For four days on the Big Island in June, would like a very nice place but don't want to spend $860/nite to stay at the 4 Seasons. Are there other special hotels that aren't that costly? Thanks.

Mauna Loa & Hapuna Prince are both nice. Hapuna has the best beach on the island.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Mauna Lani Hotel. Beautiful grounds, great staff and very nice beach. Very good dining as well. Interesting history in that former royal sacred grounds are located on the property.

Another vote for the Hapuna Beach Prince. We are leaving next week for our third trip there.

Hapuna Beach Prince - we loved it! It is kind of remote, so a drive to go to dinner at offsite restaurants is needed, so you'll need a car rental.

The beach is glorious!!!

IT was a very serene place, not much nightlife although evenings in the atrium, there was music.

Deb

Another vote for Hapuna Beach Prince. If you go there be sure to take the breakfast buffet option.

Until the Mauna Kea reopens in late 2008?, I think the Hapuna is a nice hotel on a great beach. Maybe not as luxe as the 4 Seasons, but still nice. You might also consider the Kona Village Resort for a special place. The accomodations are more basic, but the setting and overall atmosphere is very relaxing.

Poster #2 must have meant Mauna Kea. I don't know of any hotel named the Mauna Loa.

We also liked the Mauna Lani (sp?), and the Orchid next door looked very nice, too. The Hapuna beach is great, and you can use it even if you don't stay at that hotel.
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Sorry, I meant Mauna Lani

We stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince and really liked it. It's kind of understated elegance, nice but not over the top. The beach there is absolutely gorgeous.

Another Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel fan here. Not in the same class as the 4 Seasons, but very nice and in a much more reasonable price range. The pool area and beautiful beach make the property for me.

Hey, how about Hapuna Prince?

We love the hotel, beach, grounds, and the spectacular view during breakfast.

I have the feeling I am going to run into many Fodorites on my next Hapuna visit.

I'm noticing a trend here....

Sssshhh - If they realize how nice it is, the prices will escalate to 4S rates. ssssshhhh.

There is a very nice Fairmont Hotel on the Big Island.
We stayed at the Hilton which is a huge mega resort with lots of action and people! We liked it. We did visit the Fairmont and it was nice and much quieter and more reserved. We did not go to the Four seasons.
We did go to Hapuna Beach to swim and boogie board and it was a nice beach. We never saw the hotel.
Good luck.

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Orchid. I think it's the Fairmont, now.

Anyways, it is quiet, classy, and luxurious. Beautiful!

I mentioned the Orchid above.
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From places I've stayed:
Orchid
Mauna Lani (just for the beach)
Hapuna - a lot of people love the Hapuna but I was completely underwhelmed. Grest beach but ML's is better. The Orchid has a great spa, liked the rooms and covered canopy chairs, bathroom products.

4 Seasons tops all of the others easily but $860 is crazy. June, July, & August is high time for Hawaii with children out of school, you'll be paying top $$ everywhere. Have a great trip