The New Kona Village Adds Modern Luxury to the Hotel’s Vintage Charm
Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, is one of Hawai‘i Island’s newest luxury resorts and keeps the charm and history of its predecessor.
The mo‘olelo (stories) of storied Kahuwai Bay on the Kona Coast stretch back nearly a millennium, with its pre-contact history told through petroglyphs and features left behind at 21 archaeological sites. And the area’s newest chapter has just begun with the reimagining of Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, Hawai‘i Island’s newest luxury hotel located right on the bay.
Some rooms come equipped with a view of the bay right from your bed.
Photo: Courtesy of the Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort
Originally built in 1961, the resort was a relaxing hideaway, so remote it could only be accessed by boat or plane. Guests flew in with the mail and out with the laundry, creating lifelong memories at every turn. Guests returned to Kona Village year after year, bringing their ‘ohana, who in turn brought their ‘ohana. Now, stories from that era are woven into the fabric of Kona Village, too, with cocktails named for a cheeky monkey named Darwin and an entire bar made from the shipwrecked boat of Johnno Jackson, the original owner of the resort.
In 2011 a tsunami wiped out the place, and in 2016 it was purchased by California developer Kennedy Wilson, who resurrected the resort. Kona Village reopened as a Rosewood Resort in July 2023, and while it represents everything that a modern, luxury traveler would expect, the feel of the old place lives on.
It’s easy to lounge the day away at Kona Village.
Photo: Courtesy of the Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort
Both the demolition and rebuild of Kona Village were guided by a pledge to disrupt the land as little as possible. Led by Greg Warner, who grew up in Hawai‘i, of San Francisco-based Walker Warner Architects, the resort is a modern marvel when it comes to sustainable building. One of the driving forces at Kona Village, sustainability can be seen everywhere, from the recycled plastic that replaces the coconut fronds on thatched roofs to the 8,000-plus solar panels that help the resort create its own energy (the first resort in Hawai‘i to be able to do so).
To help develop a sense of place in Hawai‘i for its visitors, the resort engages with its surroundings with daily programming, a cultural center, lū‘au, and the Rosewood Explorers Keiki Club. It also engages lineal descendants, cultural practitioners and former employees to help guide how that sense of place is represented.
There’s no shortage of things to do at the 81-acre resort. My ‘ohana and I checked out bicycles from the resort to help get us around, but most of our time was spent lounging in and around the two main pool complexes. We enjoyed cocktails and poolside grinds like kanpachi poke and grilled shrimp. Our favorite parts were the complimentary daily afternoon surprises, from the arrival of a shave ice cart to something called “coconut o’clock,” when staff roll around a cart of fresh coconuts for guests to drink from (and for adults, the coconuts are topped off with rum and lime).
Enjoy unique mai tais and cocktails at the resort’s bar.
Photo: Courtesy of the Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort
Dining at Kona Village is a big part of the experience, and to eat here, you don’t have to be a hotel guest—this community-oriented resort’s restaurants are open to the public. For date night we enjoyed raw plates at Moana, one of the resort’s premier in-house eateries that sources its fresh land and sea ingredients locally. The meal included a unique preparation of oysters with a shoyu foam, scallop crudo and Kona kanpachi with apple gelée and shiso. Appetizers included a delightful agnolotti that highlighted corn from Kahuku, on O‘ahu, as well as a lovely miso kanpachi. For family dinner the next night we dug our toes into the sand at Kahuwai Cookhouse and watched the sun set over the bay while enjoying a spread of wood-fire grilled dishes that included a delightful grilled Caesar salad and a couple of hearty plates of ribs.
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As amazing as the dinners and poolside meals are, the dishes that are currently taking up the most space in my brain are from the stunning breakfasts at Moana: over-the-top delicious French toast soaked in coconut milk, a chia bowl with fresh mango that walks the line between savory and sweet, bread service with an assortment of pastries, and tasty egg dishes that are equal parts healthy and filling. In addition to the restaurants, guests can grab a drink at Talk Story Bar and Shipwreck Bar, both of which have their own incredible stories to tell. Here, guests can experience the resort’s unique beverage program, sans the same tired tropical hits that you can find almost anywhere. Instead, the folks here create unexpected tiki drinks that are familiar, yet unique. Each bar has its own signature mai tai, distinguished by the type of orgeat used; in addition to classic almond, guests can try peanut and macadamia nut versions of these unique mai tai. These are the bars to visit for on-trend yet innovative beverages.
Our favorite parts were the complimentary daily afternoon surprises, from the arrival of a shave ice cart to something called “coconut o’clock,” when staff roll around a cart of fresh coconuts for guests to drink from.
Kilo Kai Ocean Activities was another favorite feature of the resort. Our whole ‘ohana joined a few other families for pond fishing. All of the invasive tilapia pulled from the pond are sent to Ke Kai Ola Marine Mammal Center where they are fed to rehabilitating Hawaiian monk seals.
Getting in the water with the friendly Kilo Kai team was one of our most memorable experiences. My free-diver husband, who spends a lot of time underwater, turned into a giddy kid during our hour exploring the reefs and coastlines of Kahuwai Bay with a Seabob handheld seascooter. While he went deep down to explore the reef, I enjoyed cruising along the surface. It was a relaxing ride.
Guests can enjoy their stay in peace with a standalone hale (bungalow).
Photo: Courtesy of the Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort
We also spent lots of time enjoying our lagoon-view hale (home), one of 150 stand-alone units. Each hale includes modern decor and furnishings, exquisite bathrooms and outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy. The expansive lānai (veranda) is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the lagoon and also served as our dining area. I spent more time in the bathroom than the parlor, with a perfectly deep oval tub, indoor shower with three different showerheads and an outdoor shower that’s fun for bathing under the stars.
With so much attention to detail, Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, embodies the spirit of ho‘okipa (hospitality), particularly with its exceptional staff. For a truly unforgettable experience that will inspire your own stories for years to come, Kona Village is certainly worth saving up for.
Book your stay at Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, by calling (808) 865-2545 or click the button below.
This story was originally published in our Winter 2024 issue. Buy a copy here.
