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Kohala's Guest House

3.0 (1 review)

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18 years ago

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Hawaii Island Retreat - Golden Penthouse

Hawaii Island Retreat

(32 reviews)

$$$

This is the kind of review as a fellow business owner, you dread writing. I've been writing reviews…read moreon Yelp for 11 years across four states I've lived in. I will give fair credit when it's due. Reviews can make or break a small business and I am very aware of that and I've thought about it for 4 months before writing this. I would like to preface this review with acknowledging that the location, the energy and the views of this retreat center can't be beat. It is truly a beautiful and magnificent setting. We ran a retreat here for 35 people and booked out the whole place in late July to early August 2018 for our community members of our online business. There were a lot of painful hiccups during our retreat, some of which were completely avoidable and unprofessional. First of all, this place is severely under staffed and from what we experienced, poorly run. The owner (Jeanne) is wound up tight and she has her hands in everything, making her not so effective in anything. Mike and Amy who work the front desk are awesome but that's about it when it comes to customer relations and service. Hawaii can be funky and we're used to it because we live here. However there are limits when running a "luxury" resort. The solar hot water gets REALLY hot. I mean REALLY REALLY hot. As an owner you already know this, why would you not put a sign next to the hot water taps to warn your out of town guests? One of our guests who was handicapped and needs a hot bath daily ran the hot water and proceeded to put her foot in the tub. She suffered 2nd degree burns from the hot water. (see images). On top of that, there was only one first aid kit for the entire resort, and even that was poorly stocked with only a couple of band aids and cotton swabs. Our guest was in agony for the whole week and when she inquired about the possibility of a comped stay, the answer was a flat no from the retreat owner. We ended up giving her a a full refund from our end because it's the right thing to do. (Note that under plumbing codes, the maximum allowable temperature limits for hot water in plumbing is 120º F / 48º C) https://www.phcppros.com/articles/1828-hot-water-system-temperatures-and-the-code Another guest slipped and fell on the property. No biggie. Accidents happen and we understand. The retreat owner's husband is a medical doctor and he voluntarily came to check on our guest to reassure her that her lung was not punctured by a fractured rib. Jeanne charged our guest $100 for that "voluntary" visit. Here was another thing that broke our hearts. The chef was ranting one day and said out loud "I can't stand all these people and can't wait until they leave!" -- One of our retreat attendees was within earshot and heard the entire rant and told us about it afterwards. Talk about awkward. The resort is not all that clean, the food was terrible and not what we had requested even though we provided the full menu and exact recipes months ahead (we run an online meal plan subscription business) so our community is used to a specific way of eating and flavors of a whole food plant based lifestyle. We were assured this would be no issue since Hawaii has an abundance of fruits and the retreat center has its own vegetable gardens. The owner was unprofessional and horrible to us. She's an odd one with no qualms about yelling at you on the phone even though we're the clients booking out the entire space. We were amazed at how unprofessional the entire experience was. It's safe to say that we will never do another retreat here, nor would we recommend it. This is too bad because it is truly a stunning location.

Roaches roaches and more roaches. This review is from pre-COVID, so hopefully this place has…read morechanged and I want to give them the benefit of the doubt as I am sure they are trying. I stayed for a wedding here and my room had three roaches that I saw over just one night. Keep in mind there is no AC (in summer) so the windows have to be open. Two were on ceiling and one under toilet seat at 9 AM in the morning. The owner said it was "water bugs" not roaches, offered no refund and the attached two photos are the ones I took of the "water bugs". I believe this property needs a revamp and at least some pest control maintenance.

Bamboo Inn on Hana Bay

Bamboo Inn on Hana Bay

(28 reviews)

$$$

After reading some of the reviews, I was a bit hesitant about what it was going to be like. Going…read morein with realistic expectations, I was pleasantly surprised that it was more comfortable than I thought. I did not mind having no TV as this is a great place to unplug and unwind and the oceanview from our lanai is nature's entertainment. The beach that you can walk to isn't much of a sandy beach but is swimmable although can be rough at times. Aware of what a mosquito magnet I am, I did not want an outdoor shower or hot tub so opted for the Iwa Suite which had a pretty impressive shower. The room was comfortable but as others have mentioned, is dated and you can see wear and tear. Since you are in a tropical environment, you will probably see small ants and even a gecko in your room which we kindly escorted out to the lanai. Thankfully, did not encounter any spiders in the room although they are around property. The fridge, microwave, and plates came in handy to enjoy our included breakfast and fruits we picked up from the fruit stands close by as well as takeout on our lanai. Quiet although you will hear your neighbors, safe enough that you don't need to lock your doors and a wonderful place to unwind but be aware that is it rustic.

My wife started off our 8 night stint on Maui in Hana at the Bamboo Inn. We stayed in the Honu…read moresuite for two nights and absolutely loved it. Our room in particular had an outdoor bath tub and shower, which really added to the ambiance of the stay. Staring out onto the bay and black sand beach in the tub will be a memory to last a lifetime. The room was no frills in the best of ways. There was no TV or luxury amenities, but it was impeccably clean, had an amazing mattress, a small kitchenette to reheat leftovers from the food trucks down the street, and ocean views complete with beach access. We have zero regrets spending a couple nights in Hana because we really enjoyed the off the beaten path vibes of the area. Lots of people just come out for the day, but I would have felt so rushed. Spending a couple nights was the perfect way to experience the area because it allowed us to enjoy the slower pace. Our host, John, was super kind and knowledgeable about how to spend our time with great suggestions. One of which was to get Huli Huli chicken on the beach, which was super delicious with great waterfront views. Another that the botanical gardens were worth the side trip and we totally agree. We also learned he has a deep connection to the community because of the magazine article included in the information book placed in our room. What we loved about Hana was the unpolished and unapologetic authentic vibes. Both nights we fell asleep with the patio window open welcoming cool ocean breezes and rhythmic waves sounds while we slept. Now we're sitting on the beach in Kapalua with the Disneyland-ish resort persona wishing we were back in Hana. We hope to be back sometime soon John. In the meantime, go huskies.

Mauna Lani  Auberge Collection - Modified tofu bowl

Mauna Lani Auberge Collection

(333 reviews)

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.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

(316 reviews)

$$$$

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.

Hilton Waikoloa Village - Restaurant

Hilton Waikoloa Village

(1.8k reviews)

$$$

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.

Kohala's Guest House - hotels - Updated June 2026

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