Mauna Kea or Mauna Lani?

Old Jun 30th, 2005, 02:08 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mauna Kea or Mauna Lani?

Would like to hear what my Fodor Friends think of these hotels for couple in their 60's. Looking for warm, peaceful (but not stuffy) atmosphere. Also nice beach where surf won't be too rough for swimming in early February. I'm leaning towards Mauna Kea, which is about $150 a night less expensive. Heard that the TV's were really small though, and not sure hubby would like that! Is Mauna Lani worth the extra $$$?
Barbara5353 is offline  
Old Jun 30th, 2005, 03:46 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The beach at the Mauna Kea is more beautiful and people will tell you it's better, but if you don't like rough surf you won't like the Mauna Kea beach any time, especially winter! There is a nice calm beach at the Mauna Lani Point you can walk to easily from the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel if you want to really escape the waves. I have also heard guests say the tv's are small at the Mauna Kea. And, even though I like it, it has an old money atmosphere that can seem stuffy. $150 a night is alot more to pay, of course. And I don't think you can beat the setting of the Mauna Kea. But the Canoe House restaurant at the Mauna Lani is still one of the best on the island. Of course if you choose to stay at the Mauna Kea you can still dine at the Canoe House. The other thing to keep in mind is that at the Mauna Lani you are next door to the Fairmont Orchid (my other favorite calm beach and another possibility to consider with rates that should be alot better than the Mauna Kea).
tartangal is offline  
Old Jun 30th, 2005, 03:58 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I always thought the beach at the Mauna Kea was supposed to be a great swimming and snrokeling beach. Is that not true?
-Bill
iamq is offline  
Old Jun 30th, 2005, 04:30 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The water at the Mauna Kea was dead calm at the end of September last year, it was wonderful, great for swimming and snorkeling. The Kona/Kohala waters are known for being calm, though I don't really know what they're like in the winter.

I stayed at the Mauna Kea and had an awesome room...I don't remember the TV being especially small, but how big are you looking for? I guess you should ask the hotel. Although in that case, you would have to ask both hotels how big the TVs are...maybe the ML's will turn out to be smaller.

Here is my Big Island trip report where I talk in detail about the Mauna Kea: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34542623

I don't know if I would describe the MK as "stuffy". It's not like fancy-Ritz-Carlton stuffy at all. It's got this relaxing, Asian-inspired atmosphere and the employees were really friendly.

love
roxy
turn_it_on is offline  
Old Jun 30th, 2005, 06:00 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
tartangal: You must have hit bad luck when you were at the MK. Its waters are normally not rough, even in winter, except when there's an offshore storm kicking up the surf.

Barbara: At least in my opinion, if the rates you're getting at the Mauna Kea are $150/night less expensive, the decision is a no-brainer. February is high season for golfers in Hawaii, and the Mauna Lani can get crowded, depending on how many tournaments/conventions/etc are there.

Bill: Yes, the MK has a better beach and snorkeling than the ML.
fdecarlo is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mfk59
United States
8
Sep 18th, 2011 04:44 PM
cmstraf
United States
7
Jun 12th, 2011 11:22 PM
Sally30
United States
9
Aug 20th, 2003 02:53 PM
kori
United States
10
May 28th, 2003 06:12 PM
cindy
United States
6
May 23rd, 2002 11:58 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -