I must apologize for any errors in this first draft but I did not wish to break my promise of daily postings. The sun and Mai Tais have gotten to me.
It is an amazing feeling to walk around a hotel, you have not visited for over two years, and have staff members remember you. The only real way to describe the feeling would be that sensation of coming home.
An unfortunate experience began with Room Service this morning but ended on a positive note. So, breakfasted arrived promptly in 25 minutes, which in the hotel industry is light speed (and something this property had not been exceptionally good at since the end of the Adi Kohler management era) but there was no table to be found in the room or balcony. The server suggested that we eat at the desk...after a tense but pleasant moment she departed to search for a table. Returning minutes later dragging a table, she was kind enough to set it up on our balcony and we got to enjoy breakfast looking out over Kauna'oa Bay. (Currently the Mauna Kea is back ordered on guest room tables, so select rooms have them but the unlucky ones force guests to eat at the desk.)
Currently the west side of the Big Island is plagued with intense trade winds which have limited services. Combine this with the fact that the Mauna Kea's new spa has yet to be completed... and this equals for a very windy outdoor massage. Oddly enough the wind was quite peaceful and only added to the experience. An international company, Mandara, has assumed spa management duties and the new facilities are set two open in two weeks (not quite sure if they will make it). According to my masseur, it is still not known as to whether or not they will continue offering outdoor massages once the facility officially opens.
Lunch at the beachside Hau Tree restaurant was enjoyable as always. My recommendations the cob salad or burger (made with local range fed beef) and to drink an ovaltine froth. What makes this restaurant so nice is its proximity to the beach, a couple of steps and your in the sand. The only downside came in the form of damn annoying wind which forced them to close the table's fixed umbrella; eliminating the view of the beach for someone but totally obscuring your view of your table guests.
The property's new gym is a huge improvement over the former one. Within its approximate 2000 square feet is every modern piece of equipment any person could ask for.
Some rough spots in the Mauna Kea's service are clearly visible. With time things will run more smoothly. It would be great if someone could please explain to me the idea behind the new god awful employee uniforms. No offense to whom ever designed them but it is not something a Mauna Kea employee would wear. There were also some issues this morning with the fire alarm in the beach wing, seems as if it was being tested several times. Overall the construction of the hotel is coming to a close and they are attempting to tie up all the loose ends prior to the official Grand Opening, which is occurring later this month.
Caution: Beware of the deep soaking bathtubs!! They are easy to trip over while getting in and out, also expect water to puddle on the floor due to spay from rain shower heads.
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