Moderator note :
This property was reflagged to become a Westin in 2018. Pre-2018 (and therefore SPG-era) reviews and discussion can be found in this thread :
Hapuna Beach Resort, Waimea, Hawaii [to become a Westin Spring 2018 after renovation] - FlyerTalk Forums

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While self-parking is included in resort fee I opted for the $6 valet parking. So much easier. Speaking of the resort fee, the resort fee also includes internet access and telephone calls. I complained because these are supposed to be complimentary because of elite status. The hotel said they would provide a replacement amenity of additional points to compensate. So, keep this in mind. In my experience, this is how other legacy SPG hotels in Hawaii handled resort fees. The leaked new Marriott terms also indicate properties that charge a resort fee for something otherwise complimentary have to provide an additional (complimentary) amenity.

Excellent breakfast buffet, though at $33-ish you could order off the menu for less money. My rate included the buffet so I didn't see if the complimentary elite breakfast is something different. Plenty of local daily newspapers in lobby and at restaurant, including a daily summary of The New York Times.

Rooms are nicely done, but some idiot decided to have beach house-style wooden blinds instead of curtains. So, there isn't a good way to blackout the rooms at night if you want absolute darkness. Also, the closet has a light that stays on if the doors aren't closed all the way. Another design flaw. Room has the nice new 55-inch LG TVs that are standard with Marriott hotels now. Everything else is legacy Starwood, including robes. No slippers, sadly. No dental or shaving kits, either. My balcony had a sliding door as well as a sliding door screen, which could be nice if you want to sleep with the door open and hear the ocean but not worry about bugs or animals. Hotel website advertises microwaves, but there are no microwaves. There is a fridge, but it isn't stocked. So you probably want to stop at Walmart after landing at the airport for cheap drinks. Only one small bottle of Dasani water is complimentary.

Apparently, there are a lot of wild cats nearby. The hotel even has signs warning guests. public spaces are also nicely done. Basically brand new, although the hotel went cheap and didn't replace the elevators, which are pretty beat up (especially the control panel consoles).

Front desk is horrible. 1 person working; it took 45 minutes for the front desk to check 9 people into their rooms at 8 p.m. Front desk lied about upgrade availability, claiming the suites weren't "clean." After complaining, a manager came out and "upgraded" myself and a colleague to a room with a "deluxe" view. I doubt it was an upgrade because pretty much all the rooms have the same view of the beach and ocean. The manager did say that many of the suites are on the ground floor, which struck me as unusual. No thanks or recognition of SPG status. No amenities sent to the room. Concierge works at front desk, which is weird.

There is a small gift shop hidden away down a corridor. No signage telling you it is there. There is also a massive sales office for Mauna Kea timeshares.

Restaurants close at 9 p.m., which means the only food is room service. Also one of the restaurants, the nicest, isn't open Tuesday and Wednesday. Room service prices aren't that expensive. The lobby bar is open until 11 p.m., but it was completely empty at 8 p.m. Breakfast doesn't start until 6:30 a.m., which is odd. 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. seems more logical than 6:30 a.m.

The fitness center is keycard accessible 24 hours even though signage and materials say 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fitness room/gym is nicely equipped but struck me as very small with only 5-6 treadmills. Beach and pool are gorgeous.

The two big issues:

1) The hotel is done but construction continues at outer buildings that have been sold off for timeshare residences. The noise begins around 8 a.m. and is horrible. You can hear it everywhere from the rooms to the beach and the ocean.

2) The bar is at the kid/family pool, not the adult only pool. Also, there is no drink service on the beach.