By Nolan P. Smith
Travel Editor
(Kona)– The Mauna Lani Resort reopens to guests on November 15th, but with some major changes that have their guests and the community’s safety in mind. As local resorts reopen with measures to prevent the spread of the virus, resort officials are busy planning an aloha environment that has public health in mind for their guests, employees, and community.
The resort opened as part of Auberge Resorts Collection in January after a $200 million renovation, and closed just seven weeks later. The guestrooms, furnishings and interiors are all brand new, as the resort is eager to invite kama’aina guests to see what they have to offer.
Mauna Lani Resort in Kona has partnered with Vault Health, a State of Hawaii trusted partner, to provide guests access to at home Covid-19 tests prior to their visit. A test with a negative reading must be taken within 72 hours of a guests’ planned stay.
Sanjiv Hulugalle
“We are excited to collaborate with Vault Health to offer guests a simple, at-home COVID-19 test to be taken in advance of travel. With the assistance of a Vault Health representative via Zoom, test results are guaranteed in 72 hours,” said Mauna Lani General Manager, Sanjiv Hulugalle.
Mauna Lani becomes the first luxury resort in Hawaii to offer this partnership. Vault Heath is also partnering with Hawaiian Airlines.
“Mauna Lani is taking a proactive approach and making it easy for our guests to do their pre-travel testing, so all they have to do is think about their trip to Hawaii, where open spaces and nature are abundant,” Hulugalle explained.
The resort wants to make the process of booking and being tested as seamless as possible. The test, with a cost of $150, is the responsibility of guests.
Guests can learn more about pre-travel testing and updated safety information for Mauna Lani at their website: aubergeresorts.com/maunalani.
