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Conde Nast Traveler recognizes Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort in 2023 Reader's Choice Awards

Kohala Coast, Hawai’i (October 3, 2023) – Mauna Kea Resort—the timeless destination on the Island of Hawaii comprised of the historic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, and Mauna Kea Residences—maintains its legacy as one of Hawai’i Island’s leading luxury destinations, once again earning two spots 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards “Best Resorts in Hawaii” category. The historic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel ranked #12, and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort ranked #20 on the coveted list, which is a direct result of more than 520,000 Conde Nast Traveler readers weighing in on their top travel experiences across the globe. The Readers’ Choice awards, with their legacy as the travel industry’s longest running and most prestigious accolades, remain the ultimate acknowledgement of excellence within the travel sector.

 

“Since 1965, Mauna Kea Resort has welcomed guests across all generations and types of travelers, from families to couples, corporate groups and adventure travelers, offering guests an authentic, unrivaled Hawaiian experience alongside world-class hospitality,” said Diana Su, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. “We are thrilled and honored that both resorts within Mauna Kea Resort, have once again been awarded coveted spots on Conde Nast Traveler’s ‘Top Resorts in Hawaii’ list. Our ‘ohana at both properties is committed to providing guests with intentional cultural programming that educates visitors and supports our local community and lands, working tirelessly to offer the best-in-class service, and award-winning dining experiences.”

 

Situated along the picturesque Kohala Coastline, Mauna Kea Resort invites guests to embrace the Aloha spirit and explore the bounty of the Island of Hawaii in a luxurious resort setting. This year, Mauna Kea Resort has debuted a number of new and expanded guest experiences, including:  

 

  • Cultural Encounters: Mauna Kea Resort’s “Aloha Ambassadors” lead guests through various educational activities such as lei making, basic Hula lessons, an E Ala E sunrise ceremony, Hawaiian Language classes, and more. Guests can also experience fresh Island cuisine at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s Manta restaurant and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort’s Meridia—with many ingredients grown in the resort’s flourishing gardens

 

  • Celebrating Art of the South Pacific: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has partnered with Honolulu’s Bishop Museum on a million-dollar art restoration and stabilization project to preserve the resort’s celebrated Rockefeller Art Collection. Spanning hundreds of pieces ranging from sculptures and antique furniture to native Hawaiian kapa cloth and quilts, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s art collection is considered one of the first hotels to introduce a museum-worthy gallery in the United States.  The project began with the restoration of eleven native Hawaiian kapa (pounded bark) cloth pieces dating back over 150 years, in partnership with kapa experts’ support. The initiative will continue into 2024 with the restoration of Mauna Kea’s Tansu chest collection, woven basket masks from Papua New Guinea, and over 30 statues including new display plinths.

 

  • Moku Pulama: Mauna Kea Resort recently unveiled a brand new “Moku Pūlama Fund,” through which guests have the opportunity to directly contribute towards the resort’s efforts of creating a sustainable future by simply staying at the resort. In the true spirit of ‘Moku Pūlama,’ which means 'to care for, cherish and treasure our district and island,' a small daily charge is accrued from every reservation at the hotel, and then used to care for Hawai’i by supporting and giving back to the local communities. Two new non-profit partnerships with local organizations, ClimbHI and Charlie Cart, which accompany long standing partnerships with HILT and The Nature Conservancy.

 

  • The Spirit of Adventure: Mauna Kea Resort encourages its guests to connect directly with the beautiful surroundings through culturally conscious activities and programming. With Mauna Kea Resort’s prime location on two of Hawai‘i Island’s most spectacular beaches, Kauna’oa Bay and Hāpuna, guests have the ease of experiencing beach and water activities just steps away from their rooms including outrigger canoeing, snorkeling, sailing and even a Manta Ray Night Swim with Manta Ray Advocates. Guests of all ages can venture to the oceanfront Seaside Tennis Club for a friendly tennis match, or casual play on one of the resort’s brand-new pickleball courts. Close out the day with a decadent meal and hula show at the Mauna Kea Luau. For a spirited scavenger hunt, adult guests can venture across the resort’s multiple dining concepts to gather stamps in their “Spirits” Passport, which features cocktails made with exclusively featured Mauna Kea spirits labels. For island exploration, Mauna Kea Resort boasts house Tesla Model 3s for off-property excursions such as guided hikes, birdwatching, and volcano tours with Hawaii Forest & Trail, or a day trip to Volcanoes National Park.

 

The 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards list will be featured in Conde Nast Traveler’s November edition and online.