The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was established in 1965 by Laurance S. Rockefeller, whose vision included not only luxury accommodations overlooking a world-class beach, but also a championship-level golf course and exceptional fine dining. The site he chose was beside Kauna'oa Beach on the Kohala Coast, and for more than four decades, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has come to stand as a landmark among the Big Island's many luxury resorts.
Most recently, the property has been renovated at a cost of $150 million. The Mauna Kea once again stands as a landmark of luxury on the Big Island's golden. From its artful guest rooms and elegant restaurants to the fairways of its legendary Mauna Kea Golf Course, the entire resort has been renewed, updated and refreshed.
Among its 258 luxury guestrooms and suites, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel offers units with serene golf or ocean-view baths. All rooms feature private lanais, a media hub with a 32''~40'' high-definition TV, L'Occitane toiletries, luxurious linen, robes, and slippers. The mini-refrigerators are stocked with bottled water (replenished daily) and the coffee makers come with complimentary Kona Blend coffee service.
Guests may select from thirteen different room types. These range from the 400-square-foot Mountain View standard to the Presidential Ocean Suite with 1,207 square feet of interior floor space and an additional 403-square-foot lanai atop the main tower. Most of the units have a shower/tub combo and double vanities. Some feature walk-in closets, double sinks, and Bose stereo systems.
Amenities provided as part of each stay include a fresh flower lei greeting upon arrival, welcome gifts, a safe for storing valuables, and nightly turn-down service. Rooms in the Plumeria Beach Club Lounge section of the hotel have access to special hospitality services, including concierge assistance with reservations and complimentary dry snacks, fresh fruit, cookies, and soft drinks.
All guests receive complimentary use of the 2,500 square-foot Fitness Center with its 43 Life Fitness exercise machines, as well as the inter-resort shuttle service between the Hapuna and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel lobbies, area golf courses, and the 11-court tennis facilities. Beach-goers are also provided with thick orange towels, padded chaise lounges, cabanas, and umbrellas gratis, along with an open invitation to participate in water sports and activities.
Each week the resort organizes a guest luau, a traditional Sunday brunch and a clambake on the beach. There are also Hawaiian culture classes that allow guests to experience lei-making, hula dancing, local crafts, music, and more.
For dining, the Hau Tree~Beachside at Kauna'oa offers up casual lunches, snacks, sweets and cocktails. The Copper Terrace is the venue for sunset ceremonies and live music, serving cocktails and pupas beside its cozy fire pits. And the signature MANTA & Pavilion Wine Bar, with its "Enomatic wine experience'' and new exhibition kitchen, is the place for a gourmet encounter with Hawaii Regional Cuisine.
Also on site is a new boutique shopping enclave with koi ponds, the relaxing Mauna Kea Salon for hair and nail treatments, and the Mauna Kea Spa by Mandara with its soothing therapies and body treatments. For indoor and outdoor group functions, there are a number of event spaces and meeting rooms available. Wedding packages are available, too.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is located near Waimea at 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kohala Coast, Kamulela, Hawaii 96743. From Keahole-Kona International Airport, take the Queen Kaahumanu Highway (State Route 19) toward Kawaihae for 27 miles. The turnoff for the hotel's gatehouse is about one mile past the sign for Hapuna Beach State Park.
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