Auberge Mauna Lani: A Luxury Hawaii Hotel Review | Elli Travel
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A first-hand look at what makes Auberge’s Big Island property work — and who it works best for
ADVISORS UNPACKED · BIG ISLAND, HAWAII Our luxury travel specialists stay at the hotels, eat at the restaurants, and report back exactly what they think — so you can book with confidence, not guesswork. This review is based on a firsthand visit in April 2026. REVIEWED BY: Samantha Shaw, Luxury Travel Advisor Corey Cook, Luxury Travel Advisor Kayla Schlesinger, Luxury Travel Advisor Juan Fernandez, Luxury Travel Advisor Elli Travel Group is an Auberge Collection, Rosewood Elite, Virtuoso & Four Seasons Preferred Travel Agency Corey, Sam, and Kayla visited Auberge Mauna Lani in April 2026 as part of a multi-property Big Island site inspection that also included Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort and Four Seasons Hualalai. All three are active Elli Travel Group luxury specialists with experience across Hawaii, the Caribbean, and beyond. Corey’s take: “This is the best-conceived luxury family property on the Kohala Coast.” Sam’s take: “Definitely the best food experience I’ve ever had.” Juan's take: Perfect for multi-generational families |
There is a moment, shortly after you arrive at Auberge Mauna Lani, when the whole resort reveals itself at once. You are standing two stories above the lobby floor, looking down over an open-air atrium of warm woods, deep textures, and lounging spaces that spill toward the sound of the ocean. The feeling is immediate and theatrical — and then, just as quickly, it settles into something easy. That balance between drama and comfort is, in many ways, what defines this property.
We spent three nights at Mauna Lani on a team trip to the Big Island in early 2026, traveling alongside Corey Cook, Samantha Shaw and Kayla Schlesinger. We stayed in different room categories, ate at every restaurant, paddled an outrigger canoe into open water at sunrise, and got caught in a rare windstorm on a snorkeling excursion. Here is what we learned.
The Arrival
The Auberge Mauna Lani sits on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island — about 40 minutes north of Kona Airport — on the grounds of what was originally a 1970s-era hotel. That heritage matters, and the transformation Auberge has accomplished as the resort was reimagined into something that genuinely earns its luxury designation.
Walking into the lobby for the first time, Sam put it well: it has scale and grandeur of but executed with a beautiful sensibility. Designer-chic... The outrigger canoe on display, the Hawaiian textiles, the local woods — everything speaks to place in a way that feels intentional rather than decorative.
“It had a pretty spectacular sense of arrival. A lot of textures. Modern. It’s just this grand lobby with lots nice interior touches to the design.” — Corey Cook
At night, the lighting transforms the space entirely. The ambient glow across those seating areas, the coffee bar, the open-air passages — guests naturally gravitate downstairs just to be in the atmosphere. Sam spent a mornings working from the lobby simply because she loved the energy of the area.
The Rooms
All guest rooms at Mauna Lani share a similar layout. The meaningful distinction between categories is view — and the views here are the reason to book. Every room has a private balcony, most of them generous, and the team collectively spent a significant amount of time on theirs.
Juan had an oceanfront room; Corey and Sam were in ocean view. The difference is directional — oceanfront faces straight out, ocean view gives you an angled glimpse — many of the ocean view rooms and all of the ocean front rooms will have spectacular sunset views. The sunsets from the Kohala Coast are legitimately spectacular.
The interiors reflect Auberge’s signature design sensibility — local textiles, natural materials, warm colors that reinforce a sense of Hawaiian place. It is not minimalist. It is warm and layered and confidently decorated. Clients who travel for design will appreciate it.
The Villas
Mauna Lani has a small collection of two-bedroom villas tucked quietly on the property. We walked through them and were genuinely surprised. At roughly 4,000 square feet for two bedrooms and a living room, they are enormous — with private pools and views of the water. They are not full residences (no kitchens), and they are not beachfront (a three-to-four-minute walk back to the main beach). But for clients seeking privacy above all else, they offer something the main hotel simply cannot.
For most families, however, the better choice is connecting rooms near the central lawn. As what they gain in space in the Villas they give up in proximity to everything that makes Mauna Lani work for families: the pool, the beach, the surf shack, the green space.
AUBERGE PREFERRED PARTNER |
When you book Auberge Mauna Lani through Elli Travel Group, you receive the following at the same rate as booking direct: ✓ Daily breakfast for two Included every morning of your stay at Haulani or your restaurant of choice ✓ Resort credit Typically $100–$200 USD, applied to dining, spa treatments, or resort activities ✓ Room upgrade on arrival One category above booked, based on availability at check-in ✓ Early check-in / late checkout Subject to availability — your advisor will request this at booking ✓ VIP guest recognition Noted in the reservation and acknowledged at check-in ✓ Personalized pre-arrival coordination Your advisor contacts the hotel directly before you arrive — including for dietary needs and activity bookings |
The Sunrise Outrigger — Book This First
If you take one piece of advice from this post, let it be this: book the sunrise outrigger canoe at the same time you make the room reservation. It fills quickly, and it was the groups favorite activity.
The format is simple. Guests gather at the surf shack before dawn, help push a traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe into the water, then paddle together out to an open-water vantage point to watch the sun come up over the volcano. The guides are extraordinary — warm, knowledgeable, steeped in Hawaiian culture. There is a shell ceremony at sea. And then, more often than not, when in season, the whales show up.
There is something irreducibly powerful about paddling out in a traditional Hawaiian canoe, watching humpbacks breach a hundred yards away, as the sun climbs over the island.
One practical note: Juan recommends booking this for the first morning of arrival, especially for clients flying in from the continental U.S. Because of Jet-Lag, guests are typically up early, so best to use that energy.
Everything Else the Surf Shack Offers
The surf shack is the activity hub of the resort. E-biking excursions depart from here. So does the property’s private snorkeling and whale-watching boat — though snorkeling conditions are weather-dependent, and we had the misfortune of going out on one of the windiest days in recent memory. (We did see extraordinary numbers of whales even through the chop, which softened the blow considerably.) The manta ray night dive is a separate experience available through the hotel, and widely regarded as an amazing wildlife encounter — particularly good for families.
There is also surfing. A cove adjacent to the property — a five-minute walk from the shack — offers beginner-to-intermediate waves when there is a swell. Juan surfed it during our February visit and found it ideal. The caveat: it is swell-dependent and not available year-round. Check with the hotel at time of booking for summer visits.
The Pool, the Beach, and Why This Property Works for Families
Auberge Mauna Lani’s beach is a protected cove. That single fact matters enormously for family
bookings. The water is calm year-round — even on the storm day we were there, the cove produced nothing more than gentle lapping at the shoreline. Young children can swim freely. Parents or Grandparents can sit at the water’s edge without concern.
The pool complex is where the property’s family intelligence really shows. There are three pools: a large family pool that looks out over the lawn and toward the ocean; a sand-bottom wading pool for toddlers who are not yet swimmers; and an adult infinity pool set approximately 25 to 50 yards away from the family area, adjacent to the bar, with distant ocean views. The separation is meaningful. Couples and adults who want a quieter pool experience have one. Families who want to be in the thick of things have theirs.
“There’s all this green space everywhere. You can have your kids go in the pool, then go play soccer, throw a ball around, and come back to the pool. It’s really set up well for families.” — Juan Fernandez
The beach cabanas occupy a particular sweet spot in the layout — positioned between the pool area and the waterline, they offer sightlines to both. For multigenerational trips where grandparents want to supervise without chasing, they are ideal.
Corey summed it up honestly: she sees Mauna Lani as a great family resort. This is the best-conceived luxury family property on the Kohala Coast — and it is luxurious enough that the adults in the party will feel genuinely pampered, not merely accommodated.
Dining: The Canoe House and Beyond
Dinner at the Canoe House on our first night set the tone for everything that followed. The restaurant occupies a prime position at the water’s edge, with the best sunset views on the property and an energy that borders on electric. It draws a crowd from other resorts along the coast — a genuine destination in its own right.
The food lived up to the atmosphere. The bread arrived and produced the kind of collective reverence at the table that only really good bread can. Fish and meat dishes followed, all of them well-executed, with a Pacific Rim sensibility that felt authentic to place.
But the meal that surprised us most was at Haulani, the Mediterranean restaurant adjacent to the adult pool. Corey, called it phenomenal. Family-style sharing plates — dips, garnishes, mezze, pasta — arrived in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere that felt entirely different from the Canoe House’s electricity. Both are excellent. They serve different moods. Haulani also doubles as the breakfast venue, which means it is a room guests will inhabit multiple times per stay. It holds up.
A Note on Dietary Accommodations
Sam is gluten-free, and what the culinary team at Mauna Lani did for her deserves its own paragraph. The F&B manager called her cell phone before arrival. Not to check a box — to have a conversation. He walked her through the menus, told her what would and wouldn’t work, gave her his personal number, and made clear she should reach out directly throughout the stay.
“Even the desserts — the pastry chef deconstructed a raspberry and did all these crazy things. It was definitely the best food experience I’ve ever had.” — Samantha Shaw
When the beach cabana menu had nothing she could eat, the kitchen sent food from the main restaurant without question. When she texted to ask about the gluten-free pizza he had mentioned, he made her one. The presentation on every dish was restaurant-quality, not accommodation-quality. For advisors with clients who navigate dietary restrictions, this level of care is worth leading with.
Golf, Tennis, and the Rest
Mauna Lani has two 18-hole championship golf courses — a South Course with significant water features and a North Course that plays more open — plus a par-three course and a driving range, both complimentary. For golf-focused clients, that complimentary par-three and driving range access is a real value-add worth mentioning. The property also has a full tennis and pickleball center and a gym that received strong reviews from the team.
There is also a weekly luau. Confirm which night it falls on when booking.
One thing coming soon that is worth flagging to design-forward clients: Mauna Lani is developing what will be the largest hotel-integrated art exhibition in Hawaii, displayed throughout the lobby and corridor spaces. It’s an ongoing project that highlights local artists.
How It Compares
Auberge Mauna Lani vs. Rosewood Kona Village
These are the three premium options on the Big Island, and they serve genuinely different clients. Mauna Lani skews slightly toward a family resort — centralized, active, well-priced relative to its competition, and organized around the premise that guests of all ages should have something to do. Rosewood Kona, although incredibly family friendly, is an adults-oriented casita village that prioritizes privacy, design, and an extraordinary spa above all else. If you have a couple looking for a wow moment, Rosewood. If you have a family with children under 13, Mauna Lani — comfortably.
The beach comparison also matters: Mauna Lani’s cove is smaller and calmer. Rosewood Kona’s is longer and more dramatic. Both are swimmable; Mauna Lani’s is more forgiving for young swimmers while families with older kids will love the beach at Rosewood Kona Village.
Auberge Mauna Lani vs. Four Seasons Hualalai
The Four Seasons Hualalai is the long-established standard-bearer on this coast, and it remains excellent — particularly for golfers, who can access one of the best courses in Hawaii exclusively as resort guests. But it is also a large, traditional American resort: multi-story buildings, extensive pool offerings, multiple restaurants, spread across considerable acreage. If a client wants the quintessential Big Island luxury resort experience in its most complete form, Hualalai delivers. If they want something with more design personality, stronger family infrastructure, or a better central gathering point, Mauna Lani is a safe bet.
Auberge Mauna Lani vs. Fairmont Orchid
The Fairmont Orchid sits a mile from Mauna Lani and recently completed a property refresh. Corey, Sam and Kayla visited and found that the beach is genuinely lovely, and the new work has improved things. But it remains, in terms of luxury, a notch down from the Mauna Lani experience. More of a corporate hotel with rooms that feel slightly cookie-cutter (the property was originally built as a Ritz-Carlton and has that DNA throughout), a more corporate atmosphere, and a polish level that falls short of Mauna Lani but still a solid choice for families with a lower budget.
Who Should Stay Here
Families with children of any age — particularly those with kids under 13 who would struggle at a more adult-oriented property like Rosewood Kona. The pool layout, the beach, the green space, the surf shack, and the activity programming are all designed with families in mind, and they work.
Couples who want luxury without the ultra-luxury price tag. Mauna Lani is the most accessible of the three premium Big Island options, and it delivers a genuine five-star experience. The adult pool, the Canoe House, the sunset views — there is plenty here for two people who want to be pampered.
Active travelers of all configurations. Two championship golf courses, tennis, pickleball, e-biking, surfing, snorkeling, paddling — the property is built for people who want to move.
Anyone flying from the mainland for the first time and wanting a full-service Hawaiian resort that will not disappoint. This is not the most exclusive property in Hawaii. It is one of the most satisfying.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Questions Our Clients Ask Us About Auberge Mauna Lani
Do we really need to book the sunrise outrigger canoe in advance?
Yes — this is the single most important booking tip in this entire post. The experience fills quickly, especially during whale season (roughly December through April), and it was our team’s favorite activity of the entire trip. We add it to the reservation at the same time we book the room so clients never miss it. If you are traveling from the mainland, request the first morning of your stay — jet lag means you will likely be awake anyway, and the early wake-up will not feel like a sacrifice.
Is it worth booking an oceanfront room over ocean view?
For sunset-focused travelers, yes. Oceanfront faces straight out to the water, while ocean view gives you an angled glimpse — but the good news is that many ocean view rooms and all oceanfront rooms deliver spectacular sunset views from the Kohala Coast. If budget is a primary concern, ocean view will not disappoint. If watching the sunset from your own balcony every evening is a priority, the upgrade to oceanfront is worth the cost.
We have two children under 10 — is this the right Big Island property for us?
Yes, confidently. This is the property we recommend most often for families with young children on the Kohala Coast. The protected cove beach is calm and safe even on stormy days, the pool complex includes a sand-bottom wading pool for non-swimmers, and the green space around the property gives kids room to move between activities. If you are weighing this against Rosewood Kona Village, Mauna Lani is the better choice for children under 13.
Should we book the two-bedroom villas or connecting rooms?
For most families, connecting rooms near the central lawn are the better choice — you stay close to the pool, beach, and surf shack, which is where the property’s family magic happens. The villas are extraordinary (roughly 4,000 square feet with a private pool) but they are a three-to-four-minute walk from the beach and priced at a meaningful premium. We recommend the villas specifically for clients who want privacy above proximity, or larger groups who need the space.
Do we need to mention dietary restrictions before we arrive?
Yes, and the earlier the better. The culinary team at Mauna Lani goes well beyond standard accommodation — our advisor Sam, who is gluten-free, had the F&B manager call her personal cell phone before arrival to walk through the menus together. We flag every dietary restriction to the property in advance as part of our pre-arrival coordination, and clients consistently tell us it made a meaningful difference in how seamless their stay felt.
Can you combine Mauna Lani with another Big Island property?
Absolutely — this is one of our favorite Big Island itinerary structures. Pairing three or four nights at Mauna Lani (for families or active travelers) with a few nights at Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort (for couples seeking a more intimate, design-forward finish) gives clients two completely different luxury experiences in a single trip. We can build this itinerary, coordinate transfers between properties, and secure preferred partner amenities at both.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Auberge Mauna Lani — Everything You Need to Know Before You Book
What is Auberge Mauna Lani and where is it located?
Auberge Mauna Lani is a luxury Hawaii hotel on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, approximately 40 minutes north of Kona Airport. It is part of the Auberge Resorts Collection and sits on the grounds of a historic coastal property that has been transformed into a full-service resort with two championship golf courses, a protected cove beach, multiple pools, and the Kohala Coast’s most celebrated sunset restaurant, the Canoe House.
Is Auberge Mauna Lani good for families?
Yes — it is one of the best luxury Hawaii hotels for families on the Kohala Coast. The resort is organized around a central lawn and pool complex that makes it easy for families of all configurations to stay close together. There is a large family pool, a sand-bottom wading pool for toddlers, an adults-only infinity pool, and a protected cove beach with calm, swimmable water. The surf shack runs family-friendly experiences including the sunrise outrigger canoe, snorkeling trips, and e-biking.
What is the sunrise outrigger canoe experience at Auberge Mauna Lani?
The sunrise outrigger canoe is the signature experience at Auberge Mauna Lani and should be booked at the time of reservation — it fills up quickly. Guests gather before dawn at the resort’s surf shack, help push a traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe into the ocean, then paddle together to an open-water vantage point to watch the sun rise over the volcano. A traditional shell ceremony is performed at sea, and whale sightings are common during whale season.
How does Auberge Mauna Lani compare to the Four Seasons Hualalai?
Both are luxury Hawaii hotels on the Kohala Coast, and both are excellent — but they serve different clients. The Four Seasons Hualalai is the right choice for serious golfers: the Hualalai Golf Course is exclusively available to resort guests. Auberge Mauna Lani offers a stronger family experience, a more distinctive design identity, and a more centralized layout that works especially well for groups.
What restaurants are at Auberge Mauna Lani?
The two primary dining venues are the Canoe House and Haulani. The Canoe House is the resort’s signature restaurant — set at the water’s edge with the best sunset views on the property and a Pacific Rim menu. Reservations are essential. Haulani is the resort’s Mediterranean restaurant, serving family-style sharing plates in a more relaxed atmosphere, and also serves as the breakfast venue. The culinary team’s handling of dietary restrictions is exceptional.
Does Auberge Mauna Lani have a good beach?
Yes. The beach at Auberge Mauna Lani is a protected cove, which means the water is calm and swimmable year-round. Young children and non-swimmers can wade comfortably. The beach is smaller than the black-sand beach at nearby Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, but its sheltered, gentle conditions make it the safer and more family-friendly option.
What golf is available at Auberge Mauna Lani?
Auberge Mauna Lani has two 18-hole championship golf courses — the South Course, which features significant water hazards, and the North Course, which plays more open. The property also includes a complimentary par-three course and driving range — a meaningful value distinction compared to other luxury Hawaii hotels on the coast.
What are the villas at Auberge Mauna Lani like?
Mauna Lani has a small collection of two-bedroom villas, each approximately 4,000 square feet, with a private pool and ocean views. They are not full residences (no kitchens) and are not beachfront, sitting roughly a three-to-four-minute walk from the main beach. For clients prioritizing maximum privacy and space, they are extraordinary. For families who want to be in the heart of the resort’s activity, connecting rooms near the central lawn are typically the better choice.
Is Auberge Mauna Lani good for couples?
Absolutely. While Auberge Mauna Lani is particularly well-suited to families, it works beautifully for couples — especially those who want a full luxury Hawaii hotel experience at a price point below the ultra-premium tier. The adult-only infinity pool provides a peaceful retreat, the Canoe House is one of the most romantic sunset dining settings on the Big Island, and oceanfront balconies offer spectacular private views.
What are the benefits of booking Auberge Mauna Lani through Elli Travel Group?
As an Auberge Preferred Partner, Elli Travel Group clients receive daily breakfast for two, a resort credit, room upgrade on arrival based on availability, early check-in and late checkout when available, and VIP recognition — all at the same rate as booking direct. Our advisors have stayed at this property firsthand and can advise on room categories, activity timing, dining reservations, and how to structure a Big Island itinerary.
MORE FROM THE ADVISORS UNPACKED SERIES |
→ Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort: The Big Island’s Most Extraordinary Luxury Hawaii Hotel — Our firsthand review of the casita village redefining what a Hawaiian resort can be → The Luxury Maui Hotel Guide: Wailea vs. Kapalua — First-hand reviews of every major Maui property, from Fairmont Kea Lani to Ritz-Carlton Kapalua → Four Seasons Lanai Review — Our firsthand review of one of Hawaii's most unique property |
Ready to plan your stay at Auberge Mauna Lani? Elli Travel Group is an Auberge Preferred Partner. Our advisors stayed here firsthand. We can help you choose the right room, book the sunrise outrigger canoe, lock in your Preferred Partner amenities, and build the Big Island itinerary that is right for your family — all at the same rate you’d pay booking direct. → Email Corey Cook: Corey@ElliTravel.com → Email Samantha Shaw: Sam@ElliTravel.com → Email Kayla Schlesinger: Kayla.Schlesinger@ElliTravel.com → Email Juan Fernandez: Juan@ElliTravel.com |
Independent Affiliates of Elli Travel Group |
About This Guide
This guide was written by Elli Travel Group advisors Corey Cook, Samantha Shaw, Kayla Schlesinger, and Co-Founder Juan Fernandez — a Virtuoso-member agency based in Westchester, New York, specializing in luxury travel. The team visited Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort firsthand in April 2026 as part of a multi-property Big Island site inspection that also included Auberge Mauna Lani and Four Seasons Hualalai.
Elli Travel Group holds preferred partner status with Rosewood Elite, which provides clients with confirmed benefits including daily breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit, and a room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability. These are not requests — they are guaranteed through our partner agreements.
Elli Travel Group is an Auberge Preferred Partner and Virtuoso member agency. Corey Cook, Samantha Shaw, and Kayla Schlesinger visited Auberge Mauna Lani firsthand in April 2026. Amenity details are current as of publication and subject to change; confirm with your advisor at time of
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