Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort and Spa

Honolulu's first hotel, still on Waikiki's best sand

★★★★★📍 Waikiki Beach, Oahu$$$

The history is the amenity: the Moana opened when steamship travelers arrived for weeks-long stays, and its veranda became the social center of early Waikīkī; the Surfrider name joined when neighboring buildings merged into the resort, and careful restorations have kept the original building's woodwork, high ceilings and grand staircase. A small historical room displays memorabilia from the hotel's first century, and the staff run regular history walks.

Room craft: book the historic Moana building for character (smaller rooms, period details, the sense of place), the Tower for ocean-view lanais and space, and ask for higher floors for Diamond Head sightlines. Reserve afternoon tea on the veranda early in the stay, and plan one sunset at the Banyan Courtyard bar with live Hawaiian music.

Practicals: 2365 Kalākaua Avenue, center of Waikīkī Beach; valet parking with resort charges typical of the area; about 30 minutes from Honolulu airport. Fit: first trips, couples, history lovers and walk-everywhere families — Waikīkī's original grand hotel, still on its original sand.