WAIMEA (HI Now) - Hawaii Island’s very first resort is marking a major milestone. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is celebrating its 60th anniversary during the first week of June, and the occasion comes with a sweeping transformation, a nearly $240 million renovation that has introduced a host of brand-new amenities for guests and members alike. Kainoa Carlson was live on the Kohala Coast to take viewers inside the newly upgraded property, broadcasting from iconic views overlooking Kaunaʻoa Bay.
One of the most talked-about additions is the new 2,500-square-foot fitness studio, available to members and guests 24 hours a day. Resort Activities Manager Jessica Minder walked Kainoa through the state-of-the-art facility, which features a full cardio section, free weights, and equipment targeting all major muscle groups. The studio also partners with the spa to offer daily yoga, sound baths, yoga therapy, and a dedicated stretching class for golfers. “Health as being the easy choice for everybody,” Jessica said, describing her vision for the space, one that makes wellness feel natural, even on vacation.
The tour continued poolside at the brand-new infinity pool, where Restaurant Manager Scotty Ignacio joined Kainoa for a look at the adults-only retreat. The pool operates as a lap pool from 7 to 10 a.m., then transitions to a full-service experience from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with servers delivering fresh cocktails and beverages made from scratch. One signature drink, “the Frederico,” has been a beloved staple since 1988, when two bartenders at the property created it on a whim. It remains the top-selling cocktail on the menu to this day. “The bay is what brings in the people, the culture, and that’s what keeps the legacy,” Ignacio said of what makes Mauna Kea so enduring.
The final stop on the tour was perhaps the most serene: the resort’s spa, where Kainoa spoke with Spa Director Psalm Quinn.The spa offers a deeply rooted Hawaiian experience, beginning each session with an oli, a traditional Hawaiian chant, followed by a ritual using sea salt and coconut oil described as “almost like a blessing.” What sets this spa apart is its one-of-a-kind treatment table, the only one of its kind in the entire state of Hawaii. Equipped with eight built-in speakers, the table allows guests to feel the vibrations of the music and oli playing beneath them. “It really enhances the experience,” Quinn said. “It’s kind of a game changer.”
As Mauna Kea Beach Hotel turns 60, the property is clearly looking forward. From a cutting-edge fitness center to a breathtaking infinity pool and a spa experience rooted in Hawaiian tradition, the renovation signals a new chapter for the island’s original resort, one that honors its rich legacy while embracing the future. Coverage of the hotel’s restaurants and additional anniversary celebrations is set to continue in the days ahead.
To learn more or to book your next Hawaii Island getaway, visit Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
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