Marriott Bonvoy hotels on the Big Island of Hawaii
Mar 21, 2021, 8:04 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ROA / CLT
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Life Plat
Posts: 801
One plus for the Marriott Waikoloa if you're able to upgrade is the Na Hale rooms and suites, as they're in their own separate building a short distance from the rest of the resort. We had booked an ocean view room in the main building, and were quite happy to get upgraded as a Titanium to a Na Hale Suite. Our suite was spacious and updated pretty recently (2018?), feeling more like a modern condo than a hotel. The bathroom was huge too, with a shower with a glass door that opens to a private outdoor shower area.
Food at the Waikoloa was just OK, but I usually don't look to eat at a hotel for more than breakfast anyway. OTOH, the Lava Lava Beach Club is just a short walk along the beach and a great place for lunch and drinks while enjoying the views.
Food at the Waikoloa was just OK, but I usually don't look to eat at a hotel for more than breakfast anyway. OTOH, the Lava Lava Beach Club is just a short walk along the beach and a great place for lunch and drinks while enjoying the views.
Mar 24, 2021, 3:26 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: MM / UA 1K
Posts: 473
I am going for three nights at the Waikoloa and 5-6 nights at Hapuna.
using my 35k free night feet’s seem d too good to pass up.
beacause suite upgrades are important, I chose Hapuna over Mauna Kea. I also heard swimming for adults is better at the Hapuna pools, is that true?
using my 35k free night feet’s seem d too good to pass up.
beacause suite upgrades are important, I chose Hapuna over Mauna Kea. I also heard swimming for adults is better at the Hapuna pools, is that true?
The Hapuna has a couple pools including an "adults only" pool. Here's the blurb from Hapuna's official webpage:
"Cool off in two swimming pools, including a 6,800-square-foot freeform family pool and an adult-exclusive infinity pool, overlooking Hapuna Beach."
Of course both the Hapuna and Mauna Kea have nice beaches if you wish to forgo the pool.
Nov 20, 2021, 11:27 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 21
Hawai’i advice: Mauna Kea v. Westin Hapuna
Hi everyone, new member here and looking for advice. Our family is looking to vacation for the first time since the start of the pandemic on Hawai’i island and are looking for advice. I know this question has been asked in various places, but would love an updated view from the experts here in the context of our family and times.
We are considering Mauna Kea or Westin Hapuna for 5 nights in May/June time period. Specifics:
My understanding of the pros for each below.
Mauna Kea:
Westin Hapuna:
Thoughts? Would be great to get input/experiences here! Thanks, all.
We are considering Mauna Kea or Westin Hapuna for 5 nights in May/June time period. Specifics:
- Family of 4 with 2 young kids (4 yr; 1 yr, 5 mo)
- Ambassador status and happy to use SNAs (not expecting much…)
- Priorities: Nice ocean view room, general family activities (incl. for young kids), pretty beaches (seems like two are similar)
- Would book the default room with points and hope for upgrade
My understanding of the pros for each below.
Mauna Kea:
- “Nicer” property and staff; more stylish
- Quieter beach (although some reviews say people lock down prime chairs early and don’t use them)
- No resort fee (so, ~$175?)
Westin Hapuna:
- Better value (80k pts for Westin; 200k pts for MK - long story short, using a series of expiring FNAs and hoping to use the new top-up option early next year)
- More likely to get upgrades with status, SNAs (?)
- Better pools for families
Thoughts? Would be great to get input/experiences here! Thanks, all.
Last edited by Clearfield; Nov 20, 2021 at 11:37 pm
Nov 23, 2021, 7:34 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,861
You pretty much have it down. I think your chances of SNA clearing are marginally better at the Hapuna. But your status should ensure at least the beachfront at MK unless it’s super busy. I think they still don’t technically let you book a points stay for 4 at the MK. But I doubt you will encounter any issues. So you can’t go far wrong with either. I would be inclined to use the certs up, and stay at the Hapuna.
Nov 23, 2021, 8:30 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 21
You pretty much have it down. I think your chances of SNA clearing are marginally better at the Hapuna. But your status should ensure at least the beachfront at MK unless it’s super busy. I think they still don’t technically let you book a points stay for 4 at the MK. But I doubt you will encounter any issues. So you can’t go far wrong with either. I would be inclined to use the certs up, and stay at the Hapuna.
Nov 23, 2021, 11:30 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Clearfield !
There's no right or wrong. There's what works best for you. And, specifically, do what works best for you on this trip.
David
David
Nov 23, 2021, 2:43 pm
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,563
With 2 kids, I'd seriously consider the MVCI in Waikoloa. Trades off a little bit of "style" for a lot more space plus a partial kitchen.
Dec 8, 2021, 8:40 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 21
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Clearfield !
There's no right or wrong. There's what works best for you. And, specifically, do what works best for you on this trip.
David
There's no right or wrong. There's what works best for you. And, specifically, do what works best for you on this trip.
David
Jul 7, 2022, 5:33 pm
#26
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Edwardsburg, MI
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta Plat
Posts: 189
The Westin is better in every way IMO. The Marriott is more proximate to additional dining and shopping, but the resorts are only about 10 minutes apart, so it shouldn’t matter much if you have a car.
FWIW, we stayed at the Mauna Kea last year and it was extremely disappointing. Future trips to the Big Island will be at the Westin for us.
FWIW, we stayed at the Mauna Kea last year and it was extremely disappointing. Future trips to the Big Island will be at the Westin for us.
Jul 31, 2022, 10:56 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
My gf and I are going for 3 nights in October (we’re island hopping), haven’t been to Hawaii before.
The Courtyard is significantly cheaper than the other options - how does it compare?
I’m having a hard time justifying 70k points or so per night, that’s pretty much Maldives pricing and I doubt the hotels are anywhere near as nice as the St. Regis Maldives for example…
Or would it make sense to pay up for one of the other hotels? We’re also going to Oahu, Maui and Kauai…
The Courtyard is significantly cheaper than the other options - how does it compare?
I’m having a hard time justifying 70k points or so per night, that’s pretty much Maldives pricing and I doubt the hotels are anywhere near as nice as the St. Regis Maldives for example…
Or would it make sense to pay up for one of the other hotels? We’re also going to Oahu, Maui and Kauai…
Jul 31, 2022, 11:03 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 357
My gf and I are going for 3 nights in October (we’re island hopping), haven’t been to Hawaii before.
The Courtyard is significantly cheaper than the other options - how does it compare?
I’m having a hard time justifying 70k points or so per night, that’s pretty much Maldives pricing and I doubt the hotels are anywhere near as nice as the St. Regis Maldives for example…
Or would it make sense to pay up for one of the other hotels? We’re also going to Oahu, Maui and Kauai…
The Courtyard is significantly cheaper than the other options - how does it compare?
I’m having a hard time justifying 70k points or so per night, that’s pretty much Maldives pricing and I doubt the hotels are anywhere near as nice as the St. Regis Maldives for example…
Or would it make sense to pay up for one of the other hotels? We’re also going to Oahu, Maui and Kauai…
Jul 31, 2022, 12:20 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,861
My gf and I are going for 3 nights in October (we’re island hopping), haven’t been to Hawaii before.
The Courtyard is significantly cheaper than the other options - how does it compare?
I’m having a hard time justifying 70k points or so per night, that’s pretty much Maldives pricing and I doubt the hotels are anywhere near as nice as the St. Regis Maldives for example…
Or would it make sense to pay up for one of the other hotels? We’re also going to Oahu, Maui and Kauai…
The Courtyard is significantly cheaper than the other options - how does it compare?
I’m having a hard time justifying 70k points or so per night, that’s pretty much Maldives pricing and I doubt the hotels are anywhere near as nice as the St. Regis Maldives for example…
Or would it make sense to pay up for one of the other hotels? We’re also going to Oahu, Maui and Kauai…