Gatorman82

My wife and I want to celebrate our 25th anniversary in Hawaii. We were pretty much convinced that the right place for us was the Kona Village Resort, but just heard that they closed due to damage from the tsunami. Every other resort I can find now just doesn't have the same appeal, so I'm asking for help. Here's what we're looking for:

We'd like a place that has enough activities to offer that we can stay on the resort if we're not energetic enough to travel on a given day. Great beaches, snorkeling, tennis, and other water-oriented activities are what we are looking for.

We are looking for a place that is very nice, but not pretentious. That is what set Kona Village apart for us. I don't mind expensive (if it is worth it), but I don't want to stay in a place filled with people who stay there BECAUSE it is expensive. We're looking for comfort, the feel of Hawaiian culture (even if somewhat artificial), and natural beauty.

We are favoring the Big Island because of Volcanoes NP and the wide variety of things to do. But we are open to any of the islands if the resort has the right feel. Our trip will be 1-2 weeks long - haven't decided yet.

Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We've gotten some great tips on Fodor's in the past.

DebitNM

Try Prince's Hapuna Beach Resort. We loved it and you also get to use Mauna Kea Resort next door too. Beautiful beach, and lovely hotel.

http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/h...ince-hotel.php

iamq

Wwe have freinds who were rebooked into the Mauna Kea after the KVR was closed. The two resorts could not be more diffferent in many ways, but they liked it a lot. The beach is lovely and the hotel is unique in construction and orientation to the beach.

KVR was unique to Hawaii and you will not find anything like on any other island. The only other smaller "boutique" style hotel is the Hotel Hana Maui. While I love it, it does not offer enough of what you want to satisfy your list of wants to recommend it to you.

Kailani

I would also suggest checking out the Mauna Lani. I think the grounds are beautiful, and include ancient royal fishing ponds and petroglyphs. They also offer cultural programs, including a memorable "Twilight at Kalahuipua'a" on the Saturday closest to the full moon, which is a free "talk story," music and hula evening on the beach. (You can go whether or not you are staying at the resort.)

The Mauna Lani's resident cultural advisor is Danny Akaka, the senator's son, who is knowledgeable and welcoming.

There is tennis, golf, shops, spa, great food, and Hawaiian entertainment.

I have a home on the Big Island, so I don't often stay in hotels, but I check them out frequently for meals, beaches, walks and entertainment. I have stayed at the Mauna Lani and it is lovely.

I also stayed at Kona Village and had a horrible experience. Many people are serious fans, but many were turned off.

Personally, I think that it is wonderful to explore the Big Island. You will find much more of the real Hawaii in Hawi, Kapa'au, Honoka'a, Waipio, and other small heritage towns, than you would find at Kona Village.

I also agree that the Mauna Kea, Hapuna, and pretty much all the resorts along the Kohala coast are very nice. You'll be further away from problems with vog as you get further north, which was a problem at Kona Village and the Four Seasons which are much closer to Kona.

RainyDay09

I really liked the Big Island, however, I was just going to suggest Maui, if you are looking for a nice resort. Makena Beach resort and other resorts in Wailea looked really great when we were there, granted we didn't stay there, we stayed in Kihei. I am probably going to get pecked and heckled here on Fodors, but I thought Maui had better beaches and more things to do, if you go to Hana and explore other areas.

wbpiii

I've been going to Kona village for the last ten years. The only resort that comes close to the feel of the gardens and ponds is Mauna Lani you might also look at the fairmont. After this year's vacation was cancelled by KVR I book at the Mauna Lani Terraces.

starrs

"We are looking for a place that is very nice, but not pretentious."

I can't speak to the other resorts/hotels being suggested, but don't eliminate the Four Seasons from your consideration. It's a lovely property and not pretentious at all. We went to the luau at the KVR (and enjoyed it) but loved the 4S.

"Great beaches, snorkeling, tennis, and other water-oriented activities are what we are looking for"
I love the pool at the 4S. The beach is not as nice as some other hotels being suggested, but we enjoyed it too. LOVE the spa and the tennis complex (saw Heather Locklear at the spa ). And they have snorkeling on the property at their King's Pond.

http://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/..._and_wave.html

We were there for four days after being on the Big Island for a week (at another location) and loved just being still and relaxing at the resort. We did take advantage of one of their outrigger excursions to another beach and that was fun. You're going to want to go to Captain Cook's to do snorkeling there. But, based on your description and what you are looking for I think the 4S is a good choice. I'd love to be relaxing there by the pool, taking a swim at the beach, snorkeling in King's Pond and looking forward to tennis and a massage right about now

Oh, and the food there is wonderful. Give it some consideration. Quiet, tropical elegance without being pretentious.

starrs

From the link above - snorkeling at King's Pond at the 4S

Snorkelling
We provide you with mask, fins and snorkel so you can explore the man-made aquarium at King's Pond. Swim with tropical fish, spotted eagle rays and a stingray.

wbpiii

I think there is more than a little pretention at the FS but it is beautiful. Note that there is no true beach at the resort proper. The closest natural beaches are at Kona Village to the north and Kukio to the south. Though, I am sure that somebody will give you a golf cart ride to Kukio. The pools are beautiful as is the property. The snorkel pool is kinda fun in a Disneyland away. Gardens are not formal but not the Kona Village, Muana Lani wild style. FS has the best food.

Muana Kea is nice again a little pretention there but the best beach in the area. The gardens are a little to formal for me. It is a nice restort with very good food and prices that are resort typical.

Mauna Lani and Fairmont much mellower places. ML has very good ocean access and a great small beach that is about .25 walk. The property has a very hawaiian feel to it. I am not a fan of ML archictecture but not many care about that. I do love the ML garden and the outside feel of the place.

They all are great resorts.

Ryan

We just returned from a week at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. Loved the resort. I do not believe it has tennis and golf on site, but there are courses and the Wailea tennis club very close by. (Hotel will drive you anywhere in the Wailea area.)

Snorkling just off the beach, plenty of other water activities there are well.

There are several resorts in the Wailea area. Might suggest the only one to avoid is the Grand Wailea which is more about the lazy river and pool area than anything else.

Placename

I would recommend the Mauna Kea Beach Resort. It's more upscale than the Hapuna Prince and is very tranquil on a gorgeous natural beach. Golf and tennis, too.