While on Oahu we stayed in Waikiki. Thanks to Donna and Dustin we got a friends and family rate at the Moana Surfrider. Last time we visited Oahu we got a special rate at the Royal Hawaiian. These are awesome hotel/resorts that we probably would not be able to afford without the special rate, so big mahalos to D&D!

The Moana Surfrider is a really beautiful and historic hotel. The lobby is all open, which is probably where the hotel gets its name. Moana means “open sea” or “ocean.” The front the hotel is open to Kalakaua Avenue. You walk through to a huge banyon tree, the beach bar, the pool and right out to the ocean.

The Moana Surfrider is built in a Hawaiian Gothic style. As we were telling people how to get to the hotel we’d just say “the big white one with the columns.” Most people know what you’re talking about when you say that, as the hotel looks very unique.

Our room was small, but nice. See the left-hand tower that jets out in the two photos above? Our room was on the second floor on the right side. My only complaint is that it was loud. One of our windows faced the driveway and the other faced out onto Kalakaua Ave. The noise level reminded me of living in New York City again. Luckily most nights we were so tired we had no trouble falling asleep!

One more of the exterior of the Moana Surfrider, which is also known as the First Lady of Waikiki.

The Moana Surfrider opened its doors in 1901 and was the first large hotel in Waikiki. It’s considered the flagship of Hawaii tourism and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On our floor there were many historic photographs and even a Historical Room where you could learn more about the history of the hotel and Waikiki.

This was the staircase up to the second floor where our room was located. There was also an elevator, but it was kind of clunky. The staircase is so pretty and lined with historic photographs, we mostly just took the stairs up one floor.

Looking down into the lobby from the stairs.

The only problem with taking the stairs all the time? The Moana Surfrider hosts a lot of weddings. Tons. Mostly Japanese weddings. And many times there’d be brides or families or bridal parties getting their photos taken on or nearby the stairs.

All day, every day Japanese brides and grooms and families were in the lobby, in the hotel, in front of the hotel. Always the brides were in fairy tale, cinderella American-style dresses. Not our style at all, but still fun to see so many happy couples and families all over the place.

I only took a few photos, but believe me, the Moana Surfrider was churning them out!

Through the lobby is the beach bar. We had drinks here when we arrived, but after that we just used the beach wait service so they brought us drinks right to our beach chairs!

This is the pool area, next to the beach bar, between the hotel and the ocean. I dipped in a few times, but I mostly hung out by the beach.

Finally, here’s one shot from the beach. The Moana Surfrider was a great hotel. I liked how it was right in the thick of things and was central to both ends of Kalakaua Avenue and everything going on in Waikiki. As far as the property, though, I think I preferred the Royal Hawaiian. It was quieter and more spread out, which was really nice. But then again, the Royal Hawaiian is farther up and when we stayed there we only hung around one end of Kalakaua. And it’s set back, so it is a little bit more walking to get to stuff. Also, as you’ll see in a bit, the Moana Surfrider had food and drink service on the beach and the Royal Hawaiian did not.

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