HONOLULU, Hawaii — Waikiki’s “First Lady,” the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, has lifted the curtain on a polished new look for its storied lobby and a complete makeover of the Tower Wing accommodations, according to a press release by Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. The Victorian-style beachfront property—opened in 1901 as Oʻahu’s original grand hotel—now greets arriving guests with an entrance that feels both timeless and contemporary, while Tower Wing rooms invite travelers to linger over Pacific panoramas framed by upgraded furnishings.
A fresh first impression: what changed in the lobby
Stepping through the porte cochère, visitors immediately sense a brighter, more open space. The design team preserved the lobby’s signature columns, white-washed woodwork, and sweeping staircase but introduced lighter flooring, recessed LED lighting, and custom rugs that echo Waikiki’s shoreline hues. Reception desks were repositioned for better flow, giving travelers clearer sightlines to the banyan-shaded courtyard and the ocean beyond. Public seating clusters—rattan-backed armchairs mixed with plush settees—provide casual nooks for early check-ins, while discreet power outlets cater to digital nomads balancing a laptop and a mai tai. Restored period photographs now hang at eye level, telling the story of Honolulu’s earliest jet-setters, from Hollywood celebrities of the 1920s to astronauts of the Space Age.
Inside the revamped Tower Wing rooms
The Tower Wing’s guest rooms and suites received the most dramatic update. The press release lists new custom-built headboards in warm teak, bedside consoles equipped with wireless charging pads, and wall-mounted smart TVs. Textiles draw inspiration from Hawaiian kapa prints, and sliding lanai doors were refitted to dampen city sounds while still encouraging trade-wind breezes. Bathrooms, once tiled in standard neutrals, now feature quartz-topped vanities, rainfall showers, and backlit mirrors. Enhanced water-saving fixtures align with the resort’s Green Key certification. All rooms remain in the same footprint—[Not specified in release] square feet—but designers used space-saving furnishings to open up walkways and allow suitcases to tuck neatly beneath raised beds. A single short sound bite captures the project’s intent: “We wanted guests to feel an instant connection to Waikiki’s history and its bright future,” the resort said in the press release.
Historical soul, modern services
For travelers weighing where to stay on Oʻahu, the Moana Surfrider’s appeal has always combined beachfront access with living history. The new lobby now serves as the starting point for complimentary heritage tours led four days a week by the resort’s cultural ambassador. Guests can trace original 1901 architectural details—coffered ceilings, wrought-iron chandeliers—before moving to the courtyard’s Indian banyan tree, planted in 1904 and still the living heart of the property. In addition to the facelift, the resort upgraded back-of-house systems: check-in tablets streamline arrival paperwork, a refreshed HVAC network reduces energy consumption, and a redesigned bell-desk alcove frees staff to offer faster baggage delivery.
Dining and wellness additions
Renovation work extended beyond aesthetics. The Beach Bar expanded its seating footprint to accommodate [Not specified in release] more patrons, while the Veranda restaurant introduced a prix-fixe farm-to-table menu spotlighting North Shore produce and Kona-caught seafood. On the wellness front, Moana Lani Spa refreshed its couples suites with new soaking tubs and added a signature lāʻau lomi lomi massage that uses locally sourced kukui oil.
Tips for Travelers
- Early birds: Book flights that land before noon. The brightened lobby now includes an “Arrival Lounge” where you can shower, change, and sip fruit-infused water while waiting for your room.
- Best room views: Upper-floor Tower Wing rooms ending in “09” stack toward Diamond Head, capturing sweeping sunrise angles.
- Evening ritual: Reserve a rocking chair on the renovated front veranda—hotel staff begin nightly Hawaiian music sets at 5:30 p.m.
- Parking intel: The resort replaced paper tickets with license-plate recognition systems; Marriott Bonvoy elites receive discounted rates automatically.
- Sustainability hack: Request reusable water bottles at check-in; refill stations were hidden behind new teak paneling on every third floor.
What the renovation means for Waikiki’s hotel landscape
Waikiki’s competitive hospitality strip rarely sits still. Neighboring properties have touted multimillion-dollar refreshes over the past few years, but Moana Surfrider’s facelift stands out because it balances preservation with progress. The hotel remains on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning structural changes must honor original Victorian motifs. By retaining key design elements while modernizing guest comforts, the Moana maintains its iconic silhouette along Kalākaua Avenue—an advantage for travelers seeking both Instagram-ready backdrops and reliable Marriott Bonvoy perks.
Planning your stay
Rooms in the updated Tower Wing are available now across all published categories—from standard ocean view up to the penthouse Moana Suite. Rates fluctuate seasonally; check the hotel’s direct site or Marriott Bonvoy app for current pricing. Renovation work in the lobby has concluded, so no construction disruptions are expected for upcoming stays. The Moana Surfrider sits 9 miles from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and remains within walking distance of Waikiki’s shopping axis—Royal Hawaiian Center and International Market Place. Travelers using public transport can take TheBus route 19 or 20 from the airport to Kalākaua/Kapahulu, then walk two blocks to the front veranda. Rideshare drop-offs occur at the new decorative turnaround, which features etched lava-stone pavers that mirror Diamond Head’s geology.
Is the pool area part of this renovation?
No. Pool deck upgrades were completed in a prior project and were not included in the current lobby and Tower Wing work.
Has the room count changed?
No reduction or addition to the resort’s total key count was noted in the press release.
Are there new fees?
The resort fee remains but now covers daily cultural classes and upgraded Wi-Fi speeds.
Can non-guests tour the renovated lobby?
Yes. The heritage tour is complimentary to the public, though reservations are recommended.
With its refreshed spaces and restored grandeur, the Moana Surfrider invites today’s globetrotters to toast sunset cocktails beneath the historic banyan and sleep steps from Waikiki’s surf breaks in rooms that marry island nostalgia with twenty-first-century ease. — Source: Moana Surfrider press release
