would not say grimey or dirty. There was someone cleaning in the cabin everyday. The mattresses were moldy and very thin though. I ended up talking to a staff member (owner possibly?) about switching to a private room that I didn’t know existed. He said there wasn’t one available and that crickets and chickens are just part of being Hawaii. Totally understandable, but the dorms aren’t built like a real building. I went back and talked to a different girl who was able to book me in the private room building with real walls. The private rooms are clean and nice and the building is updated and they provide a blanket and towels. The location is unreal, being steps from the beach is so worth it and the price is pretty reasonable for the North Shore.
My experience has only been in the Beach House. I have been coming here for the better part of 30 years, and each of my visits have been exclusively at the Beach House. Currently on my first solo visit, I've been here with friends, past girlfriends, and coworkers. Having spent the previous five days at the Sheraton Waikiki, this is not that. This actually feels like Hawaii. Unless this is your first review that you've read, then you already know that your room overlooks Three Tables, a small inconspicuous beach, that on some slow days, you may periodically have to yourself. Nothing like a sunset here, then taking the 60 second walk to your room. Sharks Cove food trucks are just a few minutes walk, and Foodland is practically across the street. The amenities inside are minimal, so you may need to pick up a few things before you get here. I have a routine where I head into Haleiwa, pick up what I need at Longs, then I'm set for my stay. How shall I say this?... Backpacker's Beach House is not fancy, but it is pure luxury if you let it be. No AC? No problem, there are fans. And in complete transparency, there always seem to be something that doesn't work. On a previous trip, it was the refrigerator, so the staff gave us a key to the neighboring room to use that one. On this trip, it's the TV, but that's nothing a pivot to my laptop and the wifi can't remedy. I didn't even bother telling the staff about that one - I'm sure they would have had a fix for me. On this trip, I just so happened to be the only one in the building for my entire stay, so this quiet seclusion has been nothing short of paradise. If I had one critique, I definitely took for granted just how comfortable the mattresses were at the Sheraton. The mattresses here aren't exactly made from Sealy Posturepedic memory foam. In all, I'm already imagining the reason (or excuse) for my next return trip. As always, thank you for the hospitality and my few days in paradise.
The best room has a balcony overlooking three tables beach. Pay the extra money and get this room. I've just finished reading all reviews over the past 3 years, and agree with all of them. I've seen the pix of moldy mattresses, complaints of cockroaches and mosquitos. Most of those came from the Plantation Village property, where the bunk beds and cabins are. Totally worth the price as long as the cleaning crew du jour is doing a great job, which it looks like they are during this stay. It's a ton of work to keep this property up, and lots of the people doing the jobs live here too. The main house is super nice. In short, rent the most expensive rooms you can, and if you get the bunks it's the same as hostels everywhere: other people's behaviour affects the quality of your stay. Hopefully they shut doors, don't leave food around to attract roaches, and hopefully don't make a ton of noise. Mostly respectful young people. We're staying at the best place either of us have every stayed: our own room overlooking the best snorkeling on the island, lots of surf breaks, and safe and friendly environment. If this place ever caves in to corporate hotels wanting this section of beach, Oahu will have lost its finest establishment for those under 5 stars. Backpackers is family owned for decades, integral to the surf and tourist community, and has been awarded Business of the Year by its' own local community here on the North Shore.
If you’re just looking for a bed on the North Shore, this is as good as it gets for budget travel in a relatively expensive area. Easy walk to some proper beaches and surf spots, some decent food options, and a grocery store. The cabins are on a separate property from the main office where you check in, which was odd but not a far walk or drive. The cabins have kitchens so if you’re staying for a while, the grocery store is super convenient. The staff are mostly young (stoner) girls and the vibes are a bit “once upon a time in Hollywood” ranch. It’s all about the location with this place. Some great people stay here so it’s a good chance to meet fellow travelers. The only true downside were the roosters at 4/5am but that’s what you come to expect in Hawaii.
