Established in 1994, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel is a luxury resort on the Big Island's Kohala Coast. It is part of the Prince Hotels Hawaii group, which includes the nearby Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and the Hawaii Prince Hotel on the island of Oahu. Headquartered in Japan, Prince Hotels owns and operates some 50 properties worldwide with a total number of rooms in excess of 26,000.
The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel was actually developed as the second phase of the Mauna Kea Resort, with which it shares 1,839 oceanfront acres and signing privileges at all facilities. The white sands of Hapuna Beach have been rated not only among the island's finest but also among the best in the entire nation, and guests have full and easy access to the recreational facilities of Hapuna Beach Park, too.
The name "Hapuna'' refers to the "spring of life'' in Hawaiian, a reference to the fresh water streams that bubble up from the ground here following heavy rainfalls. The hotel's landscaping takes full advantage of the natural environment, which includes rocky lava flows, rainforest vegetation, and artesian springs.
The 350 guest rooms of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel include 36 oceanfront suites. All of them have ocean views and two queen beds or one king, plus a large bathroom containing a double vanity, a full-sized tub and a separate shower stall.
One special feature of the resort's accommodations is the ultra-exclusive Hapuna Suite, an 8,000-square-foot, wholly detached luxury villa. It comes with its own private driveway and beach access, use of a private limousine, and four expansive bedrooms, each featuring its own private bath and lanai. There is a gourmet kitchen with Thermador and Sub-Zero appliances and the pantry is pre-stocked with $250 in provisions. There is a fully stocked bar, too.
Other features of this unique villa include a private swimming pool and whirlpool, a separate media/den/game room, fitness equipment, an outdoor BBQ and shower, and a living room with glass floor-to-ceiling doors that open wide for panoramic views. Butler service and a personal chef are available. A deluxe continental breakfast is prepared fresh daily, and hors d'oeuvres are served each evening. The cost is $7,000 per night, plus Hawaii state taxes.
For guests who stay elsewhere in the resort, there is plenty of pampering, too. Facilities include an 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf course, a Paul Brown Salon and Spa, a heated freshwater pool with a large whirlpool, and use of eleven ocean-side tennis courts. For those visiting on business, the hotel has its own Ricoh Business Center and 14,800 square feet of indoor function space.
Another unique aspect of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel is its helicopter tours. In concert with the Mauna Kea Resort, a helipad is operated on property through Sunshine Helicopters with a fleet of six, video-camera-equipped "Black Beauties.'' Tours can be arranged through the hotel activity desk. Private charters are also available.
For dining, there are five choices here. The Cafy Hapuna serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, while the Ocean Terrace provides breakfast only and the Coast Grille & Oyster Bar specializes in evening meals. The Beach Bar is open for lunch, snacks and beverages, and the Reef Lounge is the place for cocktails and pupas.
The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel is located near Waimea at 62-100 Kauna'oa Drive, Kohala Coast, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743. From Keahole-Kona International Airport, take the Queen Kaahumanu Highway (State Route 19) toward Kawaihae. After about 27 miles, the entrance can be seen on the right, just past the Hapuna Beach State Park overpass.
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