Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Celebrates Grand Opening

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. March 31, 2009

THE BIG ISLAND, HI, March 31, 2009 - The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel celebrated its full-fledged return to business as one of the world's most revered resorts with its Grand Opening festivities this weekend.The iconic Mauna Kea celebrated with themed events on Friday and Saturday featuring lavis hdinners and concerts by Hawaii's most beloved duo, Cecilio & Kapono, and the internationally acclaimed jazz-fusion artistry of Hiroshima.

Jon Gersonde, general manager of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, noted that all the planning and hard work has paid off. "The resort has never looked better, we've had a full-house of guests this weekend,and our employees are energized about all the festivities. All systems are fully up-to-speed and our bookings are solid for the next several months."

Gersonde noted that 85 percent of the hotel's employees have returned to work at the hotel and are enjoying the reunion with many long-time Mauna Kea guests.

Friday was themed as "Cuisines of the World" with chefs flown in from Japan to prepare a special selection of meals for the guests. A "Hawaiian Pa'ina Party" was the theme for a Saturday evening party under the stars of the Big Island's Kohala Coast.

Guests received special Grand Opening amenities throughout the weekend, including Nikon digital cameras, Plumeria Pendants, Hiroshima and Cecilio & Kapono music CDs, Big Island Candies, Mauna Kea Golf Club logo items, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel bags and Mauna Kea gift certificates.Nightly turnd own service included Port Wine and strawberries and fruit and cheese.Special events for the Grand Opening included two golf tournaments, a special Wine Tasting atthe newly opened Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar with its state-of-the-art Enomatic wine system, a Cooking Lesson and special luncheon with Executive Chef George Gomes, Ti Leaf Lei and Skirt Making and Hula Classes, a Hawaiian Trail Hike, Mauna Kea Art Tour and Hawaiian Storytelling.

The opening of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel follows a multi-million dollar investment in redesigned guest rooms, new restaurants, a new spa, and an extensive makeover of the legendary golf course complete with a new clubhouse.

The hotel's classic exterior architecture design remains the same as before, with the most dramatic changes taking place inside the guestrooms featuring luxurious interior furnishings, upgraded bedding, ocean view bathrooms, and a host of the latest in entertainment amenities.

The total room and suite count has been reduced from 310 to 258 due to the enlarging of rooms inthe main building. The Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa suites are a spacious 1,610 square feet (including lanai), with the Junior suites measuring nearly 1,000 square feet and the regular guest rooms on the remodeled floors having been expanded to 550 square feet.

A new attraction is The Mauna Kea Spa by Mandara offering an array of exotic treatments such as Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage and Mandara Hot Stone Therapy.

Resort Executive Chef Piet Wigmans and Executive Chef George Gomes are directing the hotel's new culinary offerings. Gomes is returning to the Mauna Kea after a distinguished career in some of Hawaii's finest restaurants.

Hotel restaurants include the Manta Pavilion & Wine Bar, overlooking Manta Ray Point as giant manta rays feed nightly under spotlight and Monettes, a new fine dining restaurant offering inventive American French cuisine with island influences.

Guests will enjoy the many resort activities that have made the Mauna Kea such a popular setting for repeat visits, many of which extends over generations of families. These activities include the 13-court Seaside Tennis Club, the Salon at Mauna Kea, play-while-you learn children's activities, Hawaiian cultural experiences, the Art & Garden Tour, yoga and exercise classes, and enhanced beach services and cabanas.

The world-renowned Mauna Kea Golf Course is also open after being completely renovated from tee-to-green.

Overseen by Rees Jones, son of the original course designer, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the course layout has been upgraded and redesigned to USGA standards including new grass throughout, rebuilt bunkers, and a new irrigation system. The newly constructed Clubhouse features a pro shop and locker rooms, along with a comfortable restaurant for the enjoyment of all resort guests.

Opened in 1965 on 60 acres overlooking Kauna'oa Bay - one of Hawaii's finest natural white sand beaches - the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is known for a remarkable sense of place that embraces without intruding on its dramatic natural surroundings. In 2007, the American Institute of Architects recognized the hotel as one of the 150 best works of architecture nationwide.

Reservations can be arranged through a preferred travel planner or by calling Prince Resorts Hawaii's Luxury Desk toll-free at 1-866-977-4589. For the latest updates and information, please visit www.maunakeabeachhotel.com.