One of Hawaii's Most Iconic Resorts Just Finished a $180 Million Makeover — 60 Years in the Making

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, one of Hawaii's most storied oceanfront resorts, has reopened after a $180-million-plus renovation — the largest transformation in the property's six-decade history. The Autograph Collection resort on the Big Island's Kohala Coast is now fully welcoming guests, with a grand reopening gala set for June.

Originally envisioned by Laurance Rockefeller in the 1960s, the Mauna Kea helped define luxury hospitality in Hawaii. This renovation preserves the mid-century modern bones while overhauling nearly every guest-facing element. All 252 rooms and suites have been completely redesigned, blending contemporary island aesthetics with nods to the hotel's heritage.

What's New

The additions go well beyond a room refresh. A new family resort pool with an oceanfront hot tub and five private cabanas anchors the outdoor spaces, while an adults-only infinity lap pool overlooks the Pacific. A 2,500-square-foot fitness center rounds out the oceanfront wellness retreat.

The Spa at Mauna Kea, opening this spring, will feature 11 treatment rooms rooted in Hawaiian healing traditions. On the dining side, a new Hau Tree Cantina serves casual Mexican cuisine, and the existing Manta restaurant has been refreshed with a garden-to-table menu sourced from the resort's 28,000-square-foot Ulu Garden.

One of the most distinctive elements is the restored Rockefeller Art Collection — a curated gallery of more than 500 works that spans Asian, Oceanic, and Hawaiian pieces. The hotel has also installed photovoltaic solar panels that now supply roughly 45% of its electricity.

The redesigned Mauna Kea Golf Course, reworked by Robert Trent Jones Jr., completes the overhaul. For a property that helped put Hawaiian resort travel on the map, the investment signals that the Big Island's luxury tier is far from plateauing.