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#3 of 4 resorts in Kailua-Kona
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Located on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawai‘i, the iconic Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort draws inspiration from the history of the site, local culture and natural elements.
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Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, is celebrated for its immaculate upkeep, with guests frequently commending the pristine beaches and facilities. While the resort's amenities, including water sports and a spa, are a hit, its luxury comes with a hefty price tag that some guests don't find reflective of the value, particularly when it comes to the cozy yet compact rooms and costly dining options.
The resort boasts a serene and private location, which is highly praised, and offers cultural activities within a beautifully appointed setting. However, service quality appears inconsistent, with reports ranging from personal and friendly to slow and neglectful.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Elegant
Rooms
Well-designed
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Pristine
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Well-appointed
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The resort holds a great deal of promise. Location is fabulous and the feel is of spaciousness and serenity — very much in contrast with next door Hualalai which is teeming with far too many guests.
Gym, tennis, water activities are all excellent. Rooms are brand new, though a bit small for the very high prices. Staff is friendly and aims to please. Moana restaurant is very good and has the potential to be excellent with more staff training. David, Moana’s manager, sets a great service example. Wine list at Moana is spectacular.
But it is clear that Rosewood is still struggling to bring this property to five star standards. Kahuwai Cookhouse is mediocre at best, has silly high prices for the quality (think $40 for five unpeeled shrimp), but is the only option for lunch. Staff is inconsistent: sometimes great and sonetime slow to respond and seem undertrained. We both had highly professional waiters and some that were so casual they seemed more appropriate to a burger joint. Towels and beach service were extremely slow (and this is with a hotel at under 50% occupancy). Spa had nothing available for the duration of our stay (clearly understaffed).
The guest relations/concierge function is subpar. We had trouble with bookings: incorrect times, odd emails, incorrect billing. Not professional in the least.
The other issue is rooms. For the price we were paying (over $6500 per night) they were far too small. Without even a desk to write on. The value to price ratio needs improvement. May explain why the resort was running at such low occupancy.
For a high end suite, the care seemed a bit stingy. In this range, we are used to fruit bowls delivered daily, chocolates left at turndown, etc. None of this happened. There is no reason to not do those little things that make a place memorable.
Kona Village is a wonderful addition to the Big Island. It does need some more work to be truly top notch and be worth the prices it charges.
I
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Try to get rooms near the water.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Jose Rodriguez, Other at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded Feb 29, 2024
Aloha, Mahalo nui for sharing your experience with us. We are delighted you enjoyed the serene and tranquil grounds of the resort and that you were able to experience Kahuwai Bay with our Kilo Kai (Ocean Pursuits) team. We will be sure to pass along your kind words to David and we appreciate your feedback on the dining experience. It is disheartening to hear that the service and dishes at Kahuwai Cookhouse were not your liking, however, this feedback will be used to further enhance our dining experiences overall. Additionally, your feedback on the concierge experience, room, and amenities have been received and we will be looking further into each. I hope to have the chance to resolve these matters with you personally, if you wish, please contact me via my email below so we can discuss further. We hope to have another chance to welcome you back for an incredible stay in the future. A hui hou, Maria Jose Rodriguez Resort Manager maria.rodriguez@rosewoodhotels.com
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How do you crack the code for “love” –that magic that happens between two people that is hard to describe and even harder to create?
When I think of Kona Village Resort’s past and its future and whether or not the modern reincarnation is a success, I think everyone –from the team at Rosewood to the new and returning guests- have set an incredibly, stratospherically high bar to set …and that is for people to fall in love with the resort.
With deep pockets, anyone can build a building. But it takes dedicated, smart people to create the heart and soul that surrounds the structure. That is an enormous challenge but it seems it’s one that the Rosewood team is taking on head-on …and doing so with great success.
I have traveled the world and have been blessed to stay at some of the finest resorts in the world. Whether it’s the Penthouse at the Le Meridien Singapore to an over-the-water villa at the Conrad Maldives on Rangali Island, from a gorgeous suite on the hilltop at the Rome Cavalieri to the fragrant sea breezes enjoyed at the Grand Wailea in neighboring Maui, I’ve had my fair share of luxurious experiences at some of the nicest places in the world. But the Kona Village Resort is so different from them –somehow, the resort ethos establishes an emotional connection with guests and that is something I’ve never really experienced in my millions of miles of traveling.
In Hawaii and its native culture, there’s a concept of mana which is a life energy that flows through all things and humans. A source of spiritual energy of power and strength, Hawaiians also believe some places are strong in mana. And the Kona Village Resort seems to be one such place of strong mana.
The Kona Village Resort has had a quirky past, with atypical Polynesian-style bungalows scattered around the beach and the lavascape bucking the trends of the evolving tourism market elsewhere in Hawaii. Unlike the soaring concrete towers of Waikiki Beach or the shorter but more luxurious accommodations of the South Kohala Coast north of Kona, the resort here has always done things a bit differently. Remote and literally off the beaten path, the resort has had a history of creating a mini-village experience, where people from all walks of life could come together and bond with a passionate staff.
That all changed in 2011 when a tsunami substantially damaged the resort, leaving it in shambles and without a clear future. But if you go back into time and pull off the sun kissed veneer of the resort, it wasn’t in the best of condition pre-tsunami and its future wasn’t very clear then either. With changing vacation habits and budgets, a booming luxury real estate market closing in on the resort grounds, and the neighboring Four Seasons Hualali setting sights on a grander future, the Kona Village Resort had a really doubtful future especially with its aging, not-so-environmentally friendly infrastructure. If it wasn’t for that rising sea on that fateful March 2011 day, I don’t know if the Village would still be standing at all today.
While some diehard Kona Village Resort old-timers may challenge me to a paio for saying this, I think the tsunami was a blessing. And what happened afterwards was truly so. Amazing minds and deep pockets got together to re-imagine the resort, not only bringing it up to 2023 standards, but exceeding them with a futuristic platform of self-sustainability. There are some amazing new resorts around the world being built and opening now, but none will have the quality and the standards of this gem of American ingenuity and design.
So as I drove down the crushed coral driveway to be welcomed by the resort team, I wondered: would the ghosts of the past resort haunt the new one? Would the enormous shoes left behind ever be able to be filled? Would the stratospherically high bar set to find love be met? And would the equally stratospherically high room rates justify the experience?
Greeted with a beautiful lei and a warm hug from Sandra Estornell, Managing Director of the resort, not to mention a fresh cup of delightful rum punch, I started melting into this island paradise seconds upon arriving. Visually, the first sights are absolutely stunning: the aquamarine ocean, the bleached white coral paths, the rich deep green lawns, all juxtaposed by stark black aʻā lava. And in midst of the young freshly planted jungle environment rise the signature hales of the resort: 150 thatched-roof private accommodations, giving visitors claim to their own temporary home on Hawaii’s Big Island.
After a rather deep and lengthy conversation with Sandra, I was given a tour of the 81 acre resort by Rami Sayess, the Front Desk Director, who pointed out the primary restaurants, pools, and bars, including the iconic Shipwreck and Talk Story centers of libations.
Having arrived early, I took up temporary residence at the Talk Story bar where I enjoyed a signature cocktail – their Painkiller – and enjoyed a conversation with the bartender. Many more drinks and conversations would be held with the likes of Pedro, Shane, Patience, Harry, and Shianne over my stay, in which each interaction left me with a solid understanding of who these people are, why they’re there, and where they’re headed. Which got me thinking about my earlier conversation with Sandra: it’s amazing in such a short time how much we know about each other. Somewhere between good hospitality and good psychology, it seems the staff at all levels has training to create a personal connection with each person they meet. Or at least a lucky knack of doing it.
In all of my vacation stays, I don’t remember most of the staff. And even as a frequently returning guest at some resorts, I’m never greeted with a warm embrace either . Yet here, I feel like I know so much about these people I’d probably be invited to their next backyard luau or koa.
I think what stands out the most about the staff is how authentic they are. They’re honest and open and let their soul shine through everything they do. They’re not simply filling a job opening nor playing a role they were cast for, but instead, they’re giving a piece of themselves in everything they do. I believe that’s what made the original Kona Village Resort successful and what will make this resort successful too: authentic caring people that want to do good, and not simply just a good job.
In addition to being authentic, the staff is incredibly happy. You will undoubtedly encounter Mariajose Rodriguez, the Resort Manager, and David Alegria Montes, Restaurant General Manager, during your stay. It is hard to miss them: they have the widest, most infectious smiles on their faces at all times, and with the Hawaii sunshine reflecting off their toothy grins, they are like beacons of bliss you can’t miss. They’re extroverted and caring and would probably do anything a guest requests short of dimming their beam.
And then there’s Dan Daughtry, Director of Food and Beverage, and Lars Conrad, Assistant Director of Food and Beverage. I felt Dan was always within 10 yards of wherever I was and would always make sure everything was to my satisfaction –including well beyond food and beverage. Lars also provided exceptional insight and attention during my stay; at one point he explained how the epitome of good hospitality is never saying “no”, but finding out how to deliver on any guest’s wishes. It was true with Dan and Lars and true beyond the leadership team; every person was committed to making sure magical experiences happened and were committed to resolving any issue or hiccup that came up.
Over my stay, I experienced culinary delight after culinary delight, with visually stunning dishes that tasted as good as they looked. With ingredients sourced from Hawaii’s bounty, with fresh greens picked from local farms and fish caught by local fishermen, the resort paid proper homage to its Hawaiian roots while elevating dishes along the way. However, they may have elevated things too high: the meals were decadent and, in some cases, over-the-top. And after a few days of heavy eating and drinking, there were times when I wanted something super simple. But even the pool menus and resort basics like a hamburger (served on a charcoal bun topped with pumpkin seeds) was too much. Sometimes I just want to munch on chicken tenders and potato chips or perhaps a plain grilled filet of fish on some greens …especially in between multi-course feasts and fast-flowing premium wines and spirits.
The kitchen staff is extraordinarily versatile and proud, armed with the latest and greatest modern tools to bring out near-flawless dish after dish to their eateries. Executive Chef Victor Palma is at the helm of the cooking powerhouse, bringing with him an impressive resume, and presumably recipe book, from some of the best resort eateries in North America. His passion and enthusiasm for food is contagious and he was highly visible at all of my meals during my stay, sharing his love of food with those that prepared and ate it. Also visible were Chef Eddie Moran from the Kahuwai Cook House and Chef Chad Yamamoto who takes residence at the Hale Moana. They were also very personable and very visible, making sure what ended up on our plates was exactly how it was imagined in their heads. While I never saw her, I definitely saw and enjoyed her sweet presence: Chef Helen Hong, the Village’s executive pastry chef. From unreal pastries served at breakfast to her signature desserts at dinner, every day began and ended on sweet notes. And with great food comes great drink, and there was a dynamic trio of sommeliers swooping in at dinner time, serving up excellent suggestions of what to pair with each amazing dish.
The Village grounds are absolutely stunning. Intricately landscaped with local plants, flowers, and a nice balance of lush green lawns and stark black lava rock, the resort is visually stunning from every angle. Fragrant plumerias are everywhere, providing an intoxicating soundtrack of smell resort-wide. Obligatory resort infinity pools are here, providing views of the ocean from which you could lounge about or swim laps. There were ample jacuzzies and children’s pools too, some with sand bottoms, giving people of all ages and abilities the chance to enjoy the water if the lapping waves on the Pacific Ocean beaches weren’t enough. Rosewood prides itself on a “sense of place” which they’ve delivered on every sense except for sound. While they allow the natural ambient noise of the ocean and the trade winds to entertain guests partaking in a beverage or three at the Talk Story Bar, disjointed music ranging from top-40 pop to Brazilian jazz is found elsewhere, often at too high of a volume, completely distracting from the fact you’re in Hawaii. I would much rather hear the distant strum of a ukulele or the subtle rhythm of a slack key guitar in the background, while allowing Hawaii’s natural sounds to have center stage.
Speaking of center stage, the resort buildings put the Hawaiian environment in the middle of things so as to not detract from the natural beauty of the Big Island. Tasteful, simple, elegant accommodations and equally elegant and simply decorated public spaces allow for the environment to be the attraction. There is also incredible art, and an abundance of post-modern pieces, throughout the resort, which elegantly tip their hat to Hawaii and its past while embracing its future. As an example, dyeing and mounting a local style fishing net served as a wall decoration in one of the hales; using a sail from a Hōkūleʻa serve as a decoration in their Hale Moana restaurant. Unlike traditional resorts and homes on the Big Island that embrace dark stones and woods, things are open and airy here with light, bright shades of materials, allowing the colors of a blooming hibiscus outside or the brilliant blue Hawaiian sky the opportunity to really pop.
The accommodations are extremely comfortable with all the modern conveniences you’d expect. I never watch television while on the road, so the fact televisions are only available on request here is a nice touch. There are power outlets everywhere to keep your devices charged and ready to go when you’re ready to explore the Big Island. Wide sliding glass and screen panels allow you to let trade winds blow into your home away from home or they can seal tight, allowing the whisper-quiet air conditioning to quickly cool your accommodations to a temperature you wish. Most hales, mine included, had a wonderful outdoor shower, with individual instant-hot water heaters at each unit providing water at your desired temperature quickly. There was also a large indoor shower that I never used in a large and spacious bathroom in which a carved bathtub was the central attraction. A wide and open vanity with double sinks was set at the right height, providing a great venue to prepare for the day or to wrap up the evening. The bathroom came with Wild Orchard amenities which had a faint rosemary, basil, and mint scent; I wish there was something more tropical and fragrance-forward to remind me I’m bathing in the tropical paradise of Hawaii. A well-stocked minibar with premium snacks and drinks, and an exceptionally high price list to match, comes in the room along with a kettle to brew up your preferred morning drink. Wifi is accessible in the hale and across the entire resort property for seamless connectivity; upload and download speeds were a consistent 14 Mbps or so everywhere. And as was the case with the original resort, each hale has a coconut that can be placed outside the door as a do-not-disturb sign of sorts. Rooms were serviced twice a day and while I saw housekeeping drive around the resort in their carts throughout my stay, they always managed to visit my room when I wasn’t around.
When you were ready for adventure, the Kilo Kai Ocean Activities hut was open, providing a long list of complimentary beach toys and activities that make snorkeling or paddling a joy. They also provide some reasonably priced upgraded options; one such toy available for rent is a SEABOB, the world’s fastest water scooter that allows you silently zoom through the water to peep on dolphins, turtles, rays, and other fish that call the local Pacific their home.
To work up a sweat on land, the resort has an amazing gym packed with a large assortment of equipment and weights. Whether you want to embark on a Peloton challenge or use a stair climber outside as you stare at the Kohala Mountains in the distance or lift weights in the air conditioned comfort of the indoors, the large gym provides the latest in fitness technology for guest use at their whim. Tennis and pickleball courts are nearby too.
A more relaxing space exists on the resort grounds: the Asaya Spa. Set in multiple structures over a lava landscape, the modern and upscale facility is free to use by all resort guests. The locker rooms feature high-end electric locks with ample amenities, private outdoor showers, and places to prep or primp before or after a relaxation session. There’s also an oversized jacuzzi and adjacent cold plunge pool in both the men’s and women’s locker rooms, giving yet another venue to resort guests to take in a soak. Sauna and steam rooms are also there for your leisure. A team of spa professionals work their magic in open-air treatment rooms which are a walk away from the rest of the facility.
To sample their services, I indulged in the intriguingly named Deluxe Feet Ceremony. The 60-minute pro-aging foot ceremony included a soak, trim, shaping, callus removal, a gentle double exfoliation using a scrub made on-island, and a nourishing foot and leg massage that helped relax my fatigued muscles that had spent previous days roaming the expansive resort. And as was the case elsewhere at the village, spa staff were outgoing, warm, and friendly and provided a top-notch service at an equally top-notch price.
Which brings me to the last point of my stay: the expense. Kona Village Resort is not shy about their high nightly rates, which start just below $2,000/night for their standard hale accommodation and rise up over $17,000/night for their 4-bedroom kauhale suite accommodation which comes with a private pool and hot tub, butler service, in-suite laundry, and more. This price point puts them among the highest rates in Hawaii and among the highest in the nation. Value is extremely subjective, but I felt their rates for standard hales were fair while their asking rates for suites are very high. There are some well-equipped luxury homes available for rent not far from the Rosewood property, some of which come with staff, that aren’t as pricey as this resort’s high-end rooms. You also need to be aware of exceptionally high taxes Hawaii leverages on vacationers, with Hawaii State General Excise Tax, Transient Accommodations Tax, and Hawaii County Tax added to the room rate, boosting the bill by nearly 20%. For example, a 2-bedroom beach front black sand kauhale in the middle of August for 6 nights is $55,440, but the Hawaii taxes add an additional $9,958. The amount paid in tax alone would be able to get you very nice rooms elsewhere on the Big Island at other resorts that dot the coast. While accommodations skew on the more expensive side, the same isn’t true elsewhere in the resort. Poolside cocktails and snacks are priced at parity with other Big Island resorts and the Kona Village Resort restaurants are priced at or below their resort neighbors on the Big Island’s sunny gold coast.
But the million dollar question, or at least the several-thousand-dollar question, is will people fall in love with Kona Village Resort? With a beautiful build, a stunning landscape with impressive mana, delicious treats for all the senses, and an authentic and engaging resort staff, I believe the answer is a resounding "yes."
Aloha wau iā 'oe Kona Village Resort!
A hui hou!
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Jose Rodriguez, Other at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded Sep 27, 2023
Aloha Michael, Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) for sharing your experience with such thoughtfulness and detail. We are absolutely thrilled to hear you enjoyed your stay, and we are deeply grateful for your kind words. Our Kona Village `ohana strives to embody the spirit of aloha in everything we do, and we are delighted to know that you felt that warm and welcoming embrace during your visit. Your feedback is a testament to the dedication and aloha spirit of our team members who work to ensure our guests have an unforgettable time. We hope to have the honor of welcoming you back to our Hawaiian hideaway in the future, so you can once again bask in the beauty and aloha that Kona Village has to offer. A hui hou, Maria Jose Rodriguez Resort Manager
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Spend 4 nights at Kona Village and stayed at Hale 113 (Ocean Front Hale). Check out the resort map gives you an idea the size of the property and hopefully help you choose the hale of your desire.
The resort is worth a tour, all Hales comes with bikes to get ground the property, we spend an afternoon biking around and discovered different types of Hale and Suites, enjoyed different views of the beach, and come to learn the resort is 100% solar energy with batteries backup via Tesla Megapacks. During our stay the main beach area and pools were not crowded at all, staff brought us towels and food & beverage menu, I had the pool to myself at 3PM in the afternoon. The Asaya spa is well worth a visit both of our masseuses (Angela & Lily) were friendly and incredible, the facility is beautifully design and build.
When it comes to food and beverages this is somewhat subjective, our preference is keep it simple and let the ingredients speaks for itself. Breakfast at Moana were enjoyable with good selection, however their dinner food quality need some improvements (i.e. overcooked fish, over sauce raw fish menus (masking seafood freshness?), and why so many smoke and milk/cream sauce). Had a better dinner experience at Kahului Cookhouse, the fresh baked bread, ceviche, and whole catch zarandedo, the scallop was not fresh and masked with again milk/cream sauce. Both restaurant services were friendly.
Our Hale 113, very close to the pool, beach, restaurants, bars, and spa. Amazing view of the ocean, great amenities, and beautifully design and build. It’s next to Shipwreck Bar so there are noises in the afternoon and early evening, this could be a positive you can literally stand in your lanai wave the bartender down and order your drinks.
We had a terrific time and much needed getaway, will definitely come back again.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Jose Rodriguez, Other at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded Feb 22, 2024
Aloha, Mahalo nui for sharing about your experience with us. These words warmed my heart as it sounds like you truly got to embrace the beauty and magic of Kona Village. Hale 113 is extra special for the reason of its' proximity to Shipwreck Pool & Bar and I am delighted to hear you took advantage of this. I appreciate your feedback on your dining experiences and will take this into consideration with our chefs. We hope to welcome you back many times in the years to come. A hui hou, Maria Jose Rodriguez Resort Manager
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After many memorable stays between 1980 and 2009, it was really special for my wife and I to return earlier this month to our beloved Kona Village. It really is amazing how the resort's new overall layout kept true to to the past layout. We're pretty certain our ocean view hale/room (#143) was very close in actual location to our 2009 stay in Hale ST-7. The new hales are terrific and beautifully well-appointed in all respects. Other prior visitors ("legacy guests") will be particularly pleased with enhancements such as the spacious, luxurious bathrooms and air conditioning (very quiet) throughout.
It was such a pleasure to walk the entire grounds and take in the superb landscaping. We spent our days on the end of the beach near the former Hale Moana (now just Moana) restaurant and enjoyed the smooth entry into the ocean at that spot. Service all around was very friendly and attentive, consistently respectful and high-quality.
Our one "needs to improve" comment is centered on the overall lack of menu selections and variety (i.e. gourmet level) at both restaurants for lunch and dinner. However, this concern most definitely did not apply to breakfast. The included "full American breakfast" was outstanding in variety, quantity and quality. Hopefully, the included breakfast is retained going forward.
Bottom line . . . Kona Village is back, somewhat different yet so familiar.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Jose Rodriguez, Other at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded Oct 4, 2023
Aloha, Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) for sharing your experience with us. We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed your return to the precious shores of Kahuwai Bay. It is wonderful to hear that hale #143 evoked fond memories of previous visits. We hope to have the honor of welcoming you back to our Hawaiian hideaway in the future, so you can once again bask in the beauty and aloha that Kona Village has to offer. A hui hou, Maria Jose Rodriguez Resort Manager
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The hale's are beautiful and housekeeping services were excellent. There were bikes in several areas we could pick up and ride - loved that. The resort appears understaffed. We were surprised that very few of the employees we saw were Hawaiian. Check in was really terrible. We were basically handed the keys and told that our luggage could be found in our room. We were not told anything about the resort and had to ask for a map. It was not the best start for a luxury resort. Breakfast was included in our stay, but we were not told where we could go or how it works. The coffee bar ran out of coffee every morning around 7 typically with a number of people waiting - seems like they might be able to anticipate this. We were told each time that it would be a 15-to-20-minute wait. The restaurants definitely seemed understaffed. The bar service at the pool and beach also appeared understaffed as service was slow. The Paniolo dinner at $250 per person for a buffet was ridiculously expensive. Definitely would not do that again. After a few days our group started having dinner at the Four Seasons, which had more varied items, slightly better pricing and better service overall. We also saw other Kona Village guests dining at the Four Seasons each time we were there. The interesting thing that I noticed today as I was reading reviews it that guests from October 2023 are reporting the same issues that we observed. I would have hoped that when management saw that the check-in is very lack luster, that would have changed already. One of the absolutely fantastic highlights was a tour with Kumu from the cultural center. She knows so much about the history of the resort. She clearly loves it, both the past history and has high hopes for the future. If you go, please do not miss going to the cultural center. I would go back only after thoroughly checking reviews to make sure the service issues are resolved.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
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Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Jose Rodriguez, Other at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded 4 weeks ago
Aloha, Mahalo for taking the time to share about your stay and for choosing Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort for your stay. We are disheartened to hear that your check-in, dining, and service experiences were not up to par as we strive to give our guests 5-star treatment in all areas. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will be utilized to refine our offerings. Your kind words about our hale, housekeeping, bikes, and especially about Kumu Welu and Kauluola Cultural Center are well received and will be shared with the team. We hope to welcome you back again for a refined, elevated stay that not only meets, but exceeds your expectations in the future. A hui hou, Maria Jose Rodriguez Resort Manager
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We were really looking forward to this visit to Kona Village. The setting is pristine, great care has been taken to have a resort that honors the land. The rooms are beautiful the common areas are beautiful BUT great care hasn’t been taken to provide good food or timely service when you visit a restaurant. We stayed 3 nights had one just ok meal. This morning on our last day we waited an hour for a waffle and then it arrived stone cold with no butter or syrup. We asked for butter and it took 15 minutes for us to get a server to bring us butter!! The waffle arrived cold and was even colder by the time the butter arrived. I could go into more detail but the bottom line now is avoid eating at Kona Village if at all possible. We all lost weight while so it’s a lovely place to go on a fast!!
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Jose Rodriguez, Other at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded Jan 9, 2024
Aloha Sue, Mahalo for sharing your feedback. We appreciate both your compliments and your concerns. It is wonderful to know you found the resort grounds and rooms enchanting. However, I am disheartened to hear that your dining experiences with us were less than ideal. Your comments will be valuable as we continue to refine the service in our restaurants. If you are still open to it, I would like to connect with you personally to correct this situation. If you wish to discuss this matter further, please reach out to me directly at the email below. Aloha, Dan Daughtry Director of Food & Beverage dan.daughtry@rosewoodhotels.com
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We went to Kona Village for our honeymoon, and could not have been happier with our choice. It was total paradise! We were so impressed with the accommodations and grounds, especially the beautiful ocean front and pool setup. All facilities were extremely new and thoughtfully designed. We stayed in a Tree Top Hale (111) which we loved! It was in a great central location, had an elevated view (extra privacy), and seemed to have a larger porch than the regular hales. Highly recommend the tree tops! In terms of pros, we thought the beach and pool were fabulous - excellent and convenient setup, and it was easy to go from beach to pool or vice versa. The beach was large and not crowded. We loved the oceanfront activity hut, and the men working there were all extremely knowledgeable and helpful (special shoutout to Cam, our seabob guide!). Highly recommend the Sea Bobs and outrigger canoe experiences. The hotel had a ton of seating around the beach and pool, so we never had a hard time getting a spot and it never felt crowded. The hotel had ample spots for watching the sunset, which was a highlight of our days. The hales are cozy and beautifully designed. The hotel has a lot of fun activities and we enjoyed biking around on the complimentary bikes. The resort had a fun magic to it and it really felt like they honored the natural Hawaii landscape - we really had the best time. In terms of cons, it's evident the service is still catching up to the quality of the accommodations - we came from the Four Seasons in Maui and definitely noticed a step down in service and attentiveness, mainly because they seem short staffed. When we checked in our room was not ready until over 2 hours past check in time (they made up for this with late check out), we had to wait 5 minutes for valet attendant to show up when we dropped our car off, we had some service issues at Moana restaurant (which they also made up for) and overall the staff often seemed stressed or rushed. It seemed to us that they didn't have enough people, which put stress on the staff that was then passed off to the guests as less than stellar service at times. Overall, we highly recommend it and the service issues didn't change our perception of the resort, and we are sure they're in the process of figuring it all out with new leadership. We explored the Four Seasons next door as well as the Auberge Mauna Lani nearby, and Kona Village outshined both by far! Highly recommend it for your next trip to the Big Island, we cannot wait to return!
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Enjoy the beautiful sunsets at the Talk Story bar, or Moana for dinner!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Jose Rodriguez, Other at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded 4 weeks ago
Aloha, Mahalo for sharing your experience. It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your stay and embraced the beauty of the property. We appreciate your kind words about our pools and beach, as well as Kilo Kai (ocean activities) and Cam in particular, we will be sure to pass your praise along. Your feedback regarding service is well received and will be shared with the team to refine our guest experience. We hope to welcome you back very soon for more unforgettable moments! A hui hou, Maria Jose Rodriguez Resort Manager
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This hotel is more than a hotel. It’s an experience, and an exceptional one at that. We were one of the first to stay at this magical property, arriving July 2nd and staying for 5 nights with our family of four. From start to finish, our expectations were exceeded. No doubt this is a stunning, state of the art property that is unlike anything else in Hawaii, but it was the PEOPLE, service and thoughtful details that made it immaculate. We chose Hawaii over a European trip because of our young children (age 3 and age 6) and we were SO glad we did. The property is wonderful for adults, but also families. Their Keiki Club was led by two of the kindest humans (Heather and Ari) who made our daughters experience one to remember. Not only were there incredible activities for her every single day, but they educated her about the island, the Hawaiian people and culture, and even volcanos. They were a delight. The entire team made a conserted effort to look after our children and make them feel welcome and safe. They brought sand toys without us even asking, made sure the hot sand was watered down so as not to burn their feet. They have thought of everything here, even with car seats and strollers upon request. And even the restaurants manager, Jaime went literally above and beyond with his kindness and gave our sun the old timey phone that my son kept playing with the whole trip. It arrived in our room with a thoughtful note!!! They threw an absolutely insane 4th of July spread with half a dozen stations and live entertainment. My husband and I used the gym twice during our stay and it was beyond gorgeous, with every piece of equipment you could dream of. Pelotons outdoors overlooking the volcanic grounds. I could go on and on. But I’ll stop here and just say GO. It’s a splurge but it is worth every single penny. It reminds me a bit of the One & Only Mandarina, which was the most recent comp we have visited. Last word of advice, the hotel is only 15 minutes from the airport, but it’s about 30 minutes from town, so if you’re staying long, I recommend renting a car to get around. They have a courtesy vehicle which is gorgeous and brand new, but availability can vary. All in all, we cannot wait to return to the beautiful Kona village!!!
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lopaka Maialoha, Guest Services / Front Office at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded Jul 14, 2023
Aloha, We are honored you and your `ohana chose to join us in our first week of opening Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort. We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed the 4th of July festivities, and that your keiki felt at home here. We will be sure to share your feedback with the employees who impacted your experience. We look forward to seeing you when the next opportunity arises. With Aloha, Lopaka Maialoha Guest Relations Manager
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We were eagerly waiting for Kona Village to reopen and were interested how it would compare to the old Kona Village. They exceeded our expectations. Every aspect of Kona Village is above and beyond the standard of any other hotels or resorts out there on the Hawaiian Islands.
They make sure that you are not just getting a place to stay, but an experience and a feeling of home.
While the list could go on, our favorite aspects were the restaurants and the spa.
Due to a few of the chefs being from Mexico, there is a very unique blend of Pacific Rim offerings with a touch of the flavor of Mexico. It is a pleasant change from the standard Pacific Rim cuisines you get at other resorts in Hawaii. We tried a variety of dishes at Moana for dinner and every single one of them was great. While this may sound funny, the gluten free bread was great. I always say if any kitchen puts time into making sure they have good gluten free bread, then the rest will be good.
While the spa was nice, what made it above and beyond what was expected was the masseuses and the relaxation of the experience. At no point did we feel rushed to start or more along in the expereience.
The only reason I put lesser stars for value is I don’t think think this resort is a value driven resort. It is paying for the best and getting the best. If money is a concern this is not the place for you.
Can't wait to go back!!!
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandra Estornell, General Manager at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded Aug 23, 2023
Aloha Rob, Thank you for the taking the time to share your experience at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort. I am delighted that you had a memorable time and our staff made you feel like you were back home. We look forward to welcoming you back for more delicious Moana dinners and relaxing spa experiences. A hui hou, Sandra Estornell Managing Director
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I wish my experience aligned with these glowing reviews. The resort is absolutely beautiful and relatively empty at the moment, which is special. But we were disappointed by the vibe and dining.
Our check in experience was very lackluster and that set the tone. Many of the staff seem almost grumpy and the aloha spirit is overall lacking. Moana is insanely overpriced if you want a glass or bottle of wine. And I have no interest in European wines in Hawaii. The food is just ok and the service is slow and inattentive. The cook house restaurant dinner we had was fine but again the service was poor, the food overpriced, and just ok. We are used to expensive meals in 5 star resorts such as the four seasons next door but this was next level.
The room was billed as ocean front, but ours was so far from the ocean as to be ocean view.
Anyway this was a disappointing stay but it is a newly opened property so perhaps they will be able to improve. It would be a shame if not.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Jose Rodriguez, Other at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Responded Oct 11, 2023
Aloha, Mahalo for sharing your feedback. We appreciate both your compliments and your concerns. We are delighted that you found our resort beautiful and tranquil. However, we apologize for the issues you encountered during your stay, such as the lackluster check-in experience and the service you received. We will address these concerns with our team to ensure a more welcoming and attentive atmosphere for all. We regret that your dining experiences did not align with your expectations. Your comments will be valuable as we continue to refine our offerings to better reflect the spirit of Hawaii. We are also sorry for the room allocation oversight. We will work on improving our communication to prevent such disappointments in the future. Your feedback is essential, and we are committed to making the necessary improvements to offer a relaxing and wonderful time in our Hawaiian hideaway. We hope you would consider giving us another chance to welcome you back provide you with an exceptional stay. A hui hou, Maria Jose Rodriguez Resort Manager
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There are more places to choose from in the Kailua-Kona area.
PRICE RANGE
₱69,219 - ₱81,941 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesHawaiiIsland of HawaiiKailua-Kona
NUMBER OF ROOMS
150
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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