Spanning 81 acres of stunning volcanic landscape, the reimagined coastal property boasts a collection of kauhale (suites), from 600-square-foot bungalows with mountain views to the four-bedroom oceanfront residences with private pools.
Despite its modern revamp, Kona Village is inspired by its history and sense of place, from the thatched-roof hale (bungalows) that nod to its early years to the coconut husk sidings and basalt rock furnishings that blend seamlessly into the surroundings, all of which coming together to create this inviting, luxurious Hawaiian escape.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The 150 free-standing hale and kauhale are scattered through the property, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms. Some are right on the beach, and most have spacious lanai (balconies) perfect for sipping your morning coffee or lounging under the stars.
- The location is ideal, right on the pristine shores of Kahuwai Bay. The resort is about eight miles north of the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and a short drive to the bustling town of Kailua-Kona and its slew of restaurants, shops and activities. You can also head farther north to Waimea, where its inviting rolling hills and vast ranchlands are a stark contrast to the barren lava landscape.
- In 2023, the resort launched a lūʻau, an elevated version of the often-kitchen hula dinner shows on other islands. During the show, guests go on a historical journey through song, dance and live music, with a lagoon as the backdrop. It’s not your typical luau fare, either. The menu features local charcuterie and cheese, garlic-chili Kona shrimp and kalua pork that’s been slow-cooked for 10 hours in a traditional underground oven.
- Asaya spa is stunning, with open-air treatment rooms and views of Hualālai in the distance. Even the pedicure nook is gorgeous. While the offerings are impressive — you’ll find everything from traditional lomi lomi massages to services using warmed lava stones — the recovery area is the spa’s shining star, with hot and cold pools, a sauna, steam room and a sitting area that you won’t want to leave.
- There’s no shortage of things to do at this resort, from paddling in an outrigger canoe at sunrise in the bay to learning how to strum the ukulele at the Kaʻuluola Cultural Center. Cinema Under the Stars is a unique experience at Kona Village, where you can watch a family-friendly film projected onto a sail on the lawn under the stars. Fireside treats included.
Things to Know
- You can borrow a bike (with your name written in chalk on the front plate) or request a ride on a golf cart to get you around the property.
- The resort has pools for everyone: an infinity-edged one for adults (with a bar, of course) and another for the entire family that includes a sand-bottom keiki pool.
- Saturdays at 1 p.m. at Kona Village is Coconut O’Clock, when fresh coconuts are cracked open and served to guests. For adults — or harried parents with kids — you can add a shot of local rum to your glass.
- Despite its posh reputation, Kona Village is actually great for families. The Rosewood Explorers Keiki Club offers fun activities for kids, designed to foster cultural appreciation and social responsibility. There’s an outdoor games area with cornhole, ping pong tables, foosball and bocce. And Kahuwai Bay is protected and safe for ocean exploring.
- Kona Village is one of the largest privately owned microgrids in the state, and the resort is solely reliant on solar power with a zero-waste commitment.
The Rooms
- Of the 150 bungalows, 37 are suites with outdoor rainlike showers and luxuriously large lanai, and range in size from a 1,000-square-foot one-bedroom kauhale to a sprawling 2,420-square-foot two-bedroom unit on the beach that has two full bathrooms (and a half-bath for good measure) and an open-air living room that accommodates up to six guests comfortably.
- The interiors of both hale and kauhale were done by noted designer Nicole Hollis, and the look, obviously inspired by the resort’s volcanic surroundings, blurs the line between indoors and out with dark tile and stone and warm woods throughout.
- The presidential-style suite is a breathtaking 6,500 square feet of ultimate comfort and privacy. This four-bedroom family kauhale boasts a full-size kitchen, private pool, hot tub, outdoor fire pit, washer and dryer in the unit and butler service. It comes with three meals per day per person, too.
- The bathrooms in the kauhale units are huge, with deep soaking tubs and outdoor showers.
The Restaurants
- Moana is the signature eatery, serving breakfast and dinner. Its menu reflects the farm-to-table focus of the Islands, with a slew of ingredients from Hawaii, including fish, shrimp, mushrooms and a variety of fruits and veggies.
- Serving lunch and dinner mostly from a wood-fired grill, Kahuwai Cookhouse & Market is inspired by the island’s paniolo (cowboy) culture. The backstory: In 1793, Hawaii’s King Kamehameha was gifted with five longhorn cows that he allowed to roam and multiply across the island’s rolling hills, which eventually led to a booming beef trade and a high demand for the state's ranchers. Because of this, vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) arrived on the Big Island and Maui to teach the locals how to corral and raise cattle. Thus began the culture of the Hawaiian cowboy.
- On Thursdays evenings, Kahuwai Cookhouse & Market hosts Paniolo Night, a must-not-miss buffet-style dinner that celebrates all things paniolo. There’s a carving station, poke bar and assorted desserts, plus live music all night.
- The resort’s two bars couldn’t be more different. The Talk Story Bar is a beachy watering hole in the center of the resort, with island-inspired cocktails and wines by the glass. The sunset views from here are spectacular. Shipwreck Bar & Sushi is literally on a schooner that’s been beautifully refurbished. The cocktails are great, but it’s the mix of bar bites (fish tacos, ahi poke loaded nachos, kampachi ceviche, beef sliders) with meticulously crafted maki rolls and beautiful nigiri sushi that make it a unique dining experience.
Getting There
72-300 Maheawalu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
TEL808-865-0100
TEL808-865-0100
TEL214-414-7506
TEL214-414-7506
NEARBY AIRPORT(S)
KOA (14-18 min)
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