Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection Hotel (Marriott)

Where: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawai’i

Highlights: art and mid-century architecture, a koi pond, a saltwater pool, and a white-sand beach on gorgeous Kauna’oa bay. 

First impressions are so important, and I was happy and ready for vacation mode from the moment we stepped out of our rental car. We were greeted at the hotel with lei, fresh juice, and a cold oshibori (Japanese washcloth), which my daughter loved.  

There was no line at the seated check-in desk, and our Marriott status gave us an upgrade to an oceanview room. 

The Mauna Kea is situated on Kauna’oa Bay, a pristine white-sand beach.

We got an amazing kama’aina (Hawai’i resident) rate on a golf course view room and were lucky to be upgraded to an ocean view room due to Marriott status. Upgrades by no means ever a given even when you have status (despite what they say…), so it’s always nice when it actually happens.

We inquired about the cost of upgrading to a suite (because the baby sleeps so well in her own room!), but were told that they were sold out for the weekend.

Cutest little retro coffee and tea. Coffee is individually brewed in those one-cup / one-filter bag setups.