Dec 21, 2018, 8:17 pm
Last edit by: margarita girl
Hotel email address: [email protected]
Resort Fee Inclusions: https://deals.marriott.com/sheraton/...hnlksresortfee
Resort Fee Inclusions: https://deals.marriott.com/sheraton/...hnlksresortfee
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Waikiki/Honolulu, Hawaii [Master Thread]
Mar 13, 2021, 11:39 pm
#391
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,153
Mar 14, 2021, 8:44 am
#392
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Yes, the rooms are renovated (at least the upper floors of the tower). I've stayed here several times since the pandemic began, and the location could not be better! Basically, it's the same location (just across the street) as the surrounding hotels that cost 3-4x more. Plus, you can charge to your room at the dining venues at the Moana Surfrider and Sheraton Waikiki. Pool is not as nice as the Sheraton Waikiki, and currently has limited hours, but honestly, who goes to Hawaii for a pool when you have a world-class beach right there?!
Probably the weakest part of the experience right now is the elite breakfast (for Platinum and higher). It's currently a take-out box, dispensed from the pool bar, as there is no sit-down restaurant open at the hotel. Staff are doing their best, but one of them told me last month that the full service restaurant at the Princess Kaiulani will not re-open until the hotel reaches a certain percentage of occupancy.
Or, you can redeem the breakfast vouchers across the street at the Moana Surfrider restaurant, which is fully open, but there is an "upgrade" charge, even if you just want the elite continental offering. 🙄
Probably the weakest part of the experience right now is the elite breakfast (for Platinum and higher). It's currently a take-out box, dispensed from the pool bar, as there is no sit-down restaurant open at the hotel. Staff are doing their best, but one of them told me last month that the full service restaurant at the Princess Kaiulani will not re-open until the hotel reaches a certain percentage of occupancy.
Or, you can redeem the breakfast vouchers across the street at the Moana Surfrider restaurant, which is fully open, but there is an "upgrade" charge, even if you just want the elite continental offering. 🙄
Mar 14, 2021, 9:44 pm
#393
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
Credit against breakfast is US$18. So it's a $6 additional charge for the Moana Surfrider elite continental breakfast ($24 on the menu). Plus, you should leave a gratuity based on the full $24 because it is table service by a waiter, and those folks are really hurting. (Basically, anyone who works in the hospitality industry in Hawaii needs every penny of gratuity we can give him/her to get through these tough times.)
Mar 14, 2021, 9:45 pm
#394
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
I know the credit works at the sit-down terrace restaurant on the left as you walk out of the lobby toward the big tree. I'm not sure if the credit works at the grab-and-go place next to the pool.
Mar 14, 2021, 11:47 pm
#395
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,153
If you take the credit to the Surfrider Cafe, everything is complimentary (eg a sausage egg cheese croissant, fresh pineapple, a muffin, and a coffee).
Mar 18, 2021, 4:34 pm
#396
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Titanium -> United Silver
Posts: 937
I'm looking at a trip here for July 4th, and it seems like you can book a variety of room types in different areas (Ainahau Tower, Princess Wing, Kaiulani Wing). It looks like people like Ainahau ocean view rooms on higher floors, but what are everyone's thoughts on the other room types? I'd probably use cc certificates to book then try to use SNAs to upgrade to a better room, but I just want to make sure to select upgrade options that I'd be happy with (i.e. full/partial ocean view, somewhat renovated room, king bed). I'll be titanium by then if that makes any difference.
Mar 19, 2021, 12:43 pm
#397
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
I'm looking at a trip here for July 4th, and it seems like you can book a variety of room types in different areas (Ainahau Tower, Princess Wing, Kaiulani Wing). It looks like people like Ainahau ocean view rooms on higher floors, but what are everyone's thoughts on the other room types? I'd probably use cc certificates to book then try to use SNAs to upgrade to a better room, but I just want to make sure to select upgrade options that I'd be happy with (i.e. full/partial ocean view, somewhat renovated room, king bed). I'll be titanium by then if that makes any difference.
Currently, only the Ainahau Tower is open because of the pandemic. If you book a lower-tier room in Kaiulani Wing, you will be automatically moved to the Ainahau Tower when you check in. My suggestion is not to bother trying SNAs. I've stayed here (as a Titanium) several times during the pandemic and have always gotten a high floor with nice view. I don't believe there are suites at this property. The website shows a "Tower Luxury" room, but that appears just to be a larger-size guest room.
Frankly, as noted above, the reason to book this property is not the room itself, but rather the location. The tower rooms are renovated and perfectly fine, but nothing extraordinary. The reason to stay here is being at the heart of Waikiki, across the street from the beach, and surrounded by all of the dining and shopping venues.
Also, the staff are WONDERFUL! Truly go out of their way to be kind and helpful.
Mar 19, 2021, 3:32 pm
#398
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Titanium -> United Silver
Posts: 937
My suggestion is not to bother trying SNAs. I've stayed here (as a Titanium) several times during the pandemic and have always gotten a high floor with nice view. I don't believe there are suites at this property. The website shows a "Tower Luxury" room, but that appears just to be a larger-size guest room.
Mar 21, 2021, 12:30 pm
#399
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
I just had a one night stay here prior to a one-week stay at the Moana Surfrider. I booked the base room category for $120 a day before arrival and received an upgrade to an ocean view king. The view was legitimately nice although the bathroom looked like it hasn’t been renovated in 20 years and the room overall felt like a nice college dormitory room. There was a ton of noice from the street that was loud and audible in the room.
the previous guests dirty towels were still in the room when I checked in. I let them know at the front desk as legitimate feedback (not as a prod for compensation, they offered to waive the resort fee and I didn’t object to that).
Overall it was fine for one night and the price I paid.
This was my first stay after earning ambassador elite last week.
the previous guests dirty towels were still in the room when I checked in. I let them know at the front desk as legitimate feedback (not as a prod for compensation, they offered to waive the resort fee and I didn’t object to that).
Overall it was fine for one night and the price I paid.
This was my first stay after earning ambassador elite last week.
Mar 21, 2021, 1:11 pm
#400
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Congrats on your Amb status!
Aug 27, 2021, 12:30 pm
#401
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 268
Had a chance to stay here in July. Overall, not bad for the price, considering the prices of other Waikiki hotels. The rooms themselves need work, but the lobby area seemed recently renovated and fresh feeling. Staff at the hotel were great as well. Titaniums get a to-go breakfast at the Splash Bar during my stay for the breakfast benefit, a decent box full of items as well as coffee and juice.
Oct 16, 2021, 6:44 pm
#402
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Gold
Posts: 297
Looking to book one of these room types for next year - what is the best bet for room quality, location and view?
Tower Ocean King - Ainahau Tower
Princess Ocean King - Princess Wing
Both show as an ocean view, the Princess wing is about $10 a night more.
Tower Ocean King - Ainahau Tower
Princess Ocean King - Princess Wing
Both show as an ocean view, the Princess wing is about $10 a night more.
Oct 16, 2021, 9:16 pm
#403
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Titanium -> United Silver
Posts: 937
I stayed a few months ago. I was in the Ainahau Tower, and the oceanview rooms were fine and had a nice view. It's not a luxury property or one with a unique character, but I think it's a good value because of the location. If you're Platinum or above, the breakfast benefit can be used across the street at MS where you can get one item (breakfast burrito, acai bowl) and a drink (coffee or juice). I recommend that because it's nice to eat breakfast right on the beach.
Oct 17, 2021, 9:41 am
#404
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Had a chance to stay here in July. Overall, not bad for the price, considering the prices of other Waikiki hotels. The rooms themselves need work, but the lobby area seemed recently renovated and fresh feeling. Staff at the hotel were great as well. Titaniums get a to-go breakfast at the Splash Bar during my stay for the breakfast benefit, a decent box full of items as well as coffee and juice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BSjyKvF5ro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BSjyKvF5ro
Oct 17, 2021, 10:20 am
#405
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,153
As long as you aren’t expecting a luxury hotel, you should be absolutely pleased. The beach is right across the street. For being a 30 second walk versus oceanfront (Westin Moana), it’s a good deal.
Hopefully you’ll spend most of your time out and about, enjoying the island. 🤙🏻