Reviews of Starwood properties in Honolulu (Hawaii)

[Alanslegal]

I recently visited Honolulu and had a total of seven nights there. The theme was just chill by the beach by day and enjoy the nightly atmosphere after sunset. I was very optimistic that this quick visit the Honolulu would be immensely enjoyable. Having booked two tickets on Jetstar for $595 all inclusive return, things were looking my way - that is until the weakening of AUD in the past three months. For every AUD$1.00 buying less than USD$0.64 - this was going to hurt. Imagine spending AUD$12-$13 for a McDonalds Big Mac meal ..... ouch!

Anyway, seven nights all up - three Starwood hotels I will be staying at. Why? Simply, split them up into shorter stays and have a greater chance of a suite upgrade!

In more detail I wanted to start off at the Sheraton Waikiki - given alot of their rooms have some of the best views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head - this hotel was hopefully going to start the vacation on a good note.

I then wanted to be at the W HNL on a FRI/SAT night specifically for their wild Wonderlounge party! (guests get complimentary access to the nightclub) Also I wanted to borrow one of the W's Acura motor vehicles for a complimentary Acura Experience 6hr test drive. (Acura's are the USA name for an slightly upmarket Honda). The idea was to take one of the two USD$50K cars out to Waikele Premium Outlets and go shopping (or maybe a cruise up to the North Shores of Oahu).

I then wanted to finish off the Honolulu visit with a stay at the Moana Surfrider - a favourite choice amongst many SPG elites over at FT.

The other Starwood properties in Honolulu are the Royal Hawaiian and the Sheraton Princess. However the RH is closed for renovations and the SP seems to be only 'a stay at a last resort' out of the five Starwood properties, according to many reviews.


Sheraton Waikiki

(as quickly reviewed on FT by me)

I had a three night stay starting 25 NOV and was upgraded to the premium ocean front suite, room 1136. My original reservation was a standard city view room which had an eligible BRG rate of ~USD$150 per night plus taxes.

IMO rooms ending xx36 probably have the best views of Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, the ocean and beyond. Once the Royal Hawaiian completes its multi-million $$ renovation you would also have a good view of their new supersized pool area incl. water slide.

Suite 1136 remained unrenovated - which was a bit of a shame - however the super sized suite made up for the much dated decor. The living area was gigantic for any hotel room which lead to the ocean front lanai, then there was another lanai off the bedroom which had aspects that faced more towards the RH & Waikiki Beach.

Other aspects of the SW is that the lobby is painfully outdated and check-in can be painfully slow (depending on the time of the day - but one should expect that given the SW has 1700+ rooms). At least there is an elite SPG line - so that helps with check-in times if you're at Gold or Platinum status.

The pool area is relatively a good size however if you're going to spend $$$ to be staying on a beachfront property - then I'd suggest you spend 60 seconds walking to Waikiki Beach. The sunset from the SW pool is spectacular and the nightly live shows are an ideal way to wind down.

If one can accept a very busy hotel plus the fact that alot of non-guests will use the SW as a public thoroughfare to get to the beach - then this hotel would be a good place to stay.

[Alanslegal]

The hotel driveway:-




Renovated lift lobby (11th floor):-




Entrance to suite 1136:-




11th Floor map behind door:-




Living room:-




Bedroom:-

[Alanslegal]

Platinum ammenity:- I actually chose the local gift which was a selection of local Hawaiian food items. When the goods arrived, I realised I could have bought them all from the many ABC convenient stores littered throughout Waikiki. Maybe I should have gone for the points instead?




Diamond Head and the full oceanfront view from the living room:-




The view from the living room balcony:-




The view from the bedroom balcony:-




Lots of people on Waikiki Beach:-




A very trainquil evening view of Waikiki from the balcony:-





Simply put a very good Sheraton hotel. With its superior beachfront location - and if the $$$ is right. A definite hotel I would recommend to anyone. A solid 3.5 or maybe a 4 star rating IMO.

[Alanslegal]

Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort Waikiki Beach

I had a two night stay starting 30 NOV and was upgraded to an one bedroom ocean front suite in the Tower Building, the room # 495. My original reservation was a standard city view room which had an eligible BRG rate of ~USD$190 per night plus taxes.

Unless you're in a speciality suite, rooms ending xx95 or xx96 have probably the best views of Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, the Banyan Court below, the MS pool, Duke's at the Outrigger next door, the ocean and beyond.

Being on a relatively low floor (4th) was not a problem. I was about 30metres from the Waikiki sand and had good nightly entertainment from Duke's next door. It had a very intimate feel to the beach - I guess I normally like a super-high floor but in this case, the lower and closer to the beach, the better. Also I liked the sounds of the waves at night so left the lanai doors open.

Suite 495 was almost heavenly, separate bedroom with the best heavenly beds I've ever slept on, large bathroom area depite having a stand-in the bathtub shower, automated toilets, large living area, full length sliding doors opening to the inverted V shaped lanai. Awesome people watching from the lanai

Other aspects of the MS is that the check-in was pretty good. I was greeted with a lei-greeting, a glass of cold juice, and a moistened face wipe. The only minor gripe is that I was walking street level to the hotel, none of the five porters/bellboys offered to whisk my one piece of luggage for me but that's Ok with me as I generally prefer to lug it myself anyway.

I was pre-upgraded to the ocean front suite and I believe the Best Available Rate is generally around USD$1K so IMO an excellent upgrade.

I could not find any major fault with this hotel and can appreciate why the MS is a favourite within the Starwood group - well that's until the Royal Hawaiian opens its rejuvenated doors in 2009.

[drron]

Bringing back lots of memories,great photos.SPG certainly is streets ahead of HH when it comes to upgrades.

[Alanslegal]

Entrance of the hotel:-




Entrance to Suite 495:-




The spacious living room:-






Separate bedroom which had the best Westin heavenly beds I've slept in to date:-

[Alanslegal]

Waikiki Beach / ocean front view from the balcony:-




The view towards the Sheraton Waikiki & Duke's below:-




The view towards Diamond Head:-




Just after sunset and of Duke's nightly entertainment:-

[Alanslegal]

Moana Surfrider by night:-






The famous rocking chairs on the front hotel verandah:-




Inside the hotel:-








A highly recommended hotel situated in the perfect location on Waikiki Beach. Elegant, classy, with all the history being The First Lady of Hawaii. Impressive will be an understatement.

[Alanslegal]

W Honolulu - Diamond Head

I had a two night stay being commenincing the 28th of November. I specifically booked this hotel for two reasons i) their Wonderlounge parties on a Friday and Saturday night and ii) to experience the Acura Experience where I could complimentary borrow one of their two Acura USD$50K motor vehicles for a six hour test drive.

I had a points and cash booking - and being a Cat5 property it cost of 4800 points plus USD$90 per night - which was booked into a Wonderful Room. Prior to arrival I was upgraded to a Cool Corner Room is which the highest category room available for a SPG Platinum upgrade. There is only one suite in this 48 room W hotel and that is the Mega Wow Suite (aka the penthouse) on the 12'ish floor.

The W Honolulu is a good 10 minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki and adjacent to Kapiolani Park. With intimate views of Diamond Head the hotel is a really tranquil place to chill out and enjoy the shadows of the magical mountain.

The W is refreshing and a sensory delight upon entering the Living Room (commonly known in other hotels just as the hotel lobby). The Whatever/Whenever service is truly present and Guy - the concierge, bellboy, porter, guide - really tried his best to assist me.

Cool Corner Room, number 821, is a relatively large hotel room with two balconies that made the room feel open and airy. The view was towards Diamond Head, another nearby condominium, a parking lot and a little peek of the ocean. The soothing W King bed was present and the blend of Hawaiian / tropical feel of decor plus the sliding wooden shutters instead of blinds made this room feel very relaxing indeed.

Level 2 is occupied by the hotel's restaurant being the Diamond Head Grill and on a Friday / Saturday night converts into one of the hottest clubs in Honolulu. This club - called the Wonderlounge - is what I came here for.

The hotel is adjacent to a couple of other properties including the Outrigger Canoe Club and they share a private beach. The W provides beach chairs and towels on request and the secluded beach is a great place to avoid the crowds of Waikiki Beach. From this beach you can look beyond and see Waikiki and the city skyline.

[Alanslegal]

That Friday night I had dinner at Perry Smorgys Buffet on Kuhio Avenue early in the evening which set me back USD$11.95 plus tax, and then I could also attend the annual Thanksgiving parade which runs down Kalakaua Avenue.

After the conclusion of the parade, I returned to the W to freshen up before heading to the Wonderlounge. In the elevator I bumped into a couple of guys who were heading to the 12th floor - I then asked who was the lucky person (as in referring to who is the lucky one up in the penthouse). The guys said they were holding a private party upstairs and invited me to come up and have a few beers. I indeed took up this offer.


The Mega Wow Suite

The Mega Wow Suite is really what it is - MEGA WOW! You take the elevator to level 12 (the highest) then you have to walk up 15 steps to the 12 point 5th level. You enter the room and there is a sitting room on your left which has panaromic views towards Waikiki. On your right there is a full sized kitchen which leads onto the wrap around the balcony. If you however proceed straight ahead you reach the living room which again leads onto the balcony. To the left of the living room is the second bedroom that has its own ensuite bathroom. The living room is gigantic in size and there is a special DJ set up area. This Mega Wow Suite is known for having some of the wildest private parties including various A-list music stars have been there. The whole floor is sound proofed so there is no need to worry about the 'doof-doof' music affecting other guests. Retracing my steps and walking pass the sitting area , you then reach the huge master bedroom, enormous bathroom with dual sinks, spa bath, shower. Again the room leads to the wrap around balcony. This room is mega wow - mega hotness!!

Anyway the private party is buzzing and there is a commercial DJ music setup with loudspeakers blaring away. A few table top dancers on in the middle of the living room and on top of the overly large living room table. Definite eye candy to me! The kitchen is fully stocked up with alcohol and this party will go through the night. Wow!


The two main aspects of staying at the W was the Wonderlounge and the Acura Experience, here are the quick reviews:-

The Wonderlounge

The club opens its doors at 10pm each Friday and Saturday night and despite a slow build up of clubbers - the club hits its full beat close to midnight and packs out not long after. The music is generally hiphop + rnb. A young'ish crowd attends like usual and pays the USD$15 cover to get in - but appears to be stingy on the alcohol purchase/consumption. Maybe responsible young adults - who knows?

The club is seriously wild and (if you're into that scene) would recommend getting there past midnight for a two hour partay!


Acura Experience

The W Honolulu has two Acura motor vehicles for complimentary six hour test drives. One is the Acura RL luxury sedan and the other is the super compact RDX off-roader. The Acura's are the W Hotel's preferred motor vehicle. In other large W hotels you get a complimentary chaffeur to drive you but since the W HNL is small - they let you take the cars out yourself. Nice. However although the cars were available for use - I was not allowed to take one out because I didn't have a USA or an international drivers license. I protested that I have driven in Hawaii previously in 2005, as well as driving in California in 2007 and that only required me to hold a valid NSW DL. Anyway guess my hope for taking out one of the cars to go shopping was quickly dashed - and my Whatever/Whenever experience now shattered. Anyway the friendly concierge managed to get me a shuttle to my shopping destination - Waikele Premium Outlets - and the mini-van arrived within 10 minutes for my pick up. Efficient.