Description

Step back in time at Waikiki's first hotel, which dates from 1901 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Considered an innovation in the travel industry, the Moana featured a private bathroom and a telephone in each guest room -- an unheard-of luxury at the turn of the 20th century. Yesteryear lives on at this grand hotel: Entry is through the original colonial porte-cochere, past the highly polished front porch dotted with rocking chairs, and into the perfectly restored lobby with detailed millwork and intricate plasterwork. The female employees even wear traditional Victorian-era muumuus. The aloha spirit that pervades this classy and charming place is infectious.The hotel consists of three wings: the original (and totally restored) Banyan Wing, the Diamond Wing, and the Tower Wing. It's hard to get a bad room here; most have ocean views, and all come with pampering amenities like bedside controls and plush robes. But we're especially taken with the Banyan Wing rooms: What they lack in size (they're on the smallish side and don't have lanais), they make up for in style; even the fixtures in the smallish bathrooms are modern-day replicas of 19th-century hardware. You get the feel for Old Hawaii here, with daily Hawaiian arts and crafts activities such as coconut-palm weaving and Hawaiian quilting; be sure to visit the Historical Room, where a variety of memorabilia is on display.One of the best reasons to stay here is the hotel's prime stretch of beach, with lifeguard, beach chairs, towels, and any other service you desire. The Beach Bar and a poolside snack bar are in the oceanfront courtyard that's centered around a 100-year-old banyan tree, where there's live music in the evenings. Facilities: 3 restaurants; bar; outdoor pool; nearby fitness room (about a 2-min. walk down the beach at the Sheraton Waikiki); watersports equipment rentals; children's program (featuring both onsite activities and excursions to the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium); nearby game room (a stroll down the beach at the Sheraton Waikiki); concierge; activities desk; car-rental desk; nearby business center (a few min. away at the Royal Hawaiian); very upscale shopping arcade; salon; room service; massage; babysitting; coin-op washer/dryers; same-day laundry service and dry cleaning. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.