Mauna Lani Beach Club Pass F4 Palm Villas at Mauna Lani

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about the Palm Villas at Mauna Lani? It’s actually not right on the beach like the name suggests – but honestly, that turned out to be a good thing. The F4 unit I stayed in sits back in this quieter section where you get all the resort amenities through the Beach Club pass without the constant foot traffic. I mean, you’re still just a quick golf cart ride (or decent walk if you don’t mind the heat) to that gorgeous stretch of sand where the Mauna Lani Resort fronts the ocean.

The villa itself feels more like staying at someone’s well-appointed Big Island home than a typical hotel room. The kitchen was actually functional – I’m talking full-size appliances, decent cookware, the works. Which is clutch because groceries on the Big Island aren’t cheap, but there’s a Foodland in Waimea that’s worth the drive if you’re planning to cook. The lanai overlooks the golf course, and while that might sound boring, it’s surprisingly peaceful watching the early morning golfers tee off while you’re having coffee. The trade winds hit just right in the afternoons too. One thing though – the AC unit is a bit loud, so if you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs or just leave the windows open for that natural Big Island breeze.

What really makes this place work is the Beach Club access situation. You get to use all the facilities at the actual Mauna Lani resort – the restaurants, the beach services, even the pools – without paying those insane nightly rates. The concierge there knows their stuff about the area too, which helped when I wanted to book that manta ray night dive (absolutely do this, by the way). The whole Kohala Coast is pretty magical, but Mauna Lani sits in this sweet spot where you’re close enough to Waimea for upcountry adventures and shopping, but still have that luxury resort feel when you want to just zone out by the ocean. Sure, it’s not a five-star experience – you’ll notice some wear around the edges, maybe the furniture’s a bit dated – but for an 8.0 rating, it delivers exactly what you’d expect. Perfect for couples who want space to spread out, or honestly anyone who appreciates having a real home base while exploring the island instead of just another hotel room.

Rooms

• Holiday Home with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 large double bed and 2 × 2 single beds for 8 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities