...and it was awesome!!!

The Historic Banyan renovation is most certainly complete - we did see some paintwork touch-ups being done to the baseboards on one level so completion must have been recent. This was the first resort hotel in Waikiki back in 1901 and in my view the renovation brings it right up to date.

btw, its worth noting this was a reward points stay (4 nights + 1 free) and as a Platinum member (no prompting upon check in, I can assure you) we were given a Junior Suite overlooking Waikiki beach with excellent views of Diamond Head and the beach to the left and the surfers to the front. Our companions (also Platinum on a reward stay) were given ocean view room in the Banyan wing also.

I would very much recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Honolulu and having done flybys on the three nearby Sheraton properties ... it looked by far the best Starwood property in Waikiki for location / quality of experience. This hotel has both history and class. The only negative I could have said was the pool is not a great resort pool, its a very traditional size I guess you could say. The beach is literally 10 feet away but at times can become a little too popular in front of the hotel property, but then again Oahu is not Maui is it ?

We rated the "First Lady of Waikiki" as "the best" hotel experiences we have ever had in 30 years of traveling, but accept that could have been, in part, influenced by that suite with the world class views.

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