CMK10

That's a real disappointment. That breakfast used to be one of the best in the US for elites and a selling point over the Hapuna. I guess this brings the MK in line with their sister property but it's still a downgrade.

italdesign

For those stayed recently, was there a fridge in the room?

tattikat2

Yes there has been a fridge in every room when we have stayed there

aregularmom

Just wrapped up five nights here. Platinum and booked on points before the devaluation. We were VERY pleased for the property for the points we used but the new points rate and cash rates would be harder to swallow.

We were "only" upgraded to a Deluxe Golf Vista and it was on the lowest floor for guest rooms. The room itself was giant but not a great view. Still we were pleased as it was an upgrade and a very pleasant place to rest.

I thought the platinum continental was plenty of food but it did get boring. I'm trying to decide if I would have preferred the grab and go at the Westin as breakfast service was slow (staff shortage; servers were working really hard), but the view was top notch so waiting a bit was ok.

Otherwise service was pretty good. The manager reception was great and my husband got some good bourbon we have trouble finding near us. I just had wine. We ate at Copper Bar twice. Service a little slow but once again the view.

We made use of the free beach equipment. We are early risers which is good as the front row of beach chairs was full by 7am daily. No worries to get a chair father back though; plenty are available.

​​​ We had an amazing time but are resigned to likely never be back unless rates go down.

escapefromphl

This will never change. The chairs aren't full just "booked" feel free to move the stuff, if it's apparent that no one is around.

italdesign

Does anyone know if the parking fee here earns points from the stay? Not talking about earning from any CC, I know I'll earn that.

escapefromphl

No, just F&B for me. Not even tips, which is I guess expected.

DeirdreTours

Maybe during dead times of year or for one night stays, but for a 5 night points award, I have never been upgraded to beachfront here, typically we have paid for the upgrade to beachfront (used to $100 to upgrade, over the last 10 years it has climbed to $200 a night).

22calbr

I received complimentary Plat upgrade from golf view to beachfront over Labor Day Weekend on a 4-nt stay using points/FNCs. I suspect property was about 75-80% capacity when chatting with the FD, but restaurants/luau were at max capacity. Silly thing is my SNAs were rejected and I think I included anything not golf view.

Pocatello

What is the manager reception? I have not heard of this before at the Mauna Kea.

Thanks.

brentyb

We stayed in mid June this year, on a 6 night reward stay. SNA were denied, but we were upgraded to a beachfront deluxe suite on arrival.

DeirdreTours

Color me jealous! I have never managed any upgrade at this hotel, but have always paid to upgrade to beachfront. Stayed maybe 35 nights over 10 years, so not enough to really know, but enough to feel like I know......

VWang1111

Had a great one night stay here although the prices either in points in cash are steep. Good use of the 85k /nt certificate as the signup bonus for the AMEX Bonvoy Brilliant Card though.

The complimentary continental breakfast for platinums is good and very filling but not necessarily luxurious.

Booked the cheapest golf view on points but was upgraded to a beach view for free without SNAs.

escapefromphl

How much should one tip for this breakfast, previously I tipped on the declared value of the full buffet 2 x $49, so a $20 tip. Not sure a fruit plate and pastry warrants much of a tip?

jayer

You are re-asking possibly the most debated question on Flyer Talk, but in a slightly different manner. The larger question is "Is the tip included for a complimentary breakfast provided to elites"?

The answer is debatable. Sometimes explained one way or the other in the fine print on the back of a breakfast certificate. (Frequently to usually but not always included). You can add more if you thought the server was exceptional. (I usually split the difference, but, go away wondering if I look cheap--or am a sucker who just way overtipped a conniving server). The question is further complicated if it is a buffet and only limited service is provided by the waitstaff.

In light of the sudden and dramatic price inflation, and reverting to "no hot food for you" for Marriott elites, I'm wondering if the Westin Hapuna Beach now makes way more sense than the Mauna Kea. (Granted, it is giving up a bit of something cache that is hard to quantify). Presuming one does not have a stack of free night certificates that would actually work at the Mauna Kea, or more points than one knows what to do with and only anticipates visiting Hawaii once; I'm not sure there is much of a drop off. Both of them are in sort of a food desert anyway, with very few other places to eat nearby.