We stayed 9 nights. This was our 6th trip to Hawaii - but our first with
DVC points.
Good points about Mauna Lani:
- I can say without exception that Mauna Lani had the most beautiful grounds and most spectacular lobby/atrium of any hotel we have ever visited.
- Mauna Lani has two beaches. One adjacent to the hotel and another at the Mauna Lani Beach Club, which is a scenic ten minute walk along the ocean front. The Beach Club had a nice beach and great snorkeling.
- Incredible golfing.
- Great scenery with views of the ocean, mountains and sunsets.
- The staff was very helpful with our special requests. For example we wanted late checkout. The desk clerk was glad to take care of us stating "We do a lot of business with the Disney Vacation Club".
- They have their own sailboat for snorkeling and sunset cruises.
- Plenty of complimentary snorkel gear, beach cabanas, beach chairs, hammocks and towels.
- A lot of Hawaiian history with their location and ancient fish ponds etc.
- Great hiking around the Resort Grounds.
- The large pool was never crowded.
Not so good points about Mauna Lani:
- Food is very expensive.
- Very much "first class service - we do it all you don't have to lift a finger" oriented.
For example, there are no ice machines to get your own ice. You have to call housekeeping. They come and refill your ice bucket for you. I'd rather do it myself.
No laundry facilities. You call them and they do your laundry.
4 pairs of shorts and 6 shirts would cost $70.00 to clean. I could do it at a coin laundry for $ 3.00. I'd rather do it myself.
-It's just a hotel room with no refrigerator or microwave. It has a mini bar that charges you $ 2.00 if you take a Snickers or a coke.
-They do have special childrens programs - but it costs $35.00/day.
- Mauna Lani is a 45 minute drive from downtown shopping and the rest of civilization.
All in all - the positives far outweighed the negatives for us. We'll probably go back again sometime. Of course these hotel rooms and services are nothing close to the DVC villas or family focused amenities at DVC. But we were seldom in the room anyway. Too busy swimming, parasailing, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking the volcanos to touch molten lava flows (I walked right up to flowing lava and poked it with a stick!) scuba diving etc. There is an endless list of things to do on the Big Island, and this was a wonderful place to stay while experiencing what the Big Island of Hawaii has to offer.
