We are going to Oahu for three nights with a nine-year old are are trying to decide between the two. We would like a nice size room so we are not running into each other. We are looking at the Banyan Ocean View at the Sheraton and the Pacific Lanai at the Outrigger. Any opinions? Also, how is the transportation in Oahu? Will we need a car? We are planning to go to Pearl Harbor and to Diamond Head, if there is anything to see there. Thanks!-J

Have stayed at the Surfrider, and various Outriggers. Can you be more specific as to which Outrigger? None is called Pacific Lanai. They have about 20 locations just in the main part of Waikiki alone, and vary greatly in price/type/pool. We now usually always stay at one of the lower priced Outriggers, and get a 50% discount using our Seattle Entertainment book. So if you can be more specific I can help you better. (some aren't on beach, some don't have view, all walking distance though to beach).
No, you won't need a car. There'll be a variety of transportation available from the airport (price varies), and you can get a tour thru your hotel or separately to see Pearl Harbor etc. The bus is inexpensive, and you can easily walk (that is, if you like to walk!) from one end, to the other (like from the Ft. DeRussey area to Kapiolani Park down by Diamond Head).
The Surfrider is on the beach, a newer building in the old (and wonderful) Moana complex and is in a good location right in the heart of Waikiki.
Hope this helps, we leave next week ourselves for our semi yearly r&r.

The name of the hotel is the Outrigger Waikiki - it is right on the beach. The room type is Pacific Lanai oceanview. Thanks and have a great trip!

Hi - me again, I just reread your title, and realized just which hotel it was (with view of Pacific Lanai). That is one of the nicer Outriggers, also at a good location (next to the Surfrider) right on the beach. If you do choose an Outrigger, you should be able to use your local city's Entertainment book for a discount too (if you have such a book available in your city).
Aloha!

Hi - me again, I just reread your
title, and realized just which
hotel it was (with view of
Pacific Lanai). That is one of
the nicer Outriggers, also at a
good location (next to the
Surfrider) right on the beach. If
you do choose an Outrigger, you
should be able to use your local
city's Entertainment book for a
discount too (if you have such a
book available in your city).
Aloha!

Julie -
We also leave next week, and will be at the Moana for a few nights. I can let you know our opinion when we return. After much research, and advice from others who have replied here...we chose the Moana Surfrider. Also, a friend of mine goes to Oahu often to visit her sister, and said the Moana is her favorite. Again, I'll give you a report on our opinion when we return! When are you going, and are you visiting any other islands?
Nora

We are going the end of April, first week of May and we are going to spend the remainder of our time in Maui. I look forward to hearing your opinion on your return. Have a great trip! -Julie

Definitely stay at the Moana. it is right amidst the hustle of Waikiki but the minute you walk into the hotel lobby and through to the beach, you forget the traffic outside. We stayed at the Moana 2 years ago and loved it. It has history and ambiance, the newer hotels lack. It is one of the first hotels on the beach. Ask for a room in the historic wing. Ours was quite large, king bed, robes, all the amenities.You will be greeted at check in with a lei and pinapple juice. The area out front of the hotel has a large Banyan tree with history. There is a nice open bar and pool area and a veranda you can relax on. Live entertainment daily, and you can spend the day sipping mai-tais, people watching the beach scene, and swimming either in their pool or the ocean. Have breakfast one day on the veranda. It is a bit pricey, but worth the ambiance. Harpest played while we ate breakfast and the waiter wore white gloves. I have to admit that was the first time I had breakfast served by white gloves. It was fun though. If you want to visit the Outrigger on the beach it is next door. Nice hotel too but lacks the ambiance of the Moana. I know that my next visit to Waikiki will be at the Moana.