Backpackers Vacation Inn and Plantation Village

It’s the only budget accommodation that I am aware of on the North Shore of Oahu. Some people gave it bad reviews. Maybe angry people are more likely to take time to write bad reviews? I needed a cheap place to stay the night before and after a shark swimming tour in Haleiwa and this place worked. I grew up on the Big Island, and the cabins looked like the houses In predominantly Filipino neighborhoods. That may not be a good reference for Mainland and foreign people, but that’s what they looked like to me. Overall, if you need a cheap place to stay on the North Shore this is one of the best (only) options!

A budget stay in Hawaii is unheard of but here, that’s what you get. And in a killer location! Loads of options from dorm beds to small private rooms to entire cottages. We stayed in a private room with 4 beds and had access to the communal kitchen and living area. Kitchen was equipped and clean, living area wasn’t used. Check-in was easy even coming in after hours but if you are afraid of the dark or don’t know how to read maps, don’t do that. Location: across the street from 3 Tables Beach. Not the most gentle waters, but if you’re a good swimmer, a phenomenal place to swim and see cool sea life. Less than a 5 minute walk away, the very calm Shark’s Cove for snorkeling and wading. No need to swim, you can stand with the fishes haha. And a 5 minute walk from a grocery store for restocking on POG juice! Bonus: they lend you umbrellas, chairs, snorkel equipment, you name it!

Stayed here for two weeks, time went too fast, great friendly staff, great view & sound of the surf. Surf was great, some days snorkel with the turtles & beautiful fish, other days enjoy the surf, perfect mix, drinks on the verandah watching the smashing surf & roar of the ocean. Off street parking Close, walk to shops

Worst experience ever in a Hostel. Me and my friend booked 2 night and when we arrive to cabin we decided to leave it immediately and book another place even with the extra costs. I couldn’t never sleep in a place like that. The cabins are dirty and the kitchen is old and not in good conditions. There are huge gaps in the cabin wood so we saw lots of geckos inside the cabin. There are mosquitoes as well. We only stayed 30min and I got bitten 3 times. If you are looking for a relaxing, clean and friendly environment with the minimum human conditions to stay over night please don’t book this hostel. And the reception office closes at 5pm, no assistance provided after that time.

I got scabies. Only spent 4 days on Oahu. This was the only place I could have gotten them. Later told hostel and they refused to believe me. Have flight/hotel dates and Rx to back up my claim. Bathroom was dirty and I don’t think it was cleaned during my stay. Cannot best location (across from water and close to grocery store). $10 bike rentals.

I have pretty low standards when traveling…not overtly filthy, basic accommodations or disclosure if they are not there, safe, etc. If you are looking for any of these, this is NOT the place for you! However, if you’re looking for filthy, still not cheap, zero privacy, incredibly rude and aggressive staff, but with good access to the North Shore, then this is your place! There was no disclosure that there was no AC, which isn’t the end of the world, but would’ve been nice to know, considering what you’re paying. The curtains literally don’t even come close to covering the windows that they are on, so there’s not a single spot in the house that you can be undressed without someone walking on the driveway or in the cabin across from you very easily being able to see you (toilet, shower, bedroom included). There was at least a quarter inch of dust on the window sills, indicating that it hadn’t been cleaned in months. When reading other reviews where the owner’s rebuttal was that they wish they would’ve known in real time, I decided to follow this request. The response was rude, and then the “housekeeper” showed up at my door, aggressively confronting me about it, obviously looking for an argument. And also, they demanded that I come sign papers for check in (even though I did the late check in as asked, my card was on file for the other half of the payment, and no papers were signed), which is super inconvenient to interrupt your North Shore plans! Also, smoke detector had been removed, which is quite illegal. The cherry on top was the printed sign with the logo on the inside of the door that advised not leaving your things, even luggage, inside the room so it wouldn’t get stolen. When I asked the desk staff about it to make sure I wasn’t misinterpreting it, they said they had no idea what I was talking about (even though it’s literally their sign they’ve made posted right by the door…shows you how trustworthy their staff are). I felt super unsafe being there at all. Unless you have nowhere else to stay, absolutely do not stay here - you’re better off on the beach or in a parking lot (no AC and safer to leave all your stuff in your car apparently anyways) and still more private and safe! ;)