Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Kamuela

We had stayed here 10 years ago and liked it so we chose it again for a medical meeting....big mistake. They had offered a 3rd night free but found out that there were several medical meetings in the area so they promptly canceled the offer. When we checked in, they could have cared less and we had to actively get someone to help us with our bags. We had to walk at least a 1/4 mi (I measured it roughly) to our room. The room was pleasant with a nice view but the bellhop was so stupid that he couldn't answer any of our questions nor did he try. There was no ice machine, only through house-keeping or room service could you obtain ice (tip, please!). The coffee maker was a lousy knock-off of Keurig and brewed coffee-coloured water. We had to beg for soap to no avail. They were stingy with all personal products. They charged us $21 a day for valet service and we actually tryed the self park for $15 once. We ended up in some sub-basement and got lost, walking for at least 30 minutes to find a stair. Reservations for dinners were atrocious and the seating was sub-par. The food was average and over-priced. The only time that we got any service or respect was when one of our friends, a local music celebrity, came to visit us. We're staying at the Mauna Kea next time. If we have to pay $600 a night for substandard accomodations, we'd rather pay more for top-notch service

Likes: Great views, Awesome beach, fantastic pools. Dislikes: Long walk to the beach. Parking 15/day. Internet 13/day. Too far from any other restaurants. If you want to stay in one place, eat hotel food this is perfect. The beach is first rate, the pool is great and warm, nice hot tub. Breakfast buffet a little expensive, but good. If you want to go explore, it just takes too long to get to places. Just to walk from your room to the car or the beach is a fairly long process. Some nights only one restaurant is open. Last night we were going to stay in and the only think open was the Japanese Buffet. With kids, it just wouldn't work so we were stuck with really bad room service (no worse than most hotels, but just room service).

I'll start what i like first...location and price, which we prioritized when we were selecting the hotels to stay in. The hotel is situated right at the Hapuna beach area. Another plus point - it is 10-15 minutes away at the Queen's market place and King's shop...where you can find the shops, local ABC store, gourmet market and fabulous selection of restaurants....The 3rd plus is the price ~$160/night. We didnt go for the fancier hotels because we are going out to explore the big island sights anyway, we will not have much time to stay and maximize the hotel amenities...so thats why we chose hapuna.. Now for the bad points... Lots of bugs flying around the room!! It is a total turn off.. I felt itchy all over my body the first day...i think the open area idea is a bad idea, all the insects are crawling in at the rooms at night...the hotel mgmt should consider fixing this issue right away. Rooms need an upgrade. old beddings and it even looks dirty when you flip it over...the hotel mgmt should totally look at upgrading the beddings!!! Their restaurants are over priced!! It doesnt seem like its that good anyway! We didnt even try to go in..To give you an idea: buffet : $40-60, individual orders $20-25...we went to the restaurants at the queens market place instead...more choices and prices not that expensive... I won't be back in this place...

just a nice place to be at.nice people.we wil return. john ,sandra kedanis

We stayed at the Hapuna Beach Hotel in April 2009. It was wonderful; we paid for a partial ocean view which was the best partial ocean view we have ever had. There was another wing of the hotel in front of us, but we could still see tons of ocean and beach. They have very nice size balconies, two chairs, a lounge chair and table. We arrived at the hotel and they have free valet parking, minus the tips of course. You enter into this wonderful open air lobby. Once you approach the front desk they greet you with a tray with wet towels and some great mango juice. That was nice after a long flight and it was humid. The rooms were quite nice, very nice size room. The bathrooms were very nice and large, separate shower and tub with granite counter tops, even a telephone in the restroom area. Like other reviews stated there was a musky smell to the room, however, what hotel room doesn’t have that musky smell…The room had a king size bed, a TV and TV stand/ dresser, a large chair and a table for computer Internet set up. The Internet/ WIFI was $34.95 for two weeks or $9.95 a day. A small free safe and decent size refrigerator. The maid gave you fresh ice each day. The room had a sliding glass door with sliding plantation type shutters as well as a heavy duty sliding screen door that locked. We slept with the door open every night and it was wonderful hearing the ocean. Put me right to sleep. There were bathrobes and slippers for your use. Plenty of towels and great smelling lotion, shampoo and body soap. We took a few home…Hehe…The front door also had a heavy duty locking screen door that you could leave open for extra cross ventilation if needed. They were nice and dark so people on the outside couldn’t see in. The property was very well landscaped with Plumerias and Hibiscus flowers all over. Very nice and green as well. Very nice looking golf course if you golf, we didn’t, but it looked nice. While I am on the topic, don’t be surprised when you land in Kona by all of the black lava rock. We knew it would be that way and it was still a shock. We got used to it though after a day or two. The Hapuna Beach was very nice, the sand was so nice and white and soft. It was a short walk from our room and lobby area. Very nice and clean restrooms by the pool as well. There were lounge chairs and umbrellas on the beach for the hotel guests, there was never a shortage. The pool guys and beach life guards were pretty nice. You can snorkel for $7.00 an hour and there is a great cove just feet from the hotel, we saw tons of turtles, it was great. You can rent boogie boards for I believe $7.00 an hour too.Very nice swimming pool, it was a vanishing pool. It was nicely heated and hardly anyone in it. The food by the pool was not cheap and was average taste. It was crazy how few people were there; at times it was strange, but also very nice. The open air feel of the hotel is wonderful, we just loved it. There is an outside wall near the business center that has beautiful colored geckos everywhere. The hotel staff was nice, not the nicest, but pleasant. There is not much around the hotel, it was very secluded which we enjoyed. The closest thing really is the Waikoloa Village about 10 minutes down the road towards the Kona Airport. They have a place called Queen’s Market Place that has a small strip mall and a food court. They had a Subway, Arby’s and some other local island places in the food court. There were two other bigger chain restaurants as well. There is a store called Island Gourmet which is like the Hawaiian ABC sister store. All the same goodies you would find in ABC and the same look, just a different name. There is also a Kings Market across the street that had a few bigger chain restaurants and a little grocery store as well. We grabbed some good prepackaged sandwiches from the market. The town of Kona is about 35-40 minutes away from the Hapuna Beach Hotel. Overall, the Hapuna Hotel was great, we would defiantly go back.

the hotel was great. the room was great. the food was great. the pool was great. the service was great. right near the ocean and the beach. i would stay here again.

it is the best ever i loved it you need to go to it and the beach is amazing. we wee going to move her and this even made us want to more.

This was one of the few places with beach amenities. Snorkeling with fish and turtles is right there, no need to drive somewhere. The whole vacation was perfect. It is one of the best places to visit. This May we will be going back for the third time! That says a whole lot right there.

We stayed at the Hapuna Beach Resort for 7 nights this January, 2008. The main part of the hotel is very impressive. Open to the beautiful Hawaiian weather and ocean views. The staff was great; cordial and responsive to our needs throughout our stay. The hotel and the rooms are very clean. The lawns and gardens are manicured to within an inch of their lives. The pool and the beach are fantastic. Just beautiful! We felt, however, that there are signs of deferred maintenance at this property. The October, 2006 earthquake damaged the ceilings of the lobby which has not been repaired. Steel supports have been bolted to certain areas as reinforcement. I found it a little disconcerting to be sitting in the Reef Lounge with a nice Mai Tai and looking up at those large cracks running out across the ceiling from each of the massive pillars. It would be nice if they could patch up the cracks some day. Also the pool bar furniture really needs a power wash. The chairs are sticky and disgusting. The Room: A bit on the small side, but with a very large bath with dual granite topped sinks, a separate shower stall, bath tub and enclosed toilet area. We also had a granite topped bar area with an empty refrigerator ready for your sodas and such. There was no minibar. Our room had two queen (?) beds which were arranged so that we did not have the big easy chair which is in the pictures posted online. I missed not having the easy chair in the room. I hate to say it, (because I really like this property) but the general condition of our room was just above passable. They need to update the rooms, get rid of the armoires and install flat screen TVs. The furniture and carpets are beginning to show their age. The headboards are apparently replacements for earlier ones which were attached directly to the wall. When they removed them, however, they did not patch the holes and left the bright red plastic screw anchors in the wall. There is just no excuse for that. Some of the wall coverings are starting to come off the walls. We noticed a musty smell in the room when we first arrived, but after the A/C was turned on, the odor disappeared and did not return during our stay. This may just be the way it is in Hawaii given the humidity and warm weather. The mattresses seemed old and I actually felt the springs with my knee several times as I got into bed. Surprisingly, however, I always had a good night’s sleep. The pillows and linens were very comfortable. The hotel uses Neutrogena bath items and we were provided with daily free bottles of spring water and a daily newspaper. The hotel is apparently using leftover supplies from the Mauna Kea such as the beach flip-flops, drink coasters, robes and other items. The maid service was superior. We only needed to contact Housekeeping on one occasion and the response was efficient and quick. On site restaurants: - Hapuna Café in the lobby: This is one of the little gems in this hotel. In the mornings, they have very good coffee, teas and pastries for about $2.00 each. This place is a great, cheaper alternative. - Ocean Terrace, Breakfast Buffet: We only did the breakfast buffet once which cost $28.00 per person ($21.00 for a limited continental buffet). It was ok, but nothing special at that price. - Hakone Steak House and Sushi Bar: We did not eat here due to high prices on the menu and some less than stellar reviews in the tour book. - Coast Grille and Oyster Bar: Expensive but worth it! We ate here twice. The food and service exceeded our expectations on both visits. Gorgeous oceanfront views. We really like this place and I wish we had this restaurant back home! Conclusion: Absolutely loved the Big Island and loved this hotel. We would stay here again, but would also be overjoyed to see an upgrade/renovation program at this property! (longer review at tripadvisor)

The front desk help and service throughout was wonderful and very accomadating. Very private, although I could hear next-door neighbors partying. But stopped before 10pm. Family-friendly. Patrons conservatively dressed- that was a great plus! I hope to return soon. Loved the hawaiian band.