Mountain Thunder Cafe

We encountered the manager on our visit yesterday after I made sure the employee mentioned above was not around and just now, when I noticed she was in there I had my husband go in and order for me because it was busier than it had been and I really am not trying to get into it with some «I’m having a bad day –barista» in front of a café full of patrons. Anyways, my husband directed our order towards who we now know is the manager, because he knew the other employee on sight as the disgruntled one from a few days ago. After completing our order, the manager followed my husband out with an offering of free coffee. She indicated that she had received an email describing what had happened and had assumed it had been us. She apologized profusely and let us know she was working on the issue, which was nice to hear. So, 5 stars for the Manager and the other employees we encountered during our stay at Mauna Lani.

Stayed at the Mauna Lani for a week and discovered this place after a few days. It was a nice change from the breakfast buffet because a smoothie sounded like the perfect option before yoga. I went in, ordered a strawberry banana smoothie. It was a bit chunky – think an icee. I came back the next day and asked if they could use less ice. I was met with a cold look and a sigh. Both women (one with short hair and one with dark) were just nasty. They acted like I was insulting them. It was such a bad experience. I came back today because, again, no other option for smoothies. The woman with short hair didn’t even smile when I greeted her. This place could be great if the servers weren’t so darn negative. It would also be nice if there were protein additives.

I tried to like this place. I was on vacation. I had that aloha spirit going on. I gave them multiple opportunites hoping I had just shown up on an off day. Alas, it was not to be. This place offers you a consistantly long line in the morning. This is likely due to only staffing one person regardless of the volume of customers. What do you get for waiting patiently in line? Quality time with a surly barista with nonexistent coffee making skill. Apparently they hired Cruella deVille to teach both barista AND customer service skills to their people. Long wait times, surly staff, poor quality coffee (apparently making a decent Americano is simply beyond their capabilities). Amazing that this place is open at all. Avoid this place unless you’re a masochist and simply must be tortured first thing in the morning in order to enjoy your day.

We come to Mauna Lani two times a year and have learned to AVOID this place that treats you like you’ve done something wrong just got standing there, has long lines, and churns out horrible coffee. But, let me put this in a special haiku, just for the horrible baristas who serve terrible coffee there:
Early morning rise
Real jet lag from West Coast
We need real coffee
Stumble down to shop
Six am, the line is long
With one barista
Server has no smile,
No coffee-​making skills
Sadness engulfs me
The hotel is nice
Palm trees sway, the beach invites
Mountain Thunder blows
When you are next here
Just make coffee in your room
It’s cheaper, tastes same
Or pay 5 big bucks
For weak, tasteless brown water
The choice is your own

They serve coffee etc, plus a few pastries and such — typical coffee shop food.
The coffee was fine and so was the poppy seed cake, but the reheated quiche, though a large portion, was burnt on the outside and bland on the inside.
Service was fast and friendly, prices are high — but that’s to be expected since you’re in Hawaii and in a fancy resort.

The Mauna Lani is famous for their Lava Flows (fresh strawberries, fresh pineapple, fresh coconut and rum). Albert at Mountain Thunder makes THE BEST ones!

Would give zero stars if I could. You know the wicked witch of the west from the wizard of oz? She was like Jesus Christ compared to the mean nasty horrible miserable bartender/​barista we encountered there. Last night was my brothers wedding at the Mauna Lani. It started to rain so we all headed inside to Mountain Thunder. Evil bartender cones up to me and rudely tells me I cannot bring in outside alcohol. When I start chugging she physically pushes me out of the bar. Strike one. Then, evil bartender starts carding the guests who have come here to give her business and finish the wedding party. Nobody in that bar was under 28 years old but we didn’t have our IDs because we were at a wedding. Evil bartender wouldn’t even let people who were carded sit at the bar to talk and hang out with their friends.
The level of rudeness displayed by this woman was so high that we all decided to leave and hang out in the hotel lobby. Never in my life have I encountered such a mean nasty horrible person who works in customer service in Hawaii. Oh and the drinks are watered down and the entertainment is mediocre at best. Take your business elsewhere. Mountain Thunder did it’s best to ruin a perfectly beautiful wedding.