Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort Honolulu, Honolulu, HI - Reviews and Hotel Information

The Moana Hotel Westin (the old Sheraton Moana Surfrider) also known as the First Lady of Waikīkī, is a famous historic hotel on the island of Oʻahu, Built in the late 19th century as the first hotel in Hawaiʻi, the Moana opened its doors to guests in 1901, becoming the first large hotel in Waikīkī. The Moana Hotel is regarded as the flagship in Hawaiʻi tourism, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located in the heart of Waikiki, within walking distance of major attractions, world-class shopping, dining and entertainment. The Moana's architecture was influenced by European styles popular at the time, with Ionic columns and intricate woodwork and plaster detailing throughout the building. The Moana was designed with a grand porte cochere on the street side and wide verandas on the ocean side. Some of the 75 guest rooms had telephones and bathrooms (unusual at the time), and the hotel featured a billiard room, saloon, main parlor, reception area, and library. Peacock installed the first electric-powered elevator in the islands at the Moana, which is still in use today.

Walking tours and the Historical Room detail the hotel's storied past. The hotel features a private beach, and surfing lessons, snorkeling, scuba diving, and parasailing can all be arranged. The outdoor pool is situated next to the beach, and towels and lounge chairs are provided. Afternoon tea, sandwiches, and finger foods are served daily on the Banyan Veranda, a tradition continued since the hotel's early days. Enjoying afternoon high tea on the veranda beneath the huge banyan tree in the courtyard, you feel like Waikiki visitor Robert Louis Stevenson imagining his tales.

Only one other hotel in Waikiki can compete with The Royal Hawaiian and the Halekulani Hotel for style, grace and authentic Hawaii history, and that's the Moana Surfrider. Its porte-cochère welcomes guests in grand style, and its historic Banyan Veranda overlooking the beach cradles them with Hawaiian music and sunsets—fittingly, as this was the home to the classic radio program Hawaii Calls, which beamed Hawaiian music to the world starting in the 1930s.

Present-day amenities include non-smoking rooms, signature Heavenly Beds and Heavenly Baths, as well as flat screen televisions. The 386 guest rooms and 44 suites in the tower focus on Hawaiian décor, emphasizing texture and soothing tones of beige, ecru and brown. In the center of the Moana Surfrider's courtyard stands a majestic Banyan tree. When planted, the tree was nearly seven feet tall and about seven years old. It now stands 75 feet high and spans 150 across the courtyard. The Moana offers three restaurants and lounges along with a Snack Bar and Banyan Grill for limited menu items, 24 hour Room Service, and exceptional function space totaling over 15,000 square feet.

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort Honolulu, Honolulu

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort Honolulu

Honolulu Hotels