This hotel is beautiful, truly. Everywhere you walk, a breeze follows you so you feel like a…read moreHawaiian model. The entire property is stunning EXCEPT the old tiled walkway to your room with a rolled out carpet runner. That was the only part that was like "finish the design job please" but I get it, #budgets. The room itself is totally fine but walking to the room I was surprised considering how flawlessly stunning, modern and upscale the rest of the grounds are. The valet and reception staff are beautiful, elegant, friendly, upscale. Borrow a cute Mauna Lani bike for free and ride over to the market or the Fairmont for some daytime snorkeling. The gym is well appointed and has a great water machine. The breakfast buffet is well worth the $60pp value. I think I ate enough sashimi to shut up about sashimi prices for a while. Their açaí bowl with house made granola is to die for. Most memorable was making friends with Viola, Hawaii's most valuable Tutu (grandma) at Halani. Her aloha spirit just blessed our entire trip with sunshine and love. I also got to meet Les from the kitchen at Halani and learn about Taro farming! I will forever consider them my new friends from the islands.

Second time coming back ! This experience was even better! Would like to start by saying thank…read moreyou, John for making everything spectacular at the cabana, and going above and beyond . Kelly was my bartender and have to say she was awesome ! You can have her make any cocktail and trust it will be exquisite. I would also like to extend my thank you to Melissa the manager who showed me where morning yoga was and even got my pup a little treat . Amy who was our server excellent .! Everyone here is beyond amazing . Alondra thank you for being so kind to me . This resort is 5 stars! I won't ever stay anywhere else . Mahalo for everything.

The Spa without Walls experience was a treat far beyond the majority of the high priced other…read moreresorts along the Kona Gold Coast. A really incredibly trained masseurs professionals with good energy and support staff as well as an outdoor garden accompanied with the sounds of wild birds and ocean waves that lap you into a trance like state. We recieved a kamaaina discount which we are grateful for. Mahalo to all who made our birthday experience amazing. The champagne offered at the end was a treat. Chocolate strawberries, stunning finish to a glorious day. Mahalo plenty!

The Fairmont Orchid has honestly become an annual tradition for me, and at this point I don't see…read morethat changing anytime soon. The resort itself is absolutely stunning. It feels like full luxury from the moment you arrive. As soon as you walk into the open air lobby, you can see straight through the entire property, the pool, the palm trees, and the ocean views all lined up in front of you. That first impression really sets the tone and is one of the standout features of the resort. Another major highlight is the private lagoon beach. It is calm, swimmable, and perfect for all ages. They provide complimentary snorkel gear, and you will almost always see sea turtles in the water, which makes it feel like a true Hawaii experience. Poolside service is also great, with drinks and snacks available, and there is even a taco truck that is perfect for kids or a quick casual bite during the day. Located on the Kohala Coast, the views are some of the best in all of Hawaii. Whether it is sunrise walks or sunsets by the water, the setting alone keeps me coming back year after year. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and well done. Not overly flashy, but they do not need to be because the environment does most of the work. The resort layout flows really nicely, from the open air lobby to the oceanfront paths. Dining is a big plus here. Brown's Beach House is the main restaurant and definitely a highlight, great food, right on the water, and an amazing sunset vibe. For breakfast, Orchid Court has a daily buffet that is consistently solid and easy. There are also a few other options on property, so you are not limited. Amenities are strong across the board. The gym is 24/7, which is a big plus. The spa is great and adds to the overall experience. If I remember correctly, even the pool runs 24/7, which is rare and makes late night swims a nice option. What really stands out is the value. It is definitely on the higher end price wise, but still not as expensive as places like the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. If you time it right, Costco Travel sometimes has great deals, like pay for four nights and get the fifth night free packages that can also waive resort fees, and provide some additional resort credit. I have so many great memories here, which is a big reason why I keep coming back. The only downside is that in recent years they have started charging for parking, which feels unnecessary at this level. Overall, I love this place. The setting, the consistency, and the overall vibe make it somewhere I look forward to returning to every year. Easily five stars for me because of the memories, although the parking would probably bring it down closer to a 4.5. Overall one of the best resorts in Hawaii, just keep in mind about the resort fees and parking!

The property is spectacular, and the views are endless However the highlight for us was employees…read morelike Virgil, who took care of our every need with a smile. Thanks again, Virgil, Tym & Bee Yean

This is most awesome beach ever (I've been to many beaches), and the hotel is very good too…read more One caveat is if you have mobility issues, this might not be the place as there's a bit of up and down stairs to get to the pool and beach. But we enjoy going up stairs for fun. I'm sure they have some accommodation, tho. One disappointment is they don't great each other by saying HaPuna matata. I got blank stares when I tried this. But it is really good pun, no? Food is expensive, out of compound restaurants are distant, so pay and enjoy as it was very good.

Love the Hilton Waikoloa - here for my husband's company retreat. They did amazing planning with…read morethe hotel. We stayed at the Palace tower. Nice renovations. The boat is no longer operable. There was one tram in service. We did walk most of the time. The hall staff Joseph was so friendly & cheerful with his services. The food was really good as well.

This resort feels like a place that was once incredible but has slowly lost its shine. The best…read morecomparison I can think of is an old theme park that used to be the place to visit--now only a couple of the rides are running, yet admission still costs the same. Would I stay here again? Probably, depending on the circumstances. However, it wouldn't be my first choice. Biggest Issues: -Cleanliness Unfortunately, our room did not feel clean when we arrived. There were cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, a dead cockroach on the floor, dead moths, and noticeable dust buildup along the baseboards and behind the TV. I know some of the rooms have been renovated, but we weren't fortunate enough to receive one of those. - Resort Size & Getting Around This resort is huge, which can be either a positive or a negative depending on where you're staying. One of the biggest disappointments was that the canal boats were not operating. I found out they had been out of service for over a month for maintenance with no estimated reopening date. My kids would have absolutely loved riding them, so that was a letdown. The tram system also needs improvement. If you happen to miss one, expect to wait around 45 minutes for it to come back. It makes several stops across the property, and there really should be two trams running at all times. We had a heavy stroller, and lifting it onto the tram often felt like more work than simply walking. ** Choosing the Right Tower Matters We stayed in the Ocean Tower, which is the farthest from the lobby and most of the restaurants. The upside is that it's closest to the pool with the lazy river and smaller water slides. There's also a pool bar, a coffee shop with pastries and açaí bowls, a small gift shop, and laundry facilities (although every laundry rooms we checked was out of order). Even though we didn't pay for an ocean-view room, we could still see the ocean from our balcony, which was a nice surprise. If I stayed in this tower again, I'd request either a renovated room or a ground-floor room with direct access to Buddha's Point and the pool area. Even getting from our room to the nearby pool felt like a trek. The Palace Tower has the nicest appearance and reminds me of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. It's centrally located, so nothing is excessively far away. I also heard these rooms have been renovated, making it a good choice if having a nice room is your priority. That said, it's not particularly close to the main attractions besides the Italian restaurant, which is only open for dinner. Personally, I don't think I'd choose this tower. If I came back, I'd most likely stay in the Makai Tower. It's closest to the lagoon, the major pools, and several dining options, making it much easier to get around. It's still not directly next to everything, but there's an elevator that makes getting to the pools and restaurants much easier, especially for anyone using a stroller or wheelchair. Traveling with a stroller made this resort more challenging than I expected. While there are accessible routes, they're often indirect and time-consuming. For example, walking from our room to the Lagoon Grill took over 30 minutes. For families with young children or anyone with mobility limitations, that's something to seriously consider when choosing a room location. Dining Having multiple restaurants on-site was convenient, but the operating hours weren't. The three main restaurants--the fine dining restaurant, Italian restaurant, and Tap Room--only opened for dinner. The breakfast buffet was expensive, although there were less expensive plated breakfast options available until around 10:00 a.m. Between breakfast ending and dinner restaurants opening, it sometimes felt surprisingly difficult to find food late in the morning or early afternoon. The good news is there are several restaurants and shopping centers just a few minutes away, and the resort offers a paid shuttle service if you don't have a car. You could easily spend your entire vacation without leaving the property. Overall, we still had a good trip. The staff was consistently friendly and helpful, and there are definitely things to enjoy about this resort. However, it feels like a property that has enormous potential but could really benefit from better maintenance, improved transportation, and more attention to cleanliness. With a little extra care and investment, I think this resort could become a truly great destination again.

Beautiful hotel right on the beach! The hotel is quite large and has a lot of great amenities. Our…read morefavorite was the lagoon pool filled with unique fish and marine life. The beach actually has sand (unlike most beaches on Big Island) and the snorkeling was excellent. Service is top notch here as well. The pools were nice and not crowded. Absolutely lovely hotel!

The grounds here are beautiful. At night the ambiance feels magical. The spa and fitness facilities…read moreare lovely with tons of equipment, saunas, steam room, cold plunge, hot tub, a giant lap pool. The hotel has plenty of pools and restaurants but the chair management at the pool could be improved. It seemed like guests would reserve their chairs early and the chairs were not turned over once they left. We would walk by and see tons of towels showing chairs were claimed but no one in sight. The only pool that you are able to easily get a chair at is the spa fitness center pool. If you want a safe / easy snorkel option, they have a snorkel pond; King's Pond is 1.8-million-gallon carved lava rock aquarium with tropical fish and spotted eagle rays.

I recently stayed at one of the smaller resorts, and what it lacks in size, it more than makes up…read morefor in comfort and convenience. One of the best things about this property is how easy it is to get around. Unlike larger resorts where you feel like you're constantly walking from one end to the other, everything here is close and accessible. It creates a much more relaxed and cozy experience. The beach is also within easy walking distance, whether you choose to go left or right. Another major advantage is the location across the street from two shopping malls, both offering restaurants and shopping options. The convenience of being able to walk to everything is truly priceless. If I'm remembering correctly, the malls are called King and Queen, or something very similar. In one of them, there is also a grocery store that is impressive in its own right, with cooked food and a wide variety of items you might need during your stay on the island--or even if you are not staying there. I will review that grocery store separately in another post. Overall, this is a great choice for anyone who values convenience, walkability, and a more intimate resort setting.

My experience sadly wasn't good! Chair scraping on the floor…read moreabove us woke me up all week Netflix didn't work! Fire alarm went off at 3:30 am a few nights!!!!!! Not even a message No one answered the phones In case of emergency this would have been a disaster ! Brian is the manager in charge of the Timeshare portion We ran into him a few times Each time he asked our room number and said he would " make it up " to us He didn't do a thing ! We ran into him again . Same conversation Same promise to help w the noise from above He did nothing Just lip service I have been an owner 22 yrs Have travelled all over hawaii This was the most disappointing stay ever Long dark hallways !!!! Everything is "nickel n dime " Beach we knew "sucked " as we were told And they did Not returning here

BAD COCKROACH INFESTATION!!…read more We stayed here for 5 nights in Aug 2025 and unfortunately our experience was ruined by a persistent roach infestation inside our unit. On the very first night, we killed six live roaches indoors. Over the next two days, we encountered several more inside--including one crawling near my foot while we were eating at the kitchen table--which terrified my children. We also saw many on the patio, along with ants along the wall near the sliding doors. We were unable to use the patio or keep the doors open for fresh air. Management sent pest control to spray, but the cockroach sightings continued. They offered less than 10% partial compensation, but it didn't make up for losing the ability to relax or feel comfortable in the unit for the majority of our stay. We understand Hawaii has tropical insects, but this went far beyond the occasional sighting. This was a recurring and disruptive issue that affected our enjoyment of the vacation. Management said it's "normal" for Hawaii. Well, I've been coming to Hawaii for decades and I can confidently say this is a bad infestation because I have never before experienced anything like this. Especially at resort (supposedly) of this caliber and price point. And management's response was slow and unsatisfactory. I do NOT recommend this resort. Proceed with caution--especially if considering a ground-level unit.

Recently stayed at 15A . Loved the remodeled floors - fully tiled. Free parking. The unit also…read morecame with additional Hilton Pool access which included validated self parking at the Hilton. We booked direct with the owners who were amazing and helped with some great local suggestions. Super responsive. www.vitaminseahi.com

This was the most amazing stay!! Everyone was so friendly, our service was always fast, and there…read morewas a bunch to do! We got a complimentary paddle board for an hour and towels for the day. They gave us reusable water bottles to use for our stay to reduce waste they gave us leis upon arrival. They had made a manta out of towels that they placed on the bed- so fancy! They also provided banana bread, Nutella, and shortbread cookies on the table of the hotel room. The view was AMAZING and the ocean is perfect to swim in at any time of day. Many free activities offered daily. There are some nice restaurants on site- serves breakfast and dinner (at the Manta). I hope to get to come back someday.

My truly grateful, bucket-list experience happened on 12/2025, I can cross this off my list and/but…read morehope to visit get to stay again ( crossing fingers) Super excited while we drove along the Kohala Coast, Once we arrived at the front, there's a security at the gate, to check you in and will hand you a parking pass, I feel safe already. I am overwhelmed with joy, having the ultimate experience of staying at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, is truly a dream come true! My upgrade request to a deluxe room with ocean view and balcony had been confirmed and I'm overflowing with gratitude! The seamless check-in process, Thank you to front desk staff Lauae- she was super friendly and patient checking us in and sharing all the important details about Mauna Kea Hotel, we also got a welcome leis, wet cloth and champagne at check in. My request for late check out at 4 pm ( perks of Titanium status) has set the tone for an unforgettable stay. The thoughtful gifts, in my spacious and stunning ocean view room are the perfect touch. I am soaking up every moment of my amazing staycation, from check in til we checked out @ 4pm on the dot, creating Mauna Kea memories with the love of my life. Our rooms are renovated, super spacious and modern. I love the the simple touches they added to the room. There a water filter fill station in the rooms, the lights turns on and off with a click of a button on the wall, charging device are up to date. I loved the toiletries brand provided- so soothing! Omg. The view from our balcony, just WOW! We had our alcoholic drinks, take out, snacks, all out there on the balcony and we just really enjoyed each other's company relaxing and taking it all in. The beds are so comfy, the toilet are toto brand, and I loved taking shower with the ocean view too, hehe. The only time we left the room was for breakfast, for our walk to explore the premises and for the pool. I loved the pool especially the adult, infinity pool- really enjoyed the peace and quiet here, then we headed to the other pool for a swim and jacuzzi. Although the beach was All in all, Thank you. Thank you Marriott gods for this incredible upgrade and late check out, thank you for the tote bag and water bottles, this all exceeded my expectations! We sure did enjoyed every single moment here! Although it is not cheap, I think you should go for it, check it out- just do it, life is too short, life it and enjoy it to the fullest.

The first time my waited and I stayed here I pulled up to valet to check in...I walked into a…read moremassive lobby area and was stunned by the panoramic view of a glorious December sunset ! I have seen many ocean sunrises and in my lifetime but this view was breathtaking! I had to run back to get my wife to come in just to see the sunset. It was the first impression of this resort which would captivate our senses for the rest of the stay and the next stay, and beyond. As a guest we were treated to 5 star service! The Aloha spirit seems to be in the hearts of all the staff! The Live entertainment on weekends is special, and all you can eat Buffet once a month is worth waiting for! There is so much to do right in the resort from snorkeling and swimming where sea turtles hang out, to enjoying the many pools and spas.....and it is perfectly located to enjoy sunsets, and day trips across the island! Kona is very close and if you love coffee it is a short trip to the many Kona coffee farms! The rooms are spacious, spotless and comfortable ! Room service is immediate and all staff friendly and helpful. I hate to recommend this most perfect of getaways because my wife and I want this place all to ourselves, but this resort, staff, and our gratitude for the experience deserve a 5 star experience rating!

Golf was good but not excellent, about a 3, although we had a lot of fun. But the reason I gave an…read moreoverall 4 rating is because every single person that works there, from the cart staff to the pro shop staff to the course groomers to the beverage cart girl to the bartender were all excellent!! All 5's! Kind, helpful, not snooty whatsoever. Some very thoughtful customer experience details throughout.

Gorgeous, upscale, relaxing resort. Imagine riding a bicycle from your room to the beach, getting a…read morePina colada from the outdoor bar, and watching a dreamy tangerine sunset. The Moana restaurant has gorgeous views either inside or out. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The strawberry and tomato salad was sublime, but to be fair I only asked for it with tomatoes. So, in actuality, the tomato salad was sublime. Their steaks are wonderful as are their fish dishes. The mushroom risotto is a must get! The drinks from the bar were perfect as were their teas and coffee drinks. We ate here many, many times and none of us had a complaint. A must go!!!!

I am shocked at the bad reviews. This is truly one of the best places we've been in our lives and…read morewe come back every year. The food at the cookhouse is superb. The spa is other worldly. The vibes are immaculate. The staff is kind and down to earth. I've never been anywhere more beautiful and relaxing. I guess you can't please everyone. My only advice for management is to bring back the 50% kamaaina discount so we can come more often!!