I was a guest there in the fall of 1998. We loved it. We have a reservation for this October and I was wondering if it is still as nice. Anyone?

We just had a three-night stay at the Moana Surfrider from 7/15-7/18. As a platinum, we were upgraded to a huge ocean view two-room suite on the penthouse level. The sweeping views of the ocean from the large windows of the 21st floor suite was spectacular.

Platinum recognition at this hotel is definitely exceptional. However, it's large size of 700+ rooms makes the service level quite impersonal. Otherwise, I would say that this property is quite average and relatively good compared to other hotels on Waikiki.

Having stayed at the Royal Hawaiian, Hyatt, and W Hotel on Waikiki, I honestly must say that Waikiki is in great need of a quality five-star property. Each property seems to have some to be desired.

Not to veer off topic, I must say that the construction and decor of the Surfrider is quite dated and very "80's." The quality of the toiletry is quite bad (think holiday inn) and I sort of question the cleanliness of some parts of the room such as the sofa and bath tub.

Overall, I would say this property should be a good choice compared to other properties on Waikiki. However, if you're looking for modern and cleaner decor, I would choose the W Hotel, though it does not have a view anywhere close to what the Surfrider offers. In addition, the central location of the Surfrider on Waikiki makes shopping and doing the touristy stuff quite convenient.

Some tips: Ask for an upgrade at this property if not offered. They are usually quite busy so they might not have the time to find a room to your preference if you don't ask. The agent was very helpful in allowing me to view a variety of suites they had available to which I may upgrade after I had asked. I would recommend a room on the tower wing or banyan wing.

Avoid the Diamond wing like the plague. The rooms in there are smaller than some closets and are run down like your local Days Inn.

Anyways, these are just some of the experiences of my most recent stay. Please feel free to email me if you have specific questions. Hope this helps.

Would never stay in the modern wings, even if it was a penthouse suite. Always take a room in the original building. It is a classic. The two towers are abominations and could be just about any hotel on the island. The Moana and Royal Hawaiian give true character to an otherwise disastrously over developed beach front. A room in the old building is like stepping back a century, into a Somerset Maughan novel.

This is definitely my preferred property on Waikiki beach. Could be the fact that even before I was a platinum they have treated my partner and I as VIPs, do to a disasterous stay the first time. Since the general managers office takes care of all of our needs while on the islands. Including securing best tables at any of the Sheraton restaraunts and fabulous rooms at other sheraton properties when we travel to other islands. I just returned from there two days ago. I also suggest the historic Banyan Wing. This time was the first time that during the first part of the stay I was in the Tower, I was with my mom, and also had one of the two room ocean view suites described. Although the size of the room is enormous I still prefer a Banyan Ocean Category. If possible ask if you can get one of only 12 rooms that have a Balcony in the Banyan Ocean section - this way you will truly be in the "very" original part of the building. The side wings of the building were also an addition and only the center section of the hotel is "truly the original".

I love this property. It is my home away from home, even have a painting of it hanging in my hallway. Be sure to enjoy Sunday brunch on the Banyan Veranda and/or afternoon tea.

I'm feeling "homesick" already.

Oh my...there is someone else feels and does the exact same thing. I bought the painting at the little shop in the lobby! Yes, Moana is my home away from home. I visit there 3-4 times a year and also we have family reunion every year.

They have been treating us so well (assigned as VIP). The hotel manager always takes very good care of us.

If you are into the beach/ocean view, I would personally avoid the top floor (21st). The roof right underneath the 21st floor kind of obstruct the beach view. You can still have the great ocean view though. If you are with children, I would take tower ocean suite. But if you are looking for something more romantic, then take Banyan wing.

I know they've been working/planning on renovation - I am not sure if they have started already. They showed me one of their model rooms in tower with the new design and asked my opinions about it when I was there in April. Looked very nice in general, but I also threw some constructive comments. Will see...

Excited to go back there for family reunion in August!

While I loved reading your reviews, and I admit it made my mouth water, we do not have any special level with starwood except 'preferred' due to the starwood amex card. I reserved one of the cheapest rooms, city view with two beds, because my husband is not 100% ...so I am not very optimistic about an upgrade. I will certainly ask, suggest, beg or whatever it takes and hope for the best, lol. thanks loads for the info.

We just got back from a 1 night stay at the Moana Surfrider before heading to Princeville for our anniversary. The check-in agent, Mayumi, was very friendly and offered us a choice of suites! I asked if we could see suites in the tower and the historic building, so we opted for the tower. For shame that we didn't stay in the historic section It was very nice, but the views from the tower were so wonderful. I loved being up so high and seeing all of Waikiki and Diamond Head. The other room offered views of the Banyan Tree and part of the beach, but it was nice, too.

The evening hors d'oeuvres were very nice and the breakfast was an extensive continental breakfast. My husband was able to use the internet for free in the adjacent business center, so that was convenient.

The real surprise and very nice treat was the anniversary gift that was sent up. A basket filled with fruits including papaya, chocolate macadamia nut cookies, nice gift pack of chocolate, nuts, and dried fruits, 2 waters, and a very nice note. I felt so special and so did my husband. What a classy place! I called down to thank them right away.

The restaurant, Sushi Koh, behind Planet Hollywood is excellent for Japanese food. We loved the sushi.

The waves were about 3 feet high that day so played in the ocean for hours before dinner and walked along the beach at night before spending lots of time in the rocking chairs on the verandah and listening to Hawaiian music.

I'm so glad we chose to stay here, and it's because of all the great advice from Flyertalk. Thank you all for helping me decide to stay here and making our anniversary special.

The Moana is very special. I consider it one of the 10 best hotels in the world (and that is quite an accomplishment given its location with all that congestion around it).

Moana has always been good to me and my family. I usually go there 3-4 times a year, but haven't stayed at non-suite rooms for...geez, I don't remember when I was given a non-suite room!

They have great employees - that's another reason why they have a lot of repeat guests.

spellbound2...probably just missed you. Recently returned from a 3 night stay at the Moana and were also offered a selection of suites. We were handed keys to all and checked 'em all out, but unlike you and despite the great view from above, we opted for Room 537...one of the beach/banyon view suites in the historic building.

The stay was great as always and The Verandah pre-set steak and lobster dinner out in the courtyard was a real bargin IMHO, considering the quality, quantity and location of the meal!

Love 'dis place. It's gotta lotta mana.

That is TOO funny, PremEx. That is the EXACT suite she let us see too! Don't tell me you were there on June 5th- we should have hooked up. We love Honolulu, so we'll be back again next year. Hope you enjoyed your trip!

Moana Surfrider started to make room renovation including lobby area.
They plan to renovate floor by floor.

I don't know when and how the lobby will be renovated.

Although I live in Honolulu, I like the Verandah area - truely Hawaiian feeling.
(other hotels I like are the courtyard of Halekulani & the beach of Kahala Mandarin-nothing special but both areas are pieceful and quiet)

I hope you will see much better Moana Surfrider in next year.

I realize that this post will be regarded as blasphemous, but I was extremely disappointed with my recent stay at the Moana. Veranda/courtyard/lobby are charming, but the rooms (no upgrade as Gold) are more akin to Holiday Inn or Motel 6. I'll try another hotel the next time.

One fun thing you should think about doing while at the Moana is taking the tour of the hotel. It's about an hour, hosted by one of the long time associates and gives some interesting facts about the hotel, some secrets and even a murder mystery

Plus it's FREE!!!

They have the tour schedule downstairs. I believe the Sheraton across the street also has a similar tour (whcih I did not go on.)

Also another nice treat, a bit pricy though, is the poolside snacks. Very nice barbeque wings and other appetizers. It's in the afternoon and the smell is wonderful.

Agree with my Big Bruddar on the surf (lobster) and turf (NY Strip) dinner special at the Veranda is an excellent deal and very yummy.

I would stay here again, but as others said in the OLD wing.

To quote another Flyertalker, onefreeman "They dont' build hotels like that anymore."

Didn't you say they upgraded you to the tower?


[This message has been edited by sergio (edited 06-28-2003).]