Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

, Kohala Coast , United States
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Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

, Kohala Coast
68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive - Kohala Coast - Hawaii - 96743 - United States Hotel Website | | 808-885-6622
593 Traveller

Reviews - Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

Historical Traveller Reviews of Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

Fairly nice place not perfect

from A TripAdvisor Member
Went to the "lani" in Oct 2002. Overall I agree with many that this hotel has a beautifully landscaped grounds/exterior the room was farily clean slightly minimalistic in a Japanese/Pacific kind of way. The staff was pleasant but not world class. In a nice way actually not overintrusive as at some high class resorts. The pool was nice but not astounding compared to kanapalli beach grand hyatt, four seasonsetc) as was the beach. Overall the atmosphere was nice and quiet as were other guests (maybe I got lucky) This is much more of a low key adult style "leave me alone place" which my wife and I appreciated. Wouldn't bring the kids here though. Food was not "world class" but my wife and i ventured out for early dinners at other locations and nice drives with sunset views. If you want more of an escape "don't bother me" about vacation to read and catch some sun plus a small amount of exploring this hotel is it. also somehow (off season?) i got a $200 roomrate which made it all the better. nice public beach called haupuna?state park up the road 5-10 miles. awesome best beach i have ever been to and i have been to caribbean, south of france, long island, florida, cali, etc

Very nice, but.....

from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Mauna Lani for four nights in mid-February 2004. We enjoyed it very much. The dry side of the Bis Island is quite different in that it's basically dead lava fields with "resorts" built right along the coasts. Anywhere there are sprinkler systems everything is lush, but because there is so little rain on the dry side of the Big Island, everything else is basically barren lava fields.

As someone else said, this is an older, classic hotel. Very beautiful grounds, nice pool area, good restaurants although quite pricey. The atmosphere seemed somewhat "stuffy". The staff was very nice but not as warm and friendly as you might have liked. It felt like they are used to dealng with wealthy guests (not us) who prefer their privacy. The pool bar was a disappointment as it was very small for a resort that size. But I must say, they serve the best Planters Punch I've ever had.
Buffet breakfasts were unbelievable and had everything to offer. The setting was right in front of the lawn overlooking the pool and beach beyond. Just great. The Canoe House restaurant was great - and we had a huge red ball sunset as we were eating dinner - how magnificent. Our favorite restaurant though was the Gallery Restaurant - overlooking the golf course and the beach beyond. Great food, service and view and cost about the same as the Canoe House. The Concierge was very helpful, in that I lost some film at the Maui airport and he made every attempt to make contact with those who could help me locate the film. We probably won't go back to the Big Island again - not because there is anything wrong with it, but because the other Hawaiian Islands are more beautiful and with more to offer.

Very Quiet and Laid Back

from A TripAdvisor Member
We were extremely satisfied with all aspects of this property. As it shares a resort area with the Fairmont Orchid, we were able to compare the two quite closely. While the Fairmont was quite crowded and frantic, the Mauna Lani was much more laid back and relaxing. Never a problem finding beach or pool chairs, never a wait for tables at the breakfast buffet. The staff was extremely helpful. Golf courses were very well maintained and quite challenging without being too punitive.
Very good resort balance. All of the restaurants were well managed and served excellent food. Dinner at the Canoe House was absolutely sublime. Of all the resorts on the Big Island, only the Four Seasons can touch it, IMO.

Fun in the sun

from A TripAdvisor Member
Our family had a little break in mid February, and this was our first trip to the Big Island. We had visited Maui back in 2003 and were excited to try a different island.

The hotel is very nice, in a classy, understated kind of way. The kids enjoyed the fish ponds in the entryway of the lobby. The grounds of the hotel are well kept, and the hotel has an interesting architectural design.

Room: We had an ocean view room on the top floor, which had was very close to the water. I would say that the room was just average, but the bathrooms are above average. Housekeeping stopped by each night for a turn-down service.

Food: We enjoyed the breakfasts the most. The lunches by the pool were just so so. We did not eat dinner at the hotel, and would usually go exploring at the nearby shops.

Water: The kids loved the heated pool. It isn't a huge pool, but it's big enough to have fun and enjoy the sun. The ocean water is very calm, especially compared to they Hyatt in Maui. The water is very shallow and kid-friendly.

Nice surprises: + Included Valet Parking. By the second day, they were greeting me by name. + Leis for everyone and cold juice as we checked in + Ice buckets in the room were re-filled every day + Free wifi access in the lobby and by the pool + The pool has a lift-chair for people who need help and are unable to use the stairs + Fresh frozen grapes and cold towels were handed out to everyone at the pool at mid day. + Wonderful ponds with turtles, fish, and even sharks!
+ Nightly music entertainment in the lobby + Perfect weather

Hated it!

from A TripAdvisor Member
This hotel was terrible!!! We tried to stay at the Mauna Lani in October 2003. Nothing prepared us for the terrible experience we had.
Our first room was right over the entrance but we could deal with that.
We couldn't deal with the ceiling fan that almost fell off the ceiling when we turned it on. We were sent to another room, but the mold smell in that room was so bad that we couldn't even enter the room. We were then sent to a third room, which smelled even worse (and there was a tray of fruit from another couple who had also turned down this room).
We contacted the manager, who told us that she didn't smell anything, and said she could only offer us one more room(!). We were not being difficult, we just wanted a room that we could breathe in. We ended up leaving and going to another hotel. We hope to go back to Hawaii sometime soon, but next time we plan to stay at a real luxury hotel (Four Seasons, here we come!)

Great Rooms and Views, Mediocre Expensive Food

from 0421
I had come to the big island for business, but on the Hilo side. I convinced my husband to join me and we spent four nights at the Mauna Lani as vacation. While I must say that the hotel was beautiful and the service was impeccable, I also thought that for the price, they should be. We had an ocean front room which was FABULOUS! We truly enjoyed our views the entire time we were in the room. Also, the room was beautifully decorated. We were there for the fourth of July when they take the sea turles and release them into the ocean which was really neat to see. We also enjoyed the fish feeding tour although we were the only adults without kids participating (it was FUN!). I also took advantage of the spa and got a massage on the beach as well as a couple of other treatments and they really coudn't have been better. I highly recommend the facial!So why didn't I give the hotel an excellent rating? We were kind of stuck at the hotel. There really isn't a lot around other than more hotels so if you want to get out and see things, it's difficult. And the island of Hawaii really has a lot to see. Also, we found the Canoehouse to be really excellent and the oceanside setting is wonderful. However, the other restaurants were only average and their prices were through the roof! By the end of our stay we weren't really excited about going to eat anymore -- just another mediocre over-priced meal.If I had it to do again, I would have spent more time in Hilo where the hotel is certainly much less plush but also one quarter the price. The attractions are nearer to Hilo and there is a little town center with some great (and inexpensively priced) restaurants. Walking up to the hot flowing lava was a highlight for us, as was a trip to the Botanical Gardens and the observatory atop Mauna Kea (I think -- the highest of the volcanoes at any rate). For me, two or three nights at the Mauna Lani would have been plenty. However, if you just want a beachy vacation without spending time seeing the sights and aren't too worried about food variety and price, the Mauna Lani is your place.

Vacation of a lifetime

from toddaz
Last October my husband and I spent a week at the Mauna Lani and it was the vacation of a lifetime. From the moment we walked into the lobby, there was a group of Hawaiian musicians and dancers performing beautiful soft music amidst the palm trees and streams flowing through the inside of the hotel. These salt water ponds and streams run throughout the property and are filled with marine fish and baby turtles, being raised for release each year as part of the hotel's turtle preservation program. Each room is gorgeous, with balconies looking over the meticulously groomed and tropical gardens, pool area and past that, to the hotel's own white sand beach and fabulous sunsets. This is more of an adult hotel, although there were many families there. It is marvelously quiet and very laid back. No discos, no screaming children, no wild and wacky pretend Hawaiian "shows". This felt like the real Hawaii. Although large, it has an intimate feel to it and very personal attention is given each guest. The concierges have any information you need about the island and will make any reservation you request. The morning's buffet breakfast is like none we've ever had - ask for a personal omelet made to order and it is made as you watch and then you sit in the open air patio, watching the tropical birds in the palm trees and the fish jumping in the streams that meander by your table. I cannot say enough about this incredible resort. Sit on the white sand beach in your own canvas covered chaise and your drink is brought to you, as you watch the blazing sunsets each evening. Walk into the calm water and within 20 feet you are face to face with a grazing, gentle, enormous turtle. Your beds are turned down each evening with a chocolate on the pillow. We will never forget the Mauna Lani (even though it costs a pretty penny).

Loved it

from original21
This was our final spot after visiting Oahu and Maui. Stayed at the Hyatt both places.This was by far the best. Hotel was referred by family members who visited last summer so we knew what to expect. It is an older place. It's not brand new, but it's classic and classy. The marble lobby is beautiful. The rooms are spacious and well appointed.
Comfortable bed with nice linens, nice private patio, very small TV, but who cares! The most distinct thing is the huge sliding wooden shudder doors that you can close at night while leaving the sliding glass door open and listen to the waves while you sleep. The marble bathrooms are beautiful and huge. The beach is incredible with hammocks and upholstered lounge chairs. The service is impeccable which overshadows any possible shortcomings. Comp. valet parking. Greeted with leis, escorted to the lobby and given fresh juice, seated for checkin, upgraded 3 room levels. They are always at your service. They replenish your ice for you daily, have standard turn down service at night. Comp. champagne sent for the honeymooners was greatly appreciated. Lots of privacy, even in the public areas. We hardly saw any of the other guests except by the pool. The pool is nice, large and clean, very plain no waterfalls or gimmicks. The beach is so great here you don't even need the pool. Separate hot tub for kids and adults is nice. Beach side dining good, a little pricy. The Canoehouse restaurant is a must. The ambiance is priceless although the menu there is also a tad high. Hope this review helps...Had this been our first stop, I am not sure we would have left!

Heaven

from onebackwardglance
Ahhh. Quiet, luxurious, elegant, understated--our stay in this hotel was like a dream, with soft, good sheets and orchids in abundance, and fellow guests who kept to themselves, even with children. I had no complaints--none. Bring your toddlers, your young kids, or just yourself(ves). You will sink into days of heaven, and won't want to leave the hotel. Not for those who are unable to completely forget about the troubles of the world.

Truly Perfect

from A TripAdvisor Member
Thanks to the other reviews of this resort we decided to stay here in early December. It was absolutely perfect. I thought the staff was outstanding and always happy and helpful. The food was excellent. We found it hard to even leave the hotel to see all of the other things on the island. In addition, their fitness center was large and had all of the newest equipment. It is going to be hard to go anywhere else after staying here.

Top Local Tips for Kohala Coast

Some great attractions in Hawaii Greenville Farms Coffee Tour - Very informative tour and good coffee. Drive up highway 190 - Simply stunning views. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden - A lot of unusual looking plants. Green Sand Beach - It's about an hour walk and can get very windy but the end result is beautiful. Hike down the cindercone. There's a mini ladder to get you down the first part and then the rest is a short climb down to the beach. Pololu Valley Beach - The hike is very steep and can get slippery if it's raining outside. Beautiful black sand beach (not good for swimming) and breathtaking views of the valleys. Hapuna Beach - A great sun-bathing beach. Makaiwa Bay at the Mauna Lani Hotel - Great snorkeling and it's never crowded.

Beach vacation don't go here if you aren't interested in ocean swimming and snorkeliing. Also, don't go if you want lots of activities and night life. This is, usually, a quiet place with gorgeous ocean scenery, lovely true Hawaiian atmosphere, exxcellent (though expensive) food. Food everywhere in Hawaii is expensive, this is no more highly priced than usual. ...

Merriman's Restaurant We drove up to Waimea one day and had lunch at this fabulous place! Great food and fairly priced for lunch. Dinner is much more expensive so lunch is the way to go. My son said the fish was the best he's ever had. A Must Do!

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Other names for Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

  • mauna lani resort
  • mauna lani bay resort
  • Address: 68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive - Kohala Coast - Hawaii - 96743 - United States
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