Big Island Oasis: Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection

Overall experience

Mauna Lani embraces the warm Hawaiian culture, while providing modern five-star amenities in a stunning setting. One of my biggest takeaways from my stay at Mauna Lani is how relaxed I felt while strolling the grounds, sitting on the beach, or watching the sunset over the ocean. The onsite team goes above and beyond to ensure its guests have a high-quality stay; I was so impressed by the welcoming touches incorporated throughout my time on property.

View from the onsite golf course

Location

Nestled on the northwest coast of the Big Island, Mauna Lani is located in Waikoloa. The hotel is oceanfront with a beautiful sandy beach. It’s about 30 minutes from the Kona International Airport. There is so much to do on site that you might not want to leave, but if you do want to explore the island, the hotel is within driving distance to nearby shops and restaurants, or towns such as Kailua-Kona.

Sunset on the beach

Features & amenities

The resort features two pools, one that's all ages and one that's adults only with a swim-up bar. The beautiful beach is steps from your room, and includes comfortable sun loungers, umbrellas, and dining service.

So many amenities are already included in the resort fee, such as sunrise yoga, beach cruises, bikes, pickleball and tennis, and a Mercedes car service. There is also a complimentary shuttle to take you around the Mauna Lani complex. For those who want to pack light, you’ll appreciate the onsite complimentary laundry room available 24/7.

The kids' club is complimentary for all guests and welcomes children ages 5 to 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Activities are tailored to their ages and incorporate elements of Hawaiian culture.

Beyond that, you can reserve a range of experiences throughout your stay, from water sports to spa treatments to golfing on one of the two onsite courses. My favorite experience was the sunrise canoe; it was so peaceful paddling through the water in the early morning, taking in a Hawaiian ritual to welcome the day. I also enjoyed the e-bike excursion through the petroglyphs, exploring volcanic rock formations.

A new amenity that started in 2026 is the Francis Brown Club; you can add this club access to any room type to take advantage of the private club lounge, as well as enjoy special amenities such as securing reserved beach chairs.

Lastly, the Auberge team continually enhances the resort. For example, a brand-new spa and fitness facility is being constructed, which will expand beyond the already robust facilities. And rooms are regularly refreshed to ensure the decor and quality are of top standard.

Sunrise canoe

Dining

The onsite dining is fantastic, due to its wonderful chefs. The Canoe House is the flagship restaurant located on the beachfront with an exquisite Japanese-inspired menu. Chef Rhoda Magbitang was recently named the winner of Top Chef Season 23. I sampled a lot of the menu and enjoyed it all; my favorite dishes were the lobster tempura and the Shokupan pull-apart bread.

Chef Rhoda also brought her fellow Top Chef competitors to contribute dishes to the menu at Surf Shack. The menu has a wide diversity of cuisines and flavors. I highly recommend the Summer Asada main dish.

Halani is a Mediterranean restaurant with wonderful fresh dishes and locally sourced seafood. The lemon pavlova dessert was to die for. This restaurant is also where you’ll enjoy your complimentary breakfast (through the perks of booking with us), where there are options for a wide buffet spread or delicious à la carte options. My favorite was the ube pancakes.

If you’re looking for food on the go, you can also stop by the Market for coffee or deli offerings.

Dinner at Surf Shack

Rooms

The entry-level rooms are very large, starting at 610 square feet with a private lanai. Rooms range from mountain views to ocean views. There are also options for suites, which can accommodate families in varying bed setups and have more living space.

For those seeking even more space, residences are a great fit for larger groups. They are onsite homes that feature spacious living rooms and kitchens, multiple bedrooms, a private pool, and extra services like golf cart use.

Among these options, I can help you navigate selecting the right room type for your stay.

Oceanfront King room

Mauna Lani is very popular among families and has many activities for kids. This is a fantastic location for a multi-generational trip, since there is also an adults-only pool if adults want to enjoy some time separately.

Reach out for support planning your next trip to Hawaiʻi, or to access VIP perks throughout your stay at Mauna Lani.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Hawai’i page.