Darby

We are trying to decide between the Hapuna Prince or a Cabana at the Marriott in December for our 20th anniversary--for an Oceanfront room, both are about the same cost and room size. We are in our 50's, love a great beach and snorkeling, and prefer luxury and really want quality, but the Four Seasons is out of our price range for ocean front. Really don't like a pool full of kids, but concerned the Hapuna will be too quiet. Reviews seemed mixed. Any help appreciated!!

Pumpy

Only stayed at the Hapuna Prince. However, we loved the property/hotel. FYI- it has the best beach and beach access (Mauna Kea Hotel next door) on the entire island.

orangetravelcat

We loved the Hapuna Prince when we were there 3 or 4 years ago. The beach was beautiful and the service at the hotel was top notch. In fact, I can't think of one thing to complain about (and if you knew me, you'd know that's highly unusual!).

DebitNM

Another vote for Hapuna Beach Prince. We were there 10/07 and we LOVED that it was quiet and few kids. We are same stats as you and have the same likes.
From my trip report on here:

"Big Island – Prince Hapuna Beach
These comments are pre-earthquake, they may not be applicable now (

This was absolutely amazing! Peaceful, serene, tranquil were my first thoughts when we walked into the lobby. A spectacular view of the ocean right in front of you to welcome you!

Again, we were greeted with icy cold guava juice and cold towels. We were upgraded from a partial ocean view to a full ocean view which is their most expensive room except for their suites. The lobby is on the 8th floor of the 9 floor building. Our room was on 7th floor and was huge with a bathroom that was almost as large as the bedroom! There were Neutrogena products and lots of light in bathroom and separate shower and tub. The room had an oriental feel to it [as did the entire hotel] and also had a mini-fridge and in room safe. They had turndown service each night and did a second housekeeping at the same time.

There was no resort fee! There were chairs, lounges and umbrellas on the beach. There was free valet parking. They have a shuttle to Mauna Kea next door where you can use all of the facilities but the pool there is much smaller than and not nearly as nice as at Prince Hapuna Beach.

The bed was super comfortable and was triple sheeted. Very, very clean rooms! Huge lanai with table, chairs, and lounge."

PS Mauna Kea hotel itself is closed, but its facilites are open and available for use by HP guests. Since they only have the one hotel open now, make early reservations. They moved reservations from MK to HP.

Check out their website, we got a great deal from them.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Ag3046

Another vote for Hapuna. You actually end up with two superb beaches, as the Mauna Kea beach has very few people on it right now.

fdecarlo

If the HBP and Marriott cost the same for an oceanfront room (which I find hard to believe) the choice is a no-brainer. It's like comparing a Ritz-Carlton to a Courtyard.

The Marriott has only two advantages: closer proximity to a wider range of shopping and restaurants, and a bigger pool complex (waterslides and such). In all other respects the HBP outclasses it by a very long margin.

Bikom

Hapuna. Wonderful hotel, fantastic beach, great relaxing pool area. If you can get oceanfront rooms, you'll never want to go home.

girlonthego

Hi I did not see the Hapuna Prince hotel, just the Hapuna beach (very nice). We were at the Hilton next to the Marriott and went to Marriott's luau. This was last April (06). The Marriott was under full construction and it was a mess. So, if the remodeling is done,it would be very new. If not, it is messy.

girlonthego

One more thing. I don't know price or how it all compares, but the Fairmont hotel is in the same area of these hotels and that was a very nice hotel/grounds. You might want to check that one out as well.

JoniC

Also note that the Marriott cannot guarantee an ocean view cabana room. We just went through the same thing ourselves and they can only note that our "preference" is for an ocean view cabana, but they cannot ensure it. (They could, however, guarantee an ocean view regular room in the main hotel).

In addition, construction would still be ongoing during our visit and I've stayed at other hotels during construction; it is no picnic.

One other thing to note, which I have not seen on other Fodor posts but which my husband found at other sites, is that the Prince supposedly caters more to the Japanese high-fashion crowd. I don't know if this is accurate, but because we don't like to have to dress up when we are in Hawaii and we do not care for sushi or other asian food, we decided not to go with the Prince.

All considered, we ended up going with the Fairmont Orchid for a sure thing.

Joni




Joni

Ag3046

Having stayed at the Hapuna 4 different times, for a week each time, I can assure you that it does not cater to a "Japanese high-fashion crowd". What utter garbage. It sounds like JoniC has never actually been there.

It is a wonderful hotel on a superb beach. I miss my sunrise beach walks and snorkeling. Can't wait to go back in October.

fdecarlo

Even though the HBP (and Mauna Kea) is Japanese-owned, you'll find far less "catering" to Japanese tourists at these two resorts than at most other Kohala resorts, e.g. the Hilton Waikoloa.

I'm not sure where JoniC is getting her info, but we've been staying at either the HBP or MK almost every year for the last 16 years and have never had to deal with dress codes or sushi being shoved down our throats. Those claims are just bizarre.

Ag3046

I also loved the Japanese restaurant at the Hapuna, as it had a terrific, varied menu with much more than just sushi. The other restaurant, with the outdoor terrace is also great.

JoniC

Glad to hear the "high fashion" rumor about the Prince was untrue. My husband had read this on one of the other travel sites and believed it. Probably written by a competitor hotel, ha! Now we will have to check it out! Thanks for the comments.

JoniC

sandinmytoes

Having been to Waikoloa Beach every year for the last five or more years my wife and I have visited the Outrigger now Marriot each year, this year with friends who have never been to the Big Island before. Although we have not stayed there, we are very familiar with the property and A Bay beach. Last year the property was under heavy construction. I wouldn't wish a visit there then on my enemies. This year (we were there up to Mar. 16) the property is still under construction, however not too disruptive, and the new, larger swimming pool is complete which complements the older pool quite nicely. The property is still a bit stark and in need of decoration. Overall I would not stay there without a significant discount to the other resorts in the area. I find few, if any, redeeming features of the Marriott. A Bay beach is barely functional in the winter months (at least through March) as they build up a berm at waters edge which is like a giant sand dune to protect the tide pools between the beach and the resort. The berm is so steep you can barely walk on it. The ocean is sandy but with a significant amount of rock and coral, not ideal for swimming. The Hapuna beach is great, sandy and free of anything but soft sand. If you want a beach, the Hapuna beach and the Mauna Kea beach are the best swimming beaches in the area. The only reason to select Marriott over Hapuna is the Kings Shops across the street with a couple of very good restaurants, and if you are coming the end of 2007, the new shopping under construction adjacent to the Marriott. The new shopping will be very nice. If you want great swimming pools and a over the too top resort, go the the Hilton Waikola up the street. It is LARGE with fantastic pools, a lagoon, Dolphin Quest (where you can swim with the dolphins) and beatiful surrondings/views. The only negative is that they fill this large resort with conventions and large business groups. It also tends to be more of a younger set attraction with large numbers of preteens. Even then I would go to the Hilton hands down over the Marriott (unless the Marriott were half the price). By the way, our friends who came with us concluded they would not stay at the Marriott if it were free. There are too many superior options. If you were to come in the summer when the berm is taken down you would have a beach, however I would not go to the Waikoloa beach area in the summer as it is too hot and humid - go to Kauai instead which is great in the summer.