Royal Hawaiian vs. Moana Surfrider
Mar 1, 2014, 12:47 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: MAR Lifetime Platinum, Delta Plat., IHG Spire Amb., Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 311
The Royal Hawaiian is more 'old world', somewhat dark, quiet and dignified; the Moana is brighter inside, much more lively (because of the smaller lobby area) and fewer long 'bowling alley' corridors though they exist in both. The Royal is behind a shopping area and thus little noise from Kalakaua; the Westin is right on Kalakaua so more noisy but also more fun to sit on the rocking chairs on the front porch if you want to people watch. Both are equally good and platinum treatment has been the same for both.
Doesn't Moana now have a club lounge? Royal Hawaiian doesn't, right?
Mar 1, 2014, 5:05 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Not to hijack this thread (which means I'll attempt to do so) - for a honeymoon, would y'all go with Sheraton or Moana Surfrider? Right now I have a room reserved for us at Sheraton with cash & points, however second guessing myself. Sheraton seems rather massive, not intimate, no direct beach access, however pool seems pretty sweet. IIRC starwood guests get access to all the pools on waikiki - is that correct? Moana surfrider still has rooms at the cash&points rate avail on our dates - should I switch?
Mar 1, 2014, 5:53 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
Not to hijack this thread (which means I'll attempt to do so) - for a honeymoon, would y'all go with Sheraton or Moana Surfrider? Right now I have a room reserved for us at Sheraton with cash & points, however second guessing myself. Sheraton seems rather massive, not intimate, no direct beach access, however pool seems pretty sweet. IIRC starwood guests get access to all the pools on waikiki - is that correct? Moana surfrider still has rooms at the cash&points rate avail on our dates - should I switch?
Mar 1, 2014, 5:57 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
For a honeymoon I would kick down and do the Royal Hawaiian, but barring that, I would do the Westin. It just has more character, I think, and less just a big concrete block. Having said that, I like the Sheraton, but for a special occasion I think the other options are just a bit more special.
Mar 1, 2014, 6:31 pm
#35
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
Was thinking RH too but no cash & points rooms at the moment. May call SPG and ask about redemption options. Any experience at the Moana as far as upgrades for golds? Don't really want to splurge down 10K + $180 for a beautiful city view (as beautiful as Honolulu is I'm sure). Then again no guarantee of being able to upgrade at the Sheraton either. And do you know if the Sheraton will allow us to use the infinity pool if we're staying at the moana? or would we not even need to since we'd have direct beach access anyway?
Mar 1, 2014, 6:40 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Titanium, Accor Silver, Club Carlson Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 2,432
There are no shared pool privileges amongst the Starwood hotels in Waikiki. Wrist bands are provided at the Sheraton Waikiki.
Mar 1, 2014, 6:56 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Good to know - thanks. Will probably just stick with Sheraton and hope for the best! The infinity pool looks amazing - hopefully as nice in real life as it looks in pictures.
Mar 2, 2014, 12:08 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Mar 2, 2014, 1:00 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2003
Location: ICN
Programs: AA (850k miles), SPG Platinum
Posts: 511
I have stayed at all 4 properties - RH, Sheraton, Moana Surfrider, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani.
RH - the best. i like the breezy common grounds and the access to the beach. They usually have some chairs and stuff for RH guests. it's relatively quiet compared to the other properties and has a nice luxury feel to it.
Moana Surfrider - i like this 2nd best. it's a little busy and there are always a lot of people walking around in front of the hotel since it's right in the middle of the shopping part of town. but the lobby is nice and the grounds are nice. i like the bar and they have live music at night. beach access is nice but gets crowded.
Sheraton - they have the best pool. It has a nice slide. access to the beach is also nice since it's right next to RH.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani - i try to avoid this hotel. the pool is nice but you have to walk a bit to get to the beach which is a pain. the lobby and common areas are always packed full of people (mostly tourist groups from Japan). the room feed dated.
For a honeymoon I would book the RH. if that fails, i'd go with the moana surfrider.
RH - the best. i like the breezy common grounds and the access to the beach. They usually have some chairs and stuff for RH guests. it's relatively quiet compared to the other properties and has a nice luxury feel to it.
Moana Surfrider - i like this 2nd best. it's a little busy and there are always a lot of people walking around in front of the hotel since it's right in the middle of the shopping part of town. but the lobby is nice and the grounds are nice. i like the bar and they have live music at night. beach access is nice but gets crowded.
Sheraton - they have the best pool. It has a nice slide. access to the beach is also nice since it's right next to RH.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani - i try to avoid this hotel. the pool is nice but you have to walk a bit to get to the beach which is a pain. the lobby and common areas are always packed full of people (mostly tourist groups from Japan). the room feed dated.
For a honeymoon I would book the RH. if that fails, i'd go with the moana surfrider.
Mar 2, 2014, 2:47 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
Mar 3, 2014, 6:58 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Starwood Platinum, AA Gold
Posts: 141
Royal Hawaiin vs. Moana Surfrider
The large activity pool is shared between RH and Sheraton. Tho other pools are reserved for each hotel's guests only.
Mar 3, 2014, 7:05 pm
#42
Formally known as reinmedia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: El Segundo | Honolulu
Programs: AA EXP | EX UA 1K | Marriot Titanium
Posts: 365
The Royal is a league above all others. You can in fact use both pools at the Sheraton, but you don't have the craziness that comes with staying at the Sheraton. It is the most crowded of all the Starwood properties usually catering towards families (waterslide) while RH is very quiet and relaxing.
If RH is out of the question, my second choice would be the Moana. I would ask to be put in the tower and not the historic wing. Rooms are a little better in the Tower.
If RH is out of the question, my second choice would be the Moana. I would ask to be put in the tower and not the historic wing. Rooms are a little better in the Tower.
Mar 3, 2014, 7:12 pm
#43
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I recently stayed there. You can't use the Edge pool at the Sheraton unless you sneak in - you can use the large shared pool (called the Helumoa Playground) - I suppose you could take your pool towels and sneak over but you aren't supposed as a RH guest use the Edge pool.
Apr 19, 2014, 8:55 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Atlanta and the Big Island, Hawaii
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG Gold. I share these affiliations so that you can ask me questions about the programs
Posts: 812
I might be the lone voice that prefers the Moana Surfrider. This is probably because I always ask for and receive a good room in the historic wing (because I stay often and I only stay for one night). The rooms in the historic wing have very high ceilings on the 2nd floor, and terrific ocean views on floors 3/4/5/6. Request a room on the 6th floor as it has the best views and has corridors with windows on both sides and lanais with chairs to enjoy. They also recently added a great club lounge which I've toured but haven't enjoyed. The spa is also very good, better than the RH, as it is ocean front with an ocean view hot tub, sauna, steam room, and great showers. The staff are also very good, particularly Keith at the front desk, who seems to work 24/7 with the spirit of aloha.
Let me know if you have any questions about this hotel or area.
Let me know if you have any questions about this hotel or area.
Apr 20, 2014, 11:44 am
#45
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,073