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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort are two top Marriott Bonvoy beach resorts on the Big Island of Hawaii. Many Marriott elite members always contemplate which resort is right for them in terms of elite benefits, room upgrades, beaches, pools, and other amenities.
In this post, I want to make a comparison between the two resorts, focusing mainly on the following categories: rates, rooms, standard award rooms and availability, beach, pools, golf, breakfast for elite members, resort fees, parking fees, complimentary shuttle, and free cancellation policy.
Rates
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel always has a higher rate than The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. Because the Marriott Bonvoy program has dynamic award pricing based on the room rate, the redemption at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is also higher.
Generally speaking, you are looking at 60,000 to 75,000 points per night at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and at least 80,000 points per night at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Therefore, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel may be a better use of the Marriott Free Night 85k Certificate, but it all comes down to whether you want to get the best values for your redemption or the resort experience.
Rooms
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a historical and older hotel, so its rooms are a bit dated compared to The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. Moreover, the rooms at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel are also smaller.
So, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort wins in this room category.
Standard Award Rooms
As far as Marriott Bonvoy free-night redemptions go, the standard award room at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a Balcony Room with a Golf Vista View. In contrast, the standard room at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is a Balcony Room with a Partial Ocean View.
If you do not receive a further room upgrade, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort standard award room provides at least a partial ocean view.
Award Availablity
Both resorts have good award availability year-round.
Beach
Both resorts are beachfront properties on the Big Island of Hawaii. While the Big Island is known for its volcanic black sand beaches, these two Marriott resorts have white sandy beaches along the Kohala Coast.
While you can’t go wrong with either property for beach time, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The beach at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is more private, while the beach at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is public.
- The beach is closer to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel property than the beach at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on foot.
- Ocean waves are high at both properties, but The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort‘s waves are higher, which is better for boogie board surfing activity.
Pools
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort has two outdoor pools: one for families and another for adults. Both pools at The Westin are great.
In this category, the pool at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel cannot compete with the Westin because Mauna Kea has only one pool and a hot tub that are much smaller and less inviting.
Golf
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is known for its green golf vista, and therefore, Mauna Kea wins in this category over The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
Elite Breakfast
As a Marriott Platinum Elite and above, you can receive a complimentary continental breakfast at each resort. Continental breakfast is basically cold breakfast options inside the onsite restaurant. Each property offers an upgrade charge if you prefer to have a full hot buffet breakfast.
- The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort charges $25 per person to upgrade.
- The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel charges $28 per person to upgrade.
- Please note that Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is currently undergoing renovations. Therefore, elite guests can enjoy a complimentary hot buffet breakfast instead of a cold continental breakfast. This information is obtained in July 2024; please call the hotel to inquire regarding the latest update.
Resort Fees
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort has a $43.64 resort fee whether you pay with cash or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, on the other hand, does not have a resort fee whether you pay with cash or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points.
Parking Fees
Both resorts charge a $35 daily parking fee, whether it’s valet or self-park.
Shuttle
The distance between Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is a hike away. However, each resort also offers a complimentary guest shuttle between the two properties. Each resort’s guest can access the other resort’s facilities but cannot access the other resort’s amenities, such as the swimming pools, beach chairs, etc.
Free Cancellation
When you redeem Marriott Bonvoy points or free nights at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the free cancellation window is more strict than at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has a 14-day before-arrival free cancellation policy. Whereas The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is 4 days before arrival.
Recommended Posts:
Review: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii
Review: The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii
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