Mauna Lani Bay Resort Hotel in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii

A seductive blend of luxury and Hawaiian-style hospitality await guests at this 3,200-acre resort on the Big Island's Kona coast. Upon arrival, expect to be greeted with fragrant leis, fresh-squeezed juice, and a warm and genuine Hawaiian welcome.

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The hotel contains spacious guestrooms, each more than 600 square feet with a private lanai. There are also suites, bungalows, and villas. All that front the Pacific Ocean are preferred. Bungalows are 4,000 square feet and include two master bedroom suites, two master baths, one guest bath, private living room and lanai, private swimming pool, steam bath, and whirlpool spa.

The hotel contains five restaurants that range from an informal poolside grill to the CanoeHouse, dubbed "best restaurant on the Big Island" by Honolulu magazine. The romantic CanoeHouse serves Pacific Asian cuisine in an oceanfront setting. A typical appetizer combines Keahole lobster, avocado, and Hilo corn. Kona shellfish risotto is one of many mouthwatering entrees.

There is no specific honeymoon package at the Mauna Lani Resort but the hotel does feature a "Romantic Interludes" package that includes Champagne upon arrival, a volcano tour by helicopter for two, a snorkel or sunset cruise or CanoeHouse dinner for two, two spa treatments, and daily breakfast for two, either buffet style or private dining. Check the hotel Web site for rates and other packages.

Several different wedding packages are available. The Sunset Wedding Package ($1,950 in 2005) included the ceremony site, solo guitarist, bottle of champagne, two-layer cake, bouquet or lei for the bride, boutonniere or lei for the groom, photographer, and a set up for up to 25 guests.

There are two 18-hole golf courses, a tennis/racquet club, heated swimming pool, spa featuring authentically Hawaiian treatments, massage huts, biking, jogging, snorkeling. Also sailing, windsurfing, boogie boarding, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving certification, and seasonal whale watching. Daily complimentary activities; varied schedule includes lei-making, watercolor painting, tropical flower arranging, hula lessons, lomi-lomi massage demonstrations, fish feeding. and historic tours.

The resort is located on an ancient 16th-century lava flow and 15 acres of ancient springfed Hawaiian fishponds dot the grounds along with historic parks and preserves with petroglyphs; shelter caves and the restored King's Trail, Ala Loa. Lush grounds and man-made ponds teem with tropical fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles. More than anything, Mauna Lani is famous for its beach and comfy blue cabanas for two.

If you favor a gracious, comfortable, well-established beach resort that focuses on personal service -- and you can afford the tariff -- you won't go wrong staying at the Mauna Lani.