Affectionately referred to as “The First Lady of Waikiki,” the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, turned heads when it opened on March 11, 1901. As it celebrates 125 years of hospitality, the property continues to delight Oahu visitors.
A Hotel With a Story
Waikiki’s first hotel was built by an English entrepreneur named Walter C. Peacock. It was the first hotel in the Territory of Hawaiʻi to offer private bathrooms, in-room telephones, and electric elevators, one of which still operates today. Total cost was $150,000.
The hotel is celebrating its 125th anniversary with the debut of a multi-year, extensive renovation to its guest rooms and public spaces. While the historic charm of the property remains, it offers all the modern perks today’s travelers expect.
Guest room in the Moana Surfrider’s Banyan Wing.
Accommodations
With just shy of 800 rooms, the Moana Surfrider is a large property, but it’s easy to navigate. There are three distinctive wings, and where you book a room really comes down to preference and budget. If luxe accommodations are the priority, consider the Tower Wing. If you like historical details, opt for a room in the Banyan Wing, the original wing built in 1901. The Diamond Wing features rooms with a fun, Hawaiian surf design.
I stayed in the Tower Wing, and the views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head were fantastic. But I was able to see a plethora of rooms in all three wings. I’d be happy to return to stay in any of them.
View from a room in the Tower Wing, at the Moana Surfrider, on Oahu’s Waikiki Beach.
Public Spaces and Facilities
The Moana Surfrider has stellar access to popular Waikiki Beach. Expect a fun but crowded, bustling scene. There’s also a small pool steps off the sand, but lounge chairs can fill quickly. The hotel’s Run Concierge offers guided runs of the neighborhood, and there is an impressive fitness center. I didn’t get to test it out, but the Moana Lani Spa is said to be Waikiki’s only oceanfront spa.
Assorted cultural resort activities, including hula lessons and lei making, are open to all guests. Pay attention to the schedule, as some offerings are held at nearby sister properties: The Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Waikiki, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani.
My favorite part of the property is the ocean-facing courtyard. It’s dominated by a 120-year-old banyan tree known as Deva. When it was planted in 1904, it was a seven-foot sapling. Today, it’s more than 75 feet tall and stretches across more than 150 feet of the courtyard. There is a lineup of rocking chairs that make sitting in her shade an easy joy.
Dining Options
You’re in the heart of Waikiki, so there are countless restaurants within easy walking distance, but if you opt to stay at the hotel, there are a handful of options. The Veranda at the Moana serves a daily breakfast buffet (be sure to try the Mochiko Waffles) and afternoon tea four days a week.
The oceanfront Beachhouse at the Moana offers primo sunset views paired with steaks and seafood. It’s open for dinner service only, Wednesday through Sunday. Steps away in the lobby, Vintage 1901 offers small plates (many from the Beachhouse menu) alongside an extensive wine and cocktail list, and live music.
The Beach Bar and Surfrider Café are casual spots for all-day dining. There’s also a Honolulu Coffee shop onsite for grab-and-go fruit, salads, sandwiches, and more.
Sunset view from Beachhouse at the Moana restaurant.
Good to Know
The Moana Surfrider is located in the center of Waikiki, an easy walk from an assortment of hot spots, including the International Market Place shopping mall, Waikiki Surf Alley, and the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku statue.
It’s just under nine miles to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
There are 22 adapted rooms available (across the three wings and multiple room categories) for guests with mobility disabilities. Assistive listening and sight-impaired devices are available upon request.
Rates start at $479. Be sure to budget for the $54 daily resort fee. Valet parking is available for an additional fee.
Check rates for Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, or Hotels.com.
I’m lucky enough to travel to Oahu frequently. Some of my other favorite hotels include: Halepuna Waikiki and its sister property, Halekulani, The Ritz-Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay, and The Kahala Hotel & Resort.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by the Moana Surfrider, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
