Yes, the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa is worth booking in 2026 if you want Waikiki’s history right on the sand: a 1901 Victorian landmark, a banyan courtyard planted in 1904 and oceanfront dining, all freshly renovated for its 125th anniversary. The catch is choosing the right wing, and budgeting for a resort fee of about $54 a night plus 18.712% tax and valet-only parking.
Our Verdict: Book It, but Choose Your Wing Carefully
- Book it if: you want a true beachfront hotel with real heritage, a lively courtyard bar, afternoon tea and one of the most central spots on Waikiki Beach.
- Best rooms: Tower Wing ocean-view or Diamond Head ocean-view rooms. They are the largest rooms at the resort, every one has at least one private lanai, and the whole wing was refreshed in 2025.
- Skip it if: you want a big pool complex, room service, cheap parking or a hushed, gardens-and-cabanas mood. Look at The Royal Hawaiian or Halekulani instead.
Compare Live Waikiki Hotel Rates & Availability
What You Are Booking: Waikiki’s First Hotel, Renovated for 125
The Moana opened on March 11, 1901, as Waikiki’s first hotel, and it still goes by the nickname “First Lady of Waikiki.” The original building, designed by architect Oliver G. Traphagen, had 75 rooms and was the first in the territory with an electric elevator. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972 and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. Today the resort has 791 rooms, including 41 suites, and has been a Westin (part of Marriott Bonvoy) since Starwood rebranded it from Sheraton in 2007.
The big 2026 news is that the renovation is finished. The phased project, led by the Honolulu design firm WCIT, refreshed all 791 rooms, the historic lobby and the corridors, and added a new oceanfront event space on the ground floor of the Tower Wing. The resort announced completion on May 11, 2026, so older complaints about tired rooms no longer apply.
Pros
- True beachfront in the middle of Waikiki, with a 1904 banyan tree shading the courtyard
- All 791 rooms, the lobby and the corridors renovated in 2025–2026
- Tower Wing rooms are the largest at the resort, and every one has a private lanai
- Strong dining on site: Beachhouse at the Moana, Veranda breakfast, afternoon tea and the Beach Bar
- Moana Lani Spa, billed as Waikiki’s only luxury oceanfront spa
Cons
- One modest courtyard pool (7 AM–6 PM, no lifeguards), with no slide or adults-only deck
- Historic Banyan Wing rooms are small, roughly 210–275 sq ft
- No room service, according to Marriott’s dining page
- Valet-only parking at about $65 per night plus tax, on top of the resort fee
Banyan vs Surfrider vs Tower Wing: Which Moana Wing Should You Book?
The Moana is really three buildings joined into one resort, and your wing matters more than almost any other booking choice. One thing to know first: the low-rise Diamond Wing was renamed the Surfrider Wing in 2026, after the separate SurfRider Hotel that opened on that site in 1952. Older reviews and some booking sites still use the old name.
| Wing | Built | Typical room size* | Private lanai | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Banyan Wing | 1901 (side wings added 1918) | About 210–275 sq ft | Don’t count on one | Restored Victorian main building with the original lobby, veranda rocking chairs and a historical gallery of more than 200 artifacts | History lovers, couples, stays of 1–3 nights |
| Surfrider Wing (formerly Diamond Wing) | 1952 (originally the SurfRider Hotel) | About 270 sq ft (oceanfront) | Yes, on oceanfront rooms | Surf-inspired, beach-loft style rooms close to the water, balcony rocking chairs, five new junior suites | Boutique feel on the Diamond Head side |
| Tower Wing | 1969 | About 346–348 sq ft; one-bedroom suites about 788 sq ft | Yes, every room | 21 floors, the largest rooms and best ocean and Diamond Head views; renovated summer 2025 | Stays of 4+ nights, families, view seekers |
*Room sizes are approximate and come from a tour operator’s room listing; Marriott itself only says all sizes are approximate and that the Tower Wing has the largest rooms.
Historic Banyan Wing: the atmosphere, not the space
This is the white colonial building you see in every postcard. Its rooms are the smallest at the resort, and the cheapest categories face Kalakaua Avenue rather than the ocean, so expect some street sound. Its new look, inspired by limu (seaweed), adds new flooring, a work area and a refreshment station. You stay here for the setting: the grand staircase, the veranda and walking out of the lobby straight into the courtyard.
Surfrider Wing: closest to the surf
The renamed Surfrider Wing sits on the Diamond Head side and feels like a small surf hotel inside the big resort. Its oceanfront rooms are not huge, but they sit right above the beach, with rocking chairs for two on the balconies. Five new junior suites look over the beach or the Waikiki skyline.
Tower Wing: the smart default
The 21-floor Tower Wing on the Ewa (west) side was the first phase of the renovation, finished in summer 2025. Rooms come with a king or two queens, a banquette seating nook, a reading area, a coffee maker and mini fridge, and new lanai furniture. Marriott says the Tower holds the resort’s best ocean views and clearest views of Diamond Head. The oceanfront one-bedroom suites add a living room with a dining table for four and a wet bar.
Which Room We Would Book
For a first trip of four nights or more, book a Tower Wing ocean-view or Diamond Head ocean-view room. Choose the Banyan Wing only if the history is the point of the trip, and treat “city view” in any room name as “faces Kalakaua Avenue.” Our guide to Waikiki ocean-view room types explains how labels like oceanfront, ocean view and partial ocean view differ.
The Banyan Courtyard, Pool and Beach
The heart of the Moana is the Banyan Courtyard. The Indian banyan planted there in 1904 now stands about 75 feet tall and spreads about 150 feet. From 1935 to 1975 the courtyard was the stage for the live radio show Hawaii Calls. Today it is where you eat breakfast, drink at the Beach Bar and watch the sunset. Guests can join a free historic tour.
The pool is the Moana’s weak spot (the Sheraton wins on pools in our Moana Surfrider vs Sheraton Waikiki comparison). There is one oceanfront pool beside the courtyard, open 7 AM to 6 PM, with no lifeguard on duty. Pool chairs are free on a first-come basis. Poolside and oceanfront cabanas (which come with a spa set and two signature cocktails) and beach umbrellas cost extra and can be booked up to two weeks ahead. As on every Hawaii beach, the sand itself is public, but the hotel’s serviced beach area works on rentals. Surf lessons and outrigger canoe rides are sold by beach stands right outside the hotel.
To compare the Moana with other hotels directly on the sand, see our list of true beachfront hotels in Waikiki.
Dining: Beachhouse, the Veranda and the Beach Bar
Food is one of the Moana’s strengths. Hours below are from Marriott’s dining page as of October 2026 and change often.
- Beachhouse at the Moana: the signature oceanfront restaurant for steak and seafood, dinner Wednesday to Sunday, 5:30–9:30 PM. Reservations through OpenTable.
- The Veranda: oceanfront breakfast buffet daily, 6:00–10:30 AM, with Japanese breakfast items, an omelet station and mochi waffles. Breakfast is not included in standard rates.
- Afternoon Tea at The Veranda: a Victorian-style tea service, Friday to Sunday, 11:30 AM–2:30 PM.
- The Beach Bar: tropical drinks, small plates and live entertainment under the banyan, daily 11:00 AM–10:30 PM.
- Vintage 1901: a wine lounge in the historic lobby with craft cocktails and live piano, Wednesday to Sunday evenings.
- Surfrider Cafe and Honolulu Coffee: casual poolside food and an early-opening coffee counter.
Two practical points. First, Marriott states that room service is not offered, which surprises some guests at this price level. Second, under the “Stay at One, Dine at All” program you can charge meals to your room at Sheraton Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, and earn Bonvoy points on them. That makes the Mai Tai Bar and the Monday and Thursday luau at the Royal Hawaiian easy add-ons.
Spa, Fitness and Activities
Moana Lani Spa is billed as Waikiki’s only luxury oceanfront spa, and it added a co-ed Wellness Lounge as part of the renovation. The WestinWORKOUT fitness studio is on the second floor of the Tower Wing, open 24 hours and free for guests. The activity calendar includes daily yoga and meditation, hula, lei making, the historic tour and a Hiuwai sunrise ceremony in the ocean.
2026 Fees, Tax and Your Real Nightly Cost
Oahu hotel stays pay 18.712% tax in 2026: Hawaii’s 11% state transient accommodations tax (raised from 10.25% on January 1, 2026), the 3% Oahu county tax and the 4.712% general excise tax pass-through. The same tax applies to the mandatory resort fee. Our Oahu hotel tax guide walks through the math. Here is what that means at the Moana:
| Charge | Amount (as of October 2026) | With 18.712% tax |
|---|---|---|
| Resort fee | $54 per room, per night | $64.10 per night |
| Example room rate (illustration only, not a quote) | $500 per night | $593.56 per night |
| Example total: room + resort fee | $554 per night | $657.66 per night |
| Resort fee over a 7-night stay | $378 | $448.73 |
| Parking | Valet only, about $65 per night plus tax | Not included in the fee |
| Check-in / check-out | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM | — |
Marriott confirms a daily resort fee that “includes an array of amenities and activities”; the $54 figure comes from 2026 tour-operator listings. Inclusions reported for 2026 cover enhanced Wi-Fi, daily cultural activities such as the historic tour, morning yoga and meditation, and extras like a one-day GoPro rental. The list changes, so ask at check-in.
Parking Is Valet Only
Since December 18, 2023 the Moana no longer offers self-parking; valet costs about $65 per night plus tax. If you only need a car for a North Shore day, rent it for that day and skip overnight parking. Our guide to Waikiki hotels with free or cheap parking lists cheaper options.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Book the Moana Surfrider
- Great fit: first-time visitors who want the classic Waikiki postcard; couples who will use the courtyard, the Beach Bar and afternoon tea; history and architecture lovers; Marriott Bonvoy members who want points on a beachfront stay.
- Good fit with the right room: families who book Tower Wing rooms (two queens fit most families of four) and plan pool days elsewhere.
- Look elsewhere: families who want slides and several pools, travelers who hate resort fees (see our list of Waikiki hotels without resort fees), light sleepers in city-view rooms, and anyone who expects room service.
Moana Surfrider vs Nearby Beachfront Alternatives
| Hotel | Area | Price level | Best for | Pool | Beach access | Check-in / out | Booking.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach | Central Waikiki Beachfront | Luxury | Classic Hawaiian history, Banyan courtyard drinks, Tower Wing oceanfront views | Oceanfront freshwater pool steps from the sand | True beachfront (directly on central Waikiki Beach) | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM | Check prices |
| The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki | Central Waikiki Beachfront | Luxury | Honeymooners, luxury heritage seekers, Mailani Tower oceanfront balconies | Quiet Malulani beachfront pool + shared access to Helumoa Playground waterslide pool | True beachfront (directly on the widest central stretch of Waikiki sand) | 3:00 PM / 12:00 PM | Check prices |
| OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort | Central Waikiki Beachfront | Upscale | Surf culture, Duke's Waikiki energy, stepping straight from elevator to surfboards | Oceanfront pool beside Duke's Waikiki and the sand (pool & Duke's sun deck closed Oct 5–Dec 18, 2026 for renovation; guests may use sister Outrigger pools) | True beachfront (steps onto central Waikiki surf break) | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM | Check prices |
| Halekulani | Waikiki Beachfront (Gray's Beach) | Luxury | Ultra-luxury couples, zero resort fees, five-star dining (La Mer, Orchids, House Without a Key) | Iconic heated oceanfront orchid mosaic pool (1.2 million glass tiles) | True beachfront (directly on the oceanfront at Gray's Beach) | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM | Check prices |
The Royal Hawaiian, a short walk west, is the Moana’s Marriott sister: quieter coconut-grove grounds, a $52 resort fee and access to the Helumoa Playground waterslide pools at Sheraton Waikiki. We compare the two in detail in Moana Surfrider vs Royal Hawaiian. Halekulani costs more but charges no resort fee and wins on service and calm; see our Halekulani review. The Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort next door is the more casual beachfront choice, with Duke’s Waikiki on site.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Moana Surfrider worth it in 2026?
Yes, for travelers who value history, a central beachfront location and good dining, especially now that all 791 rooms have been renovated. It is less of a fit if you want a big pool, room service or low extra fees.
Which wing is best at the Moana Surfrider?
The Tower Wing is the best all-round choice: it has the largest rooms, the best ocean and Diamond Head views, and every room has at least one private lanai. The Historic Banyan Wing is the most atmospheric but has small rooms, and the Surfrider Wing (the former Diamond Wing) suits travelers who want a boutique feel close to the water.
How much is the Moana Surfrider resort fee?
As of October 2026 the resort fee is $54 per room per night plus 18.712% tax, or about $64.10 per night. It covers enhanced Wi-Fi and a list of activities and extras that changes from time to time.
Does the Moana Surfrider have self-parking?
No. Self-parking ended in December 2023; the hotel now offers valet only, at about $65 per night plus tax.
Is the Moana Surfrider a Westin or a Sheraton?
It is a Westin. The hotel was a Sheraton until 2007, when it became Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. It belongs to Marriott Bonvoy, so you earn and redeem Bonvoy points there.
When is afternoon tea at the Moana Surfrider?
Afternoon tea at The Veranda is served Friday to Sunday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, with reservations through OpenTable.
