Moana Surfrider - A Westin Resort & Spa
The HawaiiGuide Read: Waikīkī's original hotel, open since 1901, and still genuinely on the beach — white columns, rocking-chair veranda, banyan courtyard and all. Ratings around 4.4 across more than 5,900 reviews put it in the top third of the island, which is remarkable for a property carrying this much history.
Best for: history-minded travelers and special occasions; afternoon tea on the veranda is worth booking even if you stay elsewhere. Skip it if: you want big modern rooms or a serious pool scene — rooms in the historic wing run small, and the pool is an afterthought next to the resort giants.
Our read: the Royal Hawaiian sells pink glamour; the Moana sells the original article. If "first hotel on the beach" means something to you, this is the one. See our Waikīkī area guide.
How we write these: we look at the performance data across the whole spectrum of Hawaii properties — guest ratings, review patterns, location, value — and tell you our honest findings. Some booking links earn us a commission at no cost to you; the read itself isn't for sale.
