Every Kohala Coast resort sits next to a golf course, but not every resort gives you access to the courses you actually want to play. Guest rates can save you $60-90 per round versus rack pricing, so where you sleep directly affects what you pay on the fairway.

This guide matches each Big Island golf resort to its courses, breaks down the real cost of a week-long golf vacation at each property, and identifies the best-value pairings for different budgets and skill levels.

Resort-to-Course Map

Four Seasons Hualalai — Hualalai Course (Private)

The Four Seasons Hualalai is the only way to access the Tom Weiskopf-designed Hualalai Course. This is a private, guest-only layout — no outside tee times, no rack rate walk-ons. Green fees are approximately $350 and often bundled into stay packages.

The course features 7,117 yards of championship golf through lava fields and mature palms, with five holes along the ocean. Conditions are immaculate — Four Seasons standards apply to the course as much as the hotel. The Hualalai clubhouse, practice facilities, and on-course service match the resort’s ultra-luxury positioning.

Best for: Golfers with the budget for Four Seasons and who want exclusivity. You will never wait on a tee box or deal with a crowded course. The trade-off is that you are limited to one course unless you drive to the Kohala Coast resorts 20-30 minutes north.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel — Mauna Kea + Hapuna Courses

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel gives you guest-rate access to two courses: the iconic Robert Trent Jones Sr. Mauna Kea course (~$225 guest rate) and the Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay Hapuna course (~$150 guest rate). This is the strongest two-course pairing on the island.

Mauna Kea is the bucket-list course — demanding, windswept, with the famous par-3 3rd over crashing surf. Hapuna is the more forgiving complement, sitting at elevation with less wind and wider fairways. Together, they give you one round of pure challenge and one of scenic resort golf. Read our Mauna Kea vs Mauna Lani comparison for more on what makes the Mauna Kea course special.

Best for: Serious golfers who want the Big Island’s most famous course with a forgiving alternative on alternating days. The hotel itself is a classic — understated luxury with one of the Kohala Coast’s best beaches.

Westin Hapuna Beach — Hapuna + Mauna Kea Courses (Reciprocal)

The Westin Hapuna Beach shares the same resort complex as the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, and guests receive reciprocal access to both the Hapuna and Mauna Kea courses at guest rates. The Westin typically runs at a lower room rate than the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel while providing the same golf access.

This makes the Westin the best-value gateway to Mauna Kea golf. You save on accommodation without sacrificing course access. The hotel sits directly above Hapuna Beach — consistently rated one of Hawaii’s top beaches — and the Hapuna course is a short drive uphill.

Best for: Golfers who want Mauna Kea course access at a lower total trip cost than staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel itself. Families also benefit from the Westin’s larger pool complex and more casual atmosphere.

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection — Mauna Lani North & South Courses

Mauna Lani guests receive preferred rates (~$195) on both the North and South courses. The South Course is the more famous of the two — featuring the signature par-3 15th over a lava bay — and is the better choice for most visitors. The North Course is tighter and more technical, suited to experienced players.

Having two 18-hole courses on-property means you can play 36 holes across different layouts without leaving the resort. The South Course is more forgiving and scenic; the North Course is the tighter challenge. This variety makes Mauna Lani the best option for golfers who want to play multiple rounds without repeating the same holes.

Best for: Golfers who want two distinct courses at one resort. The Auberge property is also the Kohala Coast’s most design-forward hotel, appealing to travellers who care as much about their room as their round.

Fairmont Orchid — Mauna Lani Courses (Preferred Rates)

The Fairmont Orchid sits adjacent to the Mauna Lani resort complex and provides guests with preferred tee time access and rates on both Mauna Lani courses. The Fairmont typically offers lower room rates than the Mauna Lani Auberge property while granting the same course access.

The hotel has a more traditional Hawaiian resort feel with lush landscaping, a large pool complex, and its own beach. It is a solid mid-luxury option that gives you premium golf access without the ultra-luxury price tag of the neighbouring Auberge property.

Best for: Golfers who want Mauna Lani course access at a more moderate room rate. Also excellent for couples where one partner golfs and the other prefers the pool and spa — the Fairmont Orchid excels at both.

Waikoloa Beach Marriott — Waikoloa Beach + Kings’ Courses

The Waikoloa Beach Marriott provides guest access to both the Beach Course and the Kings’ Course, two Robert Trent Jones Jr. designs with guest rates around $149. This is the Kohala Coast’s most affordable resort-and-golf combination.

The Beach Course is more forgiving and scenic; the Kings’ Course is tighter with more lava hazards. Both are solid resort-quality courses without the premium pricing of Mauna Kea or Mauna Lani. The Marriott itself is a comfortable full-service resort, and Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points on room stays.

Best for: Value-focused golfers and Marriott Bonvoy members. Two courses at $149 each plus a mid-range room rate makes this the lowest-cost Kohala Coast golf vacation by a significant margin.

Budget Option: Waikoloa Village Condo

Waikoloa Village sits a few miles uphill from the Kohala Coast resorts. Vacation rentals and condos here cost a fraction of resort room rates — often $150-250 per night for a full condo with kitchen. The Waikoloa Village Golf Club ($99) is right there, and you can drive to any Kohala Coast course in 10-15 minutes.

You lose resort amenities, but you gain a kitchen (saving hundreds on dining over a week), more space, and significantly lower accommodation costs. The savings can go directly toward green fees at the resort courses.

Best for: Budget-conscious golfers who want to play multiple Kohala Coast courses without paying resort room rates. Ideal for groups of four splitting a condo.

Total Cost Comparison: 7 Nights + 4 Rounds

The following table estimates the total cost for a one-week golf trip with four rounds. Room rates are approximate nightly averages for 2026. Golf costs use guest rates where applicable.

These figures exclude meals, flights, car rental, and club rentals. The Waikoloa Village condo option saves enough on accommodation to add one or two resort rounds if desired — play Waikoloa Village twice and add Mauna Kea and Mauna Lani South for a four-round total under $1,200 at rack rates.

For current green fees at every course, check our Big Island green fees guide.

Loyalty Programmes and Points

Marriott Bonvoy

The Waikoloa Beach Marriott and Westin Hapuna Beach are both Marriott properties where Bonvoy members earn and redeem points. A seven-night stay at the Waikoloa Marriott at 35,000-50,000 points per night is achievable with Bonvoy credit card spend. Elite members also get room upgrades, late checkout, and resort credits that can offset golf costs.

The Westin Hapuna Beach is a Category 7 Marriott property, typically costing 50,000-60,000 points per night. The value calculation here is strong because Westin guest rates give you access to Mauna Kea golf — a premium course at non-premium accommodation cost.

Accor Live Limitless (Fairmont)

The Fairmont Orchid participates in Accor’s ALL loyalty programme. Points earning rates are lower than Bonvoy, but Accor occasionally runs promotions with bonus points or discounted rates for members. Status benefits include room upgrades and resort credits.

Prince Resorts Hawaii

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is managed by Prince Resorts Hawaii. Their loyalty programme is smaller than Bonvoy or Hilton but offers targeted benefits including advance tee time booking, multi-round golf packages, and returning-guest discounts. Ask at reservation for current golf packages — they are not always visible online.

Which Resort Should You Book?

For the best course access: Mauna Kea Beach Hotel — two courses including the island’s most iconic layout.

For the best value: Westin Hapuna Beach — same Mauna Kea/Hapuna course access at a lower room rate, plus Bonvoy points.

For course variety: Mauna Lani — two contrasting 18-hole courses on one property.

For the lowest budget: Waikoloa Beach Marriott — affordable rooms, two guest-rate courses, Bonvoy earning.

For the ultimate experience: Four Seasons Hualalai — private course, impeccable service, no crowds.

For a broader comparison of Kohala Coast properties beyond golf, see our Kohala Coast resorts comparison. For course-specific details including the Hualalai vs Mauna Lani debate, read our Four Seasons Hualalai vs Mauna Lani guide. And for help planning your complete trip itinerary, see our Big Island golf trip planning guide.