1830 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, United States
resort comparison guide

Ramada Plaza Waikiki vs Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

Choosing between Ramada Plaza Waikiki and Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which stay fits your Waikiki getaway.

Ramada Plaza Waikiki resort
Ramada Plaza Waikiki
All-Ages • Ala Moana Blvd • Value Waikiki Base

Best for budget-minded Waikiki travelers who want a practical, all-ages hotel near Ala Moana and Waikiki Beach with

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach resort
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
Beachfront • Historic Waikiki • Resort Atmosphere

Better for travelers who want a historic beachfront Waikiki resort with a more iconic setting and a resort-style stay.

Quick Verdict: Ramada Plaza Waikiki vs Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

If you want a more affordable Waikiki base with useful in-room amenities, no resort fee, an outdoor pool, and easy access to Ala Moana Boulevard, Ramada Plaza Waikiki is the simpler, value-focused pick.

If your priority is staying directly on Waikiki Beach in a classic resort setting with a more polished vacation feel, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach is the stronger choice.

Bottom line: choose Ramada Plaza Waikiki for practical value and a convenient Ala Moana-side location; choose Moana Surfrider for beachfront atmosphere, resort polish, and a landmark Waikiki experience.

Ramada Plaza Waikiki vs Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach – At a Glance

Category Ramada Plaza Waikiki Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
Overall Vibe Straightforward, value-oriented Waikiki hotel with practical amenities, a relaxed pace, and an all-ages setup. Historic beachfront Waikiki resort with a more elegant, classic Hawaii feel and a stronger sense of occasion.
Location At 1830 Ala Moana Blvd, about a 10-minute walk from Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana Center. Directly on Waikiki Beach, better for travelers who want the beach and resort scene at their doorstep.
Rooms & Suites 198 air-conditioned rooms including 2 suites, with refrigerator, microwave, flat-screen TV, safe, hair dryer, and tea/coffee facilities. More resort-style accommodations in a beachfront setting, better suited to travelers prioritizing atmosphere over pure value.
Dining On-site Waikiki Gangnam Style is listed as serving Korean and Korean-American fusion dishes, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner noted in restaurant listings. A stronger fit for travelers who want a fuller resort dining-and-drinks experience in the heart of Waikiki Beach.
Pools & Beach One outdoor pool with sundeck and loungers; Waikiki Beach is reachable on foot rather than directly outside the hotel. Beachfront setting on Waikiki Beach, better if oceanfront access is the main reason for the trip.
Kids & Family All-ages hotel where children are welcome, with practical room features and an outdoor pool for an easy Waikiki stay. Also suited to families and couples who want a more resort-like beachfront stay in central Waikiki.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who want Waikiki convenience, useful room amenities, and no resort or hospitality fee. Best value for travelers who are willing to pay more for beachfront location, historic character, and resort ambience.

Rooms & Suites: Practical Waikiki Comfort vs Beachfront Resort Style

Ramada Plaza Waikiki – Room Style

Rooms at Ramada Plaza Waikiki are built around convenience: air-conditioning, in-room basics, and features that help keep a Waikiki trip practical and manageable.

  • 198 rooms, including 2 suites, across a 16-floor hotel
  • In-room refrigerator, microwave, safe, flat-screen TV, and tea/coffee facilities
  • Complimentary wired and wireless internet access in guest rooms and throughout the hotel

Ramada Plaza Waikiki is the better pick if you want useful room features and a value-forward place to sleep between beach days, shopping, and sightseeing.

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach – Room Style

Moana Surfrider delivers a more elevated resort stay, with the biggest advantage being its beachfront Waikiki setting and classic hotel atmosphere.

  • Better for travelers who want a more polished resort-style room experience
  • Stronger choice if staying on Waikiki Beach itself matters most
  • Best for couples, families, and first-time Waikiki visitors who want a memorable setting

If you want the room stay to feel like part of a beachfront resort vacation rather than a practical city-beach base, Moana Surfrider is the more compelling choice.

Dining & Drinks: Simple On-Site Option vs Resort Dining Atmosphere

Ramada Plaza Waikiki – Restaurants & Bars

Ramada Plaza Waikiki has an on-site restaurant listing for Waikiki Gangnam Style, described as Korean or Korean-American fusion and associated with breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.

Expect:

  • Korean dishes such as bulgogi, kimchi fried rice, and bibimbap noted in restaurant listings
  • Paid breakfast listed, with sources noting morning service at the restaurant
  • A casual, practical dining option rather than a large resort restaurant lineup

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach – Restaurants & Bars

Moana Surfrider is the better fit if dining is part of the vacation experience, especially for travelers who want to eat and linger in a beachfront resort setting.

  • More polished resort dining atmosphere
  • Better for couples who want a classic Waikiki evening setting
  • Ideal if beachfront ambience matters as much as convenience

If you mainly need a simple meal option, Ramada Plaza Waikiki works; if dining atmosphere is part of the trip, Moana Surfrider has the advantage.

Pools & Beach: Simple Pool Base vs Direct Waikiki Beachfront

Ramada Plaza Waikiki – Pool & Beach Scene

Ramada Plaza Waikiki offers one outdoor swimming pool with a sundeck and sun loungers, while Waikiki Beach is about a 10-minute walk away.

  • Outdoor pool with sundeck and loungers
  • Pool access listed from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Best for travelers who are comfortable walking to the beach and want a quieter hotel base

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach – Pool & Beach Scene

Moana Surfrider’s biggest advantage is its Waikiki Beachfront setting, which makes it the stronger pick for travelers who want the beach to define the stay.

  • Direct beachfront location on Waikiki Beach
  • Better for guests who want easy ocean access throughout the day
  • Stronger for a classic beach-resort vacation feel

If your perfect Waikiki trip revolves around stepping straight into the beachfront scene, Moana Surfrider wins; if you are fine walking, Ramada Plaza Waikiki keeps costs and logistics simpler.

Kids & Family: Practical All-Ages Stay vs Beachfront Resort Appeal

Ramada Plaza Waikiki – Family Practicality

Ramada Plaza Waikiki is an all-ages property where children are welcome, and its practical setup can work well for families who want convenience over resort programming.

  • Children are welcome, with existing-bedding policies noted in booking sources
  • Rooms include microwave and refrigerator for easy snacks and simple meals
  • Outdoor pool gives families a low-key place to unwind after Waikiki days

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach – Family Resort Appeal

Moana Surfrider is better for families who want the trip to feel more like a special beachfront resort vacation, especially when location is the top priority.

  • Best for families who want to stay directly on Waikiki Beach
  • Also appealing for couples and multi-generational travelers who value resort atmosphere
  • Better when beach access matters more than keeping the hotel choice budget-focused

If your family wants a practical Waikiki base, choose Ramada Plaza Waikiki; if the beachfront setting is central to the experience, Moana Surfrider is the stronger fit.

Price & Value: Which Waikiki Hotel Feels More Worth It?

Ramada Plaza Waikiki – Value Snapshot

Ramada Plaza Waikiki offers the most value when you want Waikiki access, useful in-room amenities, and a straightforward hotel without paying for a full resort feel.

  • Best for budget-conscious Waikiki travelers
  • Great if no resort or hospitality fee is a priority
  • Strong value for guests who want a pool, fitness room, laundry facilities, and practical rooms

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach – Value Snapshot

Moana Surfrider is the better value if your priorities are beachfront location, resort ambience, and a more memorable Waikiki setting.

  • Best for travelers who want an iconic beachfront stay
  • Stronger for couples, families, and special-occasion trips
  • Worth it if location and atmosphere matter more than keeping the nightly cost down

Who Wins? Best Waikiki Hotel by Travel Style

Best for Budget-Minded Waikiki Trips
Ramada Plaza Waikiki resort

Ramada Plaza Waikiki

Choose Ramada Plaza Waikiki if you want a practical, value-focused Waikiki stay with an outdoor pool, useful room amenities, no resort fee, and access to both Ala Moana and Waikiki.

Best for Beachfront Resort Ambience
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach resort

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

Moana Surfrider is the better pick if you want a historic beachfront resort feel, direct Waikiki Beach setting, and a more polished vacation atmosphere.

Best for Practical Rooms & No Resort Fee
Ramada Plaza Waikiki resort

Ramada Plaza Waikiki

For travelers who plan to spend most of the day out exploring and want a comfortable base rather than a destination resort, Ramada Plaza Waikiki makes more sense.

Best for Classic Waikiki Beach Stays
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach resort

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

If you want the hotel itself to be a major part of the Waikiki experience, Moana Surfrider is the stronger choice.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Ramada Plaza Waikiki

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Close