The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

So this is my first TripAdvisor review and because of this stay at the Auberge I was so inclined to make an account and write a review. Earlier this year I stayed at the Auberge Goldener Hirsh in Deer Valley. First time with an Auberge property and I was blown away. I've stayed at many 5 star hotels in the US, Europe and Asia. The Goldener Hirsh was top level from the beginning. They knew our names, 5 star service all throughout our stay. Fast forward when we were planning summer and was excited that we would be staying at another Auberge. Already I was not really a Hawaii fan, the water color simply cannot compare to Bora Bora or Turks and Caicos where I was at in March earlier this year. Anyhow, we arrived at night and the check in lady wasn't super warm and when I asked if hotel was full she said it wasn't and I asked for an upgrade from Ocean View room to Ocean Front room (crossing my fingers to see if it would be my lucky 50th birthday). She said there was 7 of them and they're all unavailable. Oh well at least I tried. Next morning we wake up and open the windows and outside our balcony were palm trees and I see nothing else! Can barely even see the pool below us let alone the ocean. I proceeded to the front desk to asked to be moved and tried my luck again to get upgraded and was revealed there were rooms available but I had to pay. I decided against it but was taken aback that the original front desk agent wasn't telling me the truth! Throughout the stay, the staff just wasn't very warm or welcoming and seemed like we were bothering them. Especially a gentleman at concierge. He would say to me I'm very busy here when I was asking him a request to change dinner reservations. Isn't that his job to be busy? Felt like I was pestering him when I was simply asking polite questions. Everything was nickle and dimed. All the activities cost money and lots of it. I wanted to just shoreline fish with my boys and I couldn't borrow a fishing rod and had to sign up for an activity that is at $200 per person! For shoreline fishing!?!?! I saw some poor kids at the shore with a stick and fishing line so they could just fish for fun. The pool water was cloudy and dirty. I could barely see 5 feet in front of me. This is a pool!!! I also found a cockroach on the balcony one night when my wife and I were trying to relax outside and enjoy but that was cut short with that pest. We spend $800 on the luau and it was held behind the parking lot in front of a giant conference building. Super confusing at this level of hotel and the price we are paying this kind of make shift experience. I really had to shift my attitude on this trip so I wasn't picking apart everything. It finally dawned on me the hotel has over 330 rooms. The property really felt like a hilton with a Auberge name lipstick on it. The hotel is over $1200 a night, the food is super expensive, $30 drinks, dinners are $500+, activities are pay as you go, water quality isn't great, at best B+, not well trained staff, I would not rate this hotel hospital at all. I hope someone at Auberge sees this and manages a different property. Totally not worthy of the Auberge name. Save your money and go to Turks and Caicos!

Beautiful resort. So amazing and attentive. The staff was wonderful the rooms were clean and the vibes were so peaceful. The live music every night was magical. The food delicious. So wonderful.

Our time at Mauna Lani was truly one of the best experiences of both my husband’s life and mine. From the moment we arrived, every detail made us feel celebrated, valued, and genuinely cared for. Being welcomed with leis, receiving a beautiful ocean-view room, and finding champagne and a photo of Seth and me waiting inside made the beginning of our wedding stay incredibly special. Every part of our experience exceeded our expectations. Our accommodations were beautiful and comfortable, the food at both Hā Bar and HāLani was fresh and delicious, the drinks were wonderful, and the service across the entire property was exceptional. From the concierge and valet teams to the dining, pool bar, and resort staff, everyone was friendly, professional, attentive, and personable. We never once felt unseen or overlooked. Most especially, we cannot speak highly enough of Malia. She personally welcomed us upon arrival, walked us to our ceremony and reception locations, and supported us every step of the way. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail made us feel completely at ease during one of the most meaningful times in our lives. Mauna Lani is an extraordinary property, but it is truly the people who made our experience unforgettable. We will always be grateful for the care shown to us and for the beautiful memories we made there. We could not recommend Mauna Lani—or Malia—more highly!

Our stay at Mauna Lani was absolutely incredible from beginning to end. We stayed on the top floor in an ocean-view room, and the view was breathtaking—palm trees, beautiful lagoons, lush grounds, and the ocean stretching out before us. The atmosphere was peaceful and luxurious, the weather was perfect, and we loved paddleboarding and spending time on the serene beach. We also filmed content for our business, and the beauty and peaceful energy of the property truly inspired some of our best social media content. What made our stay especially memorable, however, was the staff. From our initial check-in to every interaction with the concierge, we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for. They remembered me by name whenever I called or stopped by with a question, which made the experience feel incredibly personal. One moment especially stayed with us. After I thanked one of the servers for bringing me coffee, he smiled and said, “Thank you for giving us jobs.” What an amazing man and such a beautiful expression of gratitude. He was also singing and bringing such joyful energy to everyone around him. He completely made our day! Mauna Lani is a truly special place, but it is the warmth, attentiveness, and genuine aloha of the people who work there that make it unforgettable. We absolutely loved our stay, wholeheartedly recommend it, and cannot wait to return!

Our stay at Mauna Lani was incredible! We loved the grounds and the hotel itself, and the staff were extremely helpful and accommodating. The views of the sunset and the well-preserved loko iʻa made the stay magical. Canoehouse was especially delicious! We'll definitely be back to enjoy Mauna Lani again.