Is Mauna Lani Worth It? Our Stay at One of the Big Island’s Best Luxury Family Resorts (and how to get upgraded!)

We’ve stayed at quite a few luxury resorts on the Big Island over the years, and while they all have something going for them, Mauna Lani is the one I find myself recommending most often to families who don’t quite have a Four Seasons budget but still want to feel like they’ve booked the top resort on Hawaii.

Part of that comes down to value. While Hawaii luxury resorts are never inexpensive, I think Mauna Lani delivers a lot for the price, particularly when compared to some of its neighbors. Between the family-friendly pools, swimmable beach, excellent snorkeling, spacious accommodations, and thoughtful service, it manages to check a lot of boxes without feeling overly formal or intimidating.

After our most recent stay, I was reminded why so many families return year after year. Here’s what to know and how to book for amenities like free room upgrades:

How to get VIP Auberge Perks Free of Charge

As an Auberge Preferred partner, we’re able to offer our clients additional perks at no extra cost when booking eligible stays (more about how it works here).

Benefits typically include:

• 🌺 Daily breakfast for two
• 💰 $100 resort credit
• ⬆️ Room upgrades when available
• ⏰ Early check-in when available
• 🌅 Late checkout when available

Because we specialize in luxury family travel, we’re also happy to help you decide between Mauna Lani, Kona Village, Four Seasons Hualalai, Fairmont Orchid, and other Big Island resorts to make sure you’re choosing the best fit for your family.

What Makes Mauna Lani Special

While many luxury resorts on the Big Island focus on exclusivity, Mauna Lani feels approachable.

The grounds are beautiful, the staff are warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere strikes a nice balance between luxury and relaxation. It’s the kind of place where you’ll see couples celebrating anniversaries, grandparents traveling with grandchildren, and families spending all day by the pool.

One of my favorite things about the property is its location along a protected bay. The water tends to be calmer than many other beaches on the Big Island, making it especially appealing for families with younger children.

If you’re lucky, you may even spot sea turtles resting directly on the sand. During our stay, we saw one resting on the sand and watched him from a respectful distance.

Why Families Love It

As someone who travels almost exclusively with a child these days, I pay close attention to whether a resort genuinely works for families or simply markets itself that way, and Mauna Lani absolutely delivers (as do these Hawaii resorts).

One of my favorite features is the children’s sandy-bottom pool area. Instead of a traditional splash pad or water playground, there’s a shallow sandy pool complete with adorable mini cabanas that feel perfectly sized for younger kids. It became one of my son’s favorite places on the property.

The main pool is large enough that it never feels crowded, and there are plenty of areas where families can spread out without feeling like they’re taking over the space.

The beach is another huge advantage. The calm water makes it easy for kids to swim, paddle, and snorkel, and there are enough activities nearby that families can easily spend an entire day without needing to leave the resort.

The Francis H. I’i Brown Club

If there’s one upgrade I think many families should seriously consider, it’s access to the Francis H. I’i Brown Club.

I’ve stayed in plenty of club-level accommodations over the years, and this is one of the best values I’ve encountered.

Club guests have access to a dedicated lounge and private breakfast area that feels much calmer than the main restaurant. Throughout the day, there are snacks available, along with a refrigerated drawer stocked with sandwiches and grab-and-go items whenever hunger strikes. For families, this can be incredibly convenient.

There is also a candy room, ice cream, drinks, afternoon snacks, and dedicated staff whose entire job is to make sure club guests have everything they need.

What impressed me most was how personalized the service felt. My son has food allergies, and the team consistently went out of their way to make allergy-friendly options for him so he never felt left out.

The club also comes with some surprisingly valuable perks outside the lounge itself.

Guests receive priority beach and pool seating, with the best locations reserved specifically for club members. Everything is handled through text, making the process incredibly easy.

There’s also complimentary access to a Mercedes through the resort’s Drive Program. Club guests can reserve a vehicle for up to three hours at a time, which is perfect for exploring nearby beaches, grabbing lunch outside the resort, or running errands without needing a rental car.

It’s one of those benefits that sounds small until you actually use it.

The Rooms and Residences

The standard rooms are beautifully designed and feel bright, modern, and spacious.

For families, however, I think the residences are where Mauna Lani really shines.

Compared to many luxury resorts in Hawaii, the multi-bedroom residences offer exceptional value. Families gain significantly more space, full kitchens, laundry facilities, multiple bedrooms, and private outdoor areas while often paying less than they would for multiple hotel rooms.

Some residences even include private pools, which can be everything when traveling with children or extended family and juggling nap times.

For grandparents traveling together with children and grandchildren, I often think these residences make more sense than booking multiple connecting rooms.

Is Mauna Lani Worth It?

If you’re looking for the most ultra-exclusive experience on the island, you may find yourself comparing Mauna Lani to Four Seasons Hualalai or Kona Village, and I think all of them are great in their own right.

What keeps bringing me back to Mauna Lani is that it delivers so much of what families actually need.

The beach is easy and swimmable. The snorkeling is excellent. The residences offer fantastic value. The staff are wonderful with children. The Francis Brown Club adds meaningful perks rather than gimmicks. And the overall atmosphere feels relaxed in a way that encourages everyone to settle in and enjoy themselves.

For families visiting the Big Island, especially those traveling with younger children, I think Mauna Lani remains one of the easiest luxury resorts to recommend.

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Mauna Lani, all opinions on our stay are my own.

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