Awesome Resorts on Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea Beach Resort 

Hawaii Island has four amazing resort areas clustered in North Kona and South Kohala on the sunny, west side of the island.   The coastal resorts are large self-contained properties with luxury hotels, white sand beaches, restaurants, shops, golf courses, and ancient Hawaiian sites.  All four resorts, Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, Waikoloa Beach, and Hualalai, are located north of Kona airport. In addition to luxury hotels, the resorts have vacation rentals in condominiums and individual homes that share the hotels’ amenities on the resort property.

One of the special things about Hawaii Island’s resorts are the pristine white sand beaches with no crowds.  To watch the sunset or sunbathe on Waikiki, you have to squeeze into a spot among the throngs of noisy people.  By the time you have had breakfast on Maui, all the lounge chairs around the pool are taken. But on Hawaii Island, the world feels a million miles away on the quiet, soft sandy beaches of the Kohala Coast.

Mauna Kea Resort

Mauna Kea Resort was developed in the 1960’s by Lawrence Rockefeller. The resort has two hotels, golf courses, restaurants, and two incredible beaches: Mauna Kea beach and Hapuna beach.  

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has 1600 pieces of Asian and Polynesian art on display and sits in front of one of the most perfect beaches in the world, Mauna Kea Beach (Kauna’oa Bay). 

Hapuna Beach and Hapuna Prince Hotel

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, also within the Mauna Kea Resort, was built in the 1990’s in front of the pristine, white sand Hapuna Beach. 

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel

Mauna Kea Resort was purchased in 1989 by Yoshiaki Tsutsumi of Seibu Railway and is managed by the Prince Hotels.

Mauna Lani Resort

The 3200 acre Mauna Lani Resort was developed by Francis Hyde Ii Brown, a state senator in Hawaii, and Noboru Gotoh, chairman of the Tokyu Corporation in the 1970s. 

Mauna Lani Resort golf tee

The resort has two hotels, golf courses, and a small shopping center with stores, restaurants, and a grocery store.  Within the resort are the ancient Kalahuipua’a fish ponds and trails along gorgeous coastline.

Bridge over fishponds to Mauna Lani Bay Hotel

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel opened in 1983 in front of a protected reef next to ancient Hawaiian fish ponds.  

Turtle sunning along the Mauna Lani coastline

The hotel raises turtles in their lobby and releases the “Honu” every July.  

White sand beaches in Mauna Lani Resort

Nearby are spectacular beaches to swim and snorkel. There are trails circling the fishponds perfect for walking or biking. 

Petroglyph Preserve next to Fairmont Orchid Hotel

The Fairmont Orchid opened in Mauna Lani Resort in December 1990 as a Ritz Carlton and has been managed by Fairmont Hotel since December 2003.  The hotel has a rugged coastline with several protected coves for swimming.  The upscale hotel has pools, hot tubs, spa, luau, and restaurants.  Next to the Fairmont is a trail to the Puako Petroglyph Reserve. 

Waikoloa Beach Resort

The 1350 acre Waikoloa Beach Resort has two hotels and golf courses. The resort’s two shopping centers have restaurants, fast food, and stores.

Ancient Hawaiian Fish Ponds in Waikoloa Resort

The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, originally the Royal Waikoloan, faces the white sand beach of Anaehoomalu Bay behind two ancient Hawaiian fishponds.  

 

Anaehoomalu Bay

Pool at the Marriott Hotel in Waikoloa Resort

Across the road from the Marriott is the ancient Kings Trail and a petroglyph preserve.

Ancient Hawaiian Trail in Waikoloa Resort

The Hilton Waikoloa Village is a resort within a resort with a train and canal boat through the large property.  

Ocean View from Hilton Waikoloa lobby

The Hilton has a protected lagoon with a sandy beach, covered walking paths, exotic birds, and huge swimming pools.  The hallways have a large art collection.  Dolphin Quest is on the property.

Canal boat ride within Hilton Waikoloa

Hualalai Resort

Hualalai Resort has the upscale Four Seasons Hotel with a spa, restaurants, golf courses, and gorgeous coastline.  

Four Seasons Ka‘upulehu Beach

The hotel is in front of Ka‘upulehu white sand beach with great walking paths.

Kikaua Point Park at Kuhio

South of Hualalai Resort is Kuhio, an exclusive residential area for billionaires with a beautiful man-made beach in front.

Check out Your IdealHawaii Island Vacation: A Guide for Visiting the Big Island of Hawaii for more information about all the incredible sites on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island.