This weekend we had a wonderful time in Honolulu, staying at the Moana Surfrider on Waikiki. We went to celebrate Chris's birthday and also as an assignment to do some mystery shopping at 3 hotel concierge desks. We dressed comfy as tourists and asked the agent what their recommendations were for this island. We wanted to see if they would promote the Polynesian Cultural Center and if they did, what they would say about it.
Sadly, none of them brought up PCC without prompting. We have learned that concierges give you recommendations based on who pays the highest commission. The Pleasant Holidays desk in the Moana Surfrider was positive about PCC once we brought it up but they did say that it was mostly for kids and families. The Sheratan and Hyatt who use Expedia for their concierge were not so positive because they said there was too much to see and do there - it has to be an all day commitment. (What's wrong with that? ha ha) Hyatt told us they do not recommend the Polynesian Cultural Center because it is run by students and the Mormon church. Ouch.
Here is one of Surfrider's photos:
Moana Surfrider, the first hotel on Waikiki beach
When Chris made the reservation, he asked for the
Kamaaina rate (for locals) which gives you the cheapest room in the oldest part of the hotel. What a fun surprise though, when we went to check in they upgraded us to
a suite on the third floor with two balconies. Chris mentioned that if we dropped a penny off our balcony, it would land on the beach. What a beautiful place! We
enjoyed the live entertainment from the courtyard and the amazing unobstructed view of the
entire beach, Diamond Head, sunset, and the water. We watched outriggers, catamarans, surfers,
and Asians on blow up toys embark and return.
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| These Banyan trees are where they used to broadcast an old radio show, "Hawaii Calls" |
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| View from our room!! Looks like we're on a ship! |
On Friday evening, as part of Chris's bday we went to the Blue Note (jazz club with our friends
from Spokane, Mike and Rhonda Fosburg. Kimie Miner was the performer. I love her song "Bamboo"
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| Fosberg's on our hotel balcony |
