Iconic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel debuts $180M-plus resort transformation

Iconic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel — Hawai‘i Island’s first resort and originally envisioned by Laurance Rockefeller — unveils a $180-million-plus, multi-phase renovation representing the most extensive transformation in the property’s 60-year history.

An Autograph Collection hotel and part of the expansive Mauna Kea Resort — which also includes The Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Residences — the reimagined Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is now fully open to welcome returning and first-time guests.

It carries forward Rockefeller’s vision of harmonizing world-class hospitality with Hawai‘i’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and environmental stewardship.

The comprehensive renovation unveils 252 fully reimagined guestrooms and suites, a refreshed family resort pool featuring a new oceanfront hot tub and five private cabanas appointed with plush loveseats, mini-refrigerators and privacy curtains.

Also introduced is a new oceanfront wellness retreat, highlighted by a state-of-the-art 2,500-square-foot fitness center and an adults-only infinity lap pool with expansive lanai.

The project even debuts enhanced dining experiences and thoughtfully refreshed public spaces highlighted by a million-dollar curated gallery from the Rockefeller Art Collection and featuring more than 500 historically significant works professionally restored, including Hawaiian kapa cloth and quilts plus antiques and artifacts from the Pacific Rim and Southeast Asia.

Additional phases of the project incorporated photovoltaic solar panels that supply about 45% of the resort’s overall electrical energy needs, underscoring a long-term commitment to sustainability.

Other key enhancements include a redesigned Mauna Kea Golf Course by architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., opening of the 28,000-square-foot Ulu Garden and upgraded in-room amenities such as filtered water stations and complimentary reusable water bottles, further reducing single-use plastics throughout the resort.

“Every detail of this renovation was guided by Rockefellers’ original vision, preserving the architecture, celebrating local craftsmanship and honoring Hawai‘i’s culture and the island’s natural beauty,” said Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Manager Kansas Henderson in a release about the expansive renovation. “With all redesigned guestrooms, suites, pools, dining venues and resort enhancements now open, we’re thrilled to welcome guests to a new era of experiences at Mauna Kea.”

The renovation spans the Main Tower and Beachfront Wing guestrooms and suites, celebrating the resort’s mid-century modern heritage while introducing a renewed sense of warmth and quiet luxury.

Original terrazzo flooring in the Beachfront Wing and the resort’s iconic blue tile flooring in the Main Lobby, along with the Main Tower’s expansive lānai, were preserved.

Throughout both hotel wings, rich woods, handcrafted textiles inspired by Hawaiian weaving and quilting traditions, ceiling fans and plantation shutters in guestrooms, expansive glass lānai doors, bedside lighting control panels and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs were introduced.

Curated artworks by local artists and layered textures and patterns pay homage to Hawai‘i’s cultural heritage, creating a sophisticated yet soulful sense of place.

Culinary enhancements include the debut of Hau Tree Cantina, a re-concept of the resort’s beachfront dining venue.

Hau Tree — a casual, open-air restaurant just steps from Kaunaʻoa Bay — continues to serve beachside lunch favorites such as salads, burgers and Baja-style fish tacos before transitioning in the evening to Hau Tree Cantina, featuring a menu of contemporary regional Mexican dishes from Sinaloa, Sonora, Campeche, Oaxaca and Yucatan.

Modern interpretations of Mexican classics are accompanied by a thoughtfully curated tequila and mezcal list, and refreshingly innovative alcohol-free creations. Legacy signature offerings, including the Frederico and Ovaltine Froth, are familiar refreshing indulgences.

The resort’s signature restaurant, Manta, also received a refresh and introduced a new hyper garden-to-table menu centered on local and seasonal ingredients sourced from Hawai‘i Island farmers, fishermen, ranchers and the resort’s new 28,000-square-foot on-site Ulu Garden.

Perched above Kaunaʻoa Bay with sweeping coastal views, the restaurant’s dinner menu reflects a Kohala Pacific Rim–inspired culinary approach.

“This renovation represents a defining moment for Mauna Kea Beach Hotel,” said hotel Vice President of Operations Craig Anderson in the release. “Our goal was to elevate every aspect of the guest experience while preserving the essence of Mauna Kea’s legacy — a place where land, art and aloha exist in harmony.”

In addition, The Spa at Mauna Kea, opening this spring, will feature 11 treatment rooms — al fresco as well as indoor and outdoor couples treatment suites — along with separate man and woman purification gardens, steam and sauna facilities, a movement pavilion and a spa vitality pool.

Designed to be organically connected to the land and rooted in Hawaiian healing traditions, the spa experience will begin with a chant and extend beyond individual treatments to include plunge and soaking pools and a wellness deck intended for reflection and restoration.

“We look forward to unveiling the Spa at Mauna Kea — an unprecedented sanctuary for wellness and rejuvenation, introducing a spa experience unlike anything previously offered at the resort,” said Henderson.

It will complement the resort’s existing wellness offerings, including the award-winning Seaside Racquet Club, home to nine tennis courts and eight new pickleball courts.

The renovation’s completion coincides with the resort’s 60th anniversary and upcoming grand reopening gala in June, marking 6 decades of hospitality on Hawai‘i Island.

“We look forward to welcoming back generations of friends while inviting new ones to share in the beauty and tranquility of Old Hawai‘i here at Mauna Kea,” Anderson said.

Visit the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel website for additional information, questions or to make reservations.

Click here or follow along on Instagram @MaunaKeaHotel to learn more about the renovation.