Review: Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
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Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, is managed by the ultra-luxury hotel group Rosewood Hotels & Resorts®.

Located on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawai’i, this resort is the next major resort up the coast from the unique and highly rated Hualalai, a Four Seasons resort. The Rosewood has plenty of facilities to attract the luxury traveler beyond the black lava rocky outcrops and golden sand beaches. In fact, the resort extends across an enormous 81 acres of stunning geologic landscape.

Location

Located less than 10 miles north of the Kona International Airport, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, will debut 150 unique, standalone guest hales with locally-inspired décor, spectacular views, and a privileged sense of seclusion. This iconic Hawaiian retreat offers another luxury option for guests who love the location of the Four Seasons Hualalai. The Rosewood Resort is only a mile up the coast from the Four Seasons and just a 5-minute car drive away.

Style & Character

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, draws inspiration from the site’s history, local culture, and natural elements in a distinctive Hawaiian setting. Conceptualized and developed by intrepid explorer Johnno Jackson in the early 1960s, the original Kona Village Resort was best known for its free-standing, palm thatch roof hales and tranquil location.

However, the history of the Kona Coast dates back long before it became a one-of-a-kind vacation destination. Inhabited nearly 1,000 years ago, the site was once home to migrating settlers from Polynesia. Navigators and sailors by nature, the village became a place of trade and commerce due to easy access to the coast. Memories of the destination’s renowned deep-sea fisherman are immortalized in the petroglyphs that can be found in and around the boundaries of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort today.

We like the rather clever design elements which are a feature of this resort. The black lava outcrops that jet into the sea are beautiful but impractical and uneven to walk across, so Rosewood has designed raised, decked pathways which meander across the rocks and enable you to stroll about or enjoy activities like yoga in locations where the sea spray will tickle your skin.

Rooms

Spearheaded by Hawai’i-raised architect Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects, each accommodation will offer a private lānai and outdoor shower. Floor-to-ceiling windows lead out onto decks, so you have your own piece of the outdoors right outside your accommodation.

Service & Facilities

Guests will have access to new leisure facilities, including Sense, A Rosewood Spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as multiple pools and tennis courts. A diverse outdoor recreational program will include ocean sports and activities designed to inform, inspire and excite travelers of all ages. A pond has been created where adults and children can fish or feed the ducks. You can snorkel straight off the beach. In the evenings, food is barbequed on firey grills, and comfy sofas embrace golden fire pits by the beach, which make a brilliant place to watch the sunset under the swaying palms.

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, will embrace sustainability while working closely with the local community to respect, honor, and perpetuate the rich cultural significance of Kona and the State of Hawai’i. Devoted to preserving the heritage of the destination, the resort will feature a cultural center that will grant both locals and visitors access to extensive Hawaiian lineage, providing a link between the resort and its surroundings.

Walker Warner Architects, together with VITA Planning & Landscape Architecture, will incorporate sustainable practices and indigenous materials throughout the design of the resort. In keeping with Kona Village’s commitment to preserving its surrounding environment, the development team has engaged Reuse Hawai’i, a local non-profit, to deconstruct deteriorated buildings by hand and salvage up to 80% of the materials for reuse and recycling, minimizing the volume of landfill waste and the need to grow, harvest, produce and transport new material on the island.

Food & Drink

The Rosewood offers an array of distinct dining venues, including the original resort’s beloved Shipwreck Bar and Talk Story Bar, which will offer elevated yet relaxed food and beverage experiences.

Conclusion

Four Seasons Hualalai has a loyal base of regular guests who are likely to maintain their loyalty to this resort no matter what, but this Rosewood hotel will offer more rooms in this exclusive location, giving more people a chance to enjoy the best of Big Island.

Image courtesy of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.

Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.

Location