| 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 |
The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows
The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows is located on the stunning Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Situated just steps from the Pacific Ocean, The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel is a haven of luxury and tranquility awaiting each and every guest. The Mauna Lani Resort is an oasis of emerald green grass and lush vegetation amongst the stark black lava rock that dominates this part of Hawaii. Whether you choose a guest room in the main hotel or pamper yourself with a beachfront bungalow, you will enjoy all the comfort and aloha that pervades this lavish tropical retreat.
What we love most about the Mauna Lani resort is the peaceful, relaxed feel that exists throughout the entire resort. From the open atrium in the lobby area to the stunning oceanfront views from the CanoeHouse restaurant, we always felt free and comfortable everywhere in the resort. Mauna Lani provides many opportunities to engage with the history of Hawaii. Whether it is a signature spa treatment that draws from the history and mythology of the land or visiting the ancient fish ponds on property or hiking through petroglyph fields, we always felt a true connection to Hawaii and its culture. Effortlessly combining the luxury and seclusion of a world-class resort with all the culture and history of Hawaii is our lasting memory of Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.
Here's our lowdown on The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows
- Our Favorites -
SPA - My favorite feature of the Mauna Lani Spa is how, from the moment I walk into this spa, a feeling of Hawaiian culture and tradition is blended effortlessly with a sense of absolute serenity. The spa is located in a separate building away from the hotel and the resort provides a convenient shuttle to whisk you to your relaxing spa treatment. Once inside the spa, I felt as if I had arrived at a calm Hawaiian village. The woman's lounge area is spacious and well appointed. There are outdoor showers crafted from lava rock that make for a unique experience. All services begin with a foot bath in the relaxation area which really gets your treatment off to a delightful start! I went with my favorite Lomi Lomi and was not disappointed. The spa at Mauna Lani truly works to incorporate the Hawaiian culture and spiritually into the entire spa experience. Make sure you visit Mauna Lani spa to get in touch with the spirit of ancient Hawaii.
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| #15 over the Pacific Ocean! |
GOLF - Mauna Lani Resort has two beautiful 18-hole championship golf courses to meet all your golfing needs. The service at the course is first rate. Of the two courses, the South is the more famous with its dramatic holes over the ocean, but the North is also an awesome track. Both courses were in immaculate condition and the visuals are stunning as you wind through the ancient lava fields on a carpet of emerald green
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| # 15 Looking back to the tee |
The South Course, the more celebrated of the two courses at Mauna Lani, snakes through the stark, a'a lava fields and presents a demanding test of golf. Numbers 7 and 15 are amazing par 3's that utilize the Pacific Ocean on what can be intimidating tee shots. The course's signature hole is #15 and features a forced carry over the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean. This is definitely a hole where I brought out the camera as the views are amazing. Overall the course is an awesome experience and playing among the lava fields is a unique feature of Big Island golf. I love golf that utilizes the ocean whenever possible and Mauna Lani Golf course has two of the best holes in the world for this.
The North course, built on lava beds, is an interesting blend of ocean, lava and Kiawe (mesquite) trees that form a unique golf experience. While not as famous as the South with its par 3's over the ocean, the North Course is no less of a Big Island golf jewel. On this course I got different feels on different parts of the course. With the Kiawe trees, I felt an upcountry vibe and then the next two holes felt like a traditional Hawaiian course with its incredible ocean views. I loved the variety of that this golf course has to offer. Add the variety to the lush fairways and manicured greens and Mauna Lani North is a must play on the Big Island.
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| CanoeHouse |
DINING - Our favorite dining experience at the Mauna Lani Resort, and a place you must to visit during your stay, is the magnificent CanoeHouse. Located just steps from the water's edge, this oceanfront restaurant offers world-class dining that features island fresh cuisine with amazing choices from the sea and the land. While the food is remarkable, what blew us away were the stunning sunset views. Most tables at The CanoeHouse have ocean views so you can enjoy the amazing views as you dine just steps from the Pacific!
One evening we wanted sunset drinks and we choose the bar at the CanoeHouse. The tropical cocktails were awesome, the service was great and the views were even better. Whether you are looking for dinner or just a great place to relax with a tropical drink and soak up all the beauty of the Kohala coast, The CanoeHouse is a must see at Mauna Lani.
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| Kalahuipua'a Fishponds |
DON'T MISS
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Kalahuipua'a Fishponds - One of our favorite activities on the Big Island is to explore the history and culture of ancient Hawaii. When we stay at Mauna Lani, we have history is right at our fingertips. An amazing experience is to visit the ancient Hawaiian fishponds located right on the grounds of the Mauna Lani Resort. These fishponds are wonderful examples of how the ancient Hawaiians used their ingenuity to improve their lives.
Mauna Lani boasts seven fishponds used by ancient Hawaiians to complement their ocean fishing efforts. Kalahuipua'a Fishpond is the largest of the seven fishponds at Mauna Lani and provides an excellent example of how these ancient ponds operated. The ponds raised fish, shrimp and other sea life strictly for the consumption of Ali'I (the royal classes). Walking through the ancient fishponds you will encounter all types of history including petroglyphs and shelter caves where ancient tools were made from lava. Take the time to explore the ancient history of Hawaii ... all located just steps from the splendid Mauna Lani Resort!
- Other Good Stuff -
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| Relaxing Pool at Mauna Lani |
Pool - In researching the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, we were initially concerned with the size and quality of the pool. Upon arrival and at first glance, the pool seemed somewhat small, but upon closer examination we were pleasantly surprised. The pool provided all the comfort and luxury we have come to expect from luxury resorts. The pool area had plenty of comfortable lounge chairs and the occasional daybed situated around the pool. We were able to get a light lunch or a refreshing tropical libation from the staff with no trouble at all. If you are looking for a calm, relaxing way to enjoy a little of the Kohala Coast, be sure to visit the pool at the beautiful Mauna Lani Resort!
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| Ocean View Room |
Room - The rooms at Mauna Lani Resort blend contemporary luxury with an authentic Hawaiian feel. Our room was finished in warm, deep wood tones with a comfortable sitting area and lovely overhead fan that gave the room a tropical feel. Our room also had an ocean view and a comfortable lanai for enjoying the Big Island warmth. Most rooms have an ocean view and even though our room was set back from the coastline, we were still afforded beautiful views of the Kohala coast. The bathrooms were well appointed and had a warm, Hawaiian feel. The rooms did not have a deep soaking tub which was disappointing, but overall the bathrooms were spacious and very comfortable.
- And Our Not So Favorite Things -
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| The Beach at The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows |
Beach - Now look, we are not saying the beach at Mauna Lani is not beautiful ... it is. It is just that the layout is a little different. At Mauna Lani the beach is setup around the resort under a grove of palm trees. While the views are amazing, there really wasn't a defined swimming area except at one end of the beach. This is consistent with the rocky shoreline of the Big Island and there is obviously nothing the resort can do about the lack or swimming area, but it was still disappointing. The setup was a little cramped by our standards and it seemed like they were missing a bit of the luxury feel that you get at many other world-class resorts. When you stay at Mauna Lani, just be prepared for a little different experience on the beach.
Resort Information
The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows - [Link to Hotel Website]
68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive
Kohala Coast
Island of Hawaii 96743
Room Descriptions
Special Offers
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 Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, the rates are consistent throughout the year, but during the lower seasons you might be able to find some very good deals. During the summer months we expect to find fewer deals as this is the season where Hawaii tends to be more crowded. During the Holiday seasons, the prices were higher, which is typical of Many Hawaiian resorts.
Packages - Many times you can save some money by taking advantage of packages that The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows offers. To see the latest packages that Mauna Lani is offering, please click the following link: Special Offers - The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.
Map of The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows 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, The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows 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 that The Mauna Lani Bay 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, The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows 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 The Mauna Lani). 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 always 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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