Fodor's Expert Review Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

Outrageous rates of $1.50 per night were the talk of the town when the "First Lady of Waikiki" opened her doors in 1901; today, this historic beauty—the oldest hotel in Waikiki—is still a wedding and honeymoon favorite with a sweeping main staircase and period furnishings in its historic Moana Wing. In the late 1950s, the hotel's Diamond Head Tower was built. In the '70s, the Surfrider hotel went up next door. All three merged into one hotel in the 1980s. The refurbished Surfrider has oceanfront suites with two separate lanai, one for sunrise and another for sunset viewing. Relax on the private beach or in a cabana by the pool, or indulge in a spa treatment at the 18,000-square-foot Moana Lani Spa. Enjoy live music and hula at the Banyan Court each evening or dine at the oceanfront Beachhouse at the Moana. Make sure to check out the banyan tree, the hotel's prize landmark, said to date back to the hotel's early days. Consider afternoon tea at the Veranda, the way it was done decades ago—the Hawaii Calls radio program was broadcast here during the 1940s and '50s. The hefty resort fee includes cultural activities, yoga classes, and Wi-Fi.

room

There are more than 20 different combinations of room configurations, views, and location to choose from. Standard rooms in the historic wing are rather small, though there are larger rooms available in the historic wing and in the tower. Decor and linens are fairly simple, with lots of earth tones throughout.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The Moana doesn’t seem to allow the same upgrade privileges to Starwood Preferred members as most hotels in the Westin/Marriott family, so don’t expect to get a better room or perks than what you paid for.

bathroom

Bathrooms differ based on the room and location, some have standing showers only, others have tub/shower combos. In general, the bathrooms are fairly small, with very little vanity space.

lobby

The expansive lobby at Moana Surfrider features large columns and lovely tiled floors. There are multiple seating areas for guests to relax.

pool

The square-shaped Moana Pool is not too large, but the palm trees, ocean views, nearby cafe, and comfy loungers make it a nice place to hang out. The pool is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

spa

At Moana Lani Spa, A Heavenly Spa by Westin, guests can choose from a range of oceanside treatments and services including facials, eye treatments, massages, steam room, scalp treatments, and makeup services.

gym

The WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio is open 24/7 and includes LifeFitness and TRX machines, a variety of cardio and weight machines and free weights, in a spacious room.

dining

Breakfast and lunch can be a special treat when dining at the Veranda at the Beachhouse, with views of the hotel’s banyan tree and the sounds of the waves. Afternoon tea is also a delightful option here. Guests can take meals to go thanks to Surfrider Cafe, open for breakfast and lunch with coffee and healthy meals. Dinner at Beachhouse at the Moana includes oceanfront dining with a steak and seafood-focused menu.

drinking

At the Beach Bar guests can enjoy ocean views while sipping a cocktail and enjoying an appetizer and live entertainment. Vintage 1901 has an exquisite view of the hotel’s courtyard banyan tree to go along with its incredible wine collection (along with beer and a signature sangria) as well as small bites in the evening.