Royal Hawaiian vs Moana Surfrider

I am booking a honeymoon for April next year and i was wondering whether i should go to the newly refurbished Royal Hawaiian or the Moana Surfrider? Can i have comments from anybody who has been to either of these hotels? is it true you have to pay 50 usd for a chair on the beach at the Moana Surfrider? All comments good and bad would be appreciated as i want this to be a special honeymoon.

Royal Hawaiian vs Moana Surfrider

Well the Royal Hawaiian beach attendants ran an even worse practice before it was closed down for renovations. It may or may not be better when it re-opens. The RH%26#39;s stretch of beach is better (larger) than the MS.

Curious as to why between those two? Are you a Starwood elite member? The MS is known for treating SPG Platinums well (upgrades to ocean view Tower rooms including suites) whereas the RH was not. But the new RH GM is Kelly Hoen, who is formerly from the Princeville resort on Kauai, so a lot of things may change. Won%26#39;t know until others report back.

Royal Hawaiian vs Moana Surfrider

Blue -- we have always had great luck with upgrades at the Royal Hawaiian! And we are Starwood members.

For a honeymoon, I would choose the Royal Hawaiian. Although we have stayed at the Moana Surfrider and love to hang out under the Banyan Tree ... our loyalty is to the Royal Hawaiian. I can%26#39;t wait to see it after the renovation! I hear that they are putting in an infinity pool! Anyway, beautiful grounds, great services and excellent food services as well. I don%26#39;t recall their lounge/umbrella practices ... you%26#39;ll need to contact them, as things will change.

The Moana will be building a major tower (pulling out the Diamond Head Wing) - but I don%26#39;t know when construction will begin.

Good to know BLBL - I too am very much looking forward to the renovated pink palace :-) but not their new higher redemption category and rates :-(

A special honeymoon can be had at either of the two but just make sure to book a higher category room (for view, size and comfort). Some of the rooms in these historic hotels can be charming but quite small or face the noisy streets of Waikiki.

Do you mean you have to PAY to sit on the hotel beach chairs????????

Yep...if you want to sit in the roped-off private ';guest'; area for the whole day at the MS or in the first rows of lounge chairs at the RH (in the past). The beach attendants unfortunately rule the nest, and it%26#39;s been that way for years. It%26#39;s upsetting but I don%26#39;t fight it...just employ better options.

I go off exploring/enjoying the better beaches of Oahu (Hanauma Bay, Waimanalo, Bellows, Lanikai, Kailua, Sunset, Waimea, etc) during the day before returning to relax on such lounge chairs at Waikiki Beach in the late afternoon (w/o a fee), when others have left already.

Bluefan, you are so wise!

I just thought, if you are a paying guest in RH, sitting in their chairs would be included in the daily rate!

How wrong am I!!!!

I am happy to tip for good service etc but this is a little beyond a joke!

I think I will follow your lead and have a great time exploring Hawaii!

And S -- you have lots of beach options. Not all with drink service ... but lots of options.

Stuart, the Royal Hawaiian doesn%26#39;t have rooms that face the street, but the Moana Surfrider does. I am sure that they are cheaper, but not for a honeymoon.

The best rooms in either hotel are in the TOWERS. I%26#39;ve had huge rooms in the old part of the Royal Hawaiian and tiny rooms in the old part of the MS. It%26#39;s safer to book a tower room for great views and larger rooms.

JUst got back from MS and no charge for the chairs.

Unless you have a specific reason for these two hotels, I%26#39;d choose the Halekulani for a Honeymoon. My next choice would probably be the Royal just because they have nicer grounds.

I love the more relaxed ambiance of the Moana though and for me, I would stay at the Moana before the Royal, but as a I said... for a Honeymoon, Halekulani first, than Royal, then the Moana.

Aaahh scotty,

Halekulani is an ideal honeymoon choice. Beautiful property like the others, incredible service (far above the RH and the MS), wonderful dining options and NO LOUNGE CHAIR SHENANIGANS. Only disadvantage is no real beach area to speak of.

Might as well throw in the Kahala for a honeymoon option.

But as I mentioned earlier, I think our UK friend may be thinking of redeeming Starwood points are an elite member. Thus deciding between the Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider.