Kona Village Rosewood Resort Trip Report

Location and getting there

Located off the Kahuwai Bay on the Big Island of Hawai’i, the resort is located 10 miles north of Kona International Airport. Upon arrival, hop into a taxi (approximately $30) for a quick drive to the resort. If you opt for a rental car, consider driving seven miles south to Kailua-Kona initially after arrival to stock up on snacks, groceries or other items before heading to the resort.

First impressions

Let all your worries fade away as you pull into the resort and step onto the property's grounds. As your bags are quickly whisked out of sight, aloha abounds as you are greeted with a flower lei, welcome drink and a warm reception. The open-air lobby features several distinct seating areas, which set the tone for what will be an architecturally stunning stay filled with thoughtful design. Design junkies will marvel at the architecture and beautifully curated and designed interiors at every corner.

Accommodation

At 81 acres, the resort feels both expansive and cozy at the same time. Standard accommodations start at 600 sq ft, with the main difference being location. The seven types of hales spread out throughout the property include garden view, mountain view, lagoon view, tree-top view, ocean view, oceanfront and beachfront.

All the hales on the property have been meticulously designed with natural wood, local accents and fully embody Rosewood’s motto, A Sense of Place. The vibe is warm, relaxed, luxurious and unpretentiously cozy. The decor showcases wood and rattan consoles, woven rugs, surfing books and pops of beautiful color and texture scattered throughout the hale. The thoughtfulness extends into the small touches such as a large, sturdy straw beach tote to use while at the resort, a handheld steamer so your clothes stay wrinkle-free and complimentary organic milk in the fridge and a large supply of Mananalu water in aluminum bottles. Step into the spa-like bathroom and resist the temptation to immediately take a long soak in the inviting basalt tub in the center of the room. King rooms also include an outdoor shower where you can scrub underneath the stars in full privacy.

Swing open the sliding glass doors and find yourself on the oversized lanai (balcony) with multiple seating options. All hales include a table and set of chairs, which are perfectly suited for eating or sending off a quick email. There's also a large daybed with room for two to snuggle or simply a cozy nook to read your latest book. Suites will find additional seating options on their lanai, like cozy chairs to watch the sunrise and sunset and can use the outdoor space in many different ways.

Dining

There two main dining options: Moana, featuring Pacific Rim-to-table cuisine for breakfast and dinner and the Kahuwai Cookhouse and Market featuring lunch and dinner with a very limited number of items for breakfast and lunch on the market side. Do yourself a favor and order the kalbi braised beef cheeks at Moana — the tender meat melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more. And no matter what you order, make sure to include a side of smoked mashed potatoes— they arrived whipped and creamy with the most delectable smokey flavor.

Be aware that with the food options at both outposts, portions tend to be small and overpriced. The resort experience would be enhanced if there were additional dining options, but it’s a minor point. The small complimentary fruit stand next to the market is a nice touch and offers apples, oranges and an assortment of small tropical fruit— swing by to take a look and try something new!

In addition to your standard in-room dining options, there are limited food menus at the three bars across the resort. The Shipwreck Bar, a restored schooner located next to the Shipwreck pool, is a picturesque place to have a drink and watch the sunset. The Talk Story Bar is front and center at the beach, and the Moana Bar is next to the Moana pool and provides easy access to drinks and light bites while lounging poolside.

Activities

The beauty of a resort vacation is that everything is optional. If you want to sleep in, order room service and relax in your hale without seeing another person, you can do exactly that and the staff will be happy to accommodate you and take care of your needs. If you want to do more, check out the weekly activity list, where you can find a wide variety of offerings each day. The complimentary activities range from 7 am sunrise outrigger canoe paddles (particularly suited for those arriving from the east coast since you will undoubtedly be awake), to fishing, lei making, beginner’s hula, beginner’s ukulele, snorkeling expedition, a cultural tour of the property and more. Other activities available for an additional fee include morning yoga, a cooking class, pickleball and tennis clinics, rum tastings and cocktail classes.

The sandy beach at the center of the property is the perfect place to sink your toes into the sand, lounge on a beach chair, build sandcastles or take a dip in the ocean. A floating dock located close to shore provides a destination to swim to and can also be used for sunbathing or practicing your dives. Swing by the Kilo Kai shack to peruse their complimentary gear rentals, which include snorkeling gear, boogie boards, stand-up paddle boards, single and double ocean kayaks, cornhole and Spikeball.

If relaxing by the pool is more your speed, there are two main pool areas located at the resort — a family-friendly area located near the Moana restaurant and the adult-only pools located near the Shipwreck Bar. The saltwater Moana infinity pool is perfect for kids of all ages. The first depths range from six inches in the wading area that covers the expanse of the pool to four feet deep by the infinity edge. With two hot tubs, one on each side of the pool, and two small keiki pools, one with a sand-bottom, this area is perfect for families of all ages. The multi-tiered adults-only Shipwreck pool is truly an oasis with a large hot tub and infinity pool on the upper level and a 25m lap pool on the lower level. Cabanas and lounge chairs are plentiful at both pool areas and staff are available 8 am - 7 pm daily to assist with anything you might need. Complimentary fragrance-free sunscreen is located near both pools and makes it easy to maintain sun protection throughout the day.

Walks around the property are a relaxing and peaceful way to start and end the day. Head to the north end along the beach past the Moana pool area and you will discover small black sand beaches— in the mornings, you can enjoy the calmer waters and jump in to snorkel here. Meander around the expansive property and enjoy all the different areas on display, from the vibrant lagoons, to the lush garden areas, to the peaceful beachfront.

Kids

Kona Village’s complimentary Rosewood Explorers Keiki Club operates from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Saturday for ages five to 12. Hosted in the dedicated kids area and in locations around the resort, daily programming may include fun activities like fishing at the lagoon, lei making, exploring tide pools, feeding the resort ducks, sending coconut postcards, canvas painting and even a marine science class where kids can learn how to identify coral and fish. You can drop your kids off for the whole day or pick and choose the activities based on their interests.

For older kids and adults who are kids at heart, head over to the outdoor play area between the Kahuwai Cookhouse and the Shipwreck Pool, where you will find a billiards table, ping-ping table, bocce/petanque court, shuffleboard, foosball, darts and cornhole. Adjacent to a large green lawn and with adirondack chairs scattered throughout, this outdoor rec room is the perfect place to play games, run around or simply to hang out.

Fitness

For some, going on vacation means a free pass to indulge and relax outside of your normal routine. For exercise enthusiasts though, fitness options abound at the resort. The 24-hour fitness center is wonderfully air-conditioned and equipped with the latest workout equipment. Jet-lagged? Swing by to enjoy a workout in the peace and quiet of the early morning when the resort is slowly waking up for the day. A Peloton machine, located on the lanai, is one of several machines outside if you want to work up a sweat while enjoying the breeze and fresh air. If you forget your headphones, complimentary earbuds are provided, as well as cold water and fresh fruit.

Additionally, the resort hosts additional-fee exercise classes throughout the week and has two tennis courts and one pickleball/basketball combination court with a self-serve area for paddles, racquets, balls, sunscreen, water and fresh fruit. This area gets quite hot in the middle of the day, so opt for time on the court in the morning or before sunset.

Spa

Step into the Asaya Spa and be transformed mentally and physically as you encounter a beautifully curated space that exudes warmth and rejuvenation at every turn. Pamper yourself or a loved one with one of the many massage, skincare, hair and nail treatment options— guests can arrive early to relax while partaking in the steam room, sauna and plunge pool. The spa caters to all types of guests, including honeymooners who can indulge in a couples massage treatment room to keiki, who will find keiki-focused spa and salon treatments perfectly tailored to the younger set.

Contact the concierge in advance to see what activities will be offered during your stay and make reservations in advance since popular activities, such as the sunrise canoe paddle, fill up quickly.

Bikes are located all around the property and are free to use as you go from place to place. If you are traveling with kids, request kid bikes to be placed in front of your hale before your arrival to ensure they have the right size.

Since the hales are spread out across the property, the walk to the main areas of the property can take upwards of 10-15 minutes depending on where you are located. If that does not sound appealing, make sure to request a room close to the center of the property. If you are seeking utmost privacy, ask for a room further away.

On your honeymoon or have kids napping? Inside each hale is a coconut that can be placed outside by the front door as an island style do not disturb sign.

You will encounter sand and shells as you walk around the property. Pack and wear shoes that you do not mind getting dusty and sandy.

Looking for alternate dining options and don’t have a rental car? The Four Seasons Hualalai Resort abuts the south end of the Kona Village property. Continue south along the beach and find yourself on the Four Seasons property where you can dine at any of their outlets.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Hawai'i. In need of further inspiration? Check out Rileigh Tower’s guide, Adventure in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.