Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - news or no news August 4, 2008
Posted by brobinson in : General, Mauna Kea Resort , trackbackMy blogging buddy Mike Kerr beat me to the punch sharing highlights from the Summer Newsletter recently sent out by the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel team and reported over the weekend in our local newspaper West Hawaii Today.
Our office recently took a little pau hana (TGIF in Mainland lingo) picnic to the beach at Mauna Kea to have a swim and watch the sunset. The beach was almost deserted.
And the portion of the hotel that looked worst just after the earthquake looks quite habitable:
Some of the details of the newsletter’s description (”refined furnishings and fun finishing touches are subtly
supported by hi-tech bells and whistles to produce a luxury Guestroom experience that is ultra-high quality and ultimately comfortable”) got me thinking. Does anyone else remember the uproar it created when the hotel tried to change to color of its beach towels? The earthquake was like that total physical collapse that a hard-charging executive might need to take time out and attend to long-neglected health issues and find a different lifestyle balance. One by one, those changes might have been resisted and just too painful to implement. It almost has to be done as a complete overhaul.
Will the Hotel succeed in keeping the feel that made it a classic, while bringing the level of service and amenities to today’s standard? West Hawaii Today reports that although some of the rooms will now have (gasp!) televisions, the hotel will remain un-airconditioned.
There is hope yet!
Which brings me to the observation that there are also houses and condominiums for sale that remind me of the Grand Dame…of “a certain age” and with a soulful quality that newer residences often seem to lack. Call or email it that’s the kind of Big Island home you have in mind.
A hui hou,
beth@hawaiipalmproperties.com
Cell: 808-443-4588
Hawaii Palm Properties, Inc
Office in downtown Hawi near Bamboo restaurant
www.hawaiipalmproperties.com
Comments»
Aloha Beth,
Looks like you and your realtor friends from Hawaii Palm Properties had a great time on quiet Mauna Kea beach. Everything seemed to be on schedule with Mauna Kea’s Grand Opening for middle of December 2008. Alas, return guests will have to wait till spring 2009.
Having been a member at Mauna Kea tennis club for many years and having been and stayed in guest rooms in the lobby building and beach front building, we were surprised by your statement
“Today reports that although some of the rooms will now have (gasp!) televisions, the hotel will remain un-airconditioned.”
We checked the West Hawaii Today article and really there is the same information about non-existing TVs and AC at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel again.
BTW, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel had some major remodeling done quite some years ago. Sorry that I can’t quote the year but I can assure you and anybody else that each room has had and probably will have a TV-set and AC!
Maybe the writers of the article were referring to Kona Village, where the above + no phone applies.
However, it’s fun following your blog. We will be back for more. Aloha, Pua + Keoki http://www.kohalacoastweb.com/
Hi Pua and Keoki,
Gosh, thanks for commenting and thanks also for the great service to vacationers you are providing on your own blog! Next time you are in Hawi, please drop by and introduce yourselves.
Aloha
Beth