Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

The property

Mauna Lani sits on a section of the Kohala Coast that holds particular cultural significance. Ancient Hawaiian fishponds, petroglyphs, and sacred sites dot the grounds, and Auberge has integrated these elements into the guest experience rather than treating them as obstacles to design around. The 332 rooms include ocean-view configurations, and the property's three restaurants, spa, beach access, and pool facilities operate at the level expected of the Auberge collection.

What to expect

The golf access is the defining advantage for visiting golfers. The Mauna Lani South Course, with its six oceanfront holes through ancient lava fields, sits on the property. Guests get preferred tee times and, through resort packages, potential rate advantages that bring the effective green fee below the published rack rate. The proximity removes the 20- to 30-minute drives that characterise stays at off-site Kohala Coast accommodations, and the cultural context of the property adds a dimension to the golf trip that a standalone course visit cannot replicate. The cultural programs are what separate Mauna Lani from other luxury properties on the coast. Hawaiian practitioners lead workshops on the grounds, and the integration of the fishponds and petroglyph fields into the guest experience builds an awareness of place that enriches the trip. The spa weaves Hawaiian healing traditions into contemporary treatments.

Rates and booking

$600 to $1,500 per night. That puts Mauna Lani at the top of the Big Island accommodation market. The premium reflects the Auberge standard, the on-site golf access, and the cultural depth of the property. For Big Island golf trips centred on the Mauna Lani South Course, this is the logical base, and the quality of the non-golf experience ensures that travelling companions are well served during rounds.