Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Big Island

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

An architectural trend-setter, this hotel features golf, gardens, and 1,600 Pacific and Asian artworks. A beautiful white-sand crescent beach tops a list of amenities also including a swimming pool with ocean view; salon, fitness center, and activities such as star-gazing. Ceiling fans cool guestrooms with louvered shutters and locking screened entries. All accommodations have tile floors, teakwood furnishings, and watercolor artworks.

Inspired by its environment, the hotel set architectural trends when opened by businessman and conservationist Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1965. Its open-air, blue-tiled entryway has sand-colored concrete and seven-story palm trees. Staff and guests here include multiple generations of families.

Mauna Kea's golf course is built over black lava rock, and golfers can still tee off over an ocean inlet at the third hole. Public spaces feature 1,600 Pacific and Asian artworks from founder Laurance Rockefeller's private collection—including one of only three known 7th-century pink granite Buddhas from India. Lifeguards watch swimmers, snorkelers, and sailors at the hotel's beautiful, white-sand crescent beach, and the large pool has an ocean view. Guests can choose from excursions, craft classes, lu'aus, and many recreational activities.

Mauna Kea guests enjoy the amenities of the resort's companion, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, which includes a golf course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. A shuttle between Mauna Kea's hotel, oceanfront tennis courts, and golf course; and Hapuna Beach's lobby, golf clubhouse, and fitness center departs every 20 minutes.

The resort's helipad is used by helicopters offering private aerial tours of the Big Island. The concierge can also help guests arrange activities such as parasailing or bicycle tours on the island. Lifeguards are on duty at the hotel's white-sand crescent beach, and snorkel gear, kayaks, boogie boards, and sailboats are available for rent.

This hotel has 310 guestrooms, all of which include teakwood built-in closet drawers and sliding closet and lanai doors. Louvered shutters, ceiling fans, and locking screened entries offer an alternative to air conditioning. Each room has postcard reproductions of an original watercolor on its walls. Additional room furnishings include teak writing desks and rattan chairs. Bathrooms have a second phone, Neutrogena toiletries, lace-edged shower caps, bathrobes, and slippers. All rooms have lanais with a table, chairs, and lounge chairs.

The Pavilion at Manta Ray Point - Architecture is inspired by 18th-century Buddhist temples. Two large bronze Japanese koi and a 9-foot diameter Japanese bronze bowl filled with small fish and water lilies sit at its southern entrance. The dining room has hardwood floors and glass doors that open to additional lanai seating. Breakfast service includes an á la carte menu, Continental, or full buffet. The gourmet dinner menu features native Hawaiian ingredients and such dishes as Big Island ahi sashimi, Waimea tomato and sweet Maui onion salad, and macadamia nut-crusted prawns with grilled pineapple rice and chili butter sauce.

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