Going for 4 nights (1st time in HNL) later this month, wife and two little kids.

Have tons of Starwood points, so am looking at either Royal Hawaiian or Moana Surfrider - both seem to have mixed reviews.

Any thoughts? I've never been to Oahu (all other islands) and am staying at Princeville for 5 nights after Oahu...

Thanks.

Coachboy

We alwys stay at the Moana Surfrider, Coachboy. We love it there. I have read bad reviews about it too, but I think the place is excellent.

We have been to the Royal Hawaiian only for dinner and lunch and shows. It seems to be a fine place.

I really don't know if either of those places are set up for little kid activities? I have never paid attention to this. I don't even remember if I have seen kids at the Moana Surfrider but there must have been kids there.

Isn't the Sheraton Waikiki also a Starwood?

Anyway, good luck, have fun.

I have not stayed at either (believe me, only because I can't afford them) but have walked thru both places and had dinner at the Banyan Veranda restaurant at the Moana. They are both fabulous hotels in a spectacular setting. The Moana staff was much friendlier to me, while Royal Hawaiian seemed a bit full of themselves.

Obviously my experience is no reason to influence your decision (LOL). I think either would be an excellent choice. The mixed reviews seem to depend on what part of the hotel(s) and what type of room you get. Maybe research those details further?

Personally, I prefer the open airy-ness of the Moana...grand, but not pretentious. The Royal Hawaiian is more of the heavy-drapes, dark walls old decor. Grand, but stuffy.

Just my 2 cents.

Hi Coachboy, We also used Starpoints...for Moana Surfrider. LOVED IT!

Make sure they know you need a room with TWO beds, as--according to front desk clerk---usually, if using starpoints, they give you a room in the original Moana Hotel room area (Don't worry--they have been updated )
Since we had three people, we were in room in the Tower area- the newest part, a beautiful room with two of the comfiest beds we'd ever experienced.

Also, per front desk, they willingly upgrade if possible, since you're a SPG member, based on room availability. When we went, hotel was booked solid, but it doesn't hurt to check.

MS has many lovely touches. Check out the changing time-of-day elevator mats.
Try to take one of the informative and delightful historical tours of the hotel while there--well worth an hour of your time.
True, there were the inevitable few things that cold've been improved: found waitress at tea on the verandah to be more interested in the many Japanese tourists from her country (it is a fav spot for pre-booked weddings from Japan) than in serving tea to everyone else; times it seemed too packed with people to be restful. But grab a rocking chair on the front porch, watch the world go by on Kalakua; sit out back under the big banyan tree, go upstairs and look at the old photos--you'll be hooked!