stever

We're not going till Aug 30 2005, but I just found out we could use our 40000 Starwood pts (10000 per night) and get their buy 4 nights get the 5th free and not pay anything for the 5 nights. They upgraded us to the tower "large city view room" and we are happy as we WANT the larger tower room, not the smaller rooms in the historic wing. Is this a good hotel to use up these points at, or is this time of year really cheap anyway, like $129 a night on Hotwire or something similiarly cheap?

They said the tower-city view rooms WON'T have that proverbial dumpster view as the rooms are on the 3rd-9th floor and not low like the rooms in the historic section. We told them it was an anniversary and we requested a water view on a high floor if possible

We will be going to a convention the week we're there and may get some excellent rates at the convention hotels, like $150 a night, but these rates won't come out till December and we don't know which hotels will be on the list yet. We really counted on having our nights free for this part of the trip due to Starwood's pts, so I'm pretty sure we'll do this cashing in of the points, unless you guys/gals know of a reason NOT to do it this way. The rest of the trip consists of 2 nights at Kilauea Lodgem - BI, 3 nights at Hapuna Prince - BI, then 6 nights FS Maui (the major expense of the trip by far - $425 nt!) and home.

Thanks in advance,
Steve
Maryland

stever

Hmmmm - 24 hours later and no response for you guys... So, no one has stayed in their "Large, Spacious City View/Cityside Room overlooking the Main Avenue in the Tower Wing or Historic Banyan Wing - Floors 3-9"?

This is what the email confirmation has said on it. When the reservation lady originally made the reservation she incorrectly told us it would DEFINITELY be in the Tower Wing, but after calling them today, they said it could one or the other. Basically we'd have only a small chance of having any ocean view BUT the 5 nights would be FREE! Would you use your Starwood pts for this if it was your only time going to Waikiki beach? She said that she would put that it's our anniversary on the reservation, that we requested an upgrade to a water view if possible, and highest possible floor, but there are no guarantees of course.

We've lucked out in the past...

Anyone stay in this room category lately? Is it still pretty darn nice? If only there was a Starwood property on the Big Island that we could have used our 5 free nights for, but it won't be built till October 2005.

Steve
Maryland

summer04

Did you look into the Sheraton Waikiki? They are supposed to be finished refurbishing interior and exterior in 2005. I know it is a category 4, but don't know if they offer the 5th night free.

stever

Thanks - I appreciate the info!

I just looked on Trip Advisor.com and many reviewers said the beds at the Sheraton Waikiki were bad, the pillows lumpy, and it was seriously in need of a makeover. Many had said for a few bucks more, the Moana Surfrider was the better hotel and far less crowded. I guess we won't be staying at the Waikiki Sheraton!

Steve
Maryland

DebbieSzc

We just got back this week from the Moana. We are Starwood members but did not have enough points so requested a city view Banyan room. I mentioned that it was our 25 th anniversary and when we arrived they had upgraded us to the Tower, Ocean front on the 11 th floor!. They also had a bottle of wine for us in the room and then that night brought champagne. The hotel is so incredible and romantic and I highly recommend it! I just can't say enough good things about it. It was perfect in every way. So classy and gracious. The staff was great. The sounds of the waves and the music from the Banyan court each evening was heavenly.

stever

To DebbieSzc: Thanks for the awesome review of the Moana Surfrider. Now I can't wait to go! It sounds like you were treated like kings and queens.

What were you charged for a city view room, by the way, if you don't mind sharing it? They still seem to getting $205 a night for that room next Sept if we don't use our points...

Happy 25th,
Steve R
Maryland

dcmalia

From a local: Sheraton Moana is my all-time favorite hotel in all of Waikiki! It's very romantic. The white colmuns are so beautiful... The patio out back is the best place to spend a lazy evening getting drinks under the big banyon tree... The location couldn't be better. It's right near Duke's statue, where you can take surf lessons. Think it's almost across the street from the International Marketplace. Note there is a Tiffany's located at this hotel... perfect for a surprise anniversary gift? Seriously, don't know about the different rooms, but this hotel is hands down an amazing place to stay.

DebbieSzc

I booked directly online at the Starwood site for a city view in the historic Banyan wing. The rate was $220.I had booked in May for the September stay. Debbie

stever

Thanks to you two... I guess it's a good deal if we can pay for 4 nights using our 40,000 Starwood pts AND still get that 5th night free. If you paid $220 a night, it is really starting to seem great.

I can't wait to go - only 10 and half short months away!

Steve