Rosewood Kona Village
A Hawaiian destination worth repeating, year after year.
Since the day we booked our trip to the newly re-opened Rosewood Kona Village, a handful of people we mentioned it to beamed back with memories from decades past that included descriptions about the property being “magical” and what a “cool spot” it was. Having been to Kona once in my life (which doesn’t count since I was only 3) I had no expectations. But I can easily say without hesitation that the magic is still there.
The resort is set on a sparkling turquoise bay sprinkled with freestanding thatched roofed Hales (which means house in Hawaiian) along the bay and feels much smaller than it actually is (in the best way)—overall its 81 acres. Our room was a one bedroom suite, or Kauhale as they called it, and it was the perfect set up with the girls. The interiors were stunning, so much so I had to google who the designer was (Nicholhollis) because I loved it so much. Natural materials mixed with modern designs in the most effortlessly perfect way, a black stone bathtub and shower that mirrored the black lava rock all over the island and high pitched ceilings in wide plank wood. Have I said perfect in my head 50 times already because it’s the only way to describe it. Steps off of our covered deck was a white sand beach with lounge chairs that we found ourselves on every afternoon or evening at magic hour and beyond that was black rock tide pools that the girls explored almost everyday (also totally safe as there weren’t any big waves or deep pools).
I loved waking up here so much. That Hawaiian sun shining, the water was still and super clear for snorkeling (like an aquarium), a paddle board ready to go, the Kahuwai market serving Kona coffee, fruit smoothies (made with fruit grown on the property) and pastries at 6 am and of course our own deck which I equally loved lounging on those early hours. Sometimes Todd or I would slip out and ride one of the bikes at our door to grab coffee and smoothies for the rest of the sleepy heads still in bed. Then it was bathings suits, sunscreen and we’d head to the beach out our back door, walking along the water and looking for turtles along the way—yes you can see them right from the shore!
Most days we set up on the beach lounge chairs which were pretty central to everything—adults-only pool, kids pool, a hut where they helped you gear up for any ocean adventures, Kahuwai Cookhouse (our favorite for lunch) and the Keiki Club. This is definitely a destination I would say “bring the kids!” as the moment we put our bags down in the room the girls discovered the Keiki club calendar (kids club) and were making their own plans. By far the most impressive kids club chock-full of activities like making a coconut postcard (an actual coconut that they decorated and mailed home) or a scavenger hunt that took them all over the property. It gave Todd and I few chances to duck away to the adults-only pool and try one of the 4 Mai Tais on the property. The beach was the highlight for us, swimming in the warm water, snorkeling with the girls, kayaking and lounging on the floating dock. We took a sailboat out one day (ask for Mike) and found a pod of dolphins, anchored and snorkeled in some of the clearest blue water that I’ve ever seen. An experience not to miss.
For the full week we were there we never really left the property other than a Saturday morning adventure to the Waimea Farmer’s Market, which was so fun to check out. We had fresh coconut water from a coconut cracked open in front of us, found some insanely good chocolate covered macadamia nuts and came back with some fresh fruit. We also stopped for coffee and shopping at Surf Camp where I found the perfect vintage-like surf tee I was on the hunt for. Other than that, every meal we had was at the resort, which we hadn’t originally intended on. The Four Seasons is walking distance along the beach and we heard Merriman’s was excellent, but we literally couldn’t be budged from our happy place at Kona Village.
We loved every meal we had and did a repeat of this scenario—ordering the Moana dinner menu at the Talk Story Bar which is right on the beach in the cove and the perfect view of the sunset—which a fellow guest turned us onto. The kids ran around on the beach while we had cocktails until dinner arrived. We also loved the Shipwreck Bar & Sushi Restuarant, some of the best sushi I’ve had, and went to the special 4th of July BBQ which was the ultimate feast—pulled pork, burgers, lobster, sushi, and endless American pies to choose from—alongside live music, face painting for kids and fire dancers to end the night. Something else that made dinners extra enjoyable was the outdoor movie set up for kids a few nights—Moana and Surfs Up played. The girls would eat and run off to the movie (a safe distance from us) and we would get a mini date night.
I slipped away to the spa one afternoon and to no surprise, it was stunning. You enter on a wood planked pathway over black lava rock, the amenities are top notch and include a cold plunge, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and a secluded lounge area I nearly fell asleep in one afternoon. We did a sound bath one morning that really suck me into a relaxed mode.
Overall it was an idyllic Hawaii experience and more than I could have hoped for as our first family trip there. Rosewood Kona Village is the kind of place you return to, make friends that you keep in touch with and create memories that someday even your kids will want to repeat with their families. Truely magical.
Everything I wore/packed included here!
xx Samantha