Inside Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, a spectacular resort that sits on the sacred land of Kaʻūpūlehu, in Big Island, Hawaii. The beautiful retreat is a welcoming escapade that offers a slice of paradise to guests who want to discover the magic of the Kona Coast
The island of Hawaii has long been associated with the idea of romantic getaways and blissful island living. An island state of the United States, it is located in the Pacific Ocean about 3,200 km southwest of the US mainland. This should immediately prepare potential holidaymakers for what lies ahead: tranquil beaches, stunning views of the vast ocean and everything else one can expect of an idyllic tropical paradise.
Choosing a honeymoon destination can easily be defined as a so-called “First World problem”. Do we want a cold winter vacation away from Singapore’s heat? Or should we escape reality for a bit and find ourselves on another island, far from home?
The answer didn’t come quickly for me when I had to decide on a well-deserved trip after almost a year of wedding planning. However, the island of Hawaii soon proved to be extremely alluring and I knew it was worth a visit. After all, the Aloha State has always been regarded as a classic honeymoon spot.
In February this year, my husband and I flew to Hawaii’s Big Island (where we arrived via a domestic flight from the capital, Honolulu) for a stay at the luxurious Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort.
This captivating destination along the pristine shores of Kahuwai Bay on Hawaii’s Kona Coast was sought after by voyagers for centuries. First discovered by Polynesians around the year 1000 AD, it was later built into a thriving fishing village. These shores continued to evolve during its long history. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in 2011 by an earthquake-triggered tsunami.
Only July 1 last year, it reopened as the 31st property in the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Today, it is an inspired reimagination of the original Kona Village Resort, which first emerged on the site in the 1960s.
First Impressions
As a first-time traveller to Hawaii, there was so much that I looked forward to, from local Hawaiian food to immersing myself in the island’s rich culture. Landing in Kailua-Kona was exciting because you will get a bird’s eye view of the landscape of Big Island, which is both the largest and youngest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Black sand beaches, clear blue waters, black lava rocks—these natural elements will make any visit to Hawaii truly one-of-a-kind.
To reach Kona Village, we drove from Kona International Airport in Keāhole. It was an easy ten-minute drive down a highway, with expansive views of mountains and the ocean. Once we arrived, we were immediately greeted by the resort staff who presented both my husband and I each with a Hawaiian lei, which is a garland or wreath of fresh flowers. A lei is commonly presented to guests upon arrival. In Hawaii, it is customary to give lei as a gesture to say hello, goodbye or even congratulations.
After receiving our own lei, we were whisked off to our hale on a golf cart, which is used by resort staff to transport guests to wherever they need to go. Of course, you can walk anywhere you want (the entire property is walkable) or hop on a bicycle—you can find several parked near the reception area. After all, sustainability plays a huge part in the new Kona Village, which weaves the past and present together seamlessly.
The resort’s distinctive aesthetic is the product of some of the greatest talents in architecture, design, art, and horticulture. Spearheaded by Hawaii-raised architect, Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects, and San Francisco-based interior design firm, Nicole Hollis, the property was designed with the history of both Hawaii Island and the Kona Coast in mind.
The current architecture of the property features nods to the past, with thoughtful changes made to certain elements from before for sustainability reasons. For example, Kona Village’s thatched roofing was a beloved element of the resort before. Today, new thatching is used, made from recycled materials rather than the traditional native leaves. This decision was made to keep elements of the resort’s past alive and secure the buildings from rain and other potentially torrential natural events while simultaneously maintaining plant life and keeping unnecessary waste from landfills.
In addition to embodying Hawaiʻi's cultural heritage through craftsmanship, the concept of ohana is channelled through the resort’s layout, which centres the accommodations around the many shared spaces. Dining, wellness, and recreational facilities are positioned directly against the glistening waters of Kahuwai Bay.
No matter where you are in Kona Village, you will always be surrounded by the wonders of Hawaiian beauty.
