We stayed at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach, one of the most historic hotels in Hawaii.
The hotel celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2026, making our stay feel especially memorable.
We booked our room using Marriott Bonvoy points and spent several days enjoying the hotel, Waikiki Beach and its resort activities.
This review shares our actual experience, including the room, beautiful photo spots, lei-making activity, pool, beach and practical facilities.
Check Rates on Marriott Official Website
What Is Moana Surfrider?
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach opened in 1901 and is known as the “First Lady of Waikiki.”
It was the first hotel built on Waikiki Beach and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2026.
The white historic exterior and classic architecture give the hotel a completely different atmosphere from many modern Waikiki resorts.
Its location is another major advantage.
The hotel sits directly on Waikiki Beach, putting the ocean, restaurants, shops and many of Waikiki’s attractions within easy reach.
The hotel has also completed a major renovation of its three wings and historic lobby in connection with its 125th anniversary.
Beautiful Photo Spots Around the Hotel
One of the things we loved most about Moana Surfrider was how photogenic the entire property was.
The hotel has many beautiful locations that reflect its long history, and it is also popular as a setting for wedding photography.
One of the best places for photos is the white historic exterior and courtyard.
Against Hawaii’s blue sky, the elegant colonial-style building looks beautiful in photos.
It really made us feel a little like princesses for the day!
The courtyard is another lovely photo location, surrounded by tropical greenery.
Mamarin, our editor-in-chief, certainly enjoyed taking photos here!
There are so many attractive corners around the property that simply walking through the hotel can be part of the experience.
From the hotel, you can also enjoy beautiful views toward Diamond Head and the turquoise waters of Waikiki.
Inside the hotel, do not miss the grand staircase.
The white balustrades, warm wooden handrails and historic black-and-white photographs give the area an atmosphere that feels almost like stepping back in time.
There are also exhibits near the staircase where guests can learn more about the long history of Moana Surfrider.
The hotel currently offers a guided historic tour for guests as well.
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Our City View Room: Would We Upgrade Next Time?
Because we were staying with Marriott Bonvoy points, we booked a standard city-view room.
The beds and furnishings were comfortable, but there was one area where we felt the room was less convenient: the bathroom layout.
In our room:
- The toilet and vanity area felt quite compact
- There was limited space for toiletries and personal items
- The toilet was positioned very close to the sink
The shower, vanity and toilet were all positioned close together.
Some of this may reflect the structure of such a historic building.
For travelers who prefer more space, particularly in the bathroom, it may be worth comparing larger room categories when booking.
Room layouts differ depending on the wing and category, so check current room details rather than assuming every room has the same configuration.
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Resort Activities: We Loved the Lei-Making Experience
One of the highlights of staying at Moana Surfrider is the variety of guest activities available at the resort.
During our stay, activities included experiences such as:
- Lei making
- Ukulele lessons
- Yoga
Current activity schedules can change, so check the latest schedule during your stay.
The resort currently lists activities including lei making, hula, historic tours and daily wellness classes.
Mamarin joined the lei-making class.
Sitting near Waikiki Beach, listening to the waves and carefully connecting fresh flowers into a lei was a wonderfully relaxing experience.
The following day, we placed the lei at the Duke Kahanamoku statue, one of Waikiki’s best-known landmarks.
It became one of our favorite memories from the trip.
Relaxing by the Banyan Tree Pool and Waikiki Beach
In the hotel courtyard stands an enormous historic banyan tree that has been part of the Moana Surfrider landscape for more than a century.
The resort pool sits beneath its branches.
On previous Hawaii trips, we often filled our schedule with snorkeling and other activities.
This time, we deliberately decided to slow down and do less.
We spent time relaxing at the pool, and it was wonderful.
The pool was deeper than we expected in some areas, so take care when entering.
We also went swimming at Waikiki Beach.
The hotel is directly beside the beach, making it easy to move between the resort and the ocean.
At one point, we simply used a watermelon-shaped float as a pillow and lay on the sand.
It felt surprisingly wonderful.
Listening to the waves while doing absolutely nothing was a luxury in itself.
When everyday life is busy, it can be easy to forget how good it feels to simply stop for a while.
From the beach, we could also see Diamond Head beyond the blue water.
Blue ocean, white sand and palm trees — this is exactly the Waikiki scenery we came to Hawaii for.
In the evening, we sat beneath the banyan tree and watched the sunset.
Active sightseeing can be fun, but this stay reminded us that doing nothing can sometimes be one of the best parts of a vacation.
Check Rates on Marriott Official Website
Laundry and Microwave Facilities
During our stay, there was a coin-operated guest laundry on the basement level.
We paid $6 for washing and $6 for drying during our visit.
For a longer Hawaii stay, having laundry facilities inside the hotel was very convenient.
Prices and facilities may change, so check the latest information during your stay.
There was also a microwave on the same level during our visit.
This was useful for heating food purchased from a nearby convenience store or supermarket.
Useful Shops Near the Hotel
The area around Moana Surfrider is extremely convenient for food, drinks and souvenir shopping.
During our stay, we found:
- Honolulu Coffee nearby for Hawaiian coffee
- Lawson close to the hotel for drinks, snacks and souvenirs
We were surprised by how large the souvenir section at Lawson was.
There were Hawaii-themed bottles, pouches and other colorful items.
We bought this hibiscus-patterned Aloha Hawaii pouch.
It was colorful, compact and reasonably priced, making it an easy souvenir for friends.
Shopping and Food Around Moana Surfrider
The hotel’s central Waikiki location means there are plenty of places to visit within a short walk.
Honolulu Cookie Company
Honolulu Cookie Company is famous for its pineapple-shaped shortbread cookies and is one of Hawaii’s best-known souvenir shops.
There is a location close to the hotel.
IL GELATO HAWAII
This Italian-style gelato shop is located across from the Moana Surfrider building.
It is an easy place to stop while walking around Waikiki.
Waikiki Market
Waikiki Market is convenient for buying drinks, snacks, fruit and other supplies during your stay.
Piko Kitchen
During our visit, Piko Kitchen offered a happy hour where both burgers and draft beer were $6 each.
Prices and promotions can change, but it was a great-value stop during our trip.
Japanese-Language Support During Our Stay
During our stay, Japanese-speaking staff were available at Moana Surfrider.
We were also able to contact the hotel through LINE for questions and requests.
For Japanese travelers who are not confident speaking English, this made the stay feel more comfortable.
Language support and communication services may change, so check the latest hotel information before relying on a particular service.
Is Moana Surfrider Good for Travelers Over 60?
Moana Surfrider combines Waikiki history with one of the best beachfront locations in the area.
For us, it was not simply a place to sleep. The architecture, beach, resort activities and banyan-tree courtyard all became part of the Hawaii experience.
What We Would Recommend
- Compare larger room categories if bathroom space is important to you
- Check the resort activity schedule and try experiences such as lei making
- Take time to photograph the historic staircase and courtyard
- Spend at least part of the trip simply relaxing beneath the banyan tree or on Waikiki Beach
- Take advantage of the central location for shopping, restaurants and beach access
For travelers in their 60s and beyond who want to enjoy Waikiki at a slower pace, Moana Surfrider offers a wonderful combination of history, scenery and beachfront relaxation.
