Many people ask me “Where do people that live in Hawaii go on vacation?”. The most popular vacation destination for Hawaiians is Las Vegas. For me personally, we have kids and we love anything Disney. Also one of our favorite destinations is right on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kona Village.
We used to visit the “old Kona Village” a few times a year before it was hit by a tsunami. After that it was rebranded as a Rosewood and for the most part totally rebuilt with the intention of offering a luxury stay while maintaining the feel of Old Hawaii.
In case you are not familiar with Kona Village Resort, it is one of the most unique spots on the Big Island of Hawaii. The resort is filled with huts or as they call them hale’s versus a hotel setting. Each hale offers a bungalow type feel and is very spacious. You will not find a television in any of the rooms, but one can be provided upon request, but believe me you are better off without one. The old Kona Village did not offer air conditioning, but the present ones do. While Hawaii is known for warmer temperatures, if you are near the ocean the breeze that comes off the ocean, keeps your hale plenty cool.
Kona Village is located on a really nice beach and is adjacent to Four Seasons Hualalai. At the beach they offer kayaks, surf boards, snorkeling gear, and much more. On our prior visits we spent a lot of time at this beach. This stay we had a very private beach just in front of our hale, which we could not pass up. It was a small cove area with a hammock and chairs. On three occasions sea turtles came just steps from us to rest in the sun.
For those that love their food while on vacation, Kona Village offers a lot of different options. You can dine at Moana. This offers a beautiful oceanfront setting with an amazing offering of Pacific rim cuisine. They also have a restaurant that offers dining in the sand on an oceanfront setting that is a little less casual. For those that don’t want to sit down and dine, there is also a spot with quick eats.
Our kids also love Kona Village. One of their favorite aspects are the dirt paths throughout the property that you can ride complimentary bikes on. Also there are two pools on property and typically the pool for families is not too crowded and has an amazing view. They also love to get in the ocean and swim out to the jump pads. Given that Kona Village is located on a bay, the waters are typically calm and good for kids.
In closing, I love Kona Village Resort. For those that truly want to get away from the busyness of life I would recommend considering Kona Village. The amenities as well as the ambiance of a property with less rooms is great for anyone looking for the most luxurious experience the Big Island of Hawaii has to offer.
Rob Dalton is the owner of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals and has lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for over 25 years.
