How to Decide Where to Stay in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

I just got back from Hawaii and feeling so refreshed. There is nothing like the teal blue water and tan sandy beaches to put you in a good mood! I went in December of 2020 and then again just this May (2022) and both times were really special. Since I had a bit of a mishap with my original hotel, I wanted to share where to stay in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii – so you won’t have to worry if you chose the right hotel!

In 2020: I stayed at the Sheraton Waikiki and loved it — they have an infinity pool that is unmatched! This time, I had the idiotic idea to try another property: Moana Surfrider — and well as the saying goes: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

The Moana Surfrider is Waikiki Beach’s first beach front hotel and was acquired by Westin in more recent times (a Marriott property). So I thought that it being a Westin property – that it would be a lovely place to stay.

Boy, was I wrong! The rooms are rundown, nothing is updated and not even clean (in my opinion). I reserved a partial ocean front view in their “tower” which is supposed to be more updated than the original hotel; and if this were the year 2000: some may call the hotel updated at that point in time but it’s not anymore. The counters are a brown granite, beds are smalls, brown/tan carpet…I could go on but you get the idea. The pool is also tiny and even though the beach is right there: it’s nice to have a great pool at your hotel for after the beach lounging.

Moana Surfrider Images:

Moana Surfrider Hotel — Exterior from the street.

Rooms at the Moana — Exterior from the street.

So after staying there one night: I hightailed it out of there back to the trusty Sheraton (not to be confused with the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani – also in Waikiki).

Quite honestly, when staying in Waikiki: I wouldn’t even bother staying anywhere else but the Sheraton.

The price is the same as the Moana but you get way better amenities: an adult only infinity pool, a second large swimming pool with two hot tubs and a waterfall grotto, beach access, two restaurants and bars, a convenience store in the hotel lobby, a Honolulu Coffee shop with great breakfast items on the go and many other shops. It’s across the street from the Royal Hawaiian shopping center and the Halekulani next door is a luxury resort where you can have dinner one night. The Sheraton is also situated on the best part of the Waikiki beach.

Not to mention: that the rooms are modern and remolded! Depending on where your room is – city view or ocean view: the rooms vary slightly in size but I’d rather a smaller room and all updated than a big old room. And of course the toilet has a built in bidet! When I stayed there in 2020, I loved the bidet (get yours too) so much: I got an add on one for my home toilet! (Best. Decision. Ever.)

In any case, the Sheraton is the best bang for your buck. The longer you stay — the better the rate and if you’re a Marriott member you can get points. Unless you have a freebie on another hotel site: I would book directly via the website — it has the best deals.

Some pro tips for staying at the Sheraton:

Get an ocean view room and chose the “stay longer option” to get a better rate. The ocean view rooms are worth the cost: waking up to that view everyday is amazing. Plus you can see the Infinity pool and check on how full it’s getting.

Infinity Pool: this pool is an absolute dream but it gets crowded and fast. There are only a certain amount of chaise lounge chairs and many people are lined up before 8am (pool opens at 8am) to get one. Weekdays seem to be less busy and you can usually get one after 8am but there are also chairs that are reserved for the day at costs ranging from $60-$225. I reserved one for a day and it was so worth it! You can come and go as you please, the chairs are nicer and situated closer to the pool, and you don’t have to worry about anyone taking your seats. Splurging for these chairs for at least one day of the trip is a must.

Reserve chairs on the beach. The Sheraton has it’s own beach area and you can also reserve chairs there as well for the day. Always nice to have for a beach day.

Take advantage of the market/store in the lobby. This market has everything! I bought some adorable sarongs there, some flower leis, and lots of snacks. My favorite snack being the Japanese influenced items like Musubi (triangular rice filled with different fish or meat and wrapped in seaweed). (Waikiki is a big Japanese destination, so they have these snacks in a lot of their markets.)

There are other stores in the lobby too: like a nail salon, a surf store and a coffee shop!

The location is also clutch as there is another small beach between the Sheraton and the Halekulani where you can relax and the fabulous Mai’tai Catamaran picks up – an excursion I would highly suggest you do while in Waikiki – this is the best catamaran cruise there.

Overall: you won’t be disappointed at the Sheraton! Hope this helps when you’re planning you’re trip to Waikiki. P.S. this is not a sponsored post: I just want to give people an excellent recommendation for a hotel in Waikiki (and hopefully you won’t make the same mistake I did!).