Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Waimea, Hawaii, United States
Navigate to the beach after sunset with a flashlight—the crescent shoreline is one of the few spots where you can swim with manta rays that come close to shore at night.
Built on the pristine crescent-shaped shores of Kaunaʻoa Bay, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel stands as Hawaii's pioneering luxury resort. Developed by Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1965 as the first resort hotel on the Big Island, this iconic property has welcomed generations of travelers to embrace the spirit of aloha. The American Institute of Architects honored the hotel with an Award in 1967 for its architectural excellence, and it made the AIA's top 150 America's Favorite Architecture list in 2007.
The hotel showcases a remarkable collection of museum-quality Asian and Oceanic art and artifacts curated by Rockefeller, transforming the property into an open-air museum and art gallery. Located on Hawaii Island's sunny Kohala Coast, the 60-acre property sits on America's top-rated beach, offering an excellent oceanfront experience where volcanic peaks meet white sand.
Rooms and suites
The hotel features 252 spacious rooms and suites, each appointed with a private lanai (Hawaiian verandas). Guest rooms range from 589 square feet up to 880 square feet in the deluxe category, with even more generous space in premier and suite categories. Rooms feature personal filtered water refill stations, custom-designed furnishings, comfortable bedding, and spa-inspired bathrooms.
The Main Tower offers oceanfront rooms and golf views with generous furnished lanais. Beachfront Wing guest rooms provide prime beachside location, with ground floor rooms offering direct beach access from the patio and connecting rooms available for families. The premium suites feature expansive living areas, separate bedrooms, and oversized bathrooms, with options like the Kohala Suite overlooking the championship golf course and Kohala Mountains, and the Hualalai Suite offering views of Kaunaʻoa Bay.
Amenities and experiences
Five restaurants and bars including Manta for oceanfront breakfast and dinner with locally sourced cuisine, Copper Bar for shareable plates and craft cocktails, Hau Tree for beachside casual dining, and access to sister property The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort restaurants via complimentary evening shuttle.
Two championship 18-hole courses—the award-winning Robert Trent Jones Sr. Mauna Kea Golf Course and the links-style Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay-designed Hapuna Golf Course.
Award-winning oceanfront Seaside Tennis Club featuring 10 tennis courts and four pickleball courts, rated the best Tennis Club in Hawaii and number four in the world.
Full-service Mandara Spa offering Balinese and Hawaiian-inspired treatments, massages, facials, aromatherapy, and couples treatments, plus Mauna Kea Beauty Salon for hair treatments, manicures, pedicures, and bridal services.
Beach Club with complimentary floaties, boards, gear, canoes, kayaks, snorkeling equipment, boogie boards, and paddle boards on the world-renowned Kaunaʻoa Beach.
2,500-square-foot fitness center with cardio and strength-training machines, outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees and padded chaise lounges.
Keiki Club Adventures program for children ages 5–12 with supervised activities including hula dancing, arts and crafts, and sandcastle building, plus authentic Hawaiian luau experiences.
Complimentary art gallery tours showcasing The Mark collection of museum-quality pieces, plus Hawaiian cultural activities offered daily.
How to get here
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is located approximately 26.5 miles from Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), about a 30-minute drive along the sunny Kohala Coast. Tesla Model 3 rental vehicles are available at hourly, daily, or weekly rates, complete with 275 miles of range, free resort valet parking, and inclusive charging fees. The resort provides valet parking and is positioned within easy reach of the Big Island's diverse attractions, from volcanic landscapes to tropical rainforests.
