Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection on the Island of Hawaii, a Michelin Key One-Key property, consistently receives high praise for its serene oceanfront setting, exceptional service, and thoughtful design following a significant $200 million renovation. The resort, nestled on the Kohala Coast, blends understated elegance with a soulful Hawaiian vibe, making it a favored destination for various travelers.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Mauna Lani is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently expressing their desire to return. It's often described as a luxurious, intimate, and boutique five-star resort despite its 333 rooms and suites. The atmosphere is noted as laid-back and soulful, offering a true sense of relaxation and escape from busy mainland life. It caters well to families, couples, multi-generational groups, and even solo travelers, striking a balance between family-friendly amenities and opportunities for quiet respite.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Mauna Lani:

• Service: The service is frequently highlighted as excellent, attentive, personalized, and friendly, with staff making an effort to get to know guests.
• Location & Vibe: The spectacular oceanfront setting and the ability to enjoy activities like surfing and snorkeling directly off the beach are major draws. The overall "vibe" is described as fun, cool, and relaxing, especially around sunset with live music. The resort's design fosters an immediate sense of vacation.
• Design & Ambiance: Following a 14-month, $200 million renovation completed in 2019-2020, the resort boasts a beautifully revamped, open-air, retro-modern design with clean and contemporary aesthetics, natural beach elements, warm woods, and subtle coastal tones. The grand, multi-story lobby with its cedar flooring, tropical plants, and an outrigger canoe centerpiece is particularly impressive.
• Amenities: The resort offers a range of top-notch amenities, including world-class pools (an adults-only pool, a large family pool, and a sand-bottom baby pool), a well-fitted indoor/outdoor fitness center with Peloton bikes, tennis courts, and an Auberge Spa. Ocean sports with Kainalu guides, including surfing lessons and complimentary boogie boards, are highly praised. Free bike rentals allow guests to explore nearby shops and restaurants. The resort also has a sea turtle conservation program.

Room Quality

The rooms at Mauna Lani are described as comfortable, well-appointed, and tastefully decorated, with chic interiors inspired by local beauty. They feature understated, natural decor, hardwood, natural fabrics, and textures. Many rooms offer private balconies or lanais with mountain or ocean views, and most rooms are designed to have ocean views. Guests appreciate the firm mattresses, good shower pressure, quality bath products, and in some suites, a large freestanding tub. Modern conveniences like master control light switches by the bed are also noted. However, some guests have found the standard rooms to be a bit smaller than expected, with a small sitting area, and some standard rooms may not include a bath. Oceanfront suites and two-bedroom villas offer significantly more space and amenities, including butler service and Moke cars.

Dining Experience

Mauna Lani provides a world-class culinary experience with several dining options.

• CanoeHouse: This iconic, oceanfront restaurant is highly recommended for its spectacular setting, especially at sunset, and fantastic food and service, featuring farm-fresh, dynamic dishes with locally sourced ingredients.
• HāLani: The main restaurant, HāLani, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with local ingredients and inspired dishes. The breakfast buffet is generally considered wonderful with endless, high-quality options, though service can sometimes be inconsistent.
• Hā Bar & Grill: This spot is praised for its casual dinners, like incredible fish tacos, and a lively atmosphere with live music and prime sunset views.
• The Market: A convenient cafe and deli for grab-and-go snacks, drinks, coffee, sandwiches, and essential personal care items.
• Surf Shack: A fun oceanfront spot for activities, lawn games, live music, local beer, craft cocktails, and Hawaiian sunsets.

While the food quality is generally very good, some guests have noted inconsistencies in meals at HāLani.

Service & Staff

The service at Mauna Lani is a standout feature. Guests frequently describe the staff as excellent, friendly, attentive, and personalized. Many mention staff going above and beyond, such as remembering coffee orders by the last day or offering to take sunset photos. Housekeeping service, in particular, has received shout-outs for its exceptional quality. Bellmen and valet service are also highlighted as great. However, a few isolated incidents of less attentive service at breakfast or awkward check-in experiences have been mentioned.

Location & Accessibility

Mauna Lani is situated along the scenic Kohala Coast of the Big Island, approximately a 25-minute drive (23 miles) north of Kona International Airport (KOA). The resort's 34-acre oceanfront site includes a half-mile of coastline and historic ponds. While rideshare services are limited, car rentals and private transportation are readily available. The location is ideal for outdoor activities, with protected beaches great for kids and excellent snorkeling and surfing directly from the resort. The resort is also within easy reach of popular attractions.

Value & Pricing

Mauna Lani is a luxury property, and its pricing reflects this. Rates for entry-level mountain view rooms start at under $700 per night, while two-bedroom villas can go up to around $5,000 per night. Some guests have noted that while the initial room rate might be around $1,000 per night, many activities come with additional fees, which can feel like an "upsell" given the daily resort fee of around $45. Virtuoso benefits, when booked through a travel agent, can offer good value, including daily breakfast and resort credits. Overall, while expensive, many guests feel the experience is worthwhile, especially at favorable rates, though some indicate they might not consider it at higher price points.

Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Room Size: Entry-level rooms are occasionally described as smaller than expected for a luxury resort, with limited sitting areas and sometimes lacking a bathtub.
• Activity Costs: A common complaint is the additional cost for most activities beyond the daily resort fee, which some find off-putting.
• Inconsistent Breakfast Service/Food: While the breakfast buffet quality is high, service at breakfast has been described as sometimes lackluster or inconsistent.
• Noise at Pools: Some guests, particularly those without children seeking a quiet retreat, have found the family pool area to be very noisy with many screaming children, which can impact the relaxation of nearby areas, including the adults-only pool due to its proximity.
• Spa Facilities: The spa has been described as basic, lacking facilities like a sauna or ice plunge, meaning there's little reason to visit unless getting a specific treatment.
• Construction Noise: On rare occasions, guests have experienced loud construction work, such as lobby resurfacing, without prior notification.

Sources

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