Originally Posted by
travelinmanS
The Mauna Lani has a much more "Hawaiian"
feel than the Fairmont which could be a beach resort anywhere in the world. For this reason I prefer the ML. In that price range, however, I'd be staying oceanfront at the Mauna Kea. Much better beach and great hotel.
I would agree with that. IMHO, at $600-800 per night (and assuming that the 4S Hualalai is noticeably more, which it usually is) IMHO, the Mauna Kea is definitely the choice on the Kohala coast - particularly for the superior beach.