- Hotel Website: The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
- Location: Google Maps
- Book: Check availability
- Room Type: Premier Ocean View Suite – Ocean view, Balcony, King, 874sqft/79sqm, Living/sitting area, Separate living room, Full Kitchen
- Review Score: Results of our review
- Hotel Fact: Originally opened in 1994 as the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, it underwent a significant $46 million renovation and rebranding in 2018 to become The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
Other Local Luxury Resorts
- Full kitchen in suites – A genuinely rare amenity at this level — full-size kitchen included in the Premier Ocean View Suite, not just a minibar.
- Direct Hapuna Beach access – Private access to one of the best-ranked beaches in America. White sand, calm summer waters, uncrowded.
- Traditional lei greeting – One of the few remaining Big Island resorts that still presents fresh leis on arrival — a tradition many properties have dropped.
- Adults-only infinity pool – Upper-level infinity pool positioned between the resort and the ocean — quiet, with sweeping Pacific views.
- Fair dining pricing – Resort dining here is priced more reasonably than comparable Big Island properties — a genuine rarity at this level.
- On-site residences – The property also offers residences alongside hotel rooms — built for both short stays and longer-term living.
- Fresh lei greetings on arrival are still offered here — increasingly rare among Big Island resorts.
- Premier Ocean View Suites include a full kitchen — useful for longer stays or guests who want to self-cater some meals.
- The upper pool is adults-only; the larger family pool sits below it with shaded lounge areas for all ages.
- Hapuna Beach has calm waters primarily in summer months — check seasonal surf conditions before planning water activities.
- Room service is available 24 hours for guests who prefer to dine in the suite.
- Piko Coffee+Bar serves 100% Kona coffee in the morning, then transitions to cocktails and snacks later in the day.
- Marriott Bonvoy Elite members are well taken care of here — upgrades and welcome amenities were both part of our stay.
- An October visit offered a quiet, uncrowded resort experience — worth considering for travelers who prefer shoulder season.
🏖️ Beach
🍸 Bar
🏋️ Gym
🏊 Pool
🍽️ Restaurant
💆 Spa
🌊 Water Activitie
The Luxe Atlas Rating
Design: 9/10
Vibe: 9/10
Romantic: 9/10
Air Conditioning: 8.4/10
Room: 9.5/10
Food: 9/10
Location: 9/10
Gym/Fitness: 8.2/10
Cleanliness: 9.3/10
Wow Factor: 9/10
Overall Experience: 8.94/10
Westin Hapuna Beach Resort Review: Big Island Luxury on One of America's Best Beaches
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort sits on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, directly on a stretch of sand that’s been ranked among the best beaches in America. We came in with reasonable expectations and left planning a return trip — a combination of full-kitchen suites, a well-designed pool complex, direct beach access, and dining that’s priced fairly for a resort of this caliber.
This is our full review of the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort — covering the arrival, the Premier Ocean View Suite, the pool complex, every dining venue with hours, beach access, and whether it’s worth booking for your Big Island trip.
Arriving at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
The drive in winds through the surrounding landscape before the resort comes into view. The valet area is framed by tall palm trees, and the entrance has a natural, open feel rather than a formal porte-cochère presentation. It’s a good spot for photos, particularly around sunset.
The lobby is large with high, open ceilings that give it an outdoor feel despite being covered. We arrived a little early for check-in, but our room was already ready. We also received a room upgrade and were greeted with fresh leis — a traditional Hawaiian welcome that fewer resorts on the island still offer. It’s a small gesture, but it set the tone for the stay.
Premier Ocean View Suite — Full Kitchen, Ocean Views, and More Space Than Expected
After check-in we were welcomed with complimentary wine and local chocolates. The suite itself was the standout of the stay. Our Premier Ocean View Suite came in at 810–874 sq. ft. (73–79 sqm) — generous for a resort suite, and notably larger than comparable rooms we’ve stayed in at the Westin Moana Surfrider on Oahu.
Our Luxurious Suite: Comfort & Views
- Premier Ocean View Suite
- 810–874 sq ft (73–79 sqm)
- Full kitchen included
- Separate living room
- Panoramic ocean views
A full kitchen is the standout feature — not a small detail, but a genuine amenity. It meant we could prepare light meals, store fresh produce, and have a quiet breakfast with the ocean view rather than relying on room service or dining out for every meal. The separate living room and bedroom layout gave the suite a residential feel rather than a typical hotel room.
Westin Hapuna Pool Complex — Two Tiers, Two Different Experiences
From the lobby, a large staircase descends toward the open-air breakfast area, while elevators provide easier access up to the multi-tier pool complex. The layout separates the pools by experience rather than simply by size.
We spent a significant amount of time at the adults only pool. The fish tacos and margaritas from Naupaka Beach Grill were a consistent highlight — fresh, well-seasoned, and one of the better poolside dining experiences we’ve had at a family resort this size.
Adults-Only Infinity Pool
Upper level, positioned between the resort and the ocean for a sense of swimming at the edge of the water. Quiet and well-suited to laps or simply relaxing without the noise of a family pool.
Family Pool
Larger and set below the infinity pool, with shaded areas and plenty of lounge seating. Suited to all ages and the more social, active pool option on property.
Hapuna Beach — Direct Resort Access to One of America's Top Beaches
Beach access is one of the resort’s clearest strengths. Hapuna Beach has repeatedly ranked among the best beaches in America, and the resort offers direct private access to it. Canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards can all be rented right on the beach. Water conditions are calmest during the summer months, making that the better window for water activities specifically.
For guests who simply want to relax, the white sand and the relatively uncrowded nature of this stretch of beach — a benefit of direct resort access rather than public parking lot access — make it a notably calmer beach experience than several other Kohala Coast properties offer.
Westin Hapuna Beach Resort Restaurants — A Complete Dining Guide with Hours
Dining across the resort blends local Hawaiian ingredients with international influences, and pricing is notably more reasonable than comparable Big Island resort dining. Here is the full breakdown.
Dinner: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM · Reservations recommended
Fine dining with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine built around locally sourced ingredients. Casual elegant atmosphere with ocean views — the resort’s primary special-occasion dinner option.
Casual poolside fare — salads, seafood, sandwiches, and pupus including the fish tacos. Open-air setting steps from Hapuna Beach. The fish tacos and margaritas are the standout order here.
Extensive breakfast buffet with made-to-order options, fresh fruit, and juices. Open-air setting with garden and ocean views.
Gourmet meals and snacks available around the clock — a useful option given the full kitchen also available in the Premier Ocean View Suite.
The Grounds — Gardens, Pathways & Photo Opportunities
The resort grounds are heavily landscaped with tropical flora — plumeria and hibiscus are visible along most of the walking paths. The layout encourages exploring rather than moving directly between destinations; pathways wind through garden areas connecting the lobby, pools, and beach access points.
The entrance area near valet, with its palm trees and open lawn, is a strong spot for photos — particularly around sunset when the lighting is best. The grounds overall make the property a good choice for guests who want a resort that feels connected to its natural setting rather than a more built-up, urban-feeling property.
Other Amenities at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Water Sports Rentals
Canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards available directly on Hapuna Beach.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Recognition
Upgrades and welcome amenities extended to Elite members during our stay.
On-Site Residences
The property also offers residences alongside hotel accommodations for longer-term stays.
Traditional Lei Greeting
Fresh leis presented on arrival — one of the few Big Island resorts still maintaining this tradition.
Is the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort Worth It?
We would book the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort again for a future Big Island trip. The combination of the full-kitchen suite, the infinity pool, direct beach access to one of the best-rated beaches in the country, and reasonably priced dining made for a strong overall stay. Visiting in October gave us a quieter, less crowded version of the resort, which is worth considering if your travel dates are flexible.
For travelers comparing Kohala Coast resorts, the Westin Hapuna stands out for offering more residential-style space — particularly the kitchen — at a price point that’s more accessible than several comparable properties in the area.
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