Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Est. 1965
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Waimea, HI, United States
Nearly sixteen hundred pieces of museum-quality Pacific and Asian art, which hotel-founder Laurance S. Rockefeller collected for the resort with geography and spirituality top of mind, are on display throughout Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Featuring Hawaiian kapa cloth, quilts, and kii (wooden images), Ainu kimono, glittery Thai icons, Maori canoe prows, bronze Indian chests, wooden carvings and many other museum-quality pieces. The pieces are positioned informally throughout the resort where guests can discover and experience them up close. A weekly art tour shares more about the collection’s history.
- A/V Equipment
- Bridal Suite/Changing Rooms Onsite
- Valet Parking
- Wifi
- Ample Parking Onsite
- Dining Chairs
- Dining Tables
- Onsite Restrooms
- The Scene:
- In 1960 Hawaii's Governor William Quinn invited American venture capitalist Laurance S. Rockefeller to visit the Big Island and scout beachfront sites for potential resorts. A noted conservationist and lover of the outdoors, Mr. Rockefeller believed that buildings should conform to, not intrude on, beautiful natural surroundings. As they flew over the white sand crescent of Kauna‘oa Beach, Mr. Rockefeller asked if he could go in for a swim. From the water, he looked upslope at the towering summit of Mauna Kea and was inspired to create a great hotel that reflected the spirit of this special place.
When it opened in 1965, The Mauna Kea was the most expensive hotel ever built at the time, at $15 million. Praised by travel writers and critics worldwide, the luxury resort hotel was named one of the "Three greatest hotels in the world" by Esquire magazine, one of "10 best buildings of 1966" by Fortune, and presented with an honors award by the American Institute of Architects.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is an international destination resort upholding a timeless tradition of luxury and aloha. With unimaginable views of magnificent Kauna'oa Bay, magnificent indoor and outdoor venues and a wide array of food and beverage options, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is the perfect environment to host your special occasion whether it's for two people or 200. - Design:
- Following his business strategy of "experting," hiring the best person for the job, he contracted Belt Collins, site planners and engineers, Skidmore Owings Merrill, building architects, Davis Allen, interior designer, and Robert Trent Jones, golf course architect, who pioneered a technique of creating soil from lava rock. The Mauna Kea Golf Course debuted with a televised "Big 3" match between Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player before the Hotel opened.
- Standout Venue Features:
- Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is the essence of Mid-century modern with Kauna'oa Bay being the focal point exuding understated beauty and elegance while still having its luxurious appeal. With a new ballroom with floor-to-window ceilings overlooking the Bay, private vista decks and intimate outdoor venue spaces, there is the perfect location for any and everything you could ever desire.
• Conde Nast Traveler The Editors’ 100 Favorite Hotels in the World - Gold List 2015
• Trip Advisor 5x Winner—Certificate of Excellence, 2015
• Copper Bar - Andrew Harper's Hideway Report "Best Bar" 2017
- Kauna'oa Ballroom:
- - View: Kauna'oa Bay
- - Max Capacity: 250 (Reception)
- - Price: Join the party and sign in to view pricing
- Third Tee:
- The most popular wedding site at Mauna Kea Resort, this tee-box is situated high on a green lawn amongst coconut palms and sculpted fairways. The rolling blue surf of the Pacific Ocean and vibrant hues of the setting sun complete this dramatic setting.
- - View: Pacific Ocean
- - Max Capacity: 100 (Theater)
- - Price: Join the party and sign in to view pricing
- North Pointe Lawn:
- The North Pointe Lawn offers expansive views of the beach and Kauna'oa Bay. A lava stone patio serves as the stage for your wedding ceremony, while the adjacent lawn provides ample room for a reception or dinner to follow.
- - View: The beautiful beach and Kauna'oa Bay
- - Max Capacity: 500 (Reception)
- - Price: Join the party and sign in to view pricing
- South Pointe Lawn:
- Adjacent to the beach on the southern end of the property, lies Mauna Kea Beach Hotel's largest outdoor function space. Set amongst a grove of coconut palms and jungle-like vegetation, it presents an exceptional opportunity for creating unique events which stray from the expected.
- - View: Kaun'oa Bay
- - Max Capacity: 850 (Reception)
- - Price: Join the party and sign in to view pricing
- Lūʻau Grounds:
- This outdoor venue is home to our lu'au where guests are immersed in an authentic Hawaiian environment with a permanent stage and backdrop of black lava beds situated next to the ocean under a canopy of trees.
- - View: Canopy of Keawe trees and the Pacific Ocean
- - Max Capacity: 500 (Reception)
- - Price: Join the party and sign in to view pricing
- Vista Deck:
- Located on the hotel's promenade level overlooking breathtaking Kauna’oa Bay, the perfect place to say “I do,” or an intimate reception or dinner with family and friends. Decks are ready to be customized for any occasion.
- - View: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Kauna'oa Bay
- - Max Capacity: 50 (Reception)
- - Price: Join the party and sign in to view pricing
- Garden Room:
- Perched above lush greens overlooking the Pacific blue ocean and manicured gardens this two tiered indoor function space is enhanced with breathtaking views through walls of glass.
- - View: Pacific ocean and gardens
- - Max Capacity: 120 (Reception)
- Food, Restaurants, Cafes:
- Enjoy an assortment of dining venues at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel whether you're looking for a refreshing beverage amidst ocean waves or an upscale experience while watching the sun dip beneath the horizon.
Hau Tree - Quench your thirst beachside with a tropical drink, refreshing smoothie, Ovaltine Froth or signature Mauna Kea “Fredrico” cocktail. Traditional favorites include Caesar salad, fresh fish Poke Wrap, freshly made sandwiches and burgers straight from the grill, while beachside dinner options highlight the ocean’s bounty.
Number 3 - Thirsty golfers seeking a mid-round oasis or anyone hungry for a satisfying lunch will love the tasty menu of our golf clubhouse restaurant "Number 3.” Enjoy grass-fed burgers or a classic Crab Louis in a relaxed, casual atmosphere along with cold beer on tap, signature Mauna Kea cocktails or frosty fruit smoothies.
Manta - This ocean view, open-air restaurant features a lavish breakfast buffet or a la carte selec tions. Sunday Brunch is a cherished island tradition with spectacular choices and a relaxing setting. With renovations in early 2017, the Manta experience has only been enhanced with large private dining areas and a newly implimented bar with the same sweeping views with delicious showcases of island-sourced and island-inspired cuisine. - Bars & Lounges:
- Copper Bar - Winner of Best Bar in 2017 Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, The Copper Bar intersects modernality with tradition with it's newly renovated atmosphere and fun artensinal cocktails and shareable plates concept. Enjoy their signature 'Mauna Kea Mule' made with our own in-house brewed ginger beer or nitrogren-charged cold brewed coffee with the perfect backdrop of the Pacific ocean.
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Host your next wedding, anniversary, family reunion, first birthday or graduation in style with all the services and facilities you can expect from Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
- Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs Photography
- Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii
- Coordinator: The Chapter of Love
- Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs Photography
- Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii
- Coordinator: The Chapter of Love
Whether you’d like an open air luau for hundreds or an intimate sunset dinner on our signature hole number three, our specialists can help make your next celebration timeless.
- Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs Photography
- Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii
- Coordinator: The Chapter of Love
Beautiful Outdoor Reception
- Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs Photography
- Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii
- Coordinator: The Chapter of Love
Indoor & Outdoor Venue Spaces Available
- Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs Photography
- Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii
- Coordinator: The Chapter of Love
Long reception adorned with floral garlands.
- Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs Photography
- Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii
- Coordinator: The Chapter of Love
- Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs Photography
- Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii
- Coordinator: The Chapter of Love
- Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs Photography
- Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii
- Coordinator: The Chapter of Love
Clear tented reception with beautiful lighting.
- Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs Photography
- Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii
- Coordinator: The Chapter of Love
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a historic, luxury Hawaiian resort in a class by itself.
- Photographer: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
All accommodations are designed in Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s tradition of understated tropical elegance and include modern digital connectivity.
- Photographer: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Aerial view of the beach and pool.
- Photographer: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was born after visionary Laurance S. Rockefeller spotted a beautiful, crescent-shaped white sand beach from the air and asked if he could swim there.
- Photographer: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
From the resort’s finest oceanfront dining establishment to its casual beachside restaurant, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is acclaimed for its culinary excellence.
- Photographer: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
ach of the hotel’s lovely and spacious guest rooms has a large, comfortably furnished balcony with an unparalleled view of either the ocean or the resort's world-class, oceanfront golf course.
- Photographer: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Copper Bar is a place to gather with friends and family to enjoy creative, casual cuisine based on abundance and sharing along with crafted cocktails, beers and wine.
- Photographer: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Copper Bar
- Photographer: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Only the best for our guests – the freshest food, which is locally sourced from the Big Island whenever possible, 100 percent Kona coffee, and even a celebrated luau and a seafood buffet – all served in settings of unsurpassed beauty.
- Photographer: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel