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Kona Village Resort Review

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Kona Village Resort

Address: Queen Kaahumanu Hwy., Box 1299, Kailua-Kona, HI, 96745 | Map It
Phone: 808/325-5555; 800/367-5290
www.konavillage.com

Price range: $$$$
Location: Kohala

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5

Fodor's Review:

The most Hawaiian of the Kohala Coast resorts, Kona Village was one of the first, and it makes a real effort to keep modern life at bay. Without phones, televisions, or radios, the Kona Village is in a time warp—the perfect place for couples or families to get away from it all in their own thatch-roof hale (house) near the resort's sandy beach. Built on the grounds of an ancient Hawaiian village, the bungalows reflect styles of South Seas cultures—Tahitian, Samoan, Maori, Fijian, or Hawaiian. The extra-large Royal rooms have private hot tubs. Some of the bungalows are oceanfront, some nestled in a rain-forest-like setting of ponds and gardens, and no matter where your hale is and how crowded the resort is, you'll feel like this is your own little hideaway. The other bonus about Kona Village that sets it apart from many of the other resorts is that it tends to attract repeat customers for decades, and it retains its staff for equally as long, which breeds a very comfortable vibe around the resort. The beach here is small, but idyllic, with sea turtles nesting in the sand around a calm, turquoise bay. Rates include all meals, an authentic Polynesian Wednesday- or Friday-night luau, grounds tours, tennis, sports activities, and rides in the resort's glass-bottom boat. The resort's ocean program has recently been expanded to include sea kayaking, scuba diving on a new boat that can accommodate up to six divers, and snorkeling excursions. Children's programs are not available in May or September, which are designated "adults-only" months, so if you're planning a honeymoon to Hawaii and want to stay at Kona Village, May or September is a good choice. Pros: detached bungalows afford ultimate privacy, sea turtles nest on the resort's private beach, all meals and many activities included. Cons: somewhat isolated location, no phones in rooms.

Hotel Details: 125 bungalows
In-room: no phone, no TV.
In-hotel: 2 restaurants, tennis courts, bars, children's programs (ages 6-17), pools, gym, spa, beachfront.
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by wbpiii from California on 9/8/09
My trip this May was my ninth visit in eight years and I love Kona Village Resort. KVR is a unique resort concept for the Hawaiian Islands. The resort was built on an ancient fishing village in north Kona before any roads were in the area. The resort was literally dug by hand into the land. The result is a very gentle construction and use of the land. The gardens are the best of all the major resorts on the Kohala Coast. The resort is a series of hales that represent the many styles of Polynesian cultures. The rooms are comfortable and clean but not opulent. If granite counter tops and silk sheets make you happy, Kona Village is not for you.

The resort is called “all-inclusive” but buyers beware, alcohol, tips and some beach toys are not included. Please take this into your budgeting program. This years hot beach toy was the paddle board. The cost of the paddle board and one lesson is $130 but you can use it continually throughout your stay. My wife loved it. Snorkel equipment, kayaks and boogie boards are free.

The food is excellent and plentiful. The breakfast menu includes, choices of juice, cereal, Japanese breakfast, eggs, smoke salmon, eggs benedict, and/or orange zest waffles. The lunch is a wonderful buffet with an even better dessert table. Dinner bring two choices, the Hale Samoa and the Hale Moana. Hale Samoa is locate steps from the beach and usually there is a small added charge for the dinners there. It is very romantic at night. Hale Moana is also an exquiste meal setting, now that you can eat outside for dinner.

The bay next to the resort is exceptionally healthy. Snorkel equipment is free which allows anyone to explore the world below the water. During the afternoon the turtles climb on shore to rest. It is special show. The fish are colorful beyond description. Snorkeling and diving from the resort property is another reason that the rate of return for this property is so much higher than any resort in the islands.

The best asset of the Village is the employees, from the moment you arrive, and you are given your lei, to when you tearfully leave, the employees are there to help. They treat you as ohana, that is, family. If you threat them with respect, they will treat you like royalty. Everyone is equal, everyone is a friend. It is a feeling I have never experienced before at other resorts.

Kona Village may not be for everyone. Yes it is a little expensive. Yes, it is very quiet at night. If you want a nightlife, go to Maui or Oahu. If you want to refresh your soul, go to Kona Village. I’ll be back next year and I can’t wait.

Bill