margarita girl

You need to review a few of the posts in this thread.

bocastephen

Luck is not the same as policy - I've had the fee waived once, years ago, and only by a check in clerk who was new and easily swayed. I haven't had the same luck since then, nor anyone I know who stayed here. Maybe it's the luck of the draw, but I wouldn't bank on it.

Asaq

Would you happen to have this phone number to reserve the "platinum" chairs? Or should I call / email the hotel for it?

Thanks!

caburrito

Asked for the fee to be waived on a recent stay, it was waived. I would have to pay for any of the items listed in the charge a la carte. Did not use any of them.

bocastephen

This is good news if it's a change in policy or a new trend - I don't use any of those items on the list either, nor am I going to use any of the beach equipment, so having the fee waived is a definite differentiator vs staying at another property that won't waive the fee.

margarita girl

I go to Waikiki 3-4 times per year and have 20-30 stays at the SW. I’ve NEVER paid the resort fee so not a new thing. I just ask politely at check in to pay a la carte for what I use. I believe this is a courtesy extended to Plat members only.

Xu Guan

Also the local rate or the Kamaaina rate usually does not have the resort fee and comes with free parking. Just need a Hawaii ID to get it

yahrite808

There are actually two different Kamaaina Rates
1) standard kamaaina rate - resort fee included
2) KAMVIP - resort fee waived

Mirage241

Just checked in and referred to this thread. I had two rooms so resort fee was waived for one. I still had to pay for parking. Lounge access was granted for both rooms so that was nice. I wished they had a more formal policy about waiving resort/parking fees. I also had to ask for my platinum goodie bag so check in wasn’t as nice as a Platinum.

margarita girl

My favorite FD agent advised me today that Marriott is cracking down, and as of Jan 1, they are no longer allowed to waive the resort fee for Platinum members.

itsaboutthejourney

Not sure if it's becuase the Marriott people discovered they have better options with SPG in Hawaii or something else, but the Leahi Club lounge seems to be filled with a lot more kids and large families than before. The staff tries their best, but they are going to need more cleaning of the carpet. Perhaps they split the time: families from 4-6 and adults only from 6-8?

margarita girl

It's always like this. Sheraton Waikiki attracts a lot of families with children because of the great kids' pool. If you want peace and quiet, go to the Moana Surfrider.

I met with Kelly Sanders a few years ago and mentioned this to him. I think they introduced some stuff to keep the kids busy (coloring books, etc) but I haven't seen any lately. Rug rats are running amok in the lounge again.

edgewood49

I have a question I have never stayed at the Surfrider in 40 years does it have a concierge lounge ? would one stay there or here ?

serious question

margarita girl

When I go to HNL, I usually stay at both hotels as they are a 5 min walk from each other. They both have excellent lounges. The Sheraton's lounge is on the 30th floor with a stunning view of Diamond Head. The Moana's lounge is on the ground floor with an outdoor patio that is right on the beach, so that is fabulous for sitting outdoors for breakfast or to relax on the couches while sipping wine in the evening. I find there are more children in the SW lounge than the MS lounge.

The food is similar at both. At breakfast, the SW has been serving pineapple and watermelon for breakfast for the last 8 yrs (plus there is whole fruit like bananas and oranges). MS has a better variety of fruit (papaya, mango, melon). They both have scrambled eggs. The potatoes change at the SW but they don't at the MS. SW serves hot meat (ham, sausage, bacon). MS only serves cold cuts. They both have miso soup.

In the evening, SW puts out the wine/beer for guests to serve themselves. MS lounge attendants serve you, but your glass is never empty. They both have edamame in the evening. When I was there a few days ago, the MS only had 1 additional hot dish. I think they used to have 2, so not sure if that's new or just an off day.

I have a copy of the updated SW breakfast and evening menu which I will post in the next day or so.

Suites are much harder to come by at the MS, but their regular Plat upgrade is a decent tower room with a balcony. I get suites 90% of the time at the SW (I'm there a lot), but the regular non-suite upgrade is an ocean front room which is on the small side (280 sq ft).

I used to do more nights at the SW as they waived the resort fee for Platinums (actually you paid a la carte for the items you used), but I was told Marriott put an end to that as of Jan 2018. SW also 2 large pools, one for children and one for adults. MS has one tiny pool for everyone.

edgewood49

Thank you I have "known" these properties forever and a day just never stayed there before the merger. Dropped the Hyatt rat race when they did what they did !