I’m writing this from my Oceanfront King Room at Mauna Lani, reflecting on several days that have gone far beyond a typical resort stay.

I was on an educational visit with Cadence Travel advisors, designed to better understand what defines this property and who it’s a fit for. Time spent touring accommodations, talking with the leadership team, and watching the culinary team at work made it clear how much care goes into every detail guests experience—especially the food.

Mauna Lani isn’t luxury in a flashy sense. It’s a place where Hawaiian culture, thoughtful design, warm service, and excellent dining come together in a way that feels grounded and genuine.

If you arrive expecting five-star amenities, you’ll find them. But I think the real value lies in how this resort makes you feel.

Location and Why Mauna Lani Was Built Here

Mauna Lani is located on the Kohala Coast on the northwest side of Hawaii Island, about 30 minutes north of Kona International Airport, in one of the island’s driest and sunniest microclimates. This stretch of coastline blends lava fields, protected coves, and historically significant landforms.

Long before it became a resort, this area was part of Kalāhuipua‘a, an ancient Hawaiian aquaculture system centered around fishponds that sustained local communities and royalty. Those ponds, along with nearby petroglyphs, remain preserved within the resort grounds today, which I think gives you much more of a sense of place at Mauna Lani than at other resorts. If you take the e-bike tour, you will also see these sites and actually learn why they matter.

Rooms & Layout — What to Book and Why

The resort’s main building forms a broad arrow shape pointing toward the ocean. In reality, it was designed by its original owner to point toward Japan!

Spacious Guest Room Options

It’s really the view and location that differentiates each room choice.

• Oceanfront rooms sit at the arrow’s tip with unobstructed views of the Pacific.
• Ocean View rooms line the upper floors on each side of the arrow, with less full ocean views.
• Partial Ocean View rooms have angled ocean views.
• Garden View rooms face tranquil lawns and tropical landscaping.
• Mountain View rooms face the back of the resort and are the lowest-priced.

(I love an ocean view, but I also love resort dining, so I always recommend leaving enough in the budget to fully explore the resort. Here, you’ll want to take the tours and eat!)

My Oceanfront King on the third floor is spacious and breezy, with a sofa, lounge chair, and a wide lanai overlooking the water.

The bathroom design is clever, with two separate vanity areas on opposite sides, so there’s no bumping elbows at adjacent sinks. There’s also a walk-in shower, with a private water closet, but no tub.

Thoughtful touches include refillable glass water bottles, an empty mini fridge, a Nespresso setup, a ceiling fan, and a beach bag for use during your stay. It isn’t overdone with a heaving minibar or multiple dishes and gadgets, but it has enough for a comfortable stay.

If you’re traveling with kids, I highly recommend ground-floor Garden View rooms. They are popular with clients because the sliding doors open onto grassy areas near the pool or facing CanoeHouse, allowing parents to relax while children tumble around within sight.

These don’t have much of an ocean view, but I’ve noticed they are sometimes priced higher than rooms with an ocean view because they are so in demand for this ground-floor feature.

Some Oceanfront Kings connect to Two Queen rooms, which is a popular family room combination. An Oceanfront Suite can also connect to an Oceanfront Two Queen room to create a two-bedroom suite.

Because I’ve toured rooms and asked many questions to the reservations and guest-experience teams, I know how to match travelers to the rooms that work for them, whether you’re a couple who values privacy or a family that needs connecting rooms. Just ask.

Gorgeous Suites

We toured quite a few suites and specialty suites, should you require a full kitchen or multiple bedrooms for your group. The best thing to do is to let me know how many adults and kids there are, your budget, and any must-haves. I can work with the team to see what they can put together! Some larger accommodations are created by connecting rooms and suites together, such as the Oceanfront two-bedroom I mentioned above.

Beach Club & Pools

You do need to choose your Big Island resort carefully if swimming is a priority. The heart of Mauna Lani is the Beach Club, a protected, reef-sheltered cove with calm, swimmable water. This is rare on the Big Island, where conditions can be rough or rocky.

A Swimmable Beach

Mauna Lani was built around a swimmable section of the coast. The beach is great for:

• Casual swimming
• Floating and relaxing
• Families with young kids
• Beginner snorkeling
• Stand-up paddleboarding
• Canoe launches for resort activities

A small nuance: The seabed is a mix of sand and lava rock, depending on where you enter. I found the access alright, but some areas are sandier than others. Even with that nuance, this is one of the best swimmable beaches on the Kohala Coast. You may want to pack water shoes for the kids.

Pretty Swimming Pools

The resort offers several pool areas, each with a different vibe:

• Main Pool: Family-friendly, lively but not loud, with ocean views
• Adults-Only Pool: Overlooks the historic fishponds; quiet and peaceful
• Keiki Pool: A shallow, sandy-bottom pool perfect for little ones
• Lap Pool at the Athletic Complex: Great for workouts or quiet swimming

Cabanas and hālaus at both the pool and beach are limited, so reserve early if shade matters to you. We used both on sunny days and they were really nice upgrades.

In case you’re wondering if you can see marine life near the resort, the answer is yes. We saw a sea turtle on the beach, which is apparently not too uncommon.

Activities & Experiences — Connecting with the Island

Mauna Lani rewards guests who participate. You can certainly relax under an umbrella all day, but the real magic unfolds when you join the people who call this coast home.

Sunrise Canoe (Very Popular)

Early one morning, I joined the Sunrise Canoe experience from the Surf Shack. Despite the name, it wasn’t dark when we launched, just that luminous Big Island dawn golden light. After a short paddling lesson, our guides led us about a mile offshore to greet the rising sun over Mauna Kea.

They explained how Hawaiians begin the day by honoring the sunrise, setting intentions, and connecting to the ocean that sustains them. It was spiritual without feeling staged and also quiet, moving, and deeply grounding. Some guests swam while others stayed in the canoe, watching the light change. We paddled back in silence, fully awake in every sense, ready to greet the day.

It’s one of the most popular tours they offer, despite the early start. Just wear sun protection, maybe shorts or water leggings, and a bathing suit if you plan to jump in.

Snorkeling by Canoe

The next day, I returned to the water for a guided snorkeling tour, again launching in an outrigger canoe. Everything you bring will get wet, so leave valuables behind and wear a UV shirt, swimwear, and a hat you don’t mind soaking. We saw sea turtles, octopus, rays, and tons of reef fish.

Our guides, Ben and Keanu, dove effortlessly to point out octopuses and eels while keeping the group together. On the return trip, a pod of dolphins rode the wake beside us, which was 100% the kind of moment you usually only see in nature documentaries. Even if you spot only reef fish, it’s worth it, but we happened to see so, so much.

E-Bike Tour & Cultural Sites

That afternoon, we switched gears for an e-bike tour to explore the resort’s ancient fishponds, lava-tube cave, and nearby petroglyphs.

The ride is easy and scenic, revealing how expansive the property truly is. Our guides shared stories about how these sites tie to local history and daily island life — a living classroom in motion. I kept my bike on the lowest electric setting because I was grateful for some exercise with all the outstanding food we were eating all day long.

Lei Making and Daily Workshops

Inside the resort, daily activities range from lei-making to hula classes. During my session, we learned how to string orchids using long hooked needles and heard about where the flowers are grown. It’s simple, meditative, and surprisingly satisfying, and one of the complimentary resort activities for guests!

The Truly Excellent Dining

I was seriously unprepared for how good the food at the resort is. Mauna Lani is an excellent place for foodies.

CanoeHouse

The resort’s signature restaurant, CanoeHouse, is widely regarded as one of the Big Island’s best dining experiences (if not the best). We feasted on Japanese-inspired coastal cuisine prepared by Chef Rhoda. You should order the Shokupan bread (fluffy Japanese milk bread), corn ribs, daikon salad, lamb chops, and fish.

The menu changes often, but every dish honors Hawaii’s ingredients and sense of place. The benefit of being in a large group is that we were able to try all of the popular menu items.

If you are staying at the adjacent Fairmont Orchid or Rosewood Kona Village, make a reservation to eat here. You can walk!

HaLani

We ate here quite a bit for the outstanding breakfast buffet and also twice for dinner.

Let’s start with breakfast. You can choose between an à la carte menu and a plentiful buffet. The latter offers an omelet station, a baked goods section (try the mochi donuts and malasadas), some gluten-free and salad options, boxed cereals for kids, lots of tropical fruit, local favorites like hamachi and ube hash, eggs, and a rotating house specialty pancake or French toast.

The à la carte menu has something you should order at least once or share with the table: ube pancakes. I couldn’t get them to photograph well, but the combination of the fluffy ube pancake with the ube syrup is just special. I’ve since tried a few versions near my house, and they’re not the same, not even close.

For casual dinners, HaLani turns into a Mediterranean menu. Order the Wood-Fired Bread Balloon and at least one dip (preferably a trio) to go with it. When you pop the air out of the balloon, it collapses into a moist, thicker, pita-like bread that is so delicious.

We also tried the kanpachi, chicken tagine, roasted cauliflower, zucchini chips (highly recommend), kebabs, and basically all of the desserts (I recommend the s’mores dessert we ate).

Ha Bar

The hotel bar is adjacent to HaLani. It’s really a lovely place to bring your laptop and work (yes, I had to do that) or pull up to the bar for a fun drink. It serves small plates, a burger, and pizza, but you can also order from the full restaurant menu.

Room Service & Casual Eats

One morning, I ordered room service before heading out for the day. The muesli, topped with ube, diced apple, and dried figs, was more like overnight oats—so good I ordered it twice.

The attendant was always cheerful and efficient, and while I did sign the bill (a small procedural difference from Four Seasons breakfast service), everything felt polished and friendly.

Downstairs, The Market is one of the best resort grab-and-go outlets I’ve seen. It’s huge with a coffee bar, refrigerators full of probiotic sodas, vegan yogurt, and even local gifts like honey and lava salt.

The adjacent deli prepares sandwiches, poke bowls, and sushi-to-order, perfect for a beach day or early departure. It had a nice selection of gluten-free options and other dietary needs. If I had one criticism of the resort dining, it’s that my poke was oversauced, but still good. I’d call that a win for how long we were there, eating every meal in-house.

Surf Shack

Steps from the beach, Surf Shack embodies Mauna Lani’s understated sophistication, with coastal dishes that are relaxed but beautifully executed. Lunch here is ideal for fresh fish tacos, salads, and tropical cocktails under the palms. They serve dinner here, too.

Culinary Creativity & Classes

During my stay, the resort hosted a private dinner for our Cadence group — a creative, off-menu showcase that highlighted the resort’s commitment to flavor and artistry. While guests won’t find this exact dinner on the menu, that same inventiveness runs through every outlet.

Even the Mai Tai-making class ties into the resort’s food philosophy. I learned they serve about 498 Mai Tais per day across the property, each crafted with local spirits and house-made mixers. Now I know how to make a proper one — though I doubt it will ever taste quite the same without the ocean breeze.

Wellness, Fitness & Golf

You’ll want to stay active with all of the excellent dining to take advantage of.

Spa & Wellness

The spa inside the main building has four treatment rooms and a small boutique stocked with skincare and gifts. It’s intimate rather than sprawling. Treatments are of high quality, but avid spa-goers should know there’s no large lounge area with a steam room or sauna yet.

Another spa space near the off-site athletic complex hosts group events or mini-treatments for meetings, rather than traditional day spa services.

Fitness & Sports

Two fitness zones serve different purposes. The main building gym offers cardio machines, free weights, and even outdoor TRX rigs.

About ten minutes away by foot or resort bike is a larger athletic complex with tennis and pickleball courts, a lap pool, and dedicated studios for group classes. You’ll also find more extensive cardio equipment and weights here. It feels more like a private athletic club than a hotel gym.

Oceanfront Golf

We took golf carts out to see the most picturesque holes. Golfers can choose between two championship courses:

• The South Course draws the most photos thanks to its oceanfront holes.
• The North Course earns praise from serious players for its design and challenge.

Both are open to the public, and the clubhouse bar and pro shop are worth a stop, even if you never swing a club.

The People & the Spirit of Ohana

If Mauna Lani has a defining quality, it’s the people. Many have worked here for decades. They know the land, the tides, the fishponds, and the cultural history that gives this place meaning.

After our bike tour, it was fun to buy a fresh coconut to rehydrate. This little stand isn’t there all the time, but not only did we drink some excellent coconut water, we learned the difference in how it tastes whether you choose an old or a young coconut. I love this kind of thing.

You’ll likely meet Auntie Anne and Uncle Dave, longtime cultural stewards who play a central role in the resort’s storytelling and cultural programming. Everyone in my industry who knows the hotel knows them, and they treated us to a special hula and ukulele performance during our visit.

This sense of continuity and pride runs through the entire staff from the water-sports team to the culinary program to the leadership behind the scenes.

And, There’s a Resort Dog

Her name is Mika, and she’s just lovely. Visiting kids obviously love her.

Who Is Mauna Lani a Fit For?

What’s awesome about the Big Island is that there is a resort for nearly everyone. They’re all different in their own fabulous ways.

Mauna Lani tends to resonate with travelers who want luxury that feels relaxed, grounded, and genuinely Hawaiian, rather than highly choreographed or overly formal. I’ve booked it successfully for couples, multigenerational families, and smaller family groups who value comfort, space, and cultural depth over flash. People in my personal network and family give Mauna Lani glowing reviews, too.

I’m going to address some FAQ here that I receive all the time to help you decide which Big Island resort might be a fit for you. As a disclaimer, I gladly book all four, but each has its pros and cons.

• Guests who are also considering Four Seasons Hualalai choose Mauna Lani for a more approachable price point and less ultra-luxury.
• For those comparing Rosewood Kona Village, Mauna Lani generally works better for families. We love Rosewood, and it has kids’ activities, but feel it’s more suited to couples.
• Mauna Kea is more of a contender lately, thanks to its renovation and fantastic beach, but I’ve booked Mauna Lani instead for couples who didn’t see the value in paying more and resonated more with Mauna Lani’s spirit.
• Fairmont Orchid is next door, with a more typical resort footprint and usually a lower price point. People choose Mauna Lani for the stronger culinary program and sense of place when budget permits.

The Best Way to Make Mauna Lani Reservations

In addition to our connections at the resort, we can enhance your stay with Virtuoso amenities. These include:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Buffet Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the hotel restaurant
• $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Feel free to add a comment with any questions, and I will answer them!