Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

The Moana Hotel put Hawaiian hospitality on the map for travelers in 1901. Today known as the Moana Surfrider–A Westin Resort & Spa, the First Lady of Waikiki combines a taste for Victorian-era style with the latest in Westin hospitality.

While her oceanfront windows gaze over the timeless surf breaks across a prime stretch of Waikiki Beach, the 794 rooms and suites concentrate on contemporary comforts such as Westin Heavenly Beds and flat-screen TVs. In 2010, Waikiki’s only oceanfront spa, the Moana Lani Spa, claimed distinction on Spas of America’s list of Top 50 Spas.

Groups can take part in legendary afternoon tea, world-class dining at the Beachhouse at the Moana, and evening entertainment and cocktails beneath the Beach Bar’s famous 110-year-old banyan tree. Impromptu meetings by the pool or under the banyan, receptions at the rooftop garden, barbecues for up to 75 guests on the beach, and banquets for up to 200 on the lawn share the same Pacific breezes—and views all the way to Diamond Head.

Groups with business on the agenda convene in a 10,782-square-foot conference center comprised of Ballroom, Parlor, and Board Room. For larger affairs, the Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort—sister hotels just up the beach—expand the meeting and entertainment possibilities to almost infinite proportions. There are no reviews posted at this time. There are no packages available at this time.

Start	End	Rooms	Rate
8/15/10	9/30/10	150+	from $230
10/01/10	11/30/10	150+	From $240
12/01/10	12/09/10	150+	$220
1/01/11	4/07/11	150+	From $220
5/01/11	5/31/11	150+	$225
6/01/11	6/30/11	150+	From $240

Posted Aug 16, 2010 by BDoell
Subscribe - RSS Feed MOANA SURFRIDER, A WESTIN RESORT & SPA IS HOSTING
"MANGOES AT THE MOANA: TREE TO TABLE - A MANGO THROW DOWN" FINALE
A foodraiser to benefit University of Hawaii's Culinary Institute of the Pacific

The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, 2nd annual Mangoes at the Moana's month-long celebration will wrap up with a grand finale event, "Tree to Table - a Mango Throw Down" on Friday, August 27 from 6 - 9:30 p.m. Guests will be able to enjoy tastings prepared by 17 local executive chefs featuring mangoes as the main ingredient.

A friendly competition will take place between a star-studded lineup of chefs for the following categories: Best Use of Mango, People's Choice, Dessert, and Overall Best Dish.

Winners will be determined through a combination scoring of each category as voted upon by a panel of celebrity judges including Dining Out Editor Jo McGarry and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.

The evening's top Hawaii chefs and mango-inspired creations include:
Chef Rodney Uyehara, Beachhouse at the Moana
- Lollipop Lamb Chop with Curried Mango Couscous
Chef Jon Matsubara, Azure Restaurant
- Sauternes and Mango "Lassi" Green Cardamom with Crispy Duck Fat Prosciutto
Chef Ryan Loo, Twist at Hanohano
- Kaffir Lime Crusted Sunfish, Basil Compressed Mango and Kona Lobster
Chef Colin Hazama, Jean-Georges' Kauai Grill
-Star Anise Mango Blossom Duck Prosciutto, Jasmine scented Mango Confit
Chef Ralf Bauer, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
- Mango Crustacean Lumpia, Mango Cucumber Namasu, Wasabi Mango Nage
Chef Dave "D.K." Kodama, D.K. Steakhouse
- Sansei Mango Crab Salad Roll
Chef Donato Loperfido, Sapori Enoteca Birreria
- Ceviche with Kauai Prawns and Hapu'upu with Mango Relish Lilikoi Juice
Chef Eberhard "Hardy" Kintscher, Michel's at the Colony Surf
- Smoked Roasted Leg of Lamb and Mango Relish
Chef and Owner Chai Chaowasaree, Chai's Island Bistro
- Steamed Black Sticky Rice with Fresh Mango and Pandan Haupia Sauce
Chef and Owner Roy Yamaguchi and Chef Jason Peel, Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine
- Kona Abalone Mango Consume
Chef Hiroshi Fukui, Hiroshi's Eurasian Tapas
- Mango Panna Cotta, Mango Ice, Mango Tuille with Chiffonade of Mint
Chef Robin Lee, Nobu Waikiki
- Nobu-style Uku Mango Ceviche
Chef Jeffery Vigilla, Bali Steaf & Seafood - Hilton Hawaiian Village
- Braised Achiote Pork Belly, Mango Masa, Mango Slaw and Chili Mango Glaze
Chef and Owner Colin Nishida, Side Street Inn
- Kauai Shrimp with Mango Sauce
Chef and Co-owner Russell Siu, 3660 On The Rise
- Fire Roasted Duck Breast with Mango and Toasted Almond Ragout
Chef Wayne Hirabayashi, The Kahala Hotel & Resort
- Spicy Mango Barbeque Sauce Chicken Lollipops and Green Mango Salad
Chef and Owner Alan Wong and Chef Lance Kosaka, Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

Proceeds from the foodraiser will go to benefit University of Hawaii's Culinary Institute of the Pacific.

[url]http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/moana-surfrider-a-westin-resort-and-spa/[/url]

http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/moana-surfrider-a-westin-resort-and-spa/ Posted Dec 14, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed By Robbie Dingeman, The Honolulu AdvertiserMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News

Dec. 14, 2009--A development program at Starwood's four Waikiki hotels taps talent already working within the resort company by exposing a group of employees for six months to a variety of new tasks and jobs.

The latest class graduated 15 people this month with diverse jobs, skills and life experience. While the number is small, the concept represents one facet of dealing with Hawai'i's "brain drain" problem -- bright local residents leaving the state to get core experience someplace else.

And employers sometimes struggle to attract residents to a career better known for entry-level service jobs than life paths.

The Associate Development Program works to develop and match skills to people already on the payroll -- nurturing managers who are knowledgeable and rooted in the community. Finding, training and keeping employees remains a challenge for the state's No. 1 industry, which employs more than 95,000 people in hotels and food service statewide, according to government analysts.

Employment coordinator Reyna Santiago won from the managers and mentors the award for "most living the brand."
Santiago is part of a team of three who helps people who are applying for jobs at Starwood. She enjoys meeting a lot of people and helping to figure out "where they would fit" within a hotel.

Santiago, 30, was born and raised in Kalihi Valley, and had worked in a variety of jobs before starting with Starwood two years ago.

She had taught hula and crafts aboard the M.S. Patriot cruise ship until the company went bankrupt in 2001, then checked out different career paths.

"I worked at a preschool, in retail, my job just prior to this was in a law firm before joining the hotel," she said.

"That's when I realized that this is the industry where I needed to be," she said.

After learning different aspects of various resort jobs, she sees a future as a manager in human resources.
The Royal Hawaiian hotel general manager Kelly Hoen, a Kailua native who became the historic resort's first female GM, worked her way up from within the industry.

Her first hotel job was checking in guests at the front desk at the Ilikai Hotel. She's a believer in learning and promoting from within your community to create strong leaders.

"People who were raised here, or have a lot of exposure to what's right and what's pono and how we need to work within our host culture," she said.

"To me, it's a really great way to not have to send people away," Hoen said.

Executive assistant Noelani Harris won two awards. From the managers and mentors, she was selected as "most driven."

And the 14 other graduates surprised her by voting her "most likely to be my future boss."

After 15 years with Starwood, Harris felt she was ready to learn some other skills that took her throughout the four Waikiki resorts and beyond the executive offices of the Princess Kaiulani Hotel, where she works alongside the general manager.

Starwood also is the management company for The Royal Hawaiian hotel; the Sheraton Waikiki; and the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort.

Harris, 42, went from focusing on the big pictures to learning a lot of the details. She especially enjoyed the part of the training that took them to each area to analyze, find flaws and recommend how to make things more efficient.
"I got to see how everything comes together," she said.

Harris entered the hotel business after her corporate communications job with for BHP Petroleum was eliminated after the Gulf War, 15 years ago.

Christine Hawkins, Starwood Hawai'i's director of employment, said the program provide hands-on learning opportunities to promote the growth and development of the business "with the talented people already working there."

Of 75 graduates over the past five years, Hawkins said, 20 are in management here, while some have moved to other states or companies.

Gentry Goslin, 20, was a working a student job at Honolulu Community College when the hotel job postings came in and she decided to apply herself.

Originally from Kahului, Maui, Goslin got a job as a valet runner at the Moana Surfrider about 18 months ago. She took off a semester from her college studies to focus on the development program.

She'll return to school at Kapi'olani Community College in January, now focusing on more skills that can help her at work.
She's not yet sure of her exact career path but "I know I want to stay within the hotel industry."

Hawkins said she's expecting the program to expand to 25 people in the next session, which begins March 1st with an application deadline of Feb. 1.
"We have an amazing pool of talent," she said.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com Posted Apr 30, 2009 by Elite News Team
Subscribe - RSS Feed Honolulu, Hawaii, (February 12, 2009) - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii is proud to announce that three of its luxurious resorts have been recognized as Best Hotels in the World in Travel + Leisure magazines sixth annual list of the worlds best 500 hotels.

Two of Starwoods Waikiki resorts, The Royal Hawaiian " A Luxury Collection Resort and Moana Surfrider " A Westin Resort & Spa, in addition the Princeville Resort on Kauai, were handpicked by Travel + Leisures global team of reporters from the Worlds Best survey based on the services, amenities and overall perks these hotels provide that truly position them in a league of their own.

Regional Vice President Sales and Marketing for Starwood in Hawaii & French Polynesia, Cheryl Williams, said that we are delighted that three Starwood Hawaii resorts received this prestigious recognition, which acknowledges our commitment to providing authentic guest services, amenities and experiences that celebrate all that Hawaii has to offer.

Starwood Hawaii comprises 11 hotels and resorts on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaiis Big Island. Guests can choose from Starwoods internationally renowned hotel brands of Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis or Luxury Collection depending on their Hawaii experience of choice.

Last month saw the return of the iconic Pink Palace of the Pacific after a multi-million dollar renovation. The Royal Hawaiian " A Luxury Collection Resort reopened as part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts elite Luxury Collection, ushering in a new age of exquisite discovery, embodying the allure of Hawaiis spirit and the essence of indulgent escape. The distinctive architecture and its rosy hue of the 1920s remain, as do the elegant details that nod to the hotels storied past. Contemporary upgrades meld with classic design elements, creating a chic atmosphere that remains captivatingly Hawaiian. With enhanced royal service standards from arrival to departure, guests truly experience luxury.

The First Lady of Waikiki introduced the world to Hawaiian hospitality in 1901 and now as a Westin Resort & Spa, the legendary landmark allows guests to step back into yesteryear while enjoying contemporary amenities and services. Moana Surfrider " A Westin Resort & Spa offers 793 rooms including 46 suites all featuring the signature Westin Heavenly Bed. Its outdoor courtyard centers around a 104-year-old Banyan tree that is the perfect outlook to complement the ocean while enjoying the Moana Surfriders famous Afternoon Tea on the Verandah. Late last year the Moana welcomed the opening of the luxurious Moana Lani Spa, becoming the first beachfront spa on Oahu.

Currently undergoing a multi-million transformation of the resort from European sophistication, to refined island luxury, the Princeville Resort will emerge as the St. Regis Princeville Resort later in 2009. As the first and only St. Regis in Hawaii, the resort will set the benchmark for island luxury accommodations with its distinguished butler service, brand new luxury spa, internationally-renowned culinary experiences, upscale retail shops, redesigned pool deck, lobby spaces, ballroom accommodations and lavish guest rooms. The St. Regis architecture, landscaping, and furnishings will feature native Hawaiian woods combined with natural coral and lava stone while carefully selected artwork, furniture and accessories will reflect the Asian influences found in the local culture.

For more information about The Royal Hawaiian " A Luxury Collection Resort, Moana Surfrider " A Westin Resort & Spa, St. Regis Princeville Resort and other Starwood hotels and resorts in Hawaii visit Starwoodhawaii.com or call 1-866-716-8140.