Reopened in 2023, Kona Village has been a long awaited trip and we finally got to visit this October. It offers inarguably one of the most beautiful rooms on Hawaii’s Big Island, and we were eager to have first-hand experience with the property.
Our experience during a 3 night stay ended up being lovely. We were most impressed with the water program and food, in addition to the design of the property. This is a perfect getaway for couples and families looking for a laid back feel – we would definitely return!
Booking Perks
Rosewood’s preferred partner program, Rosewood Elite, offers some really nice perks that should help out with the rates here. As a reminder, not all are guaranteed, but the perks we personally experienced on a Rosewood Elite advisor booking included:
- $250 resort credit
- Free daily breakfast for 2
- Room upgrade at booking*
- Early check-in and 4PM checkout*
- *not guaranteed
Reach out if you’re looking to book at Kona Village with a RW Elite partner. Sherman is one and always happy to input on optimal room types and placement as well.
The Property
Nestled among lava fields, the Kona Village property is as gorgeous as everyone states. We liked how there were distinct spaces across a large area, making it enjoyable to roam around. Plus, the pools and views could never get old. Biking is how you’ll get from point to point, and golf carts are available too, but everything in the main area is very walkable. However, we did not like how dusty/chalky all the walking paths were, and that dust got everywhere in our open-toed shoes.
There are two pools on property, one kid-friendly and one adult only. They’re separated by the two restaurant spaces and reception, and both have a view onto the private cove. Rooms are located on either side of, and behind this center area.
Resort Amenities
Amenity inclusions at Kona Village are quite generous, and we really enjoyed the variety of activities that are offered.
One amazing included amenity is the ocean/water sports program, Kilo Kai, which is a distinct selling point especially when compared neighboring luxe properties like the Four Seasons Hualalai. The program’s name means observers of the ocean, and the guys working there really know it well. They are super helpful, and offer free guided snorkel tours, sunrise canoe paddles, sailing, etc., plus all the usual equipment rentals. One thing to be aware of is that the complimentary guided programs do get booked out since there are limited seats, so plan ahead and make sure you reserve your spot with them.
Also, be sure to do your water activities before 11am to maximize time in calm waters, because the bay gets choppier after that. Spending every morning in the water and getting to swim with both turtles and dolphins was magical. Since Kona Village’s reef is one of the best on the island, it’s very easy to stay on property to enjoy both activities and down time in the water.
Other resort amenities included tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts. We also had full access to the gym/spa facilities.
The Rooms
Just as we’d heard, the rooms (which are called hales) were indeed stunning. Each accommodation type is grouped together across different areas of the property, so depending on your room type, the surrounding might have a slightly different vibe. We stayed in a Lagoon Hale and were in an optimal location to all things central at the resort. Being a few steps from the tennis courts, car park, and main restaurant was super convenient. It was also easy to get in our car and leave without waiting for valet.
Work with your travel advisor on optimal room placement to fit any special needs or preferences you might have.
The Service
The service approach here has a laid back friendliness that is attentive but not smothering. It is Hawaii after all. A lot of the staff we chatted with grew up on the island and you can tell it’s a special place for them.
We went in knowing there have been reports of service inconsistencies, and the team has been working to chart a smoother course for the guest experience since reopening.
Though the staff to guest ratio felt high during peak hours, there were a couple moments where we could sense that short staffing caused a break in the flow of service:
- Check in: We arrived ahead of normal check-in hours and there was no one in sight to greet our vehicle or help with bags. Since you enter the property through a gate that is a minute or two’s drive away from reception, there’s no reason that they couldn’t give the team there a heads up. Once we parked, we realized it was because a couple of groups arrived around the same time and caused a backlog. We didn’t wait more than 5 minutes for someone to show up, but it felt like a bit of a stilted start.
- Housekeeping: This was the most inconsistent service point for us. Every single day and night, we somehow would come back to find housekeeping in our hale. Eventually we’d end up just going into the room while housekeeping tried to finish up around us. A tad awkward but no other complaints other than timing.
When we did call housekeeping for special requests, they delivered what we needed very quickly and were accommodating. At food & bev outlets, it was also clear that notes about what we were celebrating were passed on.
The Food & Drink
We tried almost every restaurant and bar on the property and really enjoyed the menus. Overall, the variety of dishes at KV have an Asian/fusion tilt, and seemed more interesting than what we saw on the menu at the Beach Tree Restaurant at the Four Seasons next door.
Breakfast at Moana served great portions and an impressive variety of a la carte dishes from mochi pancakes to loco moco, on top of the standard pancakes & eggs options. Their lobster benedict was delicious, and though it ran out the first time we tried to order it, the staff did help reserve a dish for the next morning.
Shipwreck Bar and Talkstory Bar are awesome places to hangout and evoke a sense of place that distinctly feels like Kona Village. The former is made from the restored schooner of Kona Village’s founder, while the latter is a tiki bar with the best sunset views on the property.
It’s worth nothing that food is pricey here. The property credit and breakfast included with our stay helped to offset this a bit, but menu pricing here matches what you’d see in any large metropolitan city.
The Spa
Asaya Spa is located just behind the Moana pool and also at the center of the resort. We loved that the spa facilities are open to all guests, regardless of whether or not you have a treatment booked. Their sauna, cold plunge, and jacuzzi are wonderfully relaxing and make for another serene spot to unwind at the property.
The lomilomi massage we tried was just ok, but there’s no denying the beauty of the setting here. Our treatment room offered a vast view onto the lava fields.
Overall, Kona Village delivered as one of the most luxurious resorts you’ll find on the Big Island. The property is truly breathtaking and a worthy escape for those seeking a resort vacation in Hawaii.
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