| See our List of:
Favorite Overall Resorts |
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| Our FAVORITE RESORTS for: |
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| BEACHES |
| SPAS |
| SERVICE |
| ROOMS |
| GOLF |
| SNORKELING |
| DINING |
| SHOPPING |
| NIGHTLIFE |
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
"Every great beach deserves a great hotel" ... Laurance Rockefeller
Mauna Kea is definitely a great beach, and a great hotel.
Founded in 1965 by Laurance Rockefeller, The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel features 258 guestrooms and suites overlooking magnificent Kauna'oa Bay. Featuring unsurpassed vistas of the Kohala Coast as well as the finest sand beach on the Big Island of Hawaii, Mauna Kea endures as a lasting symbol of luxury and elegance. A recent remodel and repair of the resort has made the Mauna Kea even better than before. Upgrades to the golf course, spa, restaurants and many guestrooms have advanced the commitment to luxury and grace for which Mauna Kea has become famous.
Upon our arrival at Mauna Kea, we were struck by the open air design of this fantastic resort. The blend of modern architecture with classic Hawaiian warmth blends seamlessly with the Pacific and Asian artwork on display throughout the common areas of the resort. The beach at Mauna Kea is a wide, white sand beach with a beautiful bay that is perfect for sunbathing, snorkeling or enjoying relaxing walks in the Hawaiian sunshine. The service at Mauna Kea is exemplary, from the pool to the restaurants to the golf course and spa; we were always treated like family. The service, beauty and awe inspiring views make Mauna Kea one of our top luxury resorts in the world.
Here's our lowdown on the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
- Our Favorites -
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| Beautiful White Sand Beach! |
BEACH - The beach at Mauna Kea is a spectacular, mile long crescent of soft white sand that frames the beautiful blues of the Pacific Ocean. On the Big Island, the shoreline is generally rocky and the sand beaches tend to be smaller. But at Mauna Kea, we were treated to one of the most spectacular beaches on all the Hawaiian Islands. We had plenty of room to talk long walks, splash in the surf or enjoy a variety of water sports. Service at the beach was good and we were set up with towels and lounges as soon as we arrived at the beach. When we want to explore all the beauty of the Big Island but still have the perfect white sand beach for our tropical vacation, we look no further than the enchanting Mauna Kea Resort.
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| Deluxe Ocean View Room |
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| Bathroom with a View! Deluxe Ocean View Room |
ROOM - Mauna Kea offers a variety of guest rooms, all featuring exceptional fit and finish and presented in the resort's unique style of "understated elegance". The rooms are very comfortable with all the first-class amenities you would expect at a luxury property. Each room at Mauna Kea offers a relaxing lanai that is perfect for enjoying the beautiful Hawaiian climate. Whether you choose an oceanview or a mountain/golf view room, the lanai is the perfect spot to enjoy all the beauty of the Big Island.
While there are many room classes to choose from, each with their own charms, we choose the Deluxe Ocean View room and were blown away. These rooms have been renovated and enlarged and are now approximately 50% larger than before. The room itself was modern and comfortable with many subtle Hawaiian touches, but the bathroom was what took me over the top. The bathroom "suite" features a vanity/dressing area that is separate from the deep soaker tub and shower. From the soaking tub I had amazing views of the ocean! After my bath, there was a separate lanai, complete with lounge chair to enjoy the incredible sights. Both the Deluxe Ocean View or Golf Vista Rooms have this bathroom configuration and I highly recommend this category of rooms. If you love a luxurious, deep soaking tub, give these rooms a try!
SNORKELING - Mauna Kea offers stunning snorkeling directly in front of the resort. Just a short swim from the beach I was able to see an amazing array of fish and coral. I also had the privilege of swimming with Hawaiian Sea Turtles on my snorkeling excursion. It is always an absolute joy to experience these magnificent creatures up close and in the natural beauty of their environment. All this just yards from the beach! Make sure you take time while enjoying the beautiful beach to get in the ocean and enjoy all the wonders of nature that await you at Mauna Kea.
GOLF - During our stay at Mauna Kea Resort, we had access to both Mauna Kea Golf Course and the Hapuna Golf Course (which is located next door at the sister Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel).
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| World famous #3 over the Pacific Ocean! |
The Mauna Kea Golf Course is the more famous of the two courses and was designed by the celebrated golf architect Robert Trent Jones. The course was recently re-planted and some holes were modified without changing the essential character of the world famous design. For me, the course is defined by its signature hole, #3, a wonderful par 3 that plays across the crashing Pacific Ocean to a green that seems suspended over the water. It's a magnificent hole that is stunningly beautiful and one you will never forget (I won't after hitting in the ocean!). Hole #11 offers beautiful views of the Pacific and plays from an elevated tee to an oceanside green. Mauna Kea Golf Course is a demanding layout that is long and tough with many elevation changes. The course was in beautiful shape when I played and it was a special experience. Tough but fair, this course is one of the finest golf experiences in the Hawaiian Islands.
The Hapuna Golf Course was designed by Arnold Palmer and features lava dunes and native grass that gives it a links golf feel. You still have great views of the brilliant blue Pacific Ocean, but it definitely gives a different feel from many Hawaiian seaside courses. I would rate this course as more playable for the higher handicap player, but it is still a visually stunning course. Don't be afraid to give this course a try if you are looking for a little more forgiving course than Mauna Kea. The course was also in great shape with well maintained fairways, tees and rough and very true greens. Playing both courses will allow you to experience two different and distinct feels of Hawaiian golf.
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| Manta Rey Point |
DON'T MISS
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Viewing the Manta Reys at Night - When we stay at Mauna Kea, one things we will always do is visit Manta Rey Point. Located just down the steps from Manta restaurant, Manta Point is a viewing area with a light that attracts the magnificent Manta Reys. At night the giant Reys cruise just feet from your viewing area. These awe inspiring, gentle giants of the deep are fascinating to view in their natural environment. It is really a treat to be able to experience the nature of Hawaii in a way that is so up close and personal.
- Other Good Stuff -
Service - At Mauna Kea Resort, the service we experienced is best described as old world aloha that made us feel comfortable and welcomed at all time. What really scored with us was the world-class service that blends seamlessly with the calm and peaceful nature of Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea calls this service "understated elegance". We call it a remarkable experience that makes Mauna Kea one of our favorite resorts in the world. The service at the restaurants, the beach, pool, golf and spa were all first-rate and we always felt well taken care of. We came for the luxury and beauty of the resort, but the warm and friendly service is what will keep us coming back again and again.
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| Mauna Kea Pool |
Pool - The pool at Mauna Kea is located just below the main building and overlooks the beautiful beach and bay. While not a large pool, we found it to be very quiet and relaxing. When we spent a couple hours lounging by the pool, it was not crowded and it felt very secluded and calm. I would suspect that most people choose the beach and that would explain the lack of folks. But when we sought peace and quiet to enjoy a book and just relax in the tropical sun, the pool at Mauna Kea was a perfect option.
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| Luau Area |
Dining - Our favorite dining experience is Manta's, located just steps from the ocean with beautiful views of Kauna'oa Bay. The food was outstanding and the fresh fish was truly exceptional. There is plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy all the beautiful vistas of the Pacific Ocean all while enjoying all the incredible tastes that Manta has to offer.
Another great dining experience at Mauna Kea is their luau. We arrived early to watch the Kalua pig being taken from the pit where it is slow cooked in the Hawaiian tradition. We had the opportunity to speak with the folks tending the pig and they were happy to answer our questions about the history of the luau or Hawaii in general. The setting for the luau is a wonderful area nestled among trees on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The food was great with all the traditional Hawaiian favorites. A live show gave a history of the islands of Hawaii and was very entertaining. Make sure you give the luau a try. Good food, good entertainment and some of the most beautiful views you will ever see.
Spa - The spa at Mauna Kea is the Mandara Spa and was added to the resort with the latest renovation. The spa itself is tucked in an area below the rooms heading toward the beach area; unfortunately this made the spa seem somewhat dark to me. The woman's lounge has everything you need but is fairly small and there is not much of a relaxation area or lounge. They offer a variety of treatments and I choose the 80 minute Lomi Lomi which was very good. If you are expecting a "spa experience" you might be somewhat disappointed as the spa itself is not as luxurious as other spas we have visited. Mauna Kea does offer in room treatments or oceanview cabana massages, so this is another option to consider when planning your Mauna Kea Spa experience.
- And Our Not So Favorite Things -
Nightlife and Other Activities - There are plenty of activities on the Big Island such as visiting an active volcano, sailing, climbing Mauna Kea and helicopter tours that can keep you very busy. But if you are looking for nightlife close to Mauna Kea, your options will be pretty limited. In general there is not a lot of nightlife on the Big Island, but at Mauna Kea you are far away from any type of real "action". This was no problem for us because we loved the beauty and serenity of the resort so much; we never felt the need to leave. Just remember if you want a little nighttime fun, be prepared to travel a fair distance.
Resort Information
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - [Link to Hotel Website]
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive
Kohala Coast, Hawaii 96743
Hotel Photos
Standard Room Rates
Room Descriptions
Package Rates
Resort Room Prices
When we travel, we always look for the best deal and do not mind traveling during the off season to get the lower prices. This means we may not get to travel at the optimal times based on Temperatures and Rainfall
(see charts below). At Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the rates are consistent throughout the year, but during the off seasons we were able to find some very good deals. During the summer months and holiday seasons, we expect to pay more (as is the case for most of Hawaii).
Packages - Many times you can save some money by taking advantage of packages that Mauna Kea Beach Hotel offers. To see the latest packages that Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is offering, please click the following link: Package Rates - Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
Map of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on The Big Island
View Larger MapWeather on the Big Island of Hawaii
The weather on the Big Island is diverse. There can be snow on Mauna Kea, a downpour in Hilo and dry weather on the Kohala coast. Fortunately, if you like beautiful dry weather, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is located on the leeward side of the island that gets the least rain. You get some of the best weather in the world on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. The deep, warm ocean keeps the temperatures very stable year round. The Big Island is big ... as big as all other Hawaiian islands combined, so you can get different weather in different parts of the island. Lucky for us Mauna Kea Beach Hotel sits in an area that gets the best weather year round!
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| Click to See Larger Chart |
Rainfall - Whenever we go on vacation, trying to avoid rain is always high on our list. My husband is especially fanatical about this. As the chart at the right shows, you get the least amount of rain in the summer months. This is the high seasons so prices may be a bit higher and it may be a little more crowded, but if you want to avoid rain, this is your best bet. Keep in mind that the Kohala Coast does not get a lot of rain regardless of the time of year. So if avoiding rain on your luxury tropical vacation is high on your list, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a great option!
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| Click to See Larger Chart |
Temperature - The weather on the Big Island, like all of Hawaii is moderate and gorgeous the entire year round. The chart at the right shows the average temperatures for Puako (which is very close to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel). As you would expect the average temperatures (as well as the humidity) increase in the June-October time frame. Although the heat increases in the summer, you usually have the trade winds that blow from the northeast to provide a welcome relief to the summer heat. If you are looking for sensational tropical weather whenever you choose to take your vacation, the Kohala Coast of the Big Island is a perfect choice.
Before you go The Big Island, or anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands, it is always wise to keep a watch on the weather.
Check out the latest weather for Kailua Kona on the Big Island:
Hurricanes are not common for the Hawaiian Islands. Still, it is always good to keep watch on the weather before you leave for your tropical vacation.
To check for storms around Hawaii and the Central Pacific, please click the following link: National Hurricane Center: Central Pacific.
Or check the Accuweather Hurricane Center
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