This is a nice hotel resort north of town of Kona, on the west shore of Big Island of Hawaii. From the first step into the spacious open air lobby to enjoying nice cocktail by the pool, this hotel has it all. The pool area is very pretty, including one family and one adults only pool and little koi pond. The beach used to look much better before the recent storm. There is a nice trail starting from the beach and going towards Mauna Kea and the north shore. We did not really eat or drink at the hotel restaurants and the bar seemed bit overpriced. Daily live music at the lobby bar was a nice surprise. There is a huge contraction going on right now by the family pool and you can hear the sounds through out the whole property Mon-Fri all day long, which is little bit overwhelming. The sister hotel Mauna Kea is also under construction.

Last year was our first time visiting and this will not be our last. We just left May 28th When we booked, the website warned us there was construction to the kids pool and restaurant. Yes, we read what was clearly typed on their website yet we were shocked that the kids pool was open. Next up, previous bad reviews about the beach aren’t true. Yes there was a major flash flood that created an unfortunate lagoon but it was there last year. It is the reality of trying to maintain balance with nature. My wife and I enjoyed crystal clear blue ocean water the entire week we were there. If you are still reading, my conclusion is near. The staff were unbelievably polite and always ready to help or even share a story. Be sure to ask because they all have lives of their own and amazing stories to share. I can’t wait to come back!! Thank you to all the staff for making this a vacation we won’t ever forget.

Based on reviews here I was eager to stay here but reluctant at the same time to book a room in advance. Upon arrival, I was immediately impressed by the stately modern, sweeping architecture and grounds. I fell in love. Sadly, I would also fall out of love just as quickly with the ambiance or lack thereof. Howard Johnson does James Bond - and here I am discrediting both. Trashy and out of place pop music blared out while my gaze was transfixed at the lobby ceiling, chandelier and the view. Then came the time to inquire about availability. The registration agent did not ask for my Bonvoy status nor did she offer a one night rate better than what can be had online. She did not offer for me to see a room. Meanwhile, the busy reception area did not radiate the confidence the architecture seemed to demand. It seemed too much of a clash of styles to warrant the room rate.

It really pains me to write this review but I think it’s time and I am writing this review while I am still at the hotel and now there’s MAJOR CONSTRUCTION going on!!!! We came here once or twice a year since 2015. It was called Hapuna Prince back then and it was perfect. This year will be our last. My review got promoted by the review before me because we have experienced EXACTLY the same. Yesterday night at 4am a blaring false fire alarm. And yes it also happened during the day. It’s not that it happened, It’s that is went completely unacknowledged by the staff. The hotel should apologize for kicking guests out of bed at 4am for nothing. MAJOR CONSTRUCTION: We woke up this morning to the sweet sounds of jackhammers. Turns out the pool bar is now closed because they decided to tear up the deck. Starting on a Friday, end of May. Classy move. They didn’t even announce that to avoid this. Now the beach. The reviewer before me mentioned a storm. Problem is the beach was messed up like this already last year. It just got worse. The Hapuna always had the most amazing beach and water. The main issue is that they created this weird artificial “cove” to the left. My guess is to make a kiddy pool or whatever. This cove fills regularly up with the debris that gets washed out and now the water is this brown muck and the beach is full of rocks. I remember a few years ago they used rakes to make the beach nice. Nothing like this was done this year. Staff is sweet and nice as always but unfortunately this place is ruined. Very very sad because we really loved it here.

Beach has been badly damaged by a storm, no swimming allowed and not as it was. Not the hotels fault but the amazing beach did allow you to overlook some of the hotel flaws. False fire alarm at 4am. They had this earlier in the day and did not fix it. Very annoying. Plumbing work so no hot water one day with little advance warning. Refused to honor platinum bonvoy late checkout despite low occupancy. Obnoxious tech company employees left beer cans and drink glasses all over the place. Staff did their best to clean up after them. Staff were in general good with minor exceptions. Food ok. Prices high but not excessive for Hawaii.