Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

We stayed one night is a beautifully appointed ocean suite. It had two balconies with wonderful views and comfortable chairs. The bed was comfortable. The fitness center was good, neither Peloton was working. We liked that we could go to the other hotels and room charge. The Mai Thai beach bar was great, delicious drinks. The location is right in the heart of it with tons of shopping and restaurants. Beach and pool are small. Very busy and many people everywhere.

The hotel is stunning. You feel like royalty coming in. The back patio at night is amazing and the beach is lovely. We did wish the pool was bigger for our family and not just packed with little kids. But overall, love the location and love the hotel itself.

Staying at the Moana Surfrider is like stepping into Hawaiian history. The “First Lady of Waikīkī” truly lives up to its reputation. Sitting beneath the famous banyan tree while listening to the ocean was one of the highlights of our trip. The location is unbeatable—you can walk to restaurants, shopping, and the beach is literally steps away. We had three rooms booked across the Surfrider Tower, Banyan Tower, and the newer tower, and it’s important to note that not all rooms are created equal. The rooms in the newer tower were noticeably more spacious and modern, while the rooms in the older towers felt more cramped in comparison. That said, each still carried the charm of the historic property. The staff was consistently welcoming and helpful, and we really appreciated the blend of old Hawaiian charm with thoughtful modern touches. One standout feature—surprisingly—was the high-tech toilets. It’s not often you mention that in a review, but the heated seats with built-in bidets were a very nice upgrade. The pool area, while very well maintained and attractive, felt a bit too small for a resort of this size and could get crowded. We also really enjoyed breakfast at the Veranda each morning—it was a relaxing and beautiful way to start the day. Overall, we loved our stay and the unique character of the Moana Surfrider. Just be aware when booking that room types vary quite a bit depending on the tower. It’s more than just a hotel—it’s truly part of the Waikīkī experience.

Even though the price is really expensive, it doesn’t deserve to high price. The room is less spacious and customer service is not satisfactory. Swimming pool is small and no Jacuzzi.

Our rooms were clean and comfortable. The view and the staff were exceptional. We did not agree with the additional $100+ in room charges. For example, 2 adults and 2 children, under 12, were charged a resort fee PER PERSON per room. Noone used the exercise room or other perks; after sight-seeing during the day, there was no sunset view swimming as the pool closed at 6 pm. and only 1 "free" tote bag per room, although 4 charged a resort fee, for example, a feeling of price gouging. The nearby International Market is a must to see.