My husband and I will be in Hawaii and Maui in April and have reservations at the Hapuna Beach hotel (ocean view) and the Four Seasons (Maui - garden view). Have been hearing some great things about the Mauna Lani and wonder if we should switch our hotel res from Hapuna to Mauna Lani. Thoughts? Have obviously heard great things about the FS so am not worried there.

We stayed at the Hapuna Prince Hotel last year and it was glorious. The pool and beach were incredible, the staff very friendly. My kids loved the hula dancing in the atrium/cocktail lounge. The meals were wonderful although very expensive. We felt a little trapped there for meals, unless we wanted to drive 40 minutes.

Isn't it like 25 minutes to Waimea for some great meals? You don't have to go to Kona.

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roxy

I posted on this same topic a few weeks back --- got good answers. Click on my screen name, and it should come up.

Both are wonderful resorts, although the Hapuna Beach Prince has a much better beach.

As for food, one has the same issue at both places. Waimea is ~25 minutes from the HBP and 35-40 minutes from the Mauna Lani. But Kawaihae (and Cafe Pesto) is just 10 minutes north of the HBP -- over the years it's become our favorite dining spot on the island.

We didn't check out the Mauna Lani, but we have stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, and it is a wonderful hotel. The beach is outstanding, and the pool area is also lovely. For $200/night (Hot Deals on their website) you can't go wrong at this hotel!

I was not impressed at all with the pool or the beach area at the Mauna Lani when we walked through the hotel. On that point alone, the Hapuna wins hands down. I would imagine the rooms and service at the Mauna Lani are better though. Agree that Cafe Pesto is a very good restaurant, an easy drive from the Hapuna and reasonably priced compared to the hotel choices.

Hapuna does have a better beach and likely a better pool. We were extremely pleased with our stay at Mauna Lani, however, and prefer the Mauna Lani resort area to the Hapuna area. Mauna Lani's pool is its weakest point. However, it is set on some truly lovely grounds--ancient fishponds, etc. I wasn't displeased with the beach, either--it's small, but more than adequate.

Thanks for the input. Guess we'll stay at the Hapuna but head out for food.