Moana Surfrider Review: A Historic Property – NerdWallet

The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa is an icon in Waikiki, a beachfront neighborhood in Honolulu in style amongst vacationers. In reality, it was the primary lodge in Waikiki Seashore. Strolling by way of the foyer of the lodge, which first opened its doorways in 1901, appears like stepping right into a bygone period. A lot of the elegant structure stays — and naturally, so do the ocean views.

The sprawling courtyard, shaded by an enormous, 100-year-old banyan tree, is a pleasant spot for a day mai tai as you absorb the Hawaiian sunshine. And the Moana Surfrider breakfast — held on a wraparound porch overlooking the water — is divine.

However right here’s the factor — anybody can go to the bar or restaurant, whether or not they’re a lodge visitor or not. So do the rooms make it value staying on the lodge? Or, would you be higher off staying at one other lodge on an Oahu trip and easily popping over to the Moana Surfrider for a meal or drink?

Right here’s our evaluate of the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa:

The Moana Surfrider location

The Moana Surfrider’s beachfront location is top-notch. It gives direct entry to Waikiki Seashore, steps away from the ocean.

The alternative aspect of the lodge strains Kalakaua Avenue, which is Honolulu’s foremost purchasing road. The prime location means it’s bustling with individuals, each outdoors the lodge and on the seaside.

Talking of vehicles, although, you won’t need a rental automotive in Honolulu given this lodge’s central location, proximity to public transportation and costly parking charges. The Moana Surfrider parking payment is $65 every day for valet, which is the one choice.

There’s additionally no free airport shuttle sadly, so that you’ll should e book a shuttle or rideshare in case you forgo a rental automotive.

Moana Surfrider rooms with an ocean view are distinctive; the very best rooms provide a panorama that features each the ocean and Diamond Head, which is a volcanic tuff cone that now stands out as one of the crucial iconic pure landmarks on Oahu. Nevertheless, these rooms are likely to price about $200 or extra per evening as an upcharge for the view.

Except for the view, the rooms are considerably forgettable and a bit dated. Right here’s a have a look at a Tower room with a king mattress and Diamond Head vista:

Beds are comfortable, however nothing to rave about.

The in-room espresso maker is a pleasant contact.

Loos usually function a bathtub, although it’s not an outsized tub you’d essentially need to soak in for a very long time.

Rooms even have facilities together with a mini fridge and hair dryer.

Key facilities on the Moana Surfrider

The Moana Surfrider expenses a $42 every day resort payment, however there are a good quantity of facilities that probably make the resort payment really feel extra value it.

The Moana Surfrider pool gives ocean views.

The fitness center is sweet, however not wonderful. Its low ceilings really feel a bit cramped, however the cardio machines that face Kalakaua Avenue provide a pleasant view. There are dumbbells, weight machines and different small items of energy gear like plyometric bins.

Different, employee-led actions or lessons fluctuate by day however embody yoga, hula dancing, lei making, a historic lodge tour and a conventional dawn ceremony.

The resort payment additionally covers a number of extras like a complimentary purchasing tote bag and GoPro digital camera rental.

There’s one key amenity that’s not included within the resort payment: Moana Lani Spa. As is normally the case with resort spas, companies like facials and massages come at an extra price. The Moana Surfrider spa is exclusive in that it’s Waikiki’s solely oceanfront spa.

Moana Surfrider eating places

The Moana Surfrider has one foremost restaurant serving breakfast, dinner and afternoon tea. There’s additionally a seaside bar, a restaurant, a espresso store and a cocktail lounge.

For a fancier meal, head to the Moana Surfrider’s wraparound porch dealing with the water. That porch moonlights as a number of completely different eating places, relying on the time of day.

Within the morning, it’s known as the Veranda on the Moana. You possibly can select to dine both buffet-style or order a la carte. Menu objects embrace Hawaiian flavors, together with the hearty loco moco (a Hawaiian dish of rice, hamburger patty, gravy and egg) and the mango pancakes served with lilikoi curd (lilikoi is the Hawaiian phrase for ardour fruit).

If you’re dedicated to eating right here, it might probably make sense to improve to the buffet, which gives top-of-the-line brunches in Waikiki. It prices about $10 greater than ordering entrees individually, nevertheless it entails an all-you-can-eat model of many objects on the a la carte menu. Slightly than determine between mochiko (native rice flour) waffles, Moana pancakes or an omelet, you may simply strive all of it.

After breakfast, the area turns into the positioning for afternoon tea. Costs for Moana Surfrider tea begin at $73 per grownup and $37 per youngster. There, you’ll sip on island flavors like Hawaiian coconut or ardour orange guava tea. Treats embody tropical sorbet.

At evening, that very same wraparound porch turns into Beachhouse on the Moana. The white tablecloth restaurant serves fancy fare together with steak and seafood.

The Seashore Bar at Moana Surfrider: For informal eating with a stellar environment, take into account The Seashore Bar. Menu objects embody poke, burgers and salad. The massive draw is the stay leisure — usually ukulele — carried out beneath the well-known Moana Surfrider banyan tree.

Classic 1901: For drinks indoors, Classic 1901 is without doubt one of the most charming bars in Waikiki. It’s primarily a wine bar, although different drinks embody cocktails with native liquors. Positioned within the foyer, the bar stands out for its stay piano music.

Honolulu Espresso: The Moana Surfrider additionally hosts an outpost of Honolulu Espresso, which is a neighborhood espresso chain. Bear in mind that the strains can get lengthy.

Who’s the Moana Surfrider greatest for?

Vacationers who need the very best location: In case you prioritize being inside strolling distance of main points of interest, eating places and purchasing, then the Moana Surfrider is without doubt one of the greatest resorts in Waikiki. Direct entry to Waikiki Seashore is handy, and the beachfront pool is pleasant in case you’d somewhat swim in a pool than the ocean.

Individuals who admire a historic property with allure: Generally known as the “First Girl of Waikiki,” the property is the primary lodge on Waikiki Seashore. The property goes a protracted method to acknowledge its historical past, together with a museum on the second ground plus biweekly historic excursions.

Who ought to skip the Moana Surfrider?

Individuals who prioritize worth over the view: Moana Surfrider rooms are spectacular primarily due to the views, however you solely get a view in case you’re prepared to splurge. In case you’re the form of one that finally ends up reserving the most affordable accessible room, you’re higher off reserving a room with out a view at a special lodge.

These vacationers is perhaps higher off at properties just like the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, which can also be a Marriott Bonvoy property. Although it’s not waterfront, that lodge is situated simply throughout the road from the Moana Surfrider, offering vacationers a equally central location (albeit a stroll throughout the road to get to the water). Costs fluctuate by evening, however NerdWallet discovered some examples the place the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani was going for practically 50% much less on the identical evening than the Moana Surfrider throughout the road.

Vacationers in search of peace and calm: The foyer, wraparound porch and out of doors area beneath the banyan tree draw vacationers who aren’t staying on the Moana Surfrider, which suggests the foyer and porch is perhaps filled with much more than simply lodge company. In case you’re in search of a quiet getaway, you may discover the Moana Surfrider overwhelming.

Reserving the Moana Surfrider

The most effective methods to earn Marriott factors and free evening certificates is thru Marriott bank cards.

One other good reserving choice is to order by way of The Edit by Chase. When you’ve got a Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you should use both Chase factors or money to e book from a curated assortment of luxurious resorts worldwide and get added advantages together with every day breakfast for 2, an $100 property credit score and space-available room upgrades.

And in contrast to many different journey portals, The Edit is an official Marriott reserving channel, which means you’ll be able to earn rewards from each the lodge and Chase for a keep booked by way of The Edit. Evaluate costs although earlier than reserving.