One of the premier resorts on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, the elegant Mauna Lani Bay Hotel houses 350 guest rooms along with swanky private bungalows. In the breathtaking open-air lobby, guests are greeted with leis and served fresh-squeezed juice while they check in. The accommodations, decorated in soothing shades of white and beige, have private lanais, refrigerators, and, of course, the region’s famous Kona coffee. The fully staffed private bungalows include personal chefs. The 3,200-acre grounds at the Mauna Lani feature spring-fed Hawaiian fish ponds, wild green sea turtles, and sharks (which are fed during fish-feeding tours). There are historic petroglyph preserves on the property as well. Blue cabanas dot Mauna Lani’s stretch of beach, where you'll also find the Ocean Grill, one of six restaurants at the resort.
Mauna Lani rests on an ancient 'ili, or land section, known through the centuries as Kalahuipua'a. It was a place where Kings would come for recreation and elders would gather for worship. This was, and is, a special hallowed place. The ancient royal fishponds are preserved on the grounds to this day. And if you somehow sense the importance of this setting as you stroll by them, you have the understanding for what the Hawaiians call The Spirit of Place.
The Francis H. l'i Brown North and South courses - are remarkable if for nothing more than the vast fields of dark black lava out of which they were constructed. The original 18 holes were opened in 1981, with Homer Flint and Raymond Cain as the lead architects. It was a visually spectacular course that featured one par-3 hole crossing a wide Pacific inlet, another par-3 playing into a coliseum of lava, and many holes whose primary challenge was to hit the bright green fairways and greens, avoiding the lava formations in the landing areas and on both sides of the fairways. The course received rave reviews from the moment it opened.
In 1991, Mauna Lani felt it necessary to add another 18 holes, so they called the Honolulu architectural from of Nelson/Wright/Haworth. With the land configuration available to them, Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright elected to split the existing course into two nine holes and add nine new holes to each side. The results were remarkable, with the signature par-3s having been split between the courses, and several new holes on each course playing down to or in front of the Pacific.
The Mauna Lani Spa is a uniquely Hawaiian Spa that guides you towards relaxation and fulfillment. The 40,000 sq. ft. Spa is drawn from the islands history, geography, and natural surroundings. The facility includes nine treatment rooms, a fitness area, aerobics area, and an outdoor area with thatched huts and a lava rock sauna. All treatments are authentically Hawaiian and done in accordance with traditional Hawaiian methods and healing practices.
