montereybob

How does the Hapuna Prince hotel compare with the Mauna Kea Hotel?

Tomsd

I think you know my opinion. Not even close. One was built as a luxury resort - and the other I believe was built to be a lower price point alternative.

It's been about 6 years since I was there - and the Hapuna Prince did have a hip night club, etc. but agsain, IMO - not in the same class as the venerable Mauna Kea.

Yet - if you can get a good deal at the Hapuna - go for it. It's nice and has a good beach - but not as good as the crescent shaped one at the Mauna Kea.

matnikstym

Besides at least a $210 a night difference in price, the Hapuna Prince is not as luxurious,has a smaller television, smaller bathroom and not as high quality of sheets. The MK has been redone recently, the HP hasn't. Right next door to each other and you can use the pools and ocean front at the MK if staying at the HP. The HP is very comfortable. Use the money saved for activities or dining.

matnikstym

Hapuna Beach has been voted #1 in the world a few years back. The beach at Mauna Kea hasn't. You can use either beach when staying at either property.

DebitNM

What time of year?

We were at HBP in Oct 06 [just days before the big earthquake]. It was very quiet, no kids and we really liked it. The beach was wonderful. We had a huge room with partial ocean view. The hotel had a very zen, oriental feel to it. We had a package and got breakfast included; it had a lot of oriental foods so we knew that the guests were most likely from asia. We were only there 3 nights. It felt very luxe to us.

We walked next door to Mauna Kea to look at the hotel and spend some time on the beach. I thought HBP beach was nicer. The hotel [which has since undergone renovations] was nice, didn't see any rooms.

I now see HBP on discount sites, and it appears it has become a mid price hotel, geared more to the less demanding traveler. I get email promos from them and the prices have dropped a lot.

The beach is still the best on the island; we were there in February of this year.

I am not sure the price tag of the MK is worth it to me. A nice room is good, a great beach is what I am looking for in HI.

matnikstym

You can get an ocean view at the HP for less than a garden view at the MK.

Tomsd

Hey - I always like to find deals - and we stayed ("comped") - for a couple nights at a house by/above the Mauna Kea that had been on the cover of Conde Naste. Classic Koi pond/bridge - and we were thinking about putting an investment group together to buy it.

Didn't happen but the owners - from NY - were very gracious.

Now as for the Mauna Kea - it was designed by an all star firm - Skidmore/Owens - receiving awards when it was built - and people who know architecture will appreciate it's beauty/classic lines, etc.

But again - it's all about what you want to spend and how much time you spend in/at the resort/their beach.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea_Beach_Hotel

Tomsd

And btw: Anyone who has checked "beach ratiings" over the years knows it's all about pub.

I still say the Mauna Kea beach trumps the Hapuna.

matnikstym

pub? is that anything like dumo?

Shar

spent 5 days at the Mauna Kea in Feb. 2012. wonderful hotel and I LOVE THE BEACH....no drop off, no kelp, no rocks, easy swimming. wonderful , wonderful. some good restaurants. My only objection is the $15.00 aday for wifi so we drove to starbucks for coffee and used the free wifi. Def. worth the priace for me. we went thru Csotco travel and saved several hundred dollars.

Tomsd

OMG: They are coming out of the woodwork.

DebitNM

shar - did you ever end up eating at Alan Wongs?

Tomsd

So matn: Anything substantive to add?

Tomsd

And do agree: You can use both beaches - from either property.

montereybob

Thanks for all the responses. It sounds like MK is the more upscale property of the two.

sylvia3

Both beaches are also accessible to the public, BTW.

FrankS

Mauna Kea and Hapuna were about the same price 15 yrs ago, they since upgraded Mauna Kea and let Hapuna slip. If you consider airfare, time, etc....MK is worth the extra money

Shar

debit...Alan wongs hopefully in January with DH. BUT I just found out that is the weekend of the Pro Bowl. Somehow I thought it was the first weekend in february but NOT! Still will try 30 days in advance to see if we can get into alan Wongs even if we have to eat at 5:30 sorry this was off the subject.....