T+L’s Review of Mauna Kea Residences in Hawaii

I’ve traveled to all the Hawaiian islands, but the striking landscapes of the Island of Hawaii—lush rainforests, lava fields, pristine beaches, and even snowy summits—keep me coming back. In between the volcanic rocks often hide secret oases of crescent-shaped white-sand beaches with water calm enough to spot wildlife. One such spot is Mauna Kea Resort.

The sprawling development dates back to 1965, when businessman Laurance S. Rockefeller developed Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on an empty plot of land along Kauna’oa Bay. (The hotel is currently undergoing a multi-phase renovation that will update every aspect of the guest experience.) The oceanfront community that now includes The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Residences was voted one of the best in Hawaii by Travel + Leisure readers in this year’s World’s Best Awards.

I recently stayed at Mauna Kea Residences, within the resort, where, every evening, I savored the spectacular sunset views from the private patio of my two-bedroom residence. The residences at Mauna Kea offer privacy, luxury, and a home away from home. My residence was nestled in the Kumulani neighborhood and felt like a family beach house I’d been coming to for years.

Keep reading for a full review of Mauna Kea Residences at Mauna Kea Resort.

The Rooms

Mauna Kea Residences feature 100 residences in various configurations. Meanwhile, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel features 252 newly renovated rooms, including 10 suites. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is home to 249 rooms and suites. The residences range from oceanfront studios to five-bedroom houses, located across 11 neighborhoods.

I stayed in a two-bedroom residence in the Kumulani area, offering beautiful ocean views and a classic beach-house feel. My home-away-from-home included a large kitchen, a spacious living room with a flat-screen TV, a washer and dryer, and a peaceful ocean-facing patio that was my favorite spot to watch the sunset. While features vary by residence, some have private pools, tropical gardens, and outdoor spas.

Food and Drink

Throughout the entire Mauna Kea Resort, guests have access to nine restaurants and bars, with four of them located at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, where the premier option is Manta. This breezy restaurant offers al fresco seating and a menu highlighting the islands’ bounty, with a focus on fresh seafood such as Kona oysters and prawns. I ordered the delicious tarragon scallop ravioli and macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi. I capped the evening with the Big Island goat cheesecake, served with strawberries and balsamic vinegar, and the Bombe Alaska, a beautiful plate of macadamia parfait, meringue, and lilikoi syrup. The restaurant’s patio is just steps away from the manta ray feeding spot, which inspired its name.

Copper Bar, also located in Manta Kea Beach Hotel, is an excellent upscale pub and the perfect place to have fresh sushi or get your wing fix. The beachfront Hau Tree serves casual fare such as tacos, sandwiches, and salads. Mauna Kea Market was my go-to morning spot for coffee and musubi.

Another upscale dining option is Meridia, located at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. Set against the backdrop of Hapuna Beach, the restaurant offers Mediterranean-inspired dishes prepared with fresh island ingredients.

Activities and Experiences

Mauna Kea Residences guests have access to two beautiful white sand beaches and non-motorized water sports, along with two golf courses, nine tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, bocce ball, and freshwater pools and hot tubs. Additionally, there are two fully equipped gyms and several boutiques spread between Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.

Aside from the manta ray viewing spot, guests can also book night snorkeling excursions to see these majestic creatures up close. For the quintessential Hawaiian experience, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel offers a luau twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays).

The Spa

Mauna Kea Resort is home to Mandara spa, which has five treatment rooms, including one for couples’ treatments. The long list of therapies blends Balinese and Hawaiian healing practices—think traditional Lomi Lomi Massage that will melt away your stress, or a more intense Balinese massage, combining firm strokes and kneading to improve circulation.

Family Friendly Offerings

Mauna Kea Residences are an excellent option for families and multi-generational groups, offering a range of accommodations and amenities that blend the comforts of a home with the perks of resort living. The list of family-friendly experiences is quite long and includes two white-sand beaches, pools, snorkelling, manta ray viewing, arts and crafts, and paddleboarding.

Mauna Kea Keiki Club, or the kids’ club, operates out of The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and welcomes children aged five to 12. Activities include lei-making and nature walks.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Mauna Kea Resort offers 21 ADA-compliant guest rooms.

The resort also has a strong commitment to preserving Hawaiian culture and nature. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel showcases an impressive collection of over 550 antiques and artworks, including Hawaiian quilts, kapas, and statues.

Other sustainability initiatives include using recycled water on the golf course, limiting single-use plastics by providing each guest with refillable water bottles, and creating the island’s first electric car rental program. Guests of Mauna Kea Resort can rent a Tesla Model 3. The service includes free valet parking and charging stations. 

Location

Mauna Kea Beach is located 27 miles from the Kona International Airport (KOA). Ride share services are widely available. However, if you plan on exploring the island, renting a car is recommended. The resort offers dedicated parking spots to guests of the residences.

Book Now

Mauna Kea Beach Resort is a member of Marriott Bonvoy, which means Bonvoy members can earn points for each stay and access special discounts depending on their status tier.

Guests at Mauna Kea Residences receive exclusive discounts at the resort, including 30 percent off the Hapuna Golf Course, 15 percent off food and retail, and 10 percent off spa services.

The starting nightly rate at Mauna Kea Residences is $499.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.