abramsdn

Looking at staying at one of these two resorts on the Big Island in January. I understand they have the same management and are right next to each other, and was wondering why I would choose one over the other?

gigib

Is price a factor? Last August we stayed at the Hapuna for $217/night including breakfast for two, while the same deal (40th anniversary special) at the Mauna Kea was $345. Look at the opinions on this forum plus TripAdvisor for some input.

fdecarlo

The Mauna Kea is smaller, more private (see below) and has quieter grounds, while the HBP is newer and has a better pool.

Both the MK and HBP have their own beaches. The MK's is a little more scenic and secluded. The HBP gets overflow traffic from the large public beach that adjoins it, so its beach is sometimes more crowded than the MK's.

If you're aiming for the least expensive class of room I'd recommend the MK over the HBP. A worst-case scenario for the HBP's Terrace View rooms is having a lovely view of a rooftop and air conditioning ductwork of the building in front of you. Requesting a room toward the south end of Building 5 will avoid this issue.

The MK has what's generally considered to be the best Sunday brunch on the island.

As for property amenities don't spend too much time debating one hotel over the other, as your room rate includes use of facilities at both places.

abramsdn

Thanks for the info so far. What are the main differences in the rooms? Given that the Hapuna is newer, are their room nicer or bigger? We're probably looking at a Mountain View room. How far are these rooms from the beach at each place?

fdecarlo

The HBP's rooms are bigger, 600 sq ft compared to the MK's 400-450 (depending on floor number -- first floor units at the MK are slightly larger) and furnishings are newer. Most of that square footage difference is in the bathrooms: the HBP's are larger, with dual sinks, larger shower, and the toilet is partitioned from the rest of the bathroom.

The MK's mountain view rooms are closer to the beach, although both hotels are set back from the sand... about 100' at the MK and double that at the HBP's rear building, where its mountain view/terrace view rooms are located. Even the HBP's "oceanfront" building is set back about 100'.

xkenx

fdecarlo--isn't the beach at Mauna Kea calmer for snorkeling?

travelinandgolfin

Haven't stayed there in years, but the HBP used to have screen doors as well as the regular door, so you could have nice cross ventilation.

Also, unless something has changed dramatically, all the HBP rooms face the ocean, though some are on lower floors. None "face" the mountains.

fdecarlo

xkenx: Yes, but unless a storm is affecting the west shore of the BI, the water off both Hapuna and MK is usually very calm.

travelin: The least expensive room class at the HBP is "terrace view". They're on the first floor of the main (rear) building. Terrace view units toward the north end of the building don't have any ocean view; from the lanai they look out onto the rooftop of the oceanfront building which sits in front of the main building.

I think these units are sometimes referred to as "mountain view", because one does get a nice view of the mountains, but it's from the front door not the lanai. I guess mountain view just sounds better than rooftop view or air conditioning ductwork view..

gigib

The Hapuna has a GREAT little snorkel cove at the north end of their beach. And yes, they do have cross ventilation - there is a lockable screen door at the main entrance door, open it and the screen door at your lanai and whoosh! We had a cheapie terrace room, building #4 on the ground level, but had a very nice little lawn and a view of a coral tree.

stever

We just got back from the Hapuna Beach Hotel and liked it even more than the Four Seasons down the street! The rooms are the same size as the FS Hualalai and MUCH larger than the Mauna Kea rooms we saw. We booked a partial oceanview for $11 more than the Terrace view room and we were ecstatic with our room and the partial view ($231 a nt with a killer gourmet breakfast that was almost as good as the FS). This hotel's grounds seemed MUCH nicer than the Mauna Kea's with it's tall palms in front, the gorgeous view, it's rounded edges everywhere vs the old concrete monoblock Mauna Kea with it's squared off everything and ancient elevators. The HP's beach is amazing and the sand is like silk.

Steve R

beachgirl86

We have stayed at Hapuna Beach for the last 2 summers, and love it. It is a GREAT value for the money. You can usually get it for around $200/night. The beach is outstanding there, and the pool is lovely, just overlooking the beach. It is a gorgeous setting. We have never gone over to the Mauna Kea, but I think the rooms are more expensive there.

fdecarlo

stever: That's the first time I've seen the Mauna Kea described as an "old concrete monoblock". Yes the HBP's entrance is more grand than the MK, but I've never heard anyone complain about the grounds on either property. In fact the MK has always commanded more in room rates primarily because of its grounds, which are less crowded, far more serene and frankly a heck of a lot classier than the HBP.

One other technical correction, the HBP's rooms are not quite as big as the FS Hualalai's (600 sq ft vs 650), although HBP rooms have much larger lanais.