Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel - detailed hotel review and pictures

   Table of Contents:
1. Location - On the island's best white sand beach
2. Rooms - Which rooms have the best view?
3. Restaurants - See 7 reviews
4. Things to do - Read about beach activities, pool, golf, spa and shopping
5. Rates - How you can get a good deal
6. Have you stayed at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel before? - Share your thoughts!
7. Not sure if this hotel is right for you? - Consider comparable hotels


1. Location

   Location is what makes Hapuna Prince Hotel really stand out. It is set on the broad white sands of Hapuna Beach, rated one of the best beaches in America by Conde Nast. You will be surrounded by palm trees, black-rock cliffs and clear-blue water. The bottom of the ocean is pure, soft white sand that you can rarely find anywhere. The beach is rather private and excellent for sun bathing, running around, wading, swimming, or body surfing.

   The hotel entrance looks like a scene from a Hollywood movie - it is graced by 20 giant royal palms (each cost $20,000 to purchase and transplant). Semi-circular lobby has a marvelous view of rolling slopes, azure swimming pool and the waves gently running up to the sandy beach. Open-air atrium lets you feel fresh, warm, clean ocean breeze on your face as soon as you enter the lobby.

   The grounds at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel are beautifully landscaped, like walking through a botanical garden. Plumeria trees that drop fragrant flowers are everywhere. A lot of geckos run around. Meandering pathways run through the property down to the restaurants, beach facilities, and a spectacular golf course.

   Hapuna Prince Hotel has 2 buildings: 5-story main building and 4-story oceanfront building. The showpiece of the hotel is the stand-alone 8,000-sq-ft, 4-bedroom Hapuna Suite. For about $8,000 per night, you can enjoy your own swimmming pool, 24-hour butler service and other rich-and-famous kind of luxuries.

   When you first arrive, you will be impressed by the hotel's friendly valet service and refreshing check-in procedure. The hostess will offer you cool towels and a glass of Passion Orange juice while you wait for your room key. The entire process will feel very relaxing after your long trip.

   Kona town is 40 miles away. Waimea town, an old ranching settlement with a few shops and restaurants, is 15 miles away. Small town of Kawaihae is even closer, only 3 miles. It is easy to get to if you want to grab something to eat outside of the hotel - Kawaihae has a couple of nice local eateries, such as Cafe Pesto.


2. Rooms

   Rooms and marble bathrooms at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel are luxurious but not glitzy. You will find all first-class amenities, including bathrobes and slippers, tropical mementos placed on your pillow nightly, and continuously replenished mini-bar.

   You can see the ocean from every room! Private lanai overlooks the pristine white-sand beach below. If you want the best view, we highly recommend booking an oceanfront room. These rooms are located in a separate 4-story building right on the beach, with little foot traffic in front of it.

    There are 350 rooms. Each room has:
  • Beds: 1 king or 2 doubles
  • Air-conditioning
  • Private lanai
  • Mini-bar
  • Coffee maker with Kona coffee supply
  • TV with first-run movies
  • Cotton-weaverobes
  • Indoor slippers
  • Hair dryer
  • In-room safe
  • Nightly turndown service


3. Restaurants

   Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel has 6 great restaurants and 4 lounges, including:

   1) The Coast Grille
   The hotel's signature restaurant features an Oyster Bar and the freshest Pacific Rim cuisine in an indoor or outdoor setting. Try their New England lobster that is raised locally!

   2) Hakone Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
   Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine in a tranquil setting. Entrees include island-raised Kobe beef, chops, fresh island fish, lobster and chicken. Experience shabu shabu and sukiyaki dining that pairs East and West, or relax at the sushi bar with a tasty "saketini".

   3) Ocean Terrace
   Casual open-air breakfast restaurant with a mix of healthy, creative items and American favorites. Features daily breakfast buffet and extensive à la carte menu. Relaxed atmosphere and great view of the beach!

   4) Arnie's Clubhouse
   Light spa luncheons and hearty American fare.

   5) Beach Bat Bar
   Cute poolside place where you can get a salad, sandwich or fresh island fish. In the evening, sit down with your favorite cocktail and watch the sun slip into the horizon.

   6) Reef Lounge
   Spectacular ocean views of Hapuna Beach and the Kohala coastline. Another great spot to watch the sunset, enjoy tropical drinks to the sounds of nightly musical entertainment.

   7) Winter Wine Escape Festival
   Each November, people that are serious about food and wine gather for the spectacular three days of the Winter Wine Escape. Celebrity guest chefs team up with premium wineries from the world over and local food producers to bring you a true experience in tastes. This extravaganza used to be hosted by the Hapuna Prince's sister resort, the Mauna Kea, but is now almost entirely at Hapuna.


4. Things to do

  • Beach activities
       The beach is what really sells Hapuna Prince Hotel. Conde Nast rated Hapuna Beach #1 beach in the US. It is a far better beach than any other beach on the Big Island. Hapuna Beach has a little cove where waters are sheltered and clear. It is a perfect place where you can swim and snorkel next to giant sea turtles and maybe even a large manta ray. Other water activities include scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, deep-sea fishing and whale watching (Dec-Apr).

       There are lounge chairs and umbrellas around. Attentive beach staff will help you get towels, rent boogie boards or anything else you need.

  • Pool
       Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel has a nice big freshwater pool that faces the ocean. It is edgeless, so the water laps into drains that surround the pool. This isn't a fancy waterpark-style pool, just a new classic-looking pool. Plenty of lounge chairs sit in the shade, and 2 hot tubs are nearby. If you get hot or hungry, you can always get a refreshing drink, tasty snack or burger from the poolside restaurant.

  • Golf
       18-hole championship Hapuna Golf Course was designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. This links-style course features spectacular views of the Kohala Coast and the Pacific, with snow-capped Mauna Kea volcano as a backdrop. It is interesting to know that Hapuna Golf Course is famous as the most environmentally sensitive course in the Western region.

       You can easily walk to the course from the hotel. On-site facilities include driving range, fitness center and spa, locker rooms, pro shop, putting and chipping greens, and Arnie's Clubhouse Restaurant.

  • Spa
       You can choose from many treatments, including massage, body and facials, depilation and make-up services. On-site fitness center has aerobic classes, steam and sauna rooms.

       If you are looking for something special, they offer 3 great spa packages:

    - Paul Brown Hapuna Special (2 hours)
       The best in relaxation and rejuvenation. Start with Seaweed Wrap or Body Polish and finish with a Swedish or Reflexology Massage. You will feel like Hawaiian royalty!

    - Island Escape (3 hours)
       First, you can heal, balance and regenerate your skin with plant-based Facial with Eyelift Massage, then get a Manicure or Pedicure, and Shampoo/Blow Dry. Perfect for an unforgettable night out!

    - Kohala Magic (3 1/2 hrs)
       Includes Massage, Facial and Manicure/Pedicure.

  • Shopping
       Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel features 7 on-site shops that offer sundries, resort clothes, interesting jewelry and art. Additional shopping is available at the King's Shops at Waikoloa Village, about 7 miles south of the resort. It's a mall with about 50 shops and a handful of restaurants and cafes, including Starbucks.

    Other facilities include:
  • 13 plexipave tennis courts with pro shop, private and group lessons
  • Stargazing tour 4 nights a week
  • Horseback riding, hiking and jogging nearby
  • Fitness center and sauna (free)
  • Year-round children's program (at neighboring Mauna Kea Beach Hotel)
  • Beauty salon
  • Concierge
  • Business center
  • Laundry and dry cleaning service (fee)
  • Free shuttle to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel every 20 min
  • Free valet and self-parking

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel:
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel

Lobby:
Lobby

Grounds:
Grounds

Room:
Room

Bed:
Bed

View from oceanfront room:
View from oceanfront room

Restaurant:
Restaurant

Pool in the morning:
Pool in the morning

In the afternoon:
Pool in the afternoon

And at sunset:
Pool at sunset

Golf:
Golf

Hapuna Beach at sunset:
Hapuna Beach at sunset


5. Rates

Save $134-$775 per night when you book our wholesale rate, plus get a 5th night free.
     Our rates are lower than Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz.
     Check rates and availability here!


6. Have you stayed at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel before? Share your thoughts!

   Email us your comments about Hapuna Prince Hotel and we'll post them on this page!

   Note: Your contact information will be kept strictly confidential.
   We respect your privacy and we'll never sell or misuse your email address.

   Your email:

   Your name:

   How did you like your stay at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel?
   

      


7. Not sure if this hotel is right for you? Consider comparable hotels

   Here are the links to similar hotels: The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii (5 stars) and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort (4 stars).

   Want to check out other hotels on Big Island? See all 21 hotels and condos.



home  |  plan your trip  |  specials  |  faqs  |  about us  |  contact us

© 1999-2007 Hawaii Travel Bureau. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms and Conditions.