First Westin Resort Unveiled in Waikiki

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On June 7, the Moana Surfrider on famous Waikiki Beach officially transformed into O'ahu's first Westin resort. The landmark Victorian property, now renamed as Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, offers renewal for weary travelers, the Westin signature scent of white tea and the Westin Heavenly Bed. A traditional Hawaiian blessing and a release of 106 butterflies, signifying the age of the Moana, marked the historic renewal of one of Waikiki's most iconic hotels.

Waikiki's first resort, built in 1901 and affectionately christened the "First Lady of Waikiki," the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, has undergone a complete transformation. While maintaining its elegant ambiance and Hawaiian sense of place, the historic hotel has been renewed with modern amenities including the Westin's signature Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath, as well as new flat screen televisions. The Moana's distinctive porte cochere entrance draws visitors to wander into a revitalized lobby featuring hardwood floors, new furniture and lighting fixtures.

Guests will also experience Westin's Superfoods menu featuring foods with high anti-oxidant qualities. In addition, the resort will offer Westin's signature Service Express program and a new Westin Kids Discovery Club. In the evening, guests can decompress during Westin's new take on happy hour - "Unwind: A Westin Evening Ritual."

Enhancements to the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, will be fully complete when Waikiki's first and only beachfront spa opens at the Moana in 2008. The new spa will feature 14 treatment rooms, including two couple's massage rooms and a 1,400 square foot Westin WORKOUT Powered by Reebok fitness facility.

The spacious courtyard will be completed by this fall with new outdoor tables, chairs, and umbrellas in the updated beachfront Banyan Court, famous for its historic banyan tree. The courtyard also will feature the hotel's signature Banyan Veranda restaurant, which is poised to launch a stylish, new concept and exciting menu.

The Moana Hotel officially opened on March 11, 1901, ushering in a new era of tourism for the Hawaiian Islands. Designed in the old colonial style architecture of the period, it boasted 75 rooms and was the costliest, most elaborate and modern hotel building in the Hawaiian Islands at the time.

As one of the premier resorts in Waikiki, the Moana underwent a $50 million restoration that was completed in 1989. Though the Moana has changed over time, the architectural features of the structure have remained intact and an important piece of Hawai'i's history has been preserved. Westin's improvements to this historic hotel will complement its inspired legacy and Hawaiian sense of place, providing guests with a very special island experience. For more information on Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawai'i, please call 866-716-8140 (toll-free) or visit www.starwoodhotels.com/hawaii.

SOURCE Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii