THE STORIED RETREAT IS BACK AS AN AUBERGE—AND RETAINS ALL OF ITS CLASSIC HAWAIIAN APPEAL.
For many Hawaii loyalists, the Mauna Lani Resort on the “Big Island” (officially known as the island of Hawaii) has long been a beloved mainstay, a Kona-Kohala coast go-to deserving of repeat visits. It’s location in the piko (center) of the island chain’s five volcanoes makes it an important center of energy to Hawaiians—and also a convenient 40-minute drive from the Kona airport. It has historic petroglyphs and the ancient Kalahuipua’a fishponds on its grounds, not to mention a gorgeous stretch of coastline (conveniently facing west for unobstructed sunset views). And a crew of staff most guests know by name has drawn everyone from Elvis Presley in the ’70s to Justin Bieber just a couple of years back to, well, your average (albeit well-heeled) vacationing family over the years. Of course, the fact that it’s on the big island—considered a wilder, less developed alternative to the crowded hubs of islands like Maui and Oahu, with lush green valleys and molten lava landscapes on par with its pristine beaches—is draw alone for in-the-know travelers. That all being said, the property has changed hands a few times, and service, offerings, and overall aesthetic have fluctuated. This, of course, made it very exciting when the beloved Auberge Resorts Collection brand, known for luxury resorts with a boutique feel and a strong sense of place, decided to bring the hotel under its umbrella in May 2018 with the goal of renovating and elevating the iconic property.
Over a year and some $200 million in renovations later, the Mauna Lani is reopening its doors officially on January 15—which also marks Auberge’s first footprint in the Hawaiian islands. A stay during the soft opening showed that, as planned, Auberge has taken a classic and turned it into something that feels representative of the brand’s discerning taste level, while also distinct from their other destinations, like Napa Valley, California, and Park City, Utah. The brand espouses “approachable luxury”, and you feel it. There’s alignment with the right players, like chef Matt Raso, who was most recently the executive chef at Nobu in Dallas, Honolulu, and Miami, at the helm of the on-site CanoeHouse restaurant; there’s also the just-announced partnership with Goop, which will be running the retail space (slated to open later this year), and possibly a branded bungalow as well. But it’s also the type of place you feel comfortable lounging around in flip flops, or grabbing a drink with still-wet-from-the-beach hair—even if the person next to you is dressed for dinner.
The lobby at Mauna Lani has an outrigger canoe as a centerpiece.
The result of the renovations, clearly an overhaul in many ways, is evident when you step into the lobby and feel a lei draped around your neck. Gone is the aquamarine tile and waterfall that previously lined the main lobby staircase, as are slouchy bamboo furniture and dark wood shutters that the previous Mauna Lani used to hammer the destination home, sometimes a little too hard. The open-air lobby, now swathed in gorgeous so-new-you-can-smell-it cedar floors and detailing, is refined yet breezy (literally). Sprouting palms and ferns fill the courtyards, and natural light pours in throughout the day. An elegant wooden outrigger, a subtle nod to the local traditions Mauna Lani hopes to connect guests with, is the centerpiece of the lower lobby.
The rooms, likewise, have been given a new breath of life. I stayed in a suite, and the design, which is consistent across room categories, feels airy, clean, and bright, done in a palette of light neutrals and accented with natural materials. The blonde stone bathrooms, also completely revamped, are kitted out with familiar favorites, like Malin & Goetz toiletries (a godsend after a long day at the beach), and gauzy Parachute robes. But frankly, I can’t imagine any guest will spend a lot of time in their rooms. Each balcony has a view that’ll quickly pull you down to the beach, pool, or links—whichever is more your speed.
Read the full article at Conde Nast Traveler.