Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

We stayed at the Mauna Kea for five nights over Labor Day weekend in a Beachfront wing 3rd floor room at the far end of the property. While a bit of a haul from the main reception area it was quiet, peaceful and had a wonderful view (slightly set back) of the grounds and beach from the lanai. Easy access to the beach and pool. It was exactly what we were seeking to celebrate our 25th anniversary. The room was comfortable and modern, with a super spacious bathroom (great shower!). We enjoyed many sunsets from the lanai. The room had good wifi, a small fridge and a coffee maker and was stocked with tea and coffee. The house cleaning service brought by ice each day (otherwise you must call room service). The highlight of the resort is the location next to one of the Big Island's most beautiful beaches, where we spent most of our days. The first row of beach front chairs fills up early in the day (all views are good though). We enjoyed swimming, paddle boarding and spotting the occasional sea turtle. The morning floating yoga class looked great as did the evening manta ray snorkeling. The round pool is quite modest for such a resort but has good views and was pleasant. Because we did not feel like driving much on this trip we primarily dined on site and took the shuttle one night to Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. We liked the Manta Ray buffet breakfast along with the great views; also bought tea and breakfast items at the market (the tea and coffee there is much less than it is at the little coffee shop near reception). The market often runs out of breakfast items pretty early in the morning, restocking again around 9 a.m. We enjoyed the Copper Bar for dinner a few nights and had a decent lunch at the Hau Tree outdoor area. We enjoyed walking the beautiful grounds (hammocks made a great spot to view the night sky) and the fitness center. The staff onsite throughout the property provided excellent and warm service throughout our stay. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a quiet resort for those looking for a peaceful and relaxing getaway.

You owe it to yourself to experience at least once. The Mauna Kea is a unique level of quiet, comfortable luxury, without seeming formal. It is all special. The grounds are beautiful, the structure seems to have grown there. The staff is simply incredible. No one ever seems to be trying, its just that each person causes you to feel that doing this for you is the whole reason they got up this morning. The beach is a gorgeous half moon and the ocean is great for wading or swimming. Rooms are well designed and comfortable. Showers are a special experience. Beds are wonderful. All of the food choices are excellent. We planned the morning around the breakfast buffet, and the Hau Tree dinner on the beach was a special occasion we repeated. But also the restaurant at the pro shop was also special and the market in the lobby had great snacks, light meals and affordable wines.

Came back to the Mauna Kea with my family after been here on a golfing holiday with some friends a couple of years ago. Every aspect of this place was better than I remember and this hotel has been here for over 50 years. We met some people at breakfast at Manta who’d been coming here for 45 years - I think that says something about how special this place is. We felt so welcome in this handsome resort from the moment we arrived until we regretfully said good bye. Our rooms were amazing down the far end of the resort with views over the lawns to the beach. Each morning we would walk down the beach and up to Manta for breakfast where we would look out over the bay. We ate at Hau Tree beach side and the Copper Bar and enjoyed the difference in atmosphere and food. Beach is amazing - lounge under an umbrella, snorkel around the coast as far as you dare, go out at night and swim with the Manta rays that seem to turn up like clockwork. Sand is gorgeous, ocean was as clear as a bell - oh and there is a bar on the beach that makes a mean cocktail if you need to cool down. Golf course is amazing with third hole playing out across the water. If you feel like getting away from the family for an hour (can’t fit 18 in unfortunately) the driving range is $12 for unlimited balls and clubs if available. We enjoyed our stay so much and will definitely return to the big Island to come back to this amazing property.

I had the opportunity to stay at the Mauna Kea for a week for a wedding Oct 3. This is one of my fav Hawaii Hotels. Arrival is always a warm welcome with a traditional Hawaiian Lei or Kukui Nut Men's necklace. There is self parking I think is $17/day and valet $22/day. I choose Valet and my car was always there and available when called down to have pulled up. The staff is always so friendly and welcoming and I felt as if I was returning home. I always hear from people that their family or they have been coming back to the resort for years and have very fond memories. The room is large with a nice patio overlooking the beach, clean and fresh, with nice modern sinks. There is usb wall outlets and a Bluetooth clock for music and also USB plug in as well. The wifi was free and was quick and easy to connect. There is a small refrig with water avail in there. The beds were so comfortable. The aircon was great and was easy to adjust and kept things cool. When ice was needed I just called room service and it was up quickly, so I did not see any of the old ice machines. They made some changes that were nice since my last visit a couple of years ago. There is a nice new convenience store off the lobby with drinks, snacks, some small food items and so on. It was nice to be able to stop in and get things as needed going to the beach or headed up to the room. There are also a gift shop with nice Mauna Kea shirts and items. I got a cooler for the beach, which was just perfect for hot afternoons. There is no real drink service on the beach you have to walk to the bar. The pool is nice but rather small and found the water maybe a bit too hot. There was drink service there but always found that more crowded and with kids. It is enjoyable but I think you can get a pool anywhere, the beach is why you go stay there. The Mauna Kea beach is the best on the island, with soft white sand and a cove. Due to the location the beach is like in a bubble always nice and warm and seems like it never gets much rain, making it consistent for sunning. The cove allows for calm, warm water maybe about 83 degrees, with crystal clear water with about 40ft visibility. The staff sets you up with a spot with and umbrella and puts out a chair towel and other towels. They have snorkel equipment there, sunscreen, sun shirts, hats and so on. I went out snorkeling one night right after sunset and to the manta point and got to see a couple of giant mantas there feeding. It was amazing being with them so close in the water and it was one of the highlights of the trip. Hint here - you should bring your own mask, snorkel and fins if you want to snorkel out to see them. The rentals make you return theirs at like 5 or 6 pm. so you won't have them to see the mantas. There is a couple of boats that come out and set up lights you can swim out there and see them there as well but they only do that for about an hour or so. There is other water activities with the most popular being the paddle boards, kayaking. The bar on the beach is always great, the home of the Federico, a drink of rum and guava that is great. It is the local drink and you will see them ordered on a regular basis. Right next to the bar is the Hau Tree which is on the beach and great selection of food. I recommend the Ahi Sushimi and Fish Tacos, and Salads. If you are lucky in May and November you can sit and have lunch and see whales breaching. That is amazing! Breakfast buffet is great - a combination on fresh fruits, omelette and waffle bar, breads, Hawaiian options. It was included on my booking Virtuoso which was nice and that alone saved $70. Breakfast was outside of the Manta restaurant with the best views ever overlooking the beach and clear water. I had dinner in the Manta, which is always a treat. The bone in Rib Eye was fantastic. I also had one dinner at sunset at the Copper Bar. It is a bit casual and a nice great setting with an entertainer playing Hawaiian music. The setting there at the hotel looking out at night with all the tiki lights and everything lit is just magical. I got lucky the weather at night was warm a bit humid but perfect. I had a couple of days to play golf. The course was in great condition and each hole offers it own view of the ocean. The greens were slow, but offered a nice challenge. The golf group is great, store your bag, set you up with nice and anything you can need. The cart attendant was always there and a wide array of drinks, custom cocktails, beers and some food items. I can't say enough about the Mauna Kea. It is so consistent when I want a sunny beach destination to just relax. It is just a matter of time... and I will be back.

This hotel is an absolute gem. The staff is incredible - so willing to go the extra mile to ensure every guest has the best stay possible. The beach is private, clean, beautiful, sheltered with all of the best amenities -- including fantastic snorkeling right off the sand (not to mention the late night manta ray snorkeling). The food was also incredible - that breakfast buffet! -- each restaurant offers something slightly different, but I couldn't get over how delicious everything was. If you're looking for a "super wild nonstop party time," I would advise to stay elsewhere, but if you're looking for a relaxing mix of fun, sun and luxury - this is absolutely the place to stay.