Need help with Big Island decision
 

Right now I have 4 nights booked at the Mauna Lani Bay Resort (and then two nights in Volcano Village)for my family which includes my two daughters, 10 and 7. I am starting to doubt my decision to stay at MLB with recent negative reviews on their service and the place is in need of freshening up. I am thinking maybe we should stay two nights in a garden view room (cheapest available) at the Hilton Waikaloa (not my favorite kind of place but I think two nights would be ok and the girls would love the activities) and then splurge with two nights in a suite at the four seasons. I know I will love their service and the room at 1500 square feet will be wonderful, I am sure. I can't afford 4 nights in a suite and that is the cheapest way to accomodate four people there (cheaper than two standard rooms). There isn't much difference in price between my original four nights in an ocean front room at MLB and this possible new arrangement. Should I keep my reservation at MLB or make the change mentioned above? Which plan would you prefer if cost was equal?

Check out the Hapuna Prince Beach Hotel. They have terrace view rooms for $180/night under their "10th anniversary" package. Doesnt include breakfast, but still a great deal.

We just spent 10 days at the Marriott and I am wondering if yiou considered that? Our experience was very good. We did get a daily breakfast and the Kings shops are right across the street with some fine restaurants available. Whereever you stay I do recommend dining at Roys there but be sure to make a reservation. Cheers, Larry

We always stay at the fairmont orchid next door-- we prefer it over the mauna lani.. do check it out! you wont go wrong!

Ashley,

We've stayed at the MLB several times and we love it. It's almost a second home to us. But trying to be objective:

Pluses:

1. Just the right size. Not sprawling like the Grand Wailea, but large enough to spread out and enjoy the grounds. Cozy large resort is how I'd describe it (strange as that sounds...)

2. Amazing service. I've read some of the reviews on TripAdvisor and have never come across one rude person. Service/friendliness amazing.

3. Room size. Standard room is still about 550 sq. ft. Very large.

Minuses:

1. Older resort. As such, it's not polished chrome, if you know what I mean. Yet this older feel/look is what gives it it's charm to us.

2. Beach. Sitting/lounging area is fine, but not a very large swimming area. Large enough, but not like the other resorts in the area.

I second the suggestion for the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. I wouldn't consider it a luxury resort but it is a very good one and a good dollar value at the price mitchgates is quoting. Their infinity pool is nice and the white sand beach is beautiful, that alone makes it worthwile. Much better than the small pool and what little beach there is at the Mauna Lani, and the stagnant looking artificial lagoons at the Hilton. Keep in mind that those activities at the Hilton come with rental fees for everything.

We are local and visit the Big Island often as we have family there. We have not stayed in hotels there in a couple of years.DH had a business trip and we stayed at the Four Seasons it was wonderful, the service is excellent, they have activities for the kids and you stay in bungalows. Also stayed at Waikaloa,that is where the kids will have a fun time. Water slides and dolphins to see plus activities for them. Mauna Lani was a long time ago it was nice back then but on the quiet side. I think the kids will like Waikaloa and Four Seasons better. At F. Seasons there is an adult only pool, a small kids pool, a family pool and an ocean type pool where the whole family can feed the manta rays once a day.

It seems to me you have a great plan, though I would do 2 cheap nights at the Hapuna instead (ALOT cheaper than Mauna Lani) and then splurge for 2 nights at the FS BI. That would be an experience you'd savor for the rest of your lives!!! That would be something ultra special, as opposed to just 4 nights at any stray hotel... The FS suite would be the thing you'd probably remember most about Hawaii, and talk about forever and ever.

Do it up!!! We will be doing it up at the FS in Maui even though we can barely afford it. We definitely can't afford the BI FS so we're just doing 2 at Kilauea Lodge and 4 at the Hapuna Prince.

Good luck,
Steve
Maryland