The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel reopened on after undergoing an extensive $150 million repair and renovation project to enhance and preserve the historic Big Island hotel for generations of guests to come.

Founded in 1965 by Laurence Rockefeller, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was the most exclusive and expensive resort of its day.  Four decades later, the Mauna Kea once again stands as a landmark of luxury on the Big Island’s golden Kohala Coast.  In February 2007, the American Institute of Architects recognized Mauna Kea as one of the 150 best works of architecture nationwide.

The Mauna Kea’s room inventory was reduced from 310 to 258 as rooms in the south-end of the main building were reconfigured to have more spacious bedrooms and bathrooms.  All rooms were redesigned in a style that is contemporary yet evocative of Big Island tradition.  In the restaurants, exciting new sights, sounds, scents and sensational tastes elevate the experience of dining.  The legendary Mauna Kea Golf course was updated to current USGA standards of play by designer Rees Jones.

Hawaii’s Kohala Coast boasts some of the planet’s most spectacular scenery, and the 258-room Mauna Kea Beach Hotel fronts one of its most beautiful stretches. The third hole on the Robert Trent Jones, Sr.–designed course is legendary; his son Rees championed the recent renovation. You’ll find every watersport from snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding to deep-sea fishing and whale-watching, while racquet buffs enjoy privileges at the Seaside Tennis Club. Comb top-ranked Kauna’oa Beach before a healing Bali-inspired spa treatment, then choose from several dining options, including a twice-weekly luau.

The hotel’s museum-quality collection of Pacific and Asian art was gathered by Davis Allen and Laurance Rockefeller (the Mauna Kea’s founder) in 1965.Distance from Kona Airport (KOA): 27 mi/43 km