Aloha! Driving up along the Kohala coast, we made it to our hotel and were greeted with lei’s by the Mauna Kea staff. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is classic Hawaii. Being built in 1965 by Laurance S. Rockefeller (HI became a U.S. state in 1959), it was at the time the grandest, most exclusive, and expensive hotel in its day. It was fun to be there during its 50th year of being open, albeit with renovations, expansions, and rebuilding from an earthquake in 2006, it still resembles much of what it was on opening day.

In the open aired lobby!

Our room was spectacular. Sunset views of the beach with an endless ocean and palm trees wafting in the breeze. This feels like vacation. We have the obligatory drink of Champagne and our holiday was off to a fantastic start.

Nick with some bubbly, vacation mode ON.

 

Sunset from our room – unreal!

The beach at the Mauna Kea is what stands out most to me. A true white sand beach with corals to snorkel, but just around the edges of the coves. It was perfect for swimming, and I even got my “handstand” in the water done, which is always a must do for me, sadly, no picture to prove it. One day I even saw a sea turtle paddling along through the water, it was so neat!

 

 Beach pics! Isn’t it magical!

Had to post this one of Nick – vacation has started! Aloha!

*mere*