Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort and Spa, has officially initiated a landmark renovation and transformation to build upon its legacy as the First Lady of Waikiki.
According to certain reports, the stated renovation will be inspired by the theme of timeless romance for travel, with the whole project set to be completed in phases through 2025 and 2026, just in time for Moana’s 125th anniversary. More on that would reveal how resort’s 791 guest rooms and suites will be renovated across three distinct wings, its elegant historic lobby will be refreshed, whereas on the other hand, a new oceanfront event space altogether will emerge on the scene.
Now, while Moana Surfrider’s guest room renovations will be carried out across three wings, but what we haven’t mention yet is how each wing’s design, in itself, will provide guests with unique experiences. You see, each wing’s design will tell a story about the restorative properties of resort’s natural environment and the significance of its location throughout history.
For instance, set to open gates in late summer 2025, the Tower Wing will offer guests an environment of modern beach luxury. We get to say so because it will accommodate the resort’s most highly coveted and spacious accommodations with many ocean, beachfront, and Leahi (Diamond Head State Monument) views,
Alongside that, if we talk about Tower Wing’s new guest rooms, they are markedly designed to provide an inviting residential experience, made up of a custom seating and dining nook, an integrated refreshment center, a bespoke reading area situated next to floor-to-ceiling lanai doors, and new balcony furnishings for indoor-outdoor living.
Turning our attention towards guest rooms in the Banyan Wing, they will effectively deliver a redefined expression of First Lady’s classic elegance and tradition, inspired by various limu (seaweed), which once grew with abundance along the shore and was used in different ways, including sustenance, nourishment and healing.
Beyond that, this particular wing will also feature carefully selected furniture and artwork. For instance it is going to package Moana’s iconic architecture with modern but transitional touchpoints, creating an ambiance of spacious living.
Complementing that would be a thoughtfully designed work area, fresh flooring, custom entertainment and refreshment center, as well as artwork.
As for the Diamond Wing, it will bring forth a boutique guest experience, inspired by Waikiki’s world-renowned surf culture. In essence, the wing features beach loft-inspired interiors with vibrant colors, Hawaii-inspired details, and whimsical artwork. Joining that would an assortment of transformed oceanfront rooms that will all boast balcony with rocking chair duos.
Another detail worth a mention here is rooted in the fact that Moana Surfrider’s historic lobby will arrive on the scene bearing a lighter, more refreshed aesthetic, while simultaneously staying committed to the space’s cherished elegance and colonial-style Victorian architecture.
The remodeled front desk area, on its part, will tread up a long distance to showcase grandeur of the Moana with elegantly detailed check-in pods, added diffused lighting to highlight architectural elements, a new floor-to-ceiling feature wall, and a custom light sculpture inspired by the iconic Banyan tree in the historic courtyard.
The resort’s new oceanfront event space will effectively join the Moana’s collection of stunning ballrooms and event spaces. Currently available for booking, the space will have a capacity of 150 for a seated dinner and 200 for a reception.
Rounding up highlights would be the corridor space which will now have a custom carpet pattern weaving in motifs highlighting kou lei, the movement of the ocean, and the Banyan Tree’s majestic aerial roots.
“In developing the design concepts for the Moana Surfrider’s refresh, it was important to our team to stay rooted in its history and legacy,” said Lisa-Maria Priester, principal and director, interior design, WCIT. “Inspired by the healing and restorative properties of Hamohamo and specifically Ulukou, the historic area of Waikiki where the Moana stands, we wove in design elements to promote a rejuvenating guest experience that specifically tie back to natural elements that have made this area so desirable over the years. This allowed us to honor the hotel’s timeless elegance while creating new storytelling layers for future generations.”
