Originally Posted by
HEAVES
I keep going back and forth between the Moana Surfrider and the Sheraton Waikiki.
We are a family of 5. 2 Adults and 3 kids (ages 8,5 and 2). I love upscale hotels. We will be celebrating our 15th anniversary and it is our kid's first time to Hawaii. We have been before, although prefer the other islands over Oahu. Due to flying over on AA miles, we are stopping in Honolulu first for 5 nights (then onto Maui for 10 nights - 5 in the Westin and 5 in the Hyatt).
Bottom line...which hotel should I stay at in Oahu on SPG points? We are gold level, so not sure if we would get an upgrade. The best room I could book at the Sheraton was the Ocean Front at 640 sq ft. Best room at the MS was a city view tower (half the square footage). Now I know most people are thinking that for a family, we should probably do the Sheraton.
I am just worried though because I think the MS looks much nicer and I like to feel like I am in a really nice place when travelling. We do not plan on spending most of our time in the room.
In the other 2 hotels on Maui, we will have slides and ocean veiw rooms. On Oahu, we will be moving around more. Going to Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, touring the island (we will have a car), etc. I do like the pool better at the Sheraton, but as someone said...do you really spend that much time at the pool when the beach is right there (and we are going to be doing so much other stuff)....
Anyway, I know this is long winded, but PLEASE help. I am used to the finer things and we have stayed in a couple of Sheratons that have just looked really bad... I just want everyone to have a good experience.
Which is the overall nicest hotel of these 2 (the RH was a few too many pts)?
Which would be the best for my family?
Thanks for all the advice!
Many people swear by the Moana and will tell you to avoid the Sheraton. I think it's not that easy as your experience can really come down to what room they stick you in at each place. I was just at both properties a few weeks ago and upgraded to ocean front suites at each. I love the atmosphere at the Moana and agree that it's a fine property in general, but many aspects of our suite at the Sheraton were nicer and my wife even told me after the trip that she wants to stay at the Sheraton when we return.
As a Gold, you probably have a better chance of a decent upgrade at the Sheraton. They have much more inventory (unless they're all booked up) and have a track record of treating Golds pretty well. They were always good to me as Gold, often upgrading to ocean front rooms. I'd say that's far less likely at the Moana. The Sheraton does have a much more chaotic atmosphere, but that's true for Waikiki too.
I think the Sheraton can often be the better choice. Rates are usually lower, rooms bigger, fancy pool if you want that (I don't). You can still go over to the Moana and sit in the Banyan courtyard or snag a rocking chair as if you were staying there if you want.