Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

Rooms and suites

Rooms are large for Hawaii, from about 589 to 880 sq ft including the lanai, and suites run from about 1,252 to 1,610 sq ft. Categories range from golf view rooms to beachfront and oceanfront rooms, with suites at the top.

• Golf Vista and Golf Vista Deluxe rooms
• Beachfront and Premier Ocean Front Deluxe rooms
• Beachfront Suites and Deluxe Suites
• Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea Suites

Restaurants and bars

This is not an all-inclusive resort, so meals are paid as you go. Dining ranges from a breakfast buffet overlooking the bay to casual beachside lunches, a golf clubhouse restaurant and themed evenings.

• Manta: open-air, ocean-view restaurant with a breakfast buffet, Sunday brunch and island-inspired dinners, plus the Manta Lounge
• Hau Tree: beachside spot for tropical drinks, smoothies, poke wraps, burgers and casual seafood dinners
• Copper Bar: cocktails, sushi and flatbreads with views over the bay
• Number 3: golf clubhouse restaurant for lunch
• Mauna Kea Lu’au: traditional Hawaiian lu’au with a buffet
• Clambake: Saturday night beachside seafood buffet

Beach, pools and spa

Kauna’oa Bay is the main draw, with soft white sand and calm water much of the year. Snorkel gear, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available at the beach.

The hotel has one outdoor pool. Mauna Kea Spa by Mandara offers massages and body treatments, and there is also a hair and beauty salon.

Because the hotel faces a protected bay rather than open surf, mornings are usually the calmest time for a swim or a paddle. The Hau Tree is right on the beach for lunch or a drink without changing out of your swimwear. Winter swells can make the water rougher at times, so it is worth asking the beach staff about conditions each day.

Activities and entertainment

Golfers can play the Mauna Kea Golf Course, an 18-hole championship course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1964 and updated by Rees Jones in 2008, with a driving range and pro shop. The Seaside Tennis Club has 11 courts just north of the bay.

Children aged 5 to 12 can join the Mauna Kea Keiki Club, which runs daily for a fee.

Beyond the resort, the Big Island is the place to see active volcanic landscapes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, snorkel with manta rays at night off the Kona coast, and drive up toward the summit area of Mauna Kea for stargazing. The small town of Kailua-Kona has shops, coffee farms nearby and a waterfront promenade.

Who it’s best for

• Best for: couples and families who want one of the Big Island’s best swimming beaches, golfers, and travelers who prefer a classic, low-key resort.
• Consider another resort if: you want an all-inclusive plan, multiple pools or lots of nightlife on site.

Getting there from Kona International Airport

Kona International Airport (KOA) is about 27 miles south of the hotel, roughly a 30-minute drive north along Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway (Route 19). The hotel entrance is just past Hapuna Beach State Park.

The drive from the airport passes the Waikoloa resort area, which makes a convenient stop for groceries or supplies on the way in.

A rental car is the most practical way to get around the Big Island, since resorts on the Kohala and Kona coasts are spread out and many highlights are a long drive away. Taxis and ride-share cars are available at the airport if you prefer not to drive.

Good to know

• Not all-inclusive; meals and drinks are paid separately
• Keiki Club for ages 5 to 12 runs daily for a fee
• Breakfast is included with some suite categories
• The hotel is part of Marriott Bonvoy (Autograph Collection)