Hawaiian Autograph Collection heads for US$180 million update

Pictured: rendering of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s updated cultural centre.
A Marriott International Autograph Collection hotel on the island of Hawai’i will undergo a US$180 million renovation in Q2 2024, with completion due in Q1 2025.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s overhaul will signal the evolution of its offerings for today’s travellers while preserving its heritage since its opening in 1965.

Phased transformation

A phased transformation will encompass a redesign of the resort’s 252 guestrooms and suites, four dining venues including the property’s signature restaurant, Manta, that offers unobstructed views of Kaunaʻoa Bay.

The  renovation will also feature an extensive destination spa and infinity pool experience with 11 indoor and al fresco treatment rooms, full service salon, and an enlarged, state-of-the art fitness centre. 

Inside and outside

New garden areas will include a chef’s garden providing fresh produce for the resort’s kitchens as well as a specialised botanical garden and with indigenous and endemic plant species.

The interior design will be led by Dallas-based Looney & Associates with architectural design from Honolulu-based AHL, or Architects Hawaii Ltd.

Thoughtful redesign

Shigeki Yamane, president of the property’s operator Prince Resorts Hawaii, said: “Our approach for this renovation is very intentional, we have thoughtfully redesigned spaces for new amenities to breathe fresh life into the resort while still honouring the original legacy and traditions that Laurance S Rockefeller put into place in the ’60s.

“We have a great responsibility to honour Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s significance to the history and cultural evolution of Hawai’i, while at the same time fulfilling our promise to provide guests with the unforgettable vacation experience they expect.”

Offering elevation

Craig Anderson, Mauna Kea Resort vice president of operations, added: “We have multi-generational guests returning year after year since our resort opened in 1965, and thanks in part to our relationships with these legacy guests, we are embarking on this renovation committed to elevating our offerings while protecting and preserving the charm and distinctive beauty that makes Mauna Kea Beach Hotel special.

“We look forward to creating Mauna Kea Memories with our guests for generations to come.”

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