Review: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection on the Big Island of Hawaii
The first hotel development on the rugged lava fields of the Kohala Coast, founded in 1965 by Laurence Rockefeller, was the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. It was the most exclusive and expensive resort of its day and fast forward to today and the Mauna Kea once again stands as a landmark of luxury on the Big Island’s golden Kohala Coast.
Read more for our review of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, located on the Big Island of Hawaii!
Resort Overview
The Mauna Kea Resort area is located on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by the Mauna Kea Golf Course and Hapuna Golf Course.
In 2015, the hotel was rebranded as Hawai'i’s first Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, which is Marriott's take on the boutique luxury hotel concept, similar to the Andaz brand by Hyatt and Kimpton brand by IHG, among others.
The resort hotel is one of the Big Island's most understated luxurious hotels, as the actual main building that provides the framework for the hotel looks a bit dated (built in the 1960's), so it doesn’t look like what you’d expect in a luxury hotel at first, but it gives it a lot of personality that sets it apart from the rest.
Resort Amenities
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is perfect for couples and families alike - there truly is something for everyone here with a lot amenities, beaches and dining to enjoy.
Here are some of the highlights:
Accommodations
The Mauna Kea features 252 guest rooms in a style that is modern and contemporary, yet still feels like traditional Hawaii. Guest rooms start at 590 square feet and include a private lanai, with ground floor rooms in the beachfront wing featuring walk-out patios with a lawn area in which kids can play before reaching the beach.
The resort guest rooms are divided into two areas, the main tower and the beachfront wing. The main tower building features rooms that are modern with touches of bright orange and white and offer spectacular views from the room.
The beachfront wing features room decor that feels fresh and modern with pops of blue. Larger families may prefer the connecting rooms closest to the beach and pool in this part of the hotel. Views from these rooms are also spectacular, but not as high as the main tower rooms.
Book Your Trip
If you're planning a trip here or to another great resort in Hawaii - Be sure to send me a message for quotes, travel tips, special promotions available and more -- Read more here about the booking process and frequently asked questions!
My goal is to inspire people to travel better, travel smarter and help them find value for their money along the way to fuel their wanderlust!
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a part of the Virtuoso Hotel Collection and Virtuoso amenities for 2020 include the following:
As a Travel Advisor - I have access to Virtuoso hotel amenities, Marriott STARS, Marriott Luminous, Hyatt Prive (coming soon!), and other great deals available from Cruise Lines, Tour Operators, On-Site Suppliers, Airlines, and other Travel Suppliers such as Pleasant Holidays, Journese, Blue Sky Tours, Travel Impressions, and many more!
The Family Travel Guy is an independent affiliate of MTravel - a Virtuoso Member, which is a well-respected travel agency with over fifty years in business and winner of many prestigious awards for travel service and business practice. You can read more about MTravel (now owned by CTM), a Top 10 Travel Management Company nationwide, and their #10 ranking on the Travel Weekly 2019 Top 50 Power List.
Read more for our review of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, located on the Big Island of Hawaii!
The Mauna Kea Resort area is located on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by the Mauna Kea Golf Course and Hapuna Golf Course.
In 2015, the hotel was rebranded as Hawai'i’s first Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, which is Marriott's take on the boutique luxury hotel concept, similar to the Andaz brand by Hyatt and Kimpton brand by IHG, among others.
The resort hotel is one of the Big Island's most understated luxurious hotels, as the actual main building that provides the framework for the hotel looks a bit dated (built in the 1960's), so it doesn’t look like what you’d expect in a luxury hotel at first, but it gives it a lot of personality that sets it apart from the rest.
Resort Amenities
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is perfect for couples and families alike - there truly is something for everyone here with a lot amenities, beaches and dining to enjoy.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Kauna‘oa Bay
- The hotel sits on Kaunaʻoa Bay, also known as Mauna Kea Beach, and offers one the best and prettiest white sand beaches in all of Hawaii that is perfect for sunbathing, lounging under the palm trees and swimming in its calm water.
- Ocean sports, snorkeling, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and other beach activities
- Outdoor pool
- The pool here isn't as expansive as other resorts, but the beach more than makes up for that.
- The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel features exquisite dining options, as well as a wonderful luau.
- Manta
- Manta feature ocean views in an open-air restaurant; open for daily breakfast buffet and a la carte selections and in the evenings Manta kitchen showcases island-sourced and island-inspired cuisine
- Copper Bar
- Grab-and-go Kona coffee in the morning and breakfast items. For lunch or dinner, Copper Bar serves up fun, sharable foods, beer, wine and hand crafted cocktails.
- Hau Tree
- Traditional menu favorites and casual fare served beachside
- Number 3
- Golf clubhouse offering lunch
- The Mauna Kean Luau
- The luau offers awesome views of the ocean and sunset, as well as a wonderful show.
- Award-winning championship Mauna Kea Golf Course
- Seaside Tennis Club
- Mauna Kea Keiki Club for children ages 5 to 12 (fee)
- Hawaiian culture shared through lei-making, hula, crafting classes, music, luau and more including a collection of Pacific, Asian & Polynesian art and artifacts located throughout the resort grounds
- Manta Ray Viewing & Night Dives
- After dinner, at one of the great dining options at the Mauna Kea, be sure to make your way to Manta Ray Point and watch graceful manta rays in the water.
Lastly, the resort’s sister property, the Westin Hapuna Beach, shares amenities, restaurants and the Kohala Coast’s best beaches with Mauna Kea (Hapuna Beach and Mauna Kea Beach), providing two great properties in one.
The Mauna Kea features 252 guest rooms in a style that is modern and contemporary, yet still feels like traditional Hawaii. Guest rooms start at 590 square feet and include a private lanai, with ground floor rooms in the beachfront wing featuring walk-out patios with a lawn area in which kids can play before reaching the beach.
The resort guest rooms are divided into two areas, the main tower and the beachfront wing. The main tower building features rooms that are modern with touches of bright orange and white and offer spectacular views from the room.
The beachfront wing features room decor that feels fresh and modern with pops of blue. Larger families may prefer the connecting rooms closest to the beach and pool in this part of the hotel. Views from these rooms are also spectacular, but not as high as the main tower rooms.
Book Your Trip
If you're planning a trip here or to another great resort in Hawaii - Be sure to send me a message for quotes, travel tips, special promotions available and more -- Read more here about the booking process and frequently asked questions!
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a part of the Virtuoso Hotel Collection and Virtuoso amenities for 2020 include the following:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Buffet breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests
- $100 USD Resort/Hotel credit to be utilized during stay
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- $200 USD Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay
Virtuoso travel advisors have global connections to make your trip better. When you check in, you’re a VIP and can expect exclusive amenities such as room upgrade on arrival, daily breakfast, resort credits, early check-in/late checkout, spa treatment credits, special Virtuoso experiences and more!
As a Travel Advisor - I have access to Virtuoso hotel amenities, Marriott STARS, Marriott Luminous, Hyatt Prive (coming soon!), and other great deals available from Cruise Lines, Tour Operators, On-Site Suppliers, Airlines, and other Travel Suppliers such as Pleasant Holidays, Journese, Blue Sky Tours, Travel Impressions, and many more!
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The Family Travel Guy is an independent affiliate of MTravel - a Virtuoso Member, CST# California: 2129700-40