Starwood Preferred Guest - Fabulous stay at the Moana Surfrider .. thanks!

I used a free Saturday last weekend at the Moana Surfrider for a one night stay.

We were upgraded to a Penthouse Suite in the tower. The room had a huge living room and a small curtained bedroom area and a huge private balcony. Our room was one room back from the ocean front corner, so we had a beautiful ocean view from the balcony.

Ammenity card was offered at check in and in addition to the ammenity (500 pts) a very nice fruit and snack basket with a welcome letter from the hotel manager was placed in our room that afternoon.

Valet parking was a relative bargain in Waikiki at $15 per night with in and out priviledges.

At the other end of the hallway on the PH floor, there was a lounge that was open from 7AM - 11AM and I believe from 4PM to 7PM. The breakfast offering included coffee, juice, cerial, fruits, etc. We were unable to partake of the afternoon offering.

We did eat at the lunch buffet in the hotel, and it was very good. I think that kids were free for hotel guests. (1 paying adult with 1 free kid .. not sure what the age cutoff is.) It was still pricey, but we all enjoyed it.

The only minor problem I had was that I couldn't get the room cool enough for me. It was very hot in Waikiki last weekend, and that large room only had a single AC unit. I called down for a fan, pointed it at the beds, and that made it much better.

All considered, we were treated wonderfully and enjoyed the property for the short time we were there.

Thank you William and Starwood!

-David

BTW, I was almost hesitant to post this, because now there will be others expecting a penthouse suite and extra ammenities. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Remember, it was only a one night stay and we were lucky this time.

-David

We are actually staying here this week - were upgraded to Oceanfront Suite as always(sorry guys, but I am assigned as VIP here). Great ocean and Diamond Head view from living room and bedroom.

The Lounge is open for 7-11AM and 4-7PM. It offers continental breakfast during morning hours and beer/wine & snacks (vegetable sticks/sandwich, etc.) in the evening. There are 2 PCs that you can use for free internet access.

I agree that it being "one night only" often has a great deal to do with suite success rates or at least what kind of upgrade you get.

I often point this out to the manager in my standard suite mooch. "It's just the one night. Anything really spectacular available?"

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

They don't call it a club lounge at the Moana Surfrider. It's called the Member's Lounge. In my experience some of the staff didn't even know it existed.

You haven't explained why you were upgraded. Too many of us, the reason why is more important than the fact that you was upgraded.

I see you are platinum. Does anyone have any idea what the chances of being upgraded are if you are only a lowly SPG without additional status? I do have the Starwood AMEX which is supposed to make one preferred plus but I didn't think that would hold much water. Any thoughts on my chances? I'll be there in October.
By the way, I'm not looking for a suite, just wondering about any upgrade.

[This message has been edited by Marysunshine (edited 09-02-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sergio:
You haven't explained why you were upgraded. </font>

Presumably because of my Platinum status in SPG? I didn't ask for an upgrade, if that's what you're asking. I didn't ask for anything.

I did my usual thing at check in. I showed my credit card and I also pulled out my SPG card. If the agent didn't realize I was platinum from my reservation, then I always figure that showing the card is a subtle reminder. The usual response is "Thank you, we already have your SPG number on file.".

-David


[This message has been edited by LIH Prem (edited 09-02-2002).]

&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;UNFORTUNATELY&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; I also stayed at the Mona Surfrider this last Saturday, but I wish I had the same enthusiastic attitude as the above person. We checked in and were told we were upgraded to a Large room with a king bed, large to this hotel person must have meant the average 5'2" Asian traveler. It was a scrunched room that must have used to be an attic. It had 3 small windows that were as big as my computer monitor overlooking the street and all the ceiling corners were slanted so my husband who is 6'4" was walking around hunchback. I was so claustrophobic because the room has no space and no ventilation.

So My husband goes back downstairs and talks to a *different* front desk person and was able to get us an ocean view room in the tower which was also crummy but had a little more space.......how can 2 different platinum experiences be so opposite?? I will never stay there again!!

ne14snow -

Hmm. I was there this past Saturday as well. And I had huge suite. I will post a trip report later.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ne14snow:
&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;UNFORTUNATELY&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; I also stayed at the Mona Surfrider this last Saturday, but I wish I had the same enthusiastic attitude as the above person. We checked in and were told we were upgraded to a Large room with a king bed, large to this hotel person must have meant the average 5'2" Asian traveler. It was a scrunched room that must have used to be an attic. It had 3 small windows that were as big as my computer monitor overlooking the street and all the ceiling corners were slanted so my husband who is 6'4" was walking around hunchback. I was so claustrophobic because the room has no space and no ventilation.

So My husband goes back downstairs and talks to a *different* front desk person and was able to get us an ocean view room in the tower which was also crummy but had a little more space.......how can 2 different platinum experiences be so opposite?? I will never stay there again!!</font>

Were you in the historic wing? If you were in the historic wing, the rooms are smaller than those in the Diamond or Tower Wings. IIRC, most Flyertalkers prefer to be in the Banyan (Original) wing.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marysunshine:
[B]I do have the Starwood AMEX which is supposed to make one preferred plus but I didn't think that would hold much water. Any thoughts on my chances? I'll be there in October.
By the way, I'm not looking for a suite, just wondering about any upgrade.
[B]</font>

I also stayed at the Moana Surfrider two weeks ago, and I'm an SPG with no status. I did, however, shell out points to get an advanced upgrade, and received upgrade from a city view--&gt;deluxe ocean view room in the tower.

We got an awesome view of Waikiki, Waikiki Beach, and Diamond Head (two balconies). We had a corner room so the room was big and spacious, but the view was just breathtaking. I think we lucked out that night and was able to score a high floor (18th floor).

Since you are on the bottom of the totem pole like me but have points to spare, I say go for using your points for the upgrade. Its worth it =)

I had called spg to ask if I could upgrade with points but I was told that at this property you could only upgrade to a suite and that was a huge amount of points. That's the only reason I didn't do it. Did you upgrade in advance or when you arrived at the hotel and how many points did you need per night? I appreciate the info.

I also stayed at the Moana this past Saturday and had the best Starwood experience I've ever had in HI. We were upgraded to a big one bedroom suite in the Banyan wing. The living room area was huge and overlooked the lovely Banyan Tree. The woman who checked me in was very nice and handed me the platinum amenity card before I had to ask. After coming back from dinner, I was surprised by several wonderful gifts: a tropical flower arrangement, fresh fruit basket with two bottles of water, and a lauhala gift basket with a bottle of salad dressing, assorted jams and jellies and snacks. The welcome letter from the manager was a nice touch too. I'm definitely staying here again.

TF

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marysunshine:
I had called spg to ask if I could upgrade with points but I was told that at this property you could only upgrade to a suite and that was a huge amount of points. That's the only reason I didn't do it. Did you upgrade in advance or when you arrived at the hotel and how many points did you need per night? I appreciate the info. </font>

I upgraded in advance (you're only allowed to do it 5 days in advance - I called right at midnight pacific time when the 5 days kicked in). I think we spent about 1250 points per night (specialty 2) and got the deluxe ocean view with balcony. I was told that we could upgrade either to a specialty 1, 2, or suite upgrade. You might want to try again 5 days before your arrival - I think it is also based on availability. You might be going during peak times...always try again though!! Good luck!

Thank you so much for that information. No, I don't believe that October is peak season so I may have a chance at that upgrade. I will definitely call five days prior and try. I really appreciate that detailed info and will follow your lead exactly. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

dupe

[This message has been edited by TravelManKen (edited 09-07-2002).]

The only thing that I remember about this hotel is that when my wife and I were staying down the way at the Hilton, she forced me to have "tea" at this place. Nice property, but i can pass on having tea served with white gloves, weird snacks and a bill for $50. Hey, $50 is a lot of sushi in Hawaii http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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