The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii is one of the top beachfront resort properties that stretches along white-sand beach of the Kohala Coast. This is our second time staying at the property. When we first stayed the property, it was called the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. After the Marriott’s acquisition, the property now becomes part of the Marriott’s program and therefore you can use Marriott points or Marriott free night certificate to redeem for a free night stay there. This Westin property has been listed as one of the Best Marriott Bonvoy Category 6 and Category 7 Off-Peak Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii For Your Marriott Free Night Certificate.
If you hold elite status with Marriott Bonvoy such as the Marriott Platinum and above, you will appreciate the complimentary ocean view room upgrade and benefits such as free buffet breakfast for two every morning at this Westin property. As we all know, Hawaii is not a cheap destination and these beachfront resorts are not economical either when it comes to food and lodging.
Ocean View Guestroom Upgrade
We were lucky to redeem our Marriott free night certificates earned from low annual fee Chase and Amex credit cards when The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort was a just category 5 property. However, this property is now a category 6 Marriott property, which means that a standard free night stay requires 50,000 Marriott points per night, 40,000 Marriott points per night during off-peak and 60,000 Marriott points per night during peak. Keep in mind that when it comes to award night stays with Marriott, you also receive the 5th night free. Unfortunately, Marriott does impose resort fees on award stays. Therefore, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort charges $30 resort fee and $25 self-parking, per day.
The Chase Ritz-Carlton and Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant credit cards, each offers one annual Marriott free night certificate that’s worth up to 50,000 Marriott points per night property. The certificate can be used to redeem a free night stay at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
The standard room type using Marriott points is Partial Ocean View Guestroom with a balcony. As a Marriott Platinum elite member, our room was complimentary upgraded to the full Ocean View Guestroom with a balcony. Not only the room is beautiful, provides the lush green garden and ocean view from our balcony, it also has a bidet toilet! This is the first US property that I know of that has a bidet. The only slight hiccup is that they gave us two queens instead of a king bed room as noted in our reservation. We are one of those points travelers that appreciate living points life and try to be less complaining as much as possible when it comes to minor things. After all, we have been complimentary upgraded to ocean view room!
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| Bidet |
Construction & Room Tip
One side of The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort has construction going on that can be disturbing for some guests in the early morning. Prior to arrival, be sure to request the property to put you in the South tower as that side does not have construction.
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| Construction |
Welcome, Amenities & Daily Resort Charge
Upon arrival, we were given the welcome drink, a resort’s wristband, and an eco bag. As mentioned above, Marriott does not waive resort fees on award stays. The daily resort charge of $30 plus tax covers the following:
- Unlimited Internet access
- Pool and beach chair service
- Cultural activities including Lei making, Hula, and Ukulele lessons.
- Eco shopping bag
- Complimentary bottle water
- Nightly dinning shuttle service to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
- Hospitality lounge with lockers and showers
- Local and long distance calls (United States only)
- Introductory ocean activities class
- 10% off Westin Family Kids program
Complimentary Breakfast
Marriott Platinum members can either receive points during the entire stay or complimentary breakfast for two every morning. The points offer is not worth it at all. I recommend you accept the complimentary breakfast instead. The breakfast value you get out of being Marriott Platinum member here is very substantial because the regular price for the breakfast there for two adults is $76! I also like that the breakfast receipt has gratuity included.
The Breakfast is a buffet style breakfast. The variety of hot and cold items are very very good. The food’s quality is also good. When we were there, they have so many varieties such as bacon, sausages, scramble eggs, eggs benedict, omelette station, Hawaiian local food called Loco Moco that you can make yourself with white rice, beef and gravy sauce top with a fried egg. There are just so many choices for everyone such as a small oriental selections and European options like ham and cheese, raw salmon, etc.
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| Hawaiian Loco Moco |
Beach
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is well located along the white-sand beach of Kohala coast. The Kohala Coast is known for its world-class shoreline as well as for the cultural and archaeological gems nestled between its centuries-old lava fields. Beach chair and umbrellas are provided by the resort as part of their daily resort fee. We really enjoy the beach there.
Swimming Pools
There are two swimming pools at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort when we were there. One large swimming pool is a family/kids pool, and another one swimming pool is an adult swimming pool. You guess that right, the adult pool is where we mostly spend our time at. The adult infinity pool is beautiful. It has lounge chairs and because it’s located on the hill, it provides a beautiful ocean view from the pool.
Other Platinum Benefits:
- 50% Bonus Points on stays.
- Late Check-out.
