Kona Village A Rosewood Resort

What We Think

You may pinch yourself—literally—when you first step foot in Kona Village. With swaying palm trees, rainbow-bright birds chirping in the underbrush and soft waves rolling onto the black sand beach, it feels instantly like paradise sprung to life. We love that the “hale” guest rooms took their cues from the region’s indigenous culture, with outsized lanais, blonde wood walls and soaring ceilings above the roomy interiors— starting at a whopping 600 square feet. The Lagoon View Hale is quiet and contemplative; the Ocean View Hale, though, is well worth a splurge to take in sunlight twinkling on the sea from your bed (both options have outdoor rain showers).

What It Is

A lush and jungly 81-acre retreat fronting Kahuwai Bay, with thatched roof “hale” villas, four pools, four tropical restaurants and bars (one in a sailboat on the sand).

What It Isn't

Forgetting to chillax. The resort’s modernist spa was carved out of black lava flow and faces Mauna Kea volcano from its fully retractable walls.

You're Here Because

You loathe to travel hangry, and the resort’s rates include daily breakfast for two at Moana, where you can tuck into french toast studded with macadamia nuts and a flurry of coconut milk.

The Moment

The hot stone massages you’ve indulged in on vacays past have nothing on today’s treatment at the spa—a warm Pohaku (i.e. lava) Stone massage that makes you feel as fresh as the surf.

Restaurants & Bars

From regional Pacific Rim dining to beachside farm-to-table cuisine, Kona Village will be home to an eclectic and inspired mix of Hawaiian regional cuisine.

More hotels in Big Island

• Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection · Kohala Coast, Big Island
• Fairmont Orchid Hawaii · Waimea, Big Island
• Four Seasons Resort Hualalai · Kailua-Kona, Big Island
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel · Waimea, Big Island
• Mauna Lani Point · Waimea, Hawaii