The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

It was an over-the-top special experience for my husband's 50th birthday...from the food to the special unexpected birthday touches, to the wide range of activities we could book or launch directly from the hotel. The staff, especially John Barton in the restaurants, treated us like kings.

The Mauna Lani was one of the first high-end resorts we stayed at many years ago, and we have returned several times over the years. It had been quite a while since our last visit, so we were especially interested to see how the property had changed. The Mauna Lani has undergone several renovations and ownership changes over the years, but it remains a beautiful resort where the staff has a wonderful way of making you feel special. The resort offers several pools to suit different needs, including an adults-only pool, a main resort pool, and a children’s pool designed to resemble a beach. Of course, there is also the Pacific Ocean and a marvelous beach right on the property. The atrium-style hotel is surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds and offers a full-service spa and fitness center. You can even rent bicycles to explore the expansive resort grounds. One of the biggest changes since our last stay was the Francis H. I‘i Brown experience and its private lounge. It is an additional-cost option that provides an elevated level of service throughout your stay. It certainly isn’t necessary to have a memorable stay at the Mauna Lani, but it adds something special. The lounge feels more like a private home than a traditional hotel club lounge, with a comfortable living room, kitchen and pantry area, and private outdoor deck. Breakfast is served in the morning, snacks are available throughout the day, and hors d’oeuvres are offered in the evening. There is also a wide selection of beverages and desserts, including homemade ice cream. One of the more unusual features is that many of the drinks and snacks are tucked away in pull-out kitchen drawers, allowing guests to simply help themselves whenever they like. What really distinguishes the Francis H. I‘i Brown experience, however, is the concierge service. Check-in and check-out are handled privately in the lounge, and the staff can take care of virtually anything you need during your stay, including golf, spa, and restaurant reservations. Instead of figuring out whom to call or where to go, you simply ask the lounge staff and they take care of it. The Francis H. I‘i Brown experience is pricey and certainly won’t be for everyone. You can still have an exceptional stay at the Mauna Lani without it. But if you are looking for an elevated, more personalized, and stress-free resort experience, it is definitely worth considering. After all these years and all the changes to the property, the Mauna Lani remains a special place. The beautiful setting and amenities are certainly part of the appeal, but it is the service and the way the staff makes you feel welcome that continue to make the resort memorable.

We were able to take family photos with Coral Photography and had a wonderful experience. They captured our whole family beautifully and were wonderful to work with!

Mauna Lani is indeed a 5-Star Resort. It is very expensive, but it is worth every dollar. It is not necessarily a place to party, but definitely a place to relax and enjoy. For a truly 5-Star experience, Mauna Lani is the place.

Been visiting the Mauna Lani for 33 years so this review is VERY biased. Visited many times over that 33 years and I love the place so much. A few quick thoughts. Did the new Club and highly recommend it. With the price of food and drink at the resort I really feel I received fair value for what I paid. The staff there is TREMENDOUS. If we ever go back to the Mauna Lani we will be using the Club. Great job. The people who run the food at the Beach Shack should be ashamed of themselves. Total joke to pay $28 for fish tacos and receive 2 tiny pieces of fish, some slaw, and a bag of chips. Ran into other guests that had the same experience. NOT GOOD. To Management, this is not the Auburge. That is the management company that manages the resort. This is the Mauna Lani. To a long time guest hearing an employee refer to it as the Auberge was almost insulting. Please stop, it is the Mauna Lani! Will I go back? I hope so, but we live in NC so it is a long trip when beach resorts in the Caribbean and Florida are so much closer. But I have no qualms recommending the Mauna Lani. It is one of my favorite places on Earth.