Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows ~  Hawaii, the Big Island – The second stop on our most recent visit to Hawaii, the Big Island, was the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows.

Mauna Lani sits oceanfront on the finest stretch of shoreline on the sunny Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Located 23 miles north of the Kona International Airport, this resort features 30 oceanfront acres and three miles of secluded shoreline. The resort includes the luxurious Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Mauna Lani Spa and the Francis H I’i. Brown Golf Courses.

The resort features 343 guestrooms and suites all with private lanais.

The resort is also no stranger to awards and accolades having most recently been named:

• CONDE? NAST TRAVELER ? Gold List, Best Places in the World to Stay
  Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows is ranked in the Top 14 resorts in Hawaii. Jan 2011
• TRAVEL + LEISURE ? World’s Best T+L 500 Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows is ranked #2 on the Island of Hawaii by Travel + Leisure magazine’s T + L 500 List. Jan 2011
• ISLANDS – The 10 Most Exotic Spa Treatments Mauna Lani Spa’s Lava Watsu Treatment is recognized in the top ten. Jan/Feb 2011
• AAA Four-Diamond Award – since 1999.

As we pulled up to Mauna Lani’s portico, Carol was immediately greeted with a traditional Hawaiian lei while I was given a lei of wooden beads.  We were quickly ushered to sit at the reception desk where we were given chilled towels to wash our hands/face, along with a very refreshing tropical drink to make us welcome.  What a wonderful first impression!

The Mauna Lani is built in the shape of an arrow so that nearly every room has a beautiful ocean view from their private lanais.  We were quickly ushered up to room #678 and enjoyed not only an ocean view, but a dramatic view across the resort grounds.

After cleaning up for dinner, we were very excited to be dining at Mauna Lani’s ocean-front CanoeHouse restaurant.

As you can see in the photograph above, CanoeHouse restaurant enjoys an idyllic ocean setting which is greatly complimented with the fresh Hawaiian cuisine of Chefs Sandy Tuason and James Ortiaga.

We were joined by Bree Dallwitz (the Aussie Director of Public Relations) for dinner, and before long we were sipping on a flute of champagne, and enjoying beginnings like Duo of Ahi Tuna, a Crudo Tasting, Pumpkin Ravioli, Kabocha Squash Soup, and Hamakua Springs Heirloom Tomatoes.  Wow!

As we continued our sampling into the main courses, we noshed on Opakapaka, Ono, and incredible Colorado Rack of Lamb w/ potato pancake, Beef Short Ribs, and Hamakua Mushroom Risotto.  As our side dish, we couldn’t resist Backed Mac N’ Cheese (Gruyere, White Cheddar, Comte with Truffles).  Holy jump up and down Batman.  Absolutely astounding!

And of course, our waiter wouldn’t let us leave until we sampled the Cloud Forest Farm Organic Coffee Rice Pudding.  Oh!  That was good, and required a letting out of the belt one notch.  Wowza!

What an incredible evening.  We started out at 6:30 and didn’t leave the restaurant until shortly after 10:00.  I should also add that the romantic ambiance of the evening was also added to greatly by local Hawaiian singer, John Palos.

Fond Memories

• First impression at check-in.
• Carol’s facial in the Mauna Lani Spa was amazing.
• Spectacular sunset while dinning at CanoeHouse.
• Snorkeling at Mauna Lani’s beach.
• Watching humpback whales from our private lanai.
• Complimentary lounge-chair cabanas on the white sand beach.
• Stunningly beautiful grounds for your morning walk.

We enjoyed our visit at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows and you will find this resort to be a Hawaiian getaway.  Our advice, keep an sharp eye out for their continual stream of online specials.

Disclosure:  Our experience was provided by the kind folks at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows.  Thanks!  Further, a portion of our travel expenses were provided by the kind people of the State of Hawaii through their Visitors and Conventions Bureau.  Thanks Hawaii!