Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Set along the secluded shores of Kahuwai Bay on Hawaii's Big Island, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort offers a rare combination of barefoot luxury, Hawaiian cultural heritage, and extraordinary natural beauty. Rather than a traditional hotel with corridors and towers, the resort is composed of individual thatched-roof hale, or Hawaiian-style houses, scattered among palm trees, ancient lava flows, and the Pacific coastline.
Originally opened in the 1960s, Kona Village became a beloved Hawaiian retreat before being devastated by the 2011 tsunami. Reimagined and reopened under Rosewood in 2023, the property preserves the spirit of the original village while introducing contemporary luxury, thoughtful sustainability practices, and a deeper commitment to celebrating the land and its cultural history.
The accommodations are among the most distinctive in Hawaii. Spacious freestanding hale feature private lanais, outdoor showers, and beautifully crafted interiors, while multi-bedroom kauhale offer exceptional privacy for families and groups. Select residences include private pools, outdoor entertaining areas, and direct access to secluded beaches.
Guests can spend their days beside the oceanfront pools, snorkeling in Kahuwai Bay when conditions permit, participating in Hawaiian cultural experiences, or enjoying restorative treatments at Asaya Spa. Dining highlights include Moana, Kahuwai Cookhouse & Market, and the iconic Shipwreck Bar & Sushi, with menus that draw inspiration from local ingredients and the island's history.
Kona Village is especially appealing to travelers seeking a secluded luxury retreat with a genuine sense of place. Its peaceful setting, thoughtful design, and emphasis on cultural discovery create an experience that feels less like staying at a conventional resort and more like inhabiting a beautiful Hawaiian coastal village.
The Resort Experience
Accomodations
Accommodations at Kona Village are designed to feel like private Hawaiian residences rather than conventional hotel rooms. The resort's freestanding, thatched-roof hale are thoughtfully positioned throughout the property, offering privacy, spacious indoor-outdoor living, and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
Most standard hale measure approximately 850 square feet, including their outdoor living spaces, and feature king or two-queen bedding configurations, oversized private lanais, luxurious bathrooms, and outdoor rain showers. Interiors combine natural textures, custom furnishings, and artwork by Hawaiian artisans, creating a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.
Garden View Hale overlook lush tropical landscaping, while Mountain View Hale offer views toward the island's volcanic terrain. Lagoon View Hale are positioned near the resort's natural lagoon, providing a peaceful setting surrounded by greenery. Ocean View, Ocean Front, and Beach Front Hale offer increasingly prominent views of Kahuwai Bay and the Pacific, with beachfront categories providing particularly convenient access to the shoreline.
The Ocean Front Legacy Hale are a distinctive category inspired by the original resort, with approximately 540 square feet of accommodation and an intimate oceanfront setting. Tree Top King Hale offer elevated views and unique features such as hanging daybeds, creating a particularly romantic option for couples.
For guests requiring additional space, Kona Village offers one- and two-bedroom kauhale, which provide separate living areas, generous lanais, and residential-style layouts. The Mountain View One Bedroom Kauhale measures approximately 1,570 square feet and can accommodate two adults and two children, making it an appealing choice for a family seeking privacy and extra room.
The resort's specialty accommodations include extraordinary two-bedroom beachfront and oceanfront kauhale, some overlooking secluded black-sand coves. The Beach Front Black Sand Two Bedroom Kauhale features an open-air living room and direct access to a small black-sand beach.
At the highest level, the four-bedroom Maheawalu and Kumukea residences offer expansive living and entertaining spaces with panoramic ocean views. Select residences feature private pools, hot tubs, and dedicated services, making them especially attractive for multigenerational families and private celebrations.
Because each hale occupies a different position within the resort, selecting the right location is an important part of the experience. Some guests may prioritize oceanfront privacy, while families may prefer convenient access to the pools, restaurants, or children's facilities.
Dining
Dining at Kona Village celebrates Hawaii's culinary traditions, local agriculture, and the pleasure of gathering over a beautifully prepared meal. The resort's restaurants and bars offer a thoughtful combination of island-inspired cuisine, Japanese influences, and relaxed oceanfront settings.
Moana is the resort's principal restaurant, serving breakfast and dinner overlooking Kahuwai Bay. Its Pacific Rim-inspired menus emphasize sustainably sourced seafood, fresh produce, and ingredients from Hawaii Island. Breakfast is a leisurely affair, while dinner offers an opportunity to experience creative preparations that reflect the island's diverse culinary heritage.
Kahuwai Cookhouse draws inspiration from Hawaii's paniolo, or cowboy, traditions. The restaurant celebrates cooking over kiawe wood, with hearty dishes and locally sourced ingredients that pay tribute to the Big Island's ranching history. Its relaxed atmosphere provides a distinctive alternative to more formal resort dining.
The adjoining Kahuwai Market offers coffee, pastries, fresh juices, smoothies, and convenient takeaway selections. This is particularly useful for guests who prefer a casual breakfast or a light meal before heading to the beach or exploring the island.
Shipwreck Bar & Sushi is one of Kona Village's most recognizable gathering places. Built around a restored schooner associated with the original resort, the beachfront bar combines tropical cocktails with Japanese-inspired dishes, including sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls. Its relaxed oceanfront setting makes it a memorable spot for an afternoon drink or an early evening meal.
Talk Story Bar offers a quieter place to enjoy classic cocktails and sunset views, drawing inspiration from the Hawaiian tradition of sharing stories and connecting with others. Moana Cocktail Bar provides another inviting setting for handcrafted drinks, with live music offered on selected evenings.
The resort also features distinctive culinary experiences such as Island Roots, a communal dining experience celebrating Hawaiian food traditions, and cooking classes incorporating ingredients from the property's Kahiko Mālaʻai garden.
Guests staying in suites or private residences can arrange in-room dining, and special private dining experiences may be available for celebrations and romantic occasions.
Dining schedules and menus can change seasonally. Advance reservations are recommended for preferred dinner times, particularly during holidays and peak travel periods.
Amenities and Experiences
Kona Village is designed around the natural beauty of Kahuwai Bay, offering a collection of oceanfront swimming pools, secluded beach areas, cultural experiences, and restorative wellness facilities.
The resort features four outdoor pools arranged within two principal swimming areas. Moana Family Pool includes an infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean, two hot tubs, and a shallow sand-bottomed keiki pool for younger children. The setting is especially appealing to families, with comfortable lounging areas, complimentary cabanas, and poolside food and beverage service.
The Shipwreck Adult Pool offers a quieter atmosphere beside Shipwreck Bar. Its three-tiered design includes a 25-meter lap pool and an infinity hot tub overlooking the coastline, making it particularly attractive for couples and adults seeking a peaceful afternoon.
Kahuwai Beach provides a beautiful oceanfront setting with loungers and beachside service. The shoreline combines sandy areas with volcanic rock, creating striking scenery and opportunities to observe marine life. Swimming and snorkeling are possible when ocean conditions are favorable, although guests should follow local safety guidance and be aware of changing currents and surf.
Kilo Kai, the resort's ocean pursuits program, offers guided experiences such as canoe paddling, snorkeling, and sailing. These activities emphasize observing the ocean, understanding its rhythms, and developing a respectful connection with Hawaii's marine environment.
The Kaʻuluola Cultural Center is central to the resort's identity. Through artifacts, storytelling, and hands-on experiences, guests can learn about Hawaiian history, traditions, and the significance of the land. The resort also preserves important archaeological and cultural sites, including petroglyphs.
Asaya Spa provides a peaceful wellness retreat with treatment rooms, outdoor spaces, hot and cold water experiences, steam rooms, and saunas. Treatments draw inspiration from nature and traditional healing philosophies. The fitness center, tennis courts, and pickleball facilities offer additional recreational options.
For younger guests, the Rosewood Explorers Keiki Club provides age-appropriate activities that encourage creativity, discovery, and connection to the island. Families can also enjoy cultural programming, ocean experiences, and outdoor recreation together.
The resort's Kahiko Mālaʻai garden supplies ingredients for its restaurants and provides opportunities to learn about local agriculture and sustainable food practices. With its emphasis on nature, culture, and wellness, Kona Village offers a slower and more immersive Hawaiian vacation experience.
Who It's Best For
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort is particularly well suited to couples, honeymooners, luxury-loving families, and multigenerational groups seeking privacy, beautiful natural surroundings, and a meaningful connection to Hawaiian culture.
Couples and honeymooners will appreciate the resort's freestanding hale, private outdoor showers, romantic oceanfront settings, and peaceful atmosphere. Oceanfront and beachfront accommodations are especially appealing for travelers who want to enjoy the sound of the waves and beautiful sunsets from their private lanai.
Families with children can enjoy the Moana Family Pool, sand-bottomed keiki pool, beach activities, and Rosewood Explorers Keiki Club. The resort's cultural experiences and ocean pursuits programming also provide opportunities for children to learn about Hawaii's environment and traditions.
Multigenerational groups will find the one-, two-, and four-bedroom kauhale particularly attractive. These spacious residences offer shared gathering areas and private bedrooms, allowing families to enjoy time together while maintaining personal space. Select accommodations feature private pools and expansive outdoor entertaining areas.
Wellness-focused travelers will appreciate Asaya Spa, yoga and fitness opportunities, quiet swimming areas, and the resort's peaceful natural setting. The absence of high-rise buildings and the thoughtful placement of accommodations contribute to a relaxed atmosphere.
Travelers interested in Hawaiian history, art, food, and environmental stewardship may find Kona Village especially rewarding. Its cultural center, culinary garden, and guided ocean experiences offer a deeper connection to the destination than a conventional beach vacation.
Kona Village is not ideal for travelers seeking nightlife, extensive off-property shopping, or a lively resort promenade. The property is intentionally secluded, and most guests spend much of their stay enjoying the resort itself.
For those who value privacy, thoughtful design, exceptional service, and an authentic sense of place, Kona Village offers one of the most distinctive luxury experiences on Hawaii Island.
Things to Know
Location and Airport Transfers: Kona Village is located at 72-300 Maheawalu Drive in the Kaʻūpūlehu area of Hawaii's North Kona coast, approximately 15–20 minutes by car from Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA), depending on traffic. The resort is relatively secluded, with few restaurants or shops within walking distance.
A Resort With History: The original Kona Village opened in the 1960s and became a beloved Hawaiian retreat. After extensive damage from the 2011 tsunami, the property was reimagined and reopened as a Rosewood resort in 2023. Its design honors the original village while incorporating contemporary accommodations and sustainability practices.
Hale-Style Accommodations: Rather than conventional hotel rooms, guests stay in individual thatched-roof hale distributed throughout the resort. Most standard hale offer approximately 850 square feet of indoor-outdoor space, with private lanais and outdoor showers. Room locations and views vary considerably.
Beach and Ocean Conditions: The resort overlooks Kahuwai Bay, where sandy shoreline meets volcanic rock. Swimming and snorkeling are possible when conditions are favorable, but ocean currents and surf can change. The beach is not a consistently calm swimming environment, and guests should follow resort safety guidance.
Pools: Kona Village has four outdoor pools across its family and adults-only swimming areas. The Moana Family Pool includes a sand-bottomed children's pool, while the Shipwreck Adult Pool offers a quieter setting with a lap pool and infinity hot tub.
Resort Layout: The property is spread across a substantial oceanfront area with separate accommodation clusters, restaurants, pools, and wellness facilities. Guests should consider proximity to their preferred amenities when selecting accommodations. Resort transportation assistance may be available for moving around the grounds.
Cultural Experiences: The Kaʻuluola Cultural Center offers educational programming focused on Hawaiian history and traditions. Certain activities, including guided ocean experiences and specialty cultural programs, may require reservations or carry additional charges.
Dining: Moana, Kahuwai Cookhouse, Shipwreck Bar & Sushi, and the resort's other dining venues offer a range of culinary experiences. Some restaurants have limited service periods, and advance reservations are recommended for special occasions and peak travel dates.
Not All-Inclusive: Kona Village is not an all-inclusive resort. Meals, beverages, spa treatments, private excursions, and many specialty experiences are charged separately unless specifically included in a booked package.
Getting Around the Big Island: A rental car or private transportation is useful for exploring beyond the resort. The Big Island is geographically large, and destinations such as Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, and Mauna Kea require significant travel time.
Family Accommodations: Standard hale offer king or two-queen bedding, while larger kauhale provide separate bedrooms and additional living space. Families should confirm maximum occupancy and bedding arrangements for their chosen category, particularly when traveling with older children.
Resort Fees and Inclusions: Kona Village may have additional charges for certain experiences and services. Guests should confirm the current reservation terms, applicable taxes, and included amenities before booking.
Frequently asked questions
What are the hale accommodations at Kona Village, and how are they different from traditional hotel rooms?
At Kona Village, guests stay in individual thatched-roof hale, the Hawaiian word for houses, rather than rooms within a traditional hotel building. These freestanding accommodations are spread throughout the resort's tropical gardens, volcanic landscape, and oceanfront grounds.
Most standard hale offer approximately 850 square feet of indoor-outdoor space, with a private furnished lanai, an outdoor rain shower, and beautifully crafted interiors inspired by Hawaiian design traditions.
Guests can choose from garden, mountain, lagoon, ocean-view, oceanfront, and beachfront settings. Select specialty hale offer particularly intimate locations or distinctive architectural details.
Families and groups seeking additional space can reserve one- or two-bedroom kauhale, while the resort's exclusive four-bedroom residences provide expansive living areas and, in select categories, private pools.
The result is a more private and residential experience than a conventional luxury hotel, with accommodations that encourage guests to spend time outdoors and enjoy the surrounding landscape.
Is Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort a good choice for families with children?
Yes. Although Kona Village has a peaceful, secluded atmosphere, it welcomes families and offers a variety of experiences designed for children and multigenerational groups.
The Moana Family Pool includes an infinity pool, hot tubs, and a shallow sand-bottomed keiki pool that is especially appealing to younger children. The Rosewood Explorers Keiki Club offers supervised activities focused on creativity, exploration, and discovering the island's natural and cultural heritage.
Families can also participate in selected Hawaiian cultural experiences, enjoy guided ocean activities through the Kilo Kai program, and explore the resort's beautiful coastal setting.
Standard hale are available with king or two-queen bedding, while larger one-, two-, and four-bedroom kauhale provide additional privacy and living space for families traveling together.
Kona Village is particularly well suited to families who enjoy nature, cultural discovery, and a relaxed luxury atmosphere. Families seeking an elaborate water park or extensive amusement-style entertainment may prefer another Big Island resort.
Can I book Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort through Travel With Character® and receive preferred hotel benefits?
Yes. Travel With Character® can assist with hotel-only reservations at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort. Depending on the rate, reservation eligibility, and available preferred hotel programs, qualifying stays may include complimentary daily breakfast, resort credits, room upgrade opportunities, or other special amenities.
There is no concierge planning fee for qualifying hotel-only reservations. Our team works behind the scenes to confirm your booking, communicate important reservation details with the hotel, and help ensure everything is in place for your arrival.
Specific benefits vary by reservation and will be confirmed during the booking process. Room upgrades and certain amenities may be subject to availability.
To inquire about booking Kona Village through Travel With Character®, complete the hotel inquiry form on this page.
Exclusive Benefits
For Exceptional Stays
Preferred Hotel Benefits
Eligible reservations may include complimentary daily breakfast, resort credits, room upgrades, and other exclusive amenities.
No Concierge Planning Fee
Enjoy access to luxury hotel benefits without paying a concierge planning fee for qualifying hotel-only reservations.
Behind-the-Scenes Advisor Support
We coordinate directly with the hotel to confirm your reservation, communicate important stay details, and help ensure everything is in place for your arrival.
Benefits vary by property and reservation. Room upgrades and certain amenities are subject to availability.
