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Seclusion,
Sunshine & Service
Hawaii’s Mauna Lani Bay
Hotel & Bungalows
by Valerie Summers
Hawaii,
the biggest island in the most secluded archipelago in the world, is a place
where stars spill from the heavens, waves fall rhythmically onto white and black
sand beaches, and sea turtles and dolphins frolic in the bay. Birthed from a sea of volcanoes, Hawaii was
settled by Polynesian voyagers who arrived in swift canoes from across the
Pacific. They became one with the land,
praising their gods and goddesses and instilling a benevolent culture that is
known today as the spirit of paradise, and all who come to Hawaii’s shores feel
its power to replenish their souls.
Guests
arriving at the Kona International Airport are immediately whisked away by
limousine for a brief 25 minute ride to the hotel. Surrounded by in incredibly
diverse island, The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows offers a private refuge
to its guests. Five volcanic peaks are
ringed by a lei of sandy beaches embracing verdant valleys sparked with
cascading waterfalls and fertile farms rich with orchids, macadamia nut and
Kona coffee plantations. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the spirit of
Aloha and the hotel’s concept of Absolute Care. The indoors of the hotel melds seamlessly with the outdoor as
guests view the inviting pool area, ocean, palm trees and blue skies through
the lobby’s atrium filled with trees, plants, waterfalls and ponds.
Whether
a nature lover, artist, athlete or aesthete, the Mauna Lani offers its guests a
plethora of options. Big Island
artists feature twice-weekly watercolor demonstrations. A class in Hawaiian floral arrangement
teaches techniques incorporating bouquets from island flowers and plants. Classes in Hawaiian crafts are provided
throughout each week. Those
actively inclined may start the day with aerobic exercises and yoga and go on
to hiking
through lush forests, horseback riding on the Parker Ranch, the world largest
privately owned ranch or sports fishing. Any and all water sports can keep guests splashing around all day
whether snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, sailing, or windsurfing. For guests with a penchant for scuba
diving, the underwater terrain offshore from the hotel consists predominantly
of reefs with lava tubes, caves, canyons, coral heads, ridges and valleys. Through Mauna Lani Sea Adventures, guests
can work with PADI and NAUI certified instructors to get their scuba
certification. Back on land, two championship seaside golf courses deliver a
world class challenge against a dramatic landscape. The Racquet Club serves tennis players on plexi-paved courts. Or…..just
relax under a palm tree on the white sandy beach or do the spa thing. From
Watsu to Hot Rocks, consultations on wellness and soothing seaside massages,
the hotel’s spa program involves mind, body and spirit to provide
just the healing touch in an already spiritual environment. For
an unusual evening activity, every month when the full moon rises, the hotel
offers a special treat to its guests, an enchanted evening of storytelling and
entertainment on the lawn of the resort’s oceanfront Eva Parker Woods
Cottage. Hotel guests, Hawaii residents
and hotel employees and their families are all welcome to join Danny Akjaka, an
on-staff Hawaiian Historian, for Twilight at Kalahuipua’a. Whether
on a honeymoon, a family vacation, a sportsman’s holiday or seeking a much need
rest, the magic of the Big Island and the attentiveness of the hotel’s staff,
makes the very private, luxurious Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows a favorite
getaway for guests from all over the world. For information:
Mauna
Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows |
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TM
There
is one very special place along the Kohala Coast known as the Mauna Lani Resort
and within this 3,200 acres, adjacent to The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and
Bungalows, are the ancient ponds of Kalahuipua’a. An area rich in Hawaiian history, it is the birthplace and
playground of legendary kings and queens. Today, kings and queens of Hollywood including Steven Spielberg Kevin
Costner, Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal often retreat to this oasis for
R&R. They usually hide out in one of the five 4,000 square foot Bungalows,
each with a private swimming pool, where butlers provide every imaginable
service. This is not just a place for celebrities. All guests are treated with great care which begins from the
moment they land in Hawaii.
Of
the 350 luxury rooms, 92% feature ocean views and 27 guest accommodations view
Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. There is not a
bad view anywhere on the premises. The
beautifully appointed rooms are decorated in cool tones of white and beige and
are more than 600 square feet in size including a private lanai. Guests are provided with every amenity
imaginable.
Home
of the annual Cuisines of the Sun, a gastronomic festival, the Mauna Lani
offers a choice of five restaurants including the open air, gourmet CanoeHouse.
This oceanfront signature dining venue features the Pacific Rim cuisine of Chef
Pat Saito and has been touted as the island’s finest restaurant. The other
restaurants include the al fresco Bay
Terrace with its American regional cuisine, the informal Ocean Grill, the
oceanfront Beach Club, The Gallery Restaurant and Knickers Bar and Lounge at
the golf clubhouse. There is also
in-room dining and the after-hours Honu Bar where fine whiskies and fine cigars
mix with table games and good conversation into the wee hours.