Review: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection (Big Island, Hawaii)

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We recently stayed the legendary Mauna Kea Beach Resort, Autograph Collection, on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Was our stay legendary? Read on to find out.

Review: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection (Big Island, Hawaii)

About Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

Mauna Kea Beach Resort is an iconic resort located on the Big Island of Hawaii. The resort was originally developed in the 1960s by hotel visionary Laurance S. Rockefeller, who was drawn to the stunning white sand beach and panoramic ocean views of the location. The resort quickly became a favorite for celebrities and affluent travelers seeking luxury and seclusion.

Over the years, the resort underwent several renovations and updates, while still maintaining its timeless and elegant charm. Today, the Mauna Kea Beach Resort is branded as one of Marriott’s Autograph Collection resorts and continues to be a top destination for travelers looking for a luxurious and unforgettable vacation in Hawaii.

At A Glance:

• Official Website: Mauna Kea Beach Resort
• Average Nightly Cost During Stay: US $1,154.00
• Loyalty Program: Marriott Bonvoy
• Loyalty Category: [Formerly] Category 7
• Discount Applied: Free 5th Night Stay On Points
• Room Type as Booked: Golf Vista, King Bed, Guest Room
• Room Upgrade: Golf Vista Deluxe
• Resort Fee: N/A
• Parking Fee: Self-Parking $30/night

Booking/Redemption

Location & Parking

Mauna Kea Beach Resort is located on the sunny Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, about a 30-minute drive from Kona International Airport. The resort sits on a 60-acre oceanfront property, which is famous for its pristine white sand beach, and offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean.

The location of the resort provides easy access to some of the island’s top attractions, including world-renowned beaches, championship golf courses, and historic sites.

The resort offered both self-parking and valet parking options, we chose the self-parking option which ran $30 per night.

Lobby

The Mauna Kea Beach Resort’s lobby is an impressive space that reflects the resort’s appreciation of art and design. Inspired by traditional Asian artwork, the lobby features soaring ceilings, an open air plan, natural materials, and stunning ocean views.

Front Desk & Check-In

Upon our arrival, we were greeted welcome drinks, and led over to a sit-down front desk area where we completed the check-in process.

We were recognized for our Bonvoy Platinum loyalty and informed that our Suite Night request had been accepted and that we had been upgraded to a Golf Vista Deluxe guest-room.

Welcome Package

Room Key

Room Upgrade Walkthrough: Golf Vista Deluxe

Room Entrance

Golf Vista Promotional Photo

Golf Vista Deluxe Promotional Photos

Golf Vista Deluxe Actual Photos

We stayed in a luxurious Golf Vista Deluxe guest room that offered a spacious suite, L’Occitane products, and tranquil views of the resort’s gorgeous golf course.

Living Area

Room Amenities

Closet

Powder Room

 Bathroom / Shower Room

    

Balcony

View From The Room

Dinner @ Copper Bar (Terrace)

For dinner, we dined at the resort’s all-day restaurant Copper Bar. The food was reasonably priced (and delicious), there was live music at night, and the service was top-notch.

Copper Menus

Dinner At Copper Bar

Dinner At Manta

The Mauna Kea Beach Resort’s Manta restaurant is a billed as its must-visit dining destination. The restaurant is named after the majestic manta rays that can be seen off the resort’s coast, and the menu focuses on fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

Guests can enjoy innovative cuisine in a beautiful oceanfront setting, with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant’s outdoor seating area is particularly popular, providing an unforgettable dining experience under the stars.

Manta Dinner Menu

We ate dinner at Manta on our second night, and we were glad we did, but one time was enough for us.

The restaurant’s setting and ambiance was very nice, if not a little too dark, and the food was very good, if not a little over priced.

We went with the Kanpachi (very good), seafood bisque, and lobster tempura. The bisque was a little light on the lobster, but good none-the-less.

I do think most guests should probably try dinner at Manta at least once as we did – but we found ourselves returning to Copper Bar.

Breakfast At Manta

For breakfast, Manta offered three options: The Continental Breakfast (which was complimentary for Bonvoy Platinum+ elites), the Breakfast Buffet (which was offered to Bonvoy Platinum+ elites as an upgrade for the price of $27 per person), or the a la carte menu.

Although we tried all three options, we found ourselves sticking with the Continental Breakfast for three of our five days there.

Complimentary Continental Breakfast (Bonvoy Platinum and Above)

Manta A La Carte Breakfast Menu

Lunch At Hau Tree

We also enjoyed the Hau Tree restaurant for lunch, which offered a more casual dining experience with a beachside location.

The Property Interior

Exhibits and Artwork

    

Gardens

Sunset Pavilion

The Property Exterior

Mauna Kea Lu’au

The Mauna Kea Beach Resort’s luau is held on the resort’s beautiful grounds, guests can enjoy a delicious buffet of island cuisine, live music and dancing, and performances by skilled hula dancers.

Manta Point

Mauna Kea Beach Resort’s Manta Point viewing area is one of the pillars of the Mauna Kea experience.

Located on the resort’s beachfront, the viewing area provides an opportunity to observe the graceful and majestic manta ray creatures up close (mostly at night when the light is on).

Guests can enjoy watching people swim with the wild mantas from the comfort of the viewing pavilion while sipping on a cocktail.

Mauna Kea Beach (Kauna’Oa Bay)

Mauna Kea Beach Courtyard

 Swimming Pool

Although Mauna Kea does have a very nice swimming pool (which is on the smaller side), it is rightfully overshadowed by the amazing Mauna Kea beach which most guests seem to choose for their swimming option.

Fitness Center (Outdoor Area)

Snorkeling Kauna’Oa Bay

Another highlight of our trip was the snorkeling experience. The resort had a private beach, Kauna’Oa Beach, which was perfect for snorkeling.

The crystal-clear waters offered a stunning view of the underwater world, and we were able to see a variety of colorful fish and sea life. The resort also offered snorkeling equipment rentals, which made it convenient for guests to explore the beautiful underwater ecosystem, especially in the area near Manta Point.

Swimming With Manta Rays

One of the most unforgettable experiences we had during our stay was seeing the manta rays. The resort offered a night-time manta ray viewing excursion where guest can wade into the water and swim to an area where they can swim with the giant rays of the ocean (or choose to watch the activity from the comfort of the viewing pavilion at Manta Point).

For us, this was an unexpected, once-in-a-lifetime experience to see these magnificent creatures up close and personal.

Golf Courses

One of the resort’s main draws were its golf courses. The Mauna Kea Golf Course and Hapuna Golf Course were both stunning. The courses were meticulously maintained and some of the most picturesque you could ever find on planet earth.

Tennis

Hiking: The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail

The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a significant cultural and historical site located near Mauna Kea Beach Resort. This trail spans over 175 miles along the coast of Hawaii’s Big Island and was once used as a trade route by early Hawaiians.

Today, visitors can hike portions of the trail, taking in the stunning views of the coastline and learning about the island’s rich history and culture.

FHOP Tip: What’s Nearby: Dining in the nearby town of Waimea. Check out Merriman’s, Big Island Brewhouse, Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ, and our personal favorite – The Fish and The Hog.

The Bottom-Line Review: Review: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection (Big Island, Hawaii)

Legendary. That is the word I’ll use to sum up our stay.

Mauna Kea Beach Resort was an exceptional destination that exceeded our expectations in almost every way. From the luxurious accommodations to the exceptional dining options and one of-a-kind apex Hawaiian outdoor experiences (like the Manta swimming, the hiking, the pure white sand beaches, and the gorgeous golf courses), this resort provided us with an unforgettable vacation.

As Platinum members of the Marriott Bonvoy program, we took full advantage of the benefits offered to us included the Suite Night room upgrade and the daily breakfast options and would highly recommend this resort to anyone looking for a luxurious and memorable getaway.

One interaction perfectly summed it up for me. I was in the golf clubhouse talking to the attendant behind the desk, and he mentioned most guests were not “first-first timers,” but rather repeat visitors who bring their families here year after year. “Mauna Kea is just that kind of a place,” he said. I guess I couldn’t agree more, because of all my travels, this is at the top of my list for a repeating annual visit.

As such, I can easily recommend Mauna Kea Beach Resort to families, large families, and couples looking for a little something extraordinary from a Hawaiian resort.

Final Rating: 9.5 out of 10 (Legendary)