Hello,
I am going to Hawaii for my first time, specifically the Big Island and I am staying at the Maunilani Bay Resort for the duration of my trip. I have heard that this is one of the best resorts on the Big Island. I am curious to hear from anyone who has stayed there what is like and what kinds of things there are to do or see close to the hotel (i.e. beaches, restaurants, excursions). I leave in about 9 days so please respond!

meredith, i stayed next door at the orchid at mauna lani and walked over to the mauna lani bay resort. both places are awesome and i loved the big island. you are very secluded on the kohala coast but it is very beautiful with the black lave and the green of the resorts. the town of kona is about 30 miles away and is a great town with many restaurants and fun things to do. the roads are very good so it only takes about 1/2 hour to get there. i was only there 5 days and didnt get to explore the island as much as i wanted to but it is a great place.

Bob,
Thanks for your quick reply. I'm glad to hear that it truly is a nice resort. How close are the nice beaches to the resort? I am all about relaxing in the sun and hope the beaches are as nice as they are in the Carribbean.

The Manilani is gorgeous and very elegant. Good restaurants in your area include: Merrimam's and the Edelweiss, both in Waimea, Merrimam's serves Asian-French fusion cuisine (Can't think of how else to describe it--great fish) and the Edelweiss serves excellent Swiss-German food ( boar in mustard sauce, veal in green peppercorn sauce,etc). There is also Roy's in the King Shopping center (I think), good food, but the air-conditioning is too extreme for me and if you want a casual place for pizza and pasta try Cafe Pesto. The other spot for elegant hotel dining is the formal dining room at the Four Seasons.

For beaches try Hapuna Bay and the beach at the Mauna Kea.

The Big Island is quite varied in its topography. You'll be amazed at the differences--green mountains, black volcanic rock, rain, constant sunshine.

Have a good time.

Aloha Meredith, you picked a great spot, we have been there twice and my wife now rates all hotels relative to the Mauna Lani. It is truly spectacular. The service and the staff are #1. It is very quiet and serene. The hammocks under the palm trees on the beach are great for a little afternoon siesta. Our favorite restaurants on BI are Roy's, Cafe Pesto, Canoe House, La Bourgoyne, Merriman's, Big Island Steak House(for ribs).
The beaches on the BI are not like the Carribean. The BI is beautiful but vast lava fields and starkly different from the other islands. The beach at Mauna Lani is manmade and you can lay on te sand but lots of lava and coral. The beach at Mauuna Kea and Hapuna is very nice and all beaches in Hawaii are open access.
Youi will need a car to see the BI. The resorts on the Kohala Coast are isolated.
Hope this helps.
Bart

Meredith: You will certainly be able to achieve your goal of "relaxing in the sun" but I hope that you also do alot of exploring (1/2 day or full day car excursions) to see what the Big Island is all about. Actually, there are perhaps better islands suited for a purely "beach vacation", but none better than the Big Island for exploring its natural wonders.
As for recommended restaurants, I agree that Roy's (in the Kings Shopping Mall) and Merriman's (Hawaiian Regional/Pacific Rim) are great, with Oodles of Noodles (in Kona)also being worth a visit. Don't overlook the restaurants at the Mauna Lani, which are also higly regarded.
In addition to the beaches as Hapuna Bay and at the Mauna Kea resort, take a look at "A-Bay", located behind the Outrigger Waikoloa Hotel, which is my favorite for relaxing (palm tree lined crescent beach), swimming (very calm surf) and also offers good snorkeling.

Totally second Frank's comments above, especially about checking out "A" Bay - so beautiful and relaxing!

My favorite restaurant in that area is Roy's (I think it's his best location!); Merriman's food was delicious, but I thought the portions were downright small! Also Cafe Pesto is good, and if you make a trip to Volcanoes Nat'l Park, you might have dinner at Kilauea Lodge, usually excellent. Have a great trip!