TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Hawaii holds a special place in my heart. It is the only place on earth where, after just a couple of days, I feel all my stress disappear. Staying at the Moana Surfrider has played a significant role in making those experiences so extraordinary. This past March, we finally returned to Hawaii, and once again we chose the Moana Surfrider for our stay. We were truly blown away by the new lobby and front desk area, the newly renovated rooms, and the warm welcome and fantastic treatment we received from everyone working at the hotel throughout our stay. This trip was especially meaningful because it was our first visit to Hawaii with our three-year-old son. We were incredibly happy to bring him to Waikiki Beach, and the hotel fully met our expectations. In fact, it was one of the main reasons why this visit to Hawaii was once again such a fantastic experience. I would especially like to thank Roxanne for helping us with our requests and with a few issues we encountered. She did a fantastic job and handled everything very professionally, but what really stands out is the warmth and empathy she brings to her work. I would also like to thank Petar, who is now retired. Even after nine years, we still remember the fantastic cocktails he made, always with a smile and while sharing his wonderful positive energy with all the hotel’s guests. I would like to end this review by explaining why I have not written more about the amenities, the food, or the services. The reason is that I want to focus on what truly makes this hotel so special and different from others. Of course, all of those things are great — but they are great in many other hotels as well. What is truly unique about this hotel is the strong feeling and positive energy I experience from the very first moment I check in until the last moment I check out. It is the same feeling I had during my previous stays in 2016 and 2017, and now, in 2026, it is just as strong as before — if not even stronger — especially with the newly renovated rooms and lobby. Some people have retired, but the new team members are wonderful as well. I cannot wait to come back again, and I hope it happens this August. Thank you, Moana Surfrider, for everything you are and everything you do during my visits to Hawaii. You play a significant role in making Hawaii my favorite place on Earth.

We decided to break our trip to Japan up and stay a couple days in Hawaii on the way and the way back. This was our "on-the-way" choice. Our other hotel ended up being far superior for about the same price. Both were expensive in my opinion (we booked through Costco) The Platinum pick-up through Costco was perfection. Easy, very nice car and driver, so comfortable, just perfect. The hotel location is prime Waikiki, the lobby is beautiful and the view out the back really special. When we walked in to the check-in area, it was our first hint that this hotel wasn't what I expected for the reputation and price. There were stanchions like a value resort at Disney or the bank, separating us "regular" guests from those with more status. I get it, and that's typical, it was just the execution seems so not luxury. We unfortunately visited during the heavy rain period, but that exposed one of their weaknesses...lack of "regular" restaurants. For dinner there were very few choices, and the choices were either out in the rain or(not sprinkles folks, it was flooding the patio) or at a very high end restaurant. We ended up walking nearby to a restaurant. The pool is very small, very tight and not a lot of capacity for chairs, etc. This might upset some of you, but the feel of the services felt more like a Marriott than anything more luxurious. Nothing about our stay felt really beyond a good hotel. And we paid "great" prices. Part of the issue is Hawaii has gotten so expensive, that it made Japan feel cheap.

Beautiful hotel with outstanding service. The location is great, ocean front with a wonderful mangrove tree that hosts plenty of birds. Rooms are great.

Perfection is the only way to describe the Moana Surfrider! The staff, the location the luxury hotel, honestly one of the most incredible places and experiences I have had around the world. We had initially booked the Outrigger Beach Resort (next door) but were horrified by its current condition, Yumi at the Moana Surfrider found us a room at a better price than the Outrigger and immediately made us feel like our vacation was going to be incredible! Yumi also learned that it was our son’s 11th birthday while we would be staying and she and the staff went above and beyond to make him feel special and our family feel welcomed and settled. We have stayed across Europe, Asia and the continental US and this has been by far one of our best vacations. Their concierge Mary rebooked our luau (after rains on the north shore) and found us an incredible snorkeling adventure (where we saw dolphins and swam with turtles!) and made sure we knew we had to book our hike up Dimond Head. The location could not be better with its exceptional beach (book umbrellas before you come!) and the amazing shopping and dining options. Cannot recommend enough the brunch on the veranda an exceptional view in a stunning setting with really great food ( try the table side pancakes!!) Truly an amazing hotel they saved our vacation and absolutely exceeded our every expectation!! We will 100% be back! Thank you Yumi and the Moana staff for saving our vacation and making it SO special!

What a nice introduction to Hawaii. The Moana Surfrider is a great old style hotel. Wonderful service, lovely room and much easier to navigate than most of the other large hotels on Waikiki.