There’s no better word to describe Kona Village – nestled in Kahuwai Bay along the western coast of the island of Hawaii – than as a paradise. Considered a sacred spot by the first Polynesian settlers who have called it home in centuries-old village of Kaʻūpūlehu, Kona Village Resort was first established in 1965 and run by a husband and wife team who welcomed guests for decades with a charming ‘ohana (family) spirit.
The resort was The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us. progenitor of today’s now-globalized barefoot luxury trend, finding new guests over the decades as an if-you-know-you-know place where friends and family wouldn’t be encumbered by all the noise of modern life – phones, televisions, radios, clocks or the assault on our minds by the 24-hour news cycle. Kona Village was built in homage to Polynesian cultures and started the trend of hale thatched roofs that is now common among resorts in the Pacific.
All that changed on March 11th, 2011 when a tsunami swept through this small corner of the world after an earthquake near the coast of Japan. It seemed like the end, but hospitality finds a way…
Interior design to reflect a contemporary aesthetic that tips toward minimalism but still with strong nods to the region’s heritage
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Rosewood Rebirth
After almost a decade of planning, the collective in charge of real estate has completed the reconstruction. Kennedy Wilson The 150-key hotel reopened on July 1, 2023. It was accompanied by a cultural committee made up of descendants of the original village. Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort.
In this period, the resort premises were thematically designed to pay homage to the powerful oceans, magmatic volcanoes and lush flora which have shaped the Hawaiian Archipelago. They also became a LEED-certified resort, using natural and reclaimed materials, and installing a renewable microgrid on a plot of 2 acres based on 9,000 solar panel. The 81-acre resort grounds also maintains 21 archeological sites and 22 anchialine (subterranean) ponds.
It is an example of hospitality that can endure hardship, overcome it and then become even more impressive as a consequence. It is the only Hawaiian property that has been awarded three Michelin stars.
The redesigned Kona Village not only honors its past but also moves forward boldly with design innovations like those of Asaya Spa This design pays homage to the lava fields and petroglyph fields that it was built on, with darker woods.
Larry, who is one of the two authors, was a tourism and hospitality marketing agency in Kona Village for over 20 years. So, as hospitality has a way of standing the test time, we have come full circle to Kona Village. Daniel ScottKona Village A Rosewood Resort Regional Vice-President and Managing Director, for an interview about what makes this property so soulful.
Start with your current career.
I’ve been with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts for two decades, and during that time, I’ve had the opportunity to work at some of the most iconic properties in the portfolio. Prior to joining the amazing team at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, my tenure with the brand took me to Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, Rosewood Sand Hill, and most recently, Rosewood Mayakoba. During this period, I was also a Regional Vice-President, responsible for The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, Rosewood Washington, D.C., as well as Rosewood’s Caribbean Collection. Throughout my career, I have developed a profound understanding of luxury hospitality. This includes the importance of building lasting relationships and emotional connections with guests.
Cofounding Centro Educativo K’iin Beh was one of the most rewarding moments of my career. This bilingual school was created to provide quality education to the children of Rosewood Mayakoba staff and local families. The school now serves more than 500 children and is a testament to my belief in hospitality that goes beyond exceptional customer service. It is about putting the culture of the place at the forefront, and making a positive impact on people and places.
What is the process of restoration and transition from Rosewood to Rosewood?
Kona Village is an icon that has been around for a long time. When it was shut down in 2011 because of the tsunami there was a commitment from everyone to restore it in a respectful way. The restoration was a seven-year redevelopment process led by owner Kennedy Wilson, in close partnership with Kamehameha Schools and a Cultural Leadership Committee comprised of local lineal descendants, cultural advisors and community leaders of Kaʻūpūlehu.
The resort’s revitalization was guided by the responsibility to preserve both the history and the natural beauty of the land. Our goal was to retain the essence of what made the original Kona Village so beloved, while introducing modern sustainability initiatives and fostering a sense of unaffected luxury with an authentic connection to the people and land of Hawaiʻi.
Over the last decade, ultraluxury hotels have become extremely competitive. What are the key features that make Rosewood a unique brand and how do they reflect at Kona Village.
We at Rosewood have always believed in the idea that luxury is deeply personal, and is connected to a particular place. Our guiding philosophy, A Sense of Place®, ensures that each of our properties is an authentic reflection of its destination.
Kona Village weaves this into all aspects of the experience. From the architecture and design, to the cultural programs and sustainability efforts. The resort was created by Greg Warner and NICOLEHOLLIS. Both of them understood that it was important to respect the heritage of the land while also creating something modern and timeless. The resort uses solar energy generated by our solar power microgrid. Three buildings are LEED Gold-certified and we have a zero waste initiative.
Our connection to Hawaiian culture is deep. We have an onsite cultural centre and work closely with the Cultural Leadership Committee to make sure that our guests experience luxury and gain a deep understanding of what makes this land special. We aim to deliver a sense of unaffected luxury with an authentic connection to the people and land of Hawai‘i, grounded in service that is personal, not pretentious. It’s this simplicity – executed to perfection – that allows guests to feel truly cared for, present in the moment, and embraced by the spirit of aloha.
Rosewood is at the forefront of a global trend that involves multigenerational travel. With Kona Village having earned recognition from Condé Nast as one of the top ultraluxury family resorts in the world, what do families really want from a luxury resort? What are the amenities, services and room configurations available for this type of trip?
Families are now looking for more than just beautiful accommodations. They want meaningful, immersive experiences which bring them together. Each family member can also create their own unique moments. Kona Village has been designed to meet the needs of families in multiple ways.
We can accommodate up to 150 guests. hale The following are some examples of how to get started: kauhaleOur range of accommodations includes one to four bedroom homes, giving families the space they need to enjoy their time together. For larger groups or multigenerational travelers, our signature kauhale accommodations – the Ocean Front Four-Bedroom Maheawalu Kauhale, Ocean Front Accessible Four-Bedroom Kumukea Kauhale and ‘Ohana Pool Four-Bedroom Kauhale – set a new benchmark for luxury family travel in Hawai‘i. These spacious, residence-style retreats feature between 6,500 and 8,500 square foot of indoor and outdoor living space, private pools and butler service. They also offer thoughtfully designed communal spaces that allow families to get together while maintaining moments of privacy.
Beyond the accommodations, Kona Village offers unforgettable experiences that bring generations together and deepen each guest’s connection to Hawai‘i. Families can sail the waters of Kahuwai Bay aboard our traditional canoe, enjoy intimate Celestial Dinners under the stars, and explore the island’s rich landscape through curated off-property excursions – from local farmers markets to black-sand beaches and lava caves. At the heart of it all is the Ka‘uluola Cultural Center, offering hula and ‘ukulele lessons, as well as tours of ancient petroglyphs.
