After our stay at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, we hopped over to The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort for the last few days of our Big Island trip. Luckily, we didn’t have to drive far!

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is still under Marriott and considered a sister hotel to the Mauna Kea Hotel. It was literally across the street, first turn on your left, heading toward Kona Airport; you can’t miss the sign!

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is located on the Kohala coast, just like Mauna Kea Beach Hotel but is currently undergoing a 46 million dollar renovation. Although the main areas (pool, restaurant, beach access) are undisturbed. I’ve read that guests are still experiencing loud construction going on, just a heads up. However, in our experience, it was peaceful and accommodating.

Location: The newly renovated Westin, along the Kohala Coast at Hapuna Beach, in Kamuela, Hawaii is an approximate 30-minute drive from Kona International Airport. The drive from the airport to the resort is a unique route you can’t see on any other island; the endless landscape of ancient lava beds where Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy cuts right through, surrounding the driver by walls of lava on either side.

*Counterintuitive, the drive to The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort takes you up a mountain, down and over through a golf course, and back up into the Lobby’s entrance. It may feel like your lost but just keep going – Your GPS is right.

Nearest Airport: Kona International Airport (KOA) (30 min drive)
Airport shuttle service: No
Complimentary Breakfast: No (but definitely worth it!)
Hotel Laundry Room: No
Parking Rate: Self-parking $19usd / Valet Parking $25usd

CHECKING-IN WESTIN HAPUNA

We parked our car at the on-site parking and headed to the lobby. We were immediately blown away at how grand the builds really were. It was open-air but felt like we were in a different country. The architecture reminded me of Ancient Rome with its humongous columns. The entrance and open-air lobby were located on the eighth floor.

When checking-in, and as mentioned before, our concierge informed us of construction going on over at the private residences side. If you’re standing from the beach, the construction is on the left-hand side. We stayed in the rooms on the right-hand side of the hotel – We did not hear any construction noise during our stay.

Shortly after check-in, we were offered cold towels and, a local favorite, POG juice (a mix of passion, orange, and guava juice). Along with a Westin eco shopping bag.

WESTIN HAPUNA WELLNESS

Similar to our first stay at a Westin hotel, Westin properties offer workout clothes and shoes “for rent” during your stay. Their fitness center is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The Westin Hapuna Fitness Center has everything from Cardiovascular Equipment, Free weights, Fitness services: Westin Workout, Crossfit Center and Spa, Additional equipment: Crossfit equipment and TRX, and so much more. It was the biggest fitness center we’ve seen during our share of hotel stays.

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort has an on-site spa – Hapuna Spa by Mandara. With services and treatments such as body scrub, couple’s massage, men’s services, body wrap, massages, skin care services, and so much more!

WESTIN HAPUN POOLS & BEACH

What’s nice about The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is that they have an adult pool and children pool. The Lower Hapuna Pool is a heated pool for everyone to enjoy including both adults and children (family oriented). The Adult Infinity Pool is heated as well and has a jacuzzi next to it. Both pool areas have lounge chairs and towel stations.

Just a few steps down from the pool lies a pathway that leads to Hapuna Beach. Hapuna Beach provides fun shore-break for bodyboarders and waves enthusiasts. Or, you can walk to the Mauna Kea beach about a mile down a beautiful scenic trail. The Mauna Kea Beach is great and easy for swimming.

WESTIN HAPUNA DINING

Dining Services: Room service is available 24-hours. We ordered room service during our stay since most of the options were similar to the restaurants on-site. Instead of waiting in line, the convenience of ordering to our room made our stay that much more enjoyable.

Piko Coffee +Bar: The first thing you see from the lobby is Piko Coffee + Bar. Giving the whole lobby a coffee aroma! We grabbed coffee and snacks here daily!

Monday-Sunday: 6am-11pm

Breakfast at Ikena Landing: When you’re staying at the resort, definitely get the breakfast buffet! We enjoyed our breakfast every morning with a plethora of food options to start the day.
Buffet breakfast – $37 USD
Continental breakfast – $26 USD

Monday-Sunday: 6:30am-11am

Meridia: If you feel like having a Mediterranean-inspired cuisine for dinner, Meridia is a place to go! We didn’t get to eat here during our stay. However, you can read reviews from Yelp, here. (Reservation required)

Monday-Sunday: 5:30pm-9pm

Naupaka Beach Grill: A restaurant located next to the pool area. We ate here for dinner one night during our stay. They serve multiple cuisines from American, local food, and a few vegetarian options. When dining here, bring a towel, blanket, or something to cover you because it gets really cold!

Monday-Sunday: 11am-9pm

*Regardless of what restaurant you choose to dine in, be sure to reserve a table in advance as it seems that many restaurants book up quickly making waiting times anywhere from 30 minutes on the low end to an hour and hour half wait time if you go during the busiest hours without a reservation. Also, you can take the shuttle to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and dine at any of their restaurants!

WESTIN HAPUNA OCEAN VIEW ROOM

For the full details on our room, feel free to check out their site! That being said, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in these comfy beds. Landon slept in his own queen size bed while Reid and I shared a bed.

Outside had a small day/reading bed along with a high-table and two chairs for getting some work done while looking overlooking the Hapuna Beach. Inside, there was a coffee/Keurig maker, water, and fridge. Typical of most places classified as resorts, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort has every want or need, covered!

We felt a vibe that The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort was a bit more strict as it wasn’t as rambunctious or active with families. It seemed like older, more professional, and golfers chose this resort. We highly recommend anyone from honeymooners to families, or single professionals to book a place here. It was very accommodating and gave a real Aloha feel.