The Waikiki landmark has completed a multimillion-dollar refurbishment spanning guestrooms, public spaces and cultural programming while restoring a historic identity.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa has completed a multimillion-dollar, resort-wide renewal covering all 791 guestrooms across its three wings, alongside upgrades to public spaces and the opening of a new oceanfront event venue. The Honolulu property also renamed its former Diamond Wing the Surfrider Wing, restoring a name associated with the standalone hotel that opened in 1952. Announced on May 11, 2026, the project positions the 125-year-old resort’s latest phase as an effort to balance historic character with contemporary hospitality.
The renewal reflects the particular challenge facing heritage hotels: maintaining a recognisable sense of place while updating the experience across a broad property. At Moana Surfrider, the three wings have distinct design approaches rather than a single uniform treatment. The Tower Wing has been refreshed with residential-style accommodations, while the historic Banyan Wing, originally constructed in 1901, received renovations completed in early winter 2025. The restored Surfrider Wing supplies the final phase of the multi-year transformation.
In the Surfrider Wing, guestrooms use beach-loft interiors, vibrant colour palettes and custom local artwork framing each headboard. The accommodation mix includes king and two-queen rooms, as well as five new junior suites designed with larger layouts, natural light and views of either the Waikiki skyline or Waikiki Beach. Elsewhere, the historic lobby has been refreshed while retaining its colonial-style Victorian aesthetic, and Moana Lani Spa has added a co-ed Wellness Lounge. The new ground-floor oceanfront event space is intended for weddings, corporate events and social gatherings.
The project’s cultural layer extends beyond the physical refurbishment. Honolulu-based designers Lisa-Maria Priester and Bev Tagami of WCIT led the redesign, drawing on the cultural, natural and historic resources of Ulukou, the Waikiki Beach area identified in the release as the resort’s home. Hawaii-based artists Kristen Reyno, Christopher Edwards and Andrew Mau are featured throughout the property, while the “Voices of the Moana” video series documents their creative processes. The resort has also introduced “Moana Calls”, a quarterly live music series centred on mele and Hawaiian cultural expression.
Taken together, the changes show how Moana Surfrider is using renovation, naming and programming as connected parts of its guest proposition. The resort’s announcement does not separate modern comfort from historical interpretation; instead, it presents the two as elements that can operate across rooms, events, wellness and cultural activity. For a property known as the “First Lady of Waikiki”, completing the renewal marks a defined point in its long-running evolution while keeping its architectural and local references visible.
