Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows

The hotel was a very relaxing place for our family. We loved the oceanfront location and nice beach access. The free amenities were great.....bikes, cabanas, laundry room, etc. The pool was warm and not overcrowded, but the place could use a better pool with a slide for the kids. Overall, the grounds were very tropical and beautiful to walk around and explore.

The grounds of the Mauna Lani are just amazing, in some ways it is worth it just to visit this hotel and wander the paths, salt ponds, and beaches. OTOH, the cost is quite high and I hoped that the interior of the room, while adequate, would be more modern and contemporary. The shower should not be a walkover tub to-get-in type. The Bay Terrace breakfast is quite varied and high quality (we did not do the buffet, it looked good). The Ocean Grille is best for drinks not food. The Canoe House is truly fine dining, and almost worth the expense, as the kitchen is doing fine work, and the service is very professional.

When I was a kid, I had a favorite button that pictured a man in swimming trucks and sunglasses lounging on a beach beneath a palm tree. Above him it read, "Don't bug me, I'm on vacation." I loved that button. I wanted to be in that button. The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel was the closest I've ever gotten to living the dream.

The staff was wonderful, the location was excellent - best snorkeling in Hawaii is just a 10 minute walk down the beach front (ask about it - we drove all around Hawaii snorkeling and then found that the best place was right under our noses - its not the Mauna Lani's beach but its on the "Mauna Lani Property." We got a great deal and would do it all over again. They also had FREE Wi-Fi. Only draw back - they need to get ice machines.

The Mauna Lani is a fantastic and clssic Hawaiian property, The location is picture perfect and extremenly private. Trhe beach, seascape and grounds are immaculate and the amenities (spa, workout and tennis facility, bikes, water toys, etc.) are wonderful. The only dings that I have (and they are relatively minor) is that some of the property is a bit tired and dated, and the rooms are just OK. We stayed in a corner ocean-side room (the top room they offer) and while the room was spacious, the bathroom was old offering a standard tub/shower with a dated shower curtain - OK, just not 5-star!

This is probably the best hotel my husband and I have ever stayed in. The setting, room and service were unparalled. We were so happy here, that we hardly felt the need to leave the property, but we wanted to do some sightseeing since this was our first visit to the Big Island, so we forced ourselves. You get exceptional value for the money. In contrast our nephew, who was staying a few miles away at a different resort with his family, went back home to New York a week early because they did not enjoy their stay. Accomodations can really make or break a vacation.

Hotel was beautiful, rooms very spacious with mini fridge to store your own drinks and snacks. Personnel was consistently helpful and attentive. The property is very natural and beautiful, not the least bit gimicky or contrived. Snorkeling equipt provided by hotel free of charge and snorkeling was great. Beach/shoreline was rugged and very scenic - make sure you follow the Old Fishermans Trail over the jagged rocks to the black sand beach -just breathtaking! A great bargain (probably due to the time period we visited - 2 weeks after Christmas)for a five star property.

A cozy hotel complex with amazing architecture and landscaping. Plenty of charming artificial waterfalls on lava-stone canals with exotic fish. Many places to explore just next door - historic lava field, chain of ponds with palms growing from under the sea water... Wonderful snorkeling. Fantastic cuisine of Canoe House Restaurant just on the premises. Excellent concierge service. Friendly staff.

We biked the site and walked several of the trails. The hotel offered varied activities daily, although we didn't take advantage of them because of our plans to visit heiau in South and North Kohala. Staff was always accommodating regarding information about the area, getting bikes for us and helping us with dining alternatives [the Canoe House had no convenient dining times because of the holiday crowds]. We've stayed at the hotel and along the Kohala coast several times, but this was our favorite visit.

This was the perfect place for a relaxing honeymoon. Luxurious all around. The beach was great for swimming and snorkeling (gear was complimentary). Located within an easy drive of beaches like Hapuna Beach, probably the best beach in the entire U.S. Not far from Kailua-Kona. Like the rest of the Kohala resort area, it is pretty far from the windward side and associated sites. Food choices are good but spendy (especially the breakfast buffet). Go to Kailua or Waikoloa and visit the grocery store for some food if you don't want resort faire constantly. Of course, there are great places nearby to eat. Easily the nicest place I have ever stayed at.