BETHESDA, Maryland — Hawaii Island’s first resort, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, originally envisioned by Laurance S. Rockefeller, unveiled its nearly $240 million, multiphase renovation earlier this year, representing the most extensive transformation in the property’s 60-year history.

An Autograph Collection hotel and part of the expansive Mauna Kea Resort — which also includes The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Residences — the reimagined Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is now fully open, carrying forward Rockefeller’s vision of harmonizing world-class hospitality with Hawaii’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.

The comprehensive renovation unveiled 252 fully reimagined guest rooms and suites, a refreshed family resort pool featuring a new oceanfront hot tub, and five private cabanas appointed with plush loveseats, mini-refrigerators and privacy curtains. The transformation also introduced a new oceanfront wellness retreat, highlighted by a 2,500-square-foot fitness center and an adults-only infinity lap pool with expansive lanai.

The project included enhanced dining experiences and thoughtfully refreshed public spaces, highlighted by a million-dollar curated gallery from the Rockefeller Art Collection featuring more than 500 historically significant works that have been professionally restored, including Hawaiian kapa cloth and quilts, and antiques and artifacts from the Pacific Rim and Southeast Asia.

Additional phases of the project incorporated photovoltaic solar panels that supply about 45% of the resort’s overall electrical energy needs, underscoring a long-term commitment to sustainability.

Other key enhancements include the redesign of the Mauna Kea Golf Course by architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., the opening of the 28,000-square-foot Ulu Garden, and upgraded in-room amenities such as filtered water stations in every guest room and complimentary reusable water bottles.

The resort also debuted Spa at Mauna Kea, a new 22,000-square-foot destination spa with 11 treatment rooms, both al fresco and indoor and outdoor couples’ treatment suites, separate male and female purification gardens, steam and sauna facilities, a movement pavilion, and a spa vitality pool. It complements the resort’s existing wellness offerings, including the award-winning Seaside Racquet Club, home to nine tennis courts and eight new pickleball courts.

The renovation spanned both the Main Tower and the Beachfront Wing guest rooms and suites, celebrating the resort’s midcentury modern heritage while introducing a renewed sense of warmth and quiet luxury. Original terrazzo flooring in the Beachfront Wing and the resort’s iconic blue tile flooring in the Main Lobby, along with the Main Tower’s expansive lanais, have been preserved. Throughout both hotel wings, rich woods, handcrafted textiles, ceiling fans and plantation shutters, glass lanai doors and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs were introduced.

Culinary enhancements included the debut of Hau Tree Cantina, a re-concepting of the resort’s beachfront dining venue. Located just steps from Kaunaoa Bay, Hau Tree is a casual, open-air restaurant that serves beachside lunch favorites before transitioning to an evening menu of contemporary regional Mexican dishes.

The resort’s signature restaurant, Manta, also received a refresh and introduced a new garden-to-table menu centered on local and seasonal ingredients sourced from Hawaii Island farmers, fishermen, ranchers and the resort’s new on-site Ulu Garden.

For more information or reservations, visit maunakeabeachhotel.com.