Set on the northwest coast of the big island, overlooking the pristine Kahuwai Bay, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort has emerged as one of Hawai’i’s premier destinations.
Kona Village is both new and old. The land it sits on, called Kaʻūpūlehu, was home to a major Hawai’ian settlement before it was destroyed by a lava flow in 1800. The resort’s first rendition opened in 1965 and became a famed destination until it was closed in 2011 as a result of the March tsunami that was generated from Japan.
Rebuilt on the original site, the new Kona Village is helping visitors to rediscover this beautiful area.
This resort offers the perfect jumping off point for snorkeling, surfing, golf, or simply driving around the island to check out the impressive culture and geology.
“At Kona Village, the team’s abundant warmth of local ho’okipa (the hospitality of complete giving) makes guests feel like they are part of the resort’s ‘ohana (family) from the moment they arrive. Since our opening on July 1, we have been pleased to see both legacy guests and new faces alike embrace us so warmly,” said Sandra Estornell Managing Director of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort.
The entire West Coast has always been a popular market for Hawai’i, but given the property’s long-standing popularity among Californians, the Bay Area is home to many families that may remember the original resort, as well as new guests that they look forward to welcoming. So far, they’ve seen a number of visitors from the Bay Area already and they hope this trend continues.
The Resort
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort sits on 81 acres overlooking a gorgeous beach. The area is surrounded by beautiful lava from the 1800 flow. The resort was built with input from native Hawai’ians, many of them direct descendants of the people who lived along this coast centuries ago. In addition, the resort was rebuilt to preserve native plants and animals, as well as the fantastic landscape.
Kona Village takes the land, the culture and the history seriously. There are sacred sites, which the resort helps preserve and other cultural resources. This stewardship offers guests unique opportunities to respectfully explore these areas to understand the land and the people who lived there.
The resort also houses an impressive art collection from more than 50 artists, many of them native Hawai’ians. The art and the landscape reflect back on each other, creating a variety of stunning visuals.
The Hale Experience
The word hale is Hawai’ian for home, and Kona Village designed theirs with that in mind. These freestanding hale are built with native materials and blend into the landscape. Guests can choose from 150 hale, with one to four bedrooms, and enjoy epic mountain, garden and ocean views.
The hale offer a Hawai’ian take on the modern beach bungalow and are arranged in little villages to engage community. These rooms integrate indoor and outdoor spaces and offer a calm, luxurious spot to reset and recharge. In addition, Kona Village offers 37 suites, including four, four-bedroom signature suites.
“The development of the hale was spearheaded by Hawaiʻi -raised architect, Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects, and San Francisco-based interior design firm, NICOLEHOLLIS. Each of the hale, which span from one to four bedrooms, feature muted tones that draw the eye to the ocean, shore, lush gardens, or our distinct lagoon,” said Estornell. “This layered design narrative brings Rosewood’s A Sense of Place philosophy to life and takes guests on an enriching visual journey.”
Cuisine and Cocktails
The food at Kona Village, like the architecture, landscaping and everything else, is created to honor the place. Chefs rely on local ingredients and recipes to provide uniquely Hawai’ian cuisine.
The main restaurant, Moana, offers simple and elegant Pacific rim cuisine. Enjoy the raw bar, signature salads and delightful seafood and meat. The Kahuwai Cookhouse and Market provides an open-air venue to enjoy ribs, ahi and other island favorites.
The resort features two bars – Talk Story and Shipwreck – both perched right on the beach. Talk Story may be the best place on Earth to watch a sunset while enjoying a beverage. Built into a boat, Shipwreck offers stiff competition, both for beverages and sunset viewing
Explore the Resort
Kahuwai Bay is right outside and offers a great starting point for snorkeling, traditional Hawai’ian canoeing and other activities.
The resort also features tennis and bocce ball courts and a modern fitness center. The Asaya Spa provides a wide array of therapies, all designed to connect guests with this special place.
“Kona Village is truly a unique and special place for many here on the island of Hawaiʻi, and one that is steeped in centuries of preserved tradition and heritage,” said Estornell. “Visits to the original Kona Village Resort left their mark on guests, and the resort played host to many nights of storytelling and celebrations. Now, under the ownership of Kennedy Wilson and the management of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the property continues to honor this legacy.”