Luxury hospitality has entered a new era. The industry’s most coveted amenities are not necessarily larger suites or more lavish buffets, but rather thoughtfully curated experiences available to a select few. At Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection on Hawaiʻi’s Kohala Coast, the Francis Brown Club offers exactly that—an exclusive enclave that combines the amenities of a private club with the warmth and authenticity that have distinguished the celebrated oceanfront resort.
Reserved for guests staying in select accommodations, the Francis Brown Club is much more than a traditional concierge lounge. The oceanfront retreat is designed as a residential-style sanctuary, where indoor and outdoor living spaces encourage relaxation while framing expansive views of the Pacific. Dedicated concierge service, chef-prepared breakfasts, afternoon refreshments, evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and personalized experiences create an intimate atmosphere.
The Club is named for Francis Hyde Iʻi Brown, a Native Hawaiian statesman, athlete, conservationist, and member of one of the island’s most influential families. His connection to this stretch of the Kohala Coast runs deep, making the name a fitting tribute to the land’s remarkable history. Long before Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection welcomed its first resort guests more than four decades ago, this coastline served as the summer home of Hawaiian royalty. Ancient fishponds, petroglyphs, lava trails, and sacred sites remain preserved across the property, offering guests an authentic connection to Hawaiʻi’s past.
That heritage is central to the Francis Brown Club experience. The Club embraces the stories, traditions, and culture that define the island. Exclusive programming, oceanfront gatherings, and curated cultural experiences invite engagement with Hawaiʻi in ways that extend beyond the expected resort itinerary.
The setting itself reflects that philosophy. The Club’s architecture echoes Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection’s broader design language, where volcanic stone, rich koa wood, woven natural textures, and open-air lanais create a seamless connection between indoors and out. Every detail encourages guests to slow their pace and appreciate the beauty of the Kohala Coast, whether relaxing with morning coffee as waves roll ashore or gathering for cocktails as the sun disappears beneath the Pacific horizon.
The Francis Brown Club also provides an ideal starting point for exploring everything Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection has to offer. Guests can paddle traditional Hawaiian canoes across Mauna Lani Bay at sunrise while learning the art of Polynesian wayfinding, snorkel among tropical fish in crystal-clear waters, explore centuries-old archaeological sites, or participate in cultural experiences ranging from lei making to hula. Golfers enjoy two championship courses that weave through dramatic lava fields overlooking the ocean. The Auberge Spa Mauna Lani pairs Hawaiian healing traditions with modern wellness, including one of the world’s few collections of signature goop treatments.
Dining remains another hallmark of the resort. CanoeHouse continues to rank among the Big Island’s most celebrated oceanfront restaurants, while HāLani serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in an open-air setting overlooking the water. Together with the Francis Brown Club’s own culinary offerings, guests have access to experiences that range from casually elegant to unmistakably special.
The Francis Brown Club represents a thoughtful evolution of the luxury resort experience. Rather than separating guests from the spirit of Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, it offers a more personal way to experience it. Privacy, attentive service, and meaningful cultural connections come together in a setting that’s like an island home overlooking one of Hawaiʻi’s most storied coastlines.
Photos courtesy of Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection
