"Fantastic family trip. The ocean is beautiful, the rooms are amazing, food is excellent. We also had family photos taken on site and were able to choose them the next day. Cynthia Buckles with Pacific Dreams took our photos! It was amazing - we haven’t had such good family photos in a long time!!!"

"I was in the area with my girlfriend so decided to stop in for lunch at the Number 3 restaurant. I was given a ticket at the valet check-in and told to have to validated at the restaurant. The lunch and service were good. When it was time to leave, I presented my validated ticket at the valet stand and was told the charge - normally $40 - was $20. I questioned it because I hadn't been told there was a valet charge even with a validated ticket. I went inside to the check-in desk to pay, and was told by the front desk agent that it was free because the ticket had been validated. So, I went back out to the valet desk but was once again told I had to pay $20, even though the front desk said it was free. Now, the point wasn't the $20. It was the confusing and very unprofessional attitude of the boss-lady, Estrella. She was very surly with me even when I explained that the front desk said there was no charge. She rattled off her title, and told me that no matter what the front desk said, there was a $20 charge. No I was upset because I was caught in the middle of a hotel communications problem, and Estrella made no apology whatsoever for the awkward situation that was not of my making. Good customer service would have had her apologize for the confusion, said that in this case the parking was free, and that the next time there would indeed be a $20 charge. After the embarrassing treatment I received, there certainly will not be a "next time" at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. I suggest that the hotel management provide better customer relations training for their staff."

"I’ve been wanting to stay at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for years, but every time we looked into it, it was either sold out or out of our budget. We finally had the perfect opportunity when our brother and sister came to visit, and we decided to spend a night on the beautiful Kohala Coast after finding a great rate. The hotel has been under construction for quite some time and is now in its final stages of renovation. As we approached the property, the ocean was sparkling on the horizon beyond the lush green golf course, but then we were unexpectedly met with a large parking lot and what initially looked like a dated building rather than an elegant resort. I can imagine this will improve greatly over the next few years as the landscaping and foliage mature to soften that first impression. Thankfully, once we arrived at the entrance and stepped into the iconic lobby with its vintage blue tile, sweeping views of Kaunaʻoa Bay, and were handed POG mimosas by the sweetest check-in host, the parking lot view was quickly forgiven. We booked deluxe golf-view rooms, and the hotel thoughtfully placed our rooms next door to each other, which we really appreciated. The renovated rooms are exceptional — honestly some of the nicest we’ve stayed in on the Kohala Coast. Compared to neighboring luxury resorts in a similar price range, these rooms felt far more spacious and thoughtfully designed. Ours felt almost like a small apartment, with two lanais, a walk-in closet, a foyer, and a gorgeous oversized bathroom. The overall hotel aesthetic blends vintage Hawai‘i charm with chic modern design beautifully. The adults-only pool area was one of our favorite spots, with comfortable loungers, attentive food and drink service, and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. The brand-new spa and fitness center are also incredibly impressive and reminded me of upscale wellness resorts in Costa Rica. We had dinner at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Manta, and loved not having to leave the property for a special evening out. After dinner, we walked to the manta viewing deck and saw giant manta rays - I mean really?! Amazing. And then there’s the beach. Kaunaʻoa Bay is absolutely stunning, with crystal-clear water, gentle waves, soft sand, and excellent snorkeling. We spent the rest of our stay relaxing on the beach loungers until checkout and were genuinely sad to leave so soon. We’ve been slowly making our way through the resorts along the Kohala Coast, and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has definitely earned a spot near the top of our list."

"We had a great family session with Cynthia! From the very beginning, she made us feel completely at ease, which is no small feat when you’re wrangling a toddler. She was incredibly patient, flexible, and genuinely warm, taking the time to connect with everyone including our little one instead of rushing through the session. What really stood out was their ability to capture natural, candid moments. Nothing felt forced or overly posed, and somehow she managed to bring out everyone’s personality—especially our toddler’s. The final photos were absolutely beautiful—bright, emotional, and full of life. You can tell there’s a real talent not just for photography, but for working with families. These are the kinds of images we’ll treasure for years. Highly recommend to any family, especially those with young children. It was truly a stress-free and enjoyable experience from start to finish."

"We had a fantastic time at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. We have been there many times before and we were excited to see all of the renovations which were finally completed. Mauna Kea did an amazing job of renovating the hotel while keeping it's old historical charm. The many changes blended in seamlessly into the classic Mauna Kea style. We felt the staff was invigorated and were even more focused on making our experience the best possible. The beach remains one of the best on the island. The dining experience was great starting with a breakfast buffet and ending with a delicious dinner. We had an ocean facing room and watched the sunset very night. The rooms were spacious and had all of the amenities you would need."