62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kohala Coast, Hawaii 96743, US
(808) 882-7222
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About Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Hawaii Island)

Located on the west side of Hawaii (Big) Island on the Kohala Coast, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is an iconic Hawaiian golf resort, founded by Laurence S. Rockafeller, and a member of the historic hotels of America. Robert Trent Jones Sr. built the iconic Mauna Kea Golf Course in 1964 which set the standard for Hawaiian golf at the time and remains one of the state's best resort golf courses. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has 252 guest rooms and suites and is part of the Autograph Collection. Features of the property include Kauna'oa Bay, a white-sand beach with water sports from snorkeling to beach activities. A Keiki kids club is available for guests daily, and there is a spa, tennis, and 2,500-square-foot fitness center. Mauna Kea Spa and Salon is also onsite. In addition to the Mauna Kea Golf Course, Hapuna Golf Course is located next door and a partner property with stay-and-play golf packages.

Facts

Price Range$$$$
Property Class★★★★★
Acres1839
Year Opened1964
Number of Units100-300

Amenities

RestaurantsFine, Casual, Bar, Buffet
Room TypesRoom, Suite
TennisYes
Fitness CenterYes
Practice FacilityYes
Beach AccessYes
Golf School/AcademyYes
Banquet SpaceYes
SpaYes

Services

Kids ProgramYes
Room ServiceYes
ConciergeYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?No
Is resort stay required for a tee time?No

Golf courses at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Hawaii Island)

Reviews

4.9
581 Reviews (581)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Special Day at Mauna Kea Golf Club

Perfect weather and unreal conditions made this Saturday afternoon round a day to remember. Because of the Co-vid 19 emergency, the course was empty but not yet closed. I didn't see a soul for the first 6 holes. Course conditions were immaculate. Lots of uphill, elevated greens make this course tough. Club selection is crucial and you will need to down club for many of the greens to make the climb.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing

Loved this course. Challenging for sure, but fair. It was in great shape. Definitely a course you play better the second time because there are some shots that you learn you can’t hit after you hit them. The staff was extremely friendly. My wife was playing only her second round of golf and they were very accommodating to let us tee off at a time where we wouldn’t feel rushed.

The pro shop was very impressive. Great selection of gear. One downside was that the bar closed at 3:30 so we didn’t get to have food afterwards. Thought that was odd.

Otherwise had a great time. And you can’t beat the views. You can see the ocean on most holes. And not just see it but have an incredible view.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course to play on Big Island

Really enjoyed my round at Mauna Kea. Views were spectacular and course was in pristine shape. Would highly recommend!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Experience

This course has some of the most memorable golf holes I’ve ever played, incorporating the water and rocky coastline beautifully. However, some of the holes that aren’t on the water are fairly pedestrian with blind approaches that take away from the design (in my opinion). That being said, great staff and great course conditions led to a wonderful experience at Mauna Kae. Will definitely return.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 86
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

This course has it all, but price is to high. Maybe that is why it is never really busy. But the place desires top ratings.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Not worth the money

We played Mauna Kea while on a golf trip to the island of Hawaii. We have played here a number of times on previous trip but will not be back. The condition of the course is not up to the standard of the price they charge. Several greens are not in good shape. The bunkers are not consistent, some had almost no sand, some had way too much and it was difficult to judge how a sand shot should be played.

The pace of play on previous visits was ok. This round we had a group of 5 players ahead of us and they were slow. Normally when a Course makes an exception for a 5 some, they would have to commit to keep up with the pace of play, this group did not. We complained to the marshal and golf shop but nothing was done about it.

We do not recommend playing at Mauna Kea.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 86
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

One of my favorite courses in the world. Has everything from scenery to great ocean holes, massive bunkers and great changes in elevation

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 86
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Just a great golf course

Course is for better then average player, by the end of the round this course will get the best of you

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Top many bunkers

Every green is framed by bunkers.. Most greens are elevated so pitch shots are blind. It is not a creative design. Beautiful views. Mauna Lani has much better courses. This course has no alternate path to any green...It has to be through the air.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Perfect

Excellent course, stunning views, great design, pristine conditions, true and fast greens, friendly staff. One just can not wish for more!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 164
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
Missouri Advisor
First Time Playing

One of my favorite par 3's!

Awesome course with a fun but challenging layout. Neat clubhouse with fantastic food. Hotel and beach just a short walk away. A lot of elevated greens. The majestic par three over the ocean is one of my favorite all time holes (I double bogeyed). Played hapuna up the hill as well but highly recommend this one as it actually goes down to the ocean vs just ocean views. Would love to come back very soon!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Not s review but a statement,

Unfortunately, the weather condition was so bad. The wind was howling and really blowing strong and for safety reasons, we decided to quit playing . We were the only ones playing the course. We never saw anybody in front nor behind us. They should not have allowed us to play under those dangerous conditions. Please make representation to Mauna Kea to allow us to replay the round while we are here vacationing in the island. Appreciate it very much.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
First Time Playing
Used cart

Very nice course

The course condition was great, Pace of play was excellent. Friendly staff. I would have definitely played Mauna Kea again if we had the time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

My Favorite in the World

I've played a lot of the best courses in the world, including Pine Valley, Pebble, Cape Kidnappers, etc. This is still my favorite course. Great conditions, great views and every hole is interesting. There is some local knowledge required on the greens, as is typical, especially for courses with a lot of elevation changes, but this is a don't miss experience.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Grab a board and go to Mauna Kea!

This was my 2nd time playing Mauna Kea and using a Golf Board to experience "surfing" the fairways. I can't think of a better way to spend 4 hours (and get a bit of a workout using the board); playing a great course, in great conditions and gazing at the beauty of the Kohala Coast the whole time! I would love it if it were just a bit more reasonably priced, so I would be encouraged to do this every time I am on the Big Island, but then again, the pace of play might be affected with more golfers enjoying this beauty! Gotta do it, even if you only do it once!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful experience

Absolutely gorgeous views while navigating this fun and challenging track. Changes in elevations and sloping fairways allow you to use every club in the bag. The tee boxes, fairways and greens are also nicely manicured! I will definitely be returning next time!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

May 6

Greens are still very bumpy and sandy from plugging. course with a tee box for everyone.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Friendly with exceptional views

The course has 3 extremely scenic holes and staff to match the resort atmosphere. Friendly from the get go and although maybe not worth the entire green fee it is a must play on the island. Course was in great shape from tee to greens and pace of play was 3 hours and 45 minutes for two of us after being let go by a foursome in front of us. A challenge from the tournament tees in the wind but fair with tons of room.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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