Originally Posted by
schubert
I have stayed at both properties (multiple times at the Moana Surfrider). I love both properties. I have gotten upgrades at the Surfrider for shorter stays (one or two days), but I didn't get an upgrade on a week-long stay at RH. Even then, I would have to say I prefer the Royal Hawaiian over the Moana Surfrider.
Both have old world charm. However, as you enter the property at RH, the lush, old trees provide a sense of serene calm that is in stark contrast to the craziness of Kalakaua Avenue. I feel like I can truly relax at RH. It may be my imagination, but I feel like the surroundings make you want to talk with your indoor voice at RH more compared to Surfrider. I do think the higher cost of RH generally attracts higher end guests as well. The free beach chairs at RH is another plus.
The Sheraton is by far the craziest of the three Starwood property on Waikiki beach front. When I stayed at RH last October, we used the RH pool often. We also took the toddlers over to the Sheraton pool (directly adjacent) for the water slides. At that time, approximately 3/4 of guests staying at Sheraton were Japanese; things may be slightly different now.
As others have commented, you can charge food and beverage at any Starwood hotel in Waikiki to your room.
Just as an idea, why not spend two days at RH and two days at MS so that you can compare yourself. You probably would increase your chance of getting an upgrade as well.
Last comment on the free lunch: I have been very annoyed with the resort fees. When I stayed at the RH, I was offered free breakfast and lunch for kids with paying adult since I'm Plat. This only worked for the restaurant by the pool. We didn't get much benefit from this.
We just did exactly that -- we had a 5 night paid stay at the Moana, followed by a 3 night FRN stay at the RH, during Thanksgiving week.
Comparisons:
Platinum upgrades: Moana upgraded my booked tower oceanview room to a tower suite. Royal Hawaiian upgraded the FRN lowest class garden room to a tower ocean view room, which was fairly generous. The suite upgrade at the Moana wins. But keep in mind that you can't count on an upgrade, and if you're getting a room with points there's a chance you could wind up in a city view room at the Moana.
Beach: Better at the Royal for sure. Beach chairs are free at RH, not at Moana. And chairs at the beach and pool are spaced farther apart at the Royal, you don't feel so cramped.
Pool situation: The Moana pool is bigger than the Royal's private pool, but ice cold. The Royal's pool is just slightly warmer, but so small that it's more like a big plunge pool. If you want to swim any distance in a pool at the Royal, the playground pool (shared by Sheraton) would work. It really didn't seem THAT crowded, even though it was Thanksgiving week! There were kids but not that many.
(All the Starwood pools could use warmer water IMHO. The Halekulani goes the other way -- really warm.)
Ambience: Schubert is absolutely right; the Royal feels quiet, elegant, luxurious, even during a busy holiday week. The Moana is busy busy busy! Nonstop weddings and lots of looky-loos from the street coming into the public areas. If you like to people watch it's the Moana for sure. If you like things low-key and more relaxing, the Royal wins.
I haven't actually stayed at the Sheraton Waikiki so I can't compare. It feels more like a Vegas hotel rather than a Hawaiian resort but for families with kids it may offer a good compromise of affordability, platinum upgrade and a big play pool.
Bottom line, I enjoy the Moana, and the suite upgrade (I've gotten it twice) is spectacular. But after my first stay there, I sure like the relaxing vibe at the Royal. I wouldn't mind going back to both to try to decide which I prefer.