The Big Island of Hawaii was the site of a grand gala this month featuring a fabulous multi-course dinner, some of the island’s top Hawaiian musicians, fireworks and dignitaries, with even former Vice President Dan Quayle making an appearance.

It was a fitting way to celebrate 60 years, and a $240 million renovation, of the island’s iconic property, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

The Points Guy was one of the first media outlets to get a look at the massive renovation of the Big Island’s original resort. And extra bonus: Since it’s a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, it’s also a great place to earn and burn your Marriott Bonvoy points.

TPG reviewed the hotel in 2019, calling it “luxurious but unpretentious.” That still holds true today. I love the laid-back vibe of this hotel, the friendly staff, the stellar renovation and the unforgettable beach.

Here’s what has changed, and all the good stuff that made the hotel famous that’s stayed the same.

A storied history of the hotel

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has an incredible legacy. It was the first resort built on the Big Island of Hawaii back when there was no tourist infrastructure, not long after statehood.

Legend has it that the developer, Laurance Rockefeller, found the location by flying over the stunning beach and demanding to swim there. That was enough for him to decide to build the resort, and in the process helped boost Hawaii’s then-struggling economy while also pioneering eco-tourism in the area.

The hotel is one of the best examples of mid-century modern design, brought to life by the firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Architect Edward Charles Bassett created the open-air design that quickly became famous worldwide.

The Prince Hotels group owns the property now and has invested some $240 million to preserve the original design while modernizing the rooms and adding the kinds of amenities that luxury resort guests demand today. More on that below.

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Changed: Renovated rooms

All of Mauna Kea’s 252 rooms and suites have been transformed with light colors and natural wood highlights. There are fabulous Hawaiian artworks throughout, with just a few subtle nods to the Mauna Kea’s bright orange plumeria flower logo and colors.

I shared the generous-sized room in the Beachfront wing with my mom. Beds were super comfortable with Fili D’oro bed linens.

The enormous patio created an additional living space, and also gave us access to the beach just across the giant lawn out back.

Bathrooms feature double sinks, L’Occitane en Provence amenities, Toto Japanese bidet-style toilets and a Japanese-style large walk-in shower bath combination.

A flat-screen television was hidden behind a sliding shutter, and sliding shutters also close off the doors to the patio.

Another unique design element is the beverage station along one wall. Not only is there an espresso machine, but filtered water is available with the push of a button.

I also got a look at one of the beautiful suites in the main tower of the hotel, complete with separate sleeping, living and dining spaces and a full kitchen. Check out those views.

I loved the easy beach access from my room, but next time I stay, I’d love to try out one of the main tower rooms for the sweeping vistas.

Stayed the same: Incredible location on one of Hawaii’s best beaches

In our 2019 review, we called the hotel’s Kaunaoa Bay the “best beach on the Big Island.” I couldn’t agree more. In fact, it’s one of my favorite beaches in all of Hawaii.

And it’s also easy to get here. The resort is in a prime location about a 40-minute drive from the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) along the Big Island’s famous Kohala Coast.

Plus, there’s another whole resort for you to explore. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is a 10-minute drive, or a beautiful 20-minute hike, from the Mauna Kea. It’s one of my favorite Hawaii properties and has several restaurants, pools and an even bigger beach. Shuttles run between the hotels, and guests can use both facilities.

Changed: Updated and expanded amenities

Talk about an upgrade. Mauna Kea now has an incredible adults-only area with a huge sundeck, loungers, an infinity pool, a hot tub and fabulous views of the beach.

Attached to the infinity pool complex is a stunning new gym. It has ocean-front views and every possible weight and exercise machine you can think of, including Peloton bikes set up on the deck for outdoor spin classes.

There’s also a brand new spa compound, “Spa at Mauna Kea,” featuring a swimming pool and hot tub for spa guests, along with 11 treatment rooms.

There are also male and female steam and sauna sections, as well as lots of areas to chill before and after treatments.

I tried the signature lomilomi massage, which was divine. Prices for an hour-long massage start at $345.

And the hotel has added a massive 28,000-square-foot garden, providing many of the fruits and vegetables you’ll enjoy at the hotel’s restaurants.

The family pool is mostly the same, though the hotel has added cabanas and moved the hot tub toward the ocean for even better views.

The hotel has also redone the tennis courts and added pickleball courts. You’ll also find a revamped and redesigned Mauna Kea Golf Course by Robert Trent Jr.

There are plenty of fun activities at the resort, too. My family enjoyed a lei-making session, and there’s a whole Discover Center where you can play foosball, pool or putt-putt golf.

One other thing to note is that the hotel has one of the best art collections in Hawaii, thanks to the voracious art-collecting habits of Laurance Rockefeller. More than 500 antiques, statues, Hawaiian kapa cloth and other important artworks have been restored by the hotel. You can explore them with an interactive art walk, which makes for a fun activity.

My mom and I also loved that there were ice machines and laundry facilities that were free to use for guests and included detergent and fabric softeners.

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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Now that is a luxury.

Stayed the same: Service with a smile

Service was excellent across the board at Mauna Kea; from a lei greeting at check-in to friendly waiters in the restaurants to golf cart escorts at check-out; the staff went above and beyond.

The hotel is known for its great service, and many employees have been there for decades (two employees celebrated 60 years while we were here!).

Changed: Updated restaurants

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, but longtime fans will be happy to know the main restaurant, Manta, is unchanged aside from getting a new menu with fresh ingredients from the Ulu Garden. This huge restaurant with ocean views is where the main breakfast is served each day. Dinner at sunset is highly recommended as well.

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Dining at Manta at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

You can also dine beachside with a more casual vibe at Hau Tree (which got a refurbishment), and the Copper Bar serves up tapas and cocktails with more views of the ocean.

Finally, there’s another fun dining spot on the golf course called Number 3, which is open daily for lunch.

You’ll also find free coffee stations in the mornings throughout the hotel and a market shop – Mauna Kea Market – in the hotel lobby that serves specialty coffee, sandwiches and killer smoothies.

Changed: Mauna Kea is fully ADA-compliant

Mauna Kea is now also very friendly to those with disabilities. You’ll find wheelchair ramps and wide elevators with grab bars throughout the property.

There are also lifts for the swimming pools.

Some rooms have been adapted for visitors with disabilities, such as those with sight or hearing impairments.

How to book the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

As you’d expect, Mauna Kea isn’t cheap. Room rates start around $1,104 a night, but can creep up to around $2,000 during busy periods. Points availability is not widespread, as you’d expect at a newly renovated hotel, but you can book points stays when you can find free nights starting at 103,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. That could offer a solid redemption when cash rates are highest

Bottom line

You can really feel the care (and money) the owners of Mauna Kea have poured into this iconic resort’s loving renovations. Many guests have been coming to the property for decades with parents, grandparents and children. Some have even been coming for 60 years and consider it a second home.

Rooms have been modernized, and the renovations are chic and subtle. The restaurants have been freshened, and the addition of modern amenities like the infinity pool, hot tubs and the magnificent spa make this a top hotel in Hawaii once more.

While the prices have risen along with the renovation budget, this hotel can still be an aspirational redemption for those with Bonvoy points. That’s how I’ll budget my next trip to this stunning resort.

I will definitely be back.

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