The Shores at Waikoloa: affordable and family-friendly

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Read about our affiliate policies here.

In a nutshell: Affordable, family-friendly vacation rentals right in Waikoloa.

Overview of The Shores at Waikoloa

The Shores at Waikoloa offers spacious 1- and 2-bedroom units with big lanais and all the comforts of home like air conditioning and in-unit laundry. You’ll be close to golfing, several fun activities, and the beach. Pick a unit with a view and wake up to Mauna Kea as the backdrop for your morning coffee on your lanai. The Shores at Waikoloa is a great place for families and for saving a bit on lodging so you can spend more on great activities.

The Shores at Waikoloa Key Facts

The Shores at Waikoloa Location:

These vacation rentals sit right in the heart of the Waikoloa resort area on the Kohala Coast. You’ll be 15 minutes from Hapuna Beach – the best beach on the Big Island, about 30 minutes from Kona International Airport and an hour and 20 minutes from Hilo.

The Shores at Waikoloa Pool:

This property has a children’s pool as well as an all-ages pool, plus a very spacious jacuzzi.

The Shores at Waikoloa Unit Sizes:

The Shores at Waikoloa is made up of 1- and 2-bedroom units with 1 or 2 bathrooms, respectively. All units are equipped with A/C, in-unit laundry, and very spacious lanais.

The Shores at Waikoloa Review: Why We Love It

• Affordable: The Shores at Waikoloa made it onto our list of the best affordable family resorts in Hawaii. This is a great find because accommodations in Hawaii are notoriously expensive.
• Family friendly: In case you didn’t pick up on this in the last point, this is a great place for families! Aside from the functionality that comes with a vacation rental, there are tennis courts, two pools – including a children’s pool, and a jacuzzi, giving you a little more to do than many vacation rental properties.
• Nearby activities: If you tire of tennis and pool time, you can always check out Waikoloa Petroglyph Reserve, the Anchialine Pond Preservation Area, and Buddha Point. Plus this stargazing tour and this hike and waterfall swim pick up from the Queen’s Marketplace, just 1 mile away from the property!
• Views: As always, be sure to confirm the view that your individual unit has, but some come with spectacular Mauna Kea views.

Things to Know Before Booking The Shores at Waikoloa

• Accessibility: Few units are explicitly wheelchair-friendly, but some buildings have elevators while others do not, so read descriptions carefully to ensure your unit will meet your needs.
• No direct beach access: The closest beach is a short drive away, so you won’t be stepping from your room into the sand here.
• Rental fees: All accommodations in Hawaii may include some (rather large) fees. Whether you’re in a hotel paying resort fees or you’re getting a vacation rental and paying service fees, factor these into your equation. We usually go with VRBO because we’ve found that these fees are lower than on other similar platforms. 
• No unit consistency: All of these vacation rentals are individually owned, so there’s a lack of consistency. Some have excellent views and others come with a less impressive view or fewer helpful in-unit amenities. Reading reviews of individual units can always give you a better sense of what to expect before booking.
• Dated units: Many of these units are very dated, but some prices reflect that. Hawaii is an expensive place to stay, so these condos offer a good value if you don’t really care that much about having newer accommodations. Again, check individual unit reviews to make sure you’re getting something you feel comfortable with.

Want to check out other options on the Big Island? Read our reviews:
Mauna Lani, an Auberge Resort: our best trip yet?
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai: wait until you see the lagoon!
Westin Hapuna Beach: wake up on the best beach on the Big Island

The Best Big Island Itinerary

Ready to plan the rest of your vacation? We have you covered with our Big Island itinerary. This download and go itinerary takes you on a planned out route around the island seeing the best sights and eating at the best restaurants.

So excited. We have been loving your itinerary!!! We would have paid triple the price for this. It’s so valuable!

Sara C.