After staying at most of the luxury resorts on the Big Island over the years, I was curious whether Kona Village would live up to the hype. The resort reopened in 2023 after being closed for more than a decade, and it seemed like everyone I knew who had stayed there came back raving about it.
After several days here with my family, what stood out most wasn’t a particular restaurant, activity, or room feature. It was how peaceful the entire resort felt. Even when occupancy is high, Kona Village never seems crowded, and that sense of space ended up being one of our favorite things about staying here, as crowds have been one of our biggest issues at other five star resorts in Hawaii.
Every hale here stands alone, and with only 150 of them, you’ll never be fighting for a beach or pool chair. Plus, it was so family friendly while still being refined and elegant. Here’s everything to know before you book Kona Village:
How to Book with Free Breakfast and Other Perks
As a Rosewood Elite partner, we can add complimentary perks to your stay at no additional cost, including:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability.
- Daily breakfast credit of $120 per room.
- $150 USD Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay.
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability.
- Free nights that aren’t always publicly offered
Since we specialize in luxury family travel, we’re also happy to help you compare Kona Village to other Big Island resorts and determine which room category makes the most sense for your family.
A Brief History
The original Kona Village opened in the 1960s and became one of Hawaii’s most beloved resorts thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and traditional hale accommodations. After being severely damaged by the 2011 tsunami, the resort remained closed for more than a decade before reopening as a Rosewood property in 2023.
Thankfully, much of what made Kona Village special was preserved. Instead of hotel towers, guests still stay in standalone hales spread throughout the property, giving the resort a much more spacious feel than many luxury resorts in Hawaii.
What Makes Kona Village Special
While many luxury resorts on the Big Island are centered around a main building, Kona Village feels more like a small community spread across the coastline. The property covers 81 acres, and because everything is spread out, you never feel like you’re sharing the resort with hundreds of other guests.
There are fishponds, walking paths, beaches, lava fields, and palm groves woven throughout the property, and we found ourselves biking all around discovering hidden little beaches and new corners of the resort simply because it was such a beautiful place to wander. If you’re looking for a resort with a lively atmosphere and lots of action, Kona Village may feel too quiet. If you’re looking for a place where everyone can slow down a bit, it’s hard to beat.
Personally, I go to Hawaii to relax. It grinds my gears when there’s a queue at 7am to put a towel down on a lounger and the battle for space wages all day (and yes unfortunately this DOES happen at five star resorts – looking at you Four Seasons Maui, even though I genuinely loved everything else about you).
Plus, Kona is one of the driest parts of Hawaii, so the weather is more on your side!
Why Families Will Love It
One thing I appreciated about Kona Village is that it manages to feel luxurious without feeling like children are an afterthought. Families are everywhere, but the resort never feels chaotic.
Kids under four eat free throughout the resort, which can add up to significant savings over the course of a stay. There is also a kids club for children ages five and up, along with daily activities that go beyond the typical coloring pages and movie room setup you find at many resorts.
During our stay there were movie nights on the lawn, lei making, pond fishing, lawn games, and shave ice at the pool made with real fruit juice. What I liked most was that many of the activities encouraged kids to spend time outdoors and engage with Hawaiian culture rather than simply being entertained.
The size of the property is also a huge advantage for families. There are so many places to explore that my son was constantly finding something new to look at, whether it was the fishponds, tide pools, or simply riding around the resort. Since restaurants are beachfront and they have plenty of sand toys, he was able to play at dinnertime too while we waited for our food to arrive.
The Rooms
Like the original Kona Village, accommodations are housed in standalone hales rather than hotel buildings. This gives every room a sense of privacy that’s difficult to find at most resorts.
We loved being able to step outside and immediately feel immersed in the landscape rather than walking down a hallway and waiting for an elevator. The rooms themselves feel fresh and modern while still incorporating Hawaiian design elements, and the indoor-outdoor feel works especially well in this climate.
For larger families, Kona Village also offers several four-bedroom villas that come with dedicated butler service. These are among the most impressive family accommodations on the island and work particularly well for multigenerational trips.
Getting Around the Resort
One of the things that makes Kona Village unique is that many guests get around by bicycle. Since the property is so large, biking is often faster than walking, and it adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the resort.
Adult bikes are provided, and families don’t have to miss out. The resort also offers children’s bikes with training wheels as well as child seats that can be attached to adult bikes for younger kids. Riding around the property quickly became one of our favorite parts of the stay and made exploring feel like an activity in itself.
The Pools
The main pool strikes a nice balance between family-friendly and relaxing. We never felt like we were fighting for chairs or competing for space, which is something I can’t say about every luxury resort in Hawaii.
Poolside service was attentive without being intrusive, and the daily popsicles and biweekly shave ice was a huge hit with both kids and adults. Because the resort attracts a mix of families and couples, the atmosphere remains calm even during busy periods as there’s a dedicated adults only pool and multiple beaches.
The Beach and Snorkeling
While many Big Island beaches can be rough or difficult to access, the beach at Kona Village ended up being one of our favorite parts of the property.
The protected bay creates calm conditions much of the time, making it a great place for families to swim, paddle, or simply relax. We were also impressed by the snorkeling. The reef just offshore is full of marine life, and we spotted colorful fish almost immediately after entering the water.
Included in the daily resort fee is access to activities like a sunrise outrigger canoe paddle and paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkel equipment.
Is Kona Village Worth It?
For families looking for waterslides, nonstop activities, and a high-energy atmosphere, there are probably better choices on Maui or Kauai.
For families looking for space, excellent snorkeling, thoughtful kids programming, beautiful accommodations, and a resort that feels genuinely relaxing, Kona Village is one of the best we’ve experienced in Hawaii. What we’ll remember most isn’t any one activity or meal, but how easy it was to settle into the rhythm of the resort and simply enjoy being there together. Get in touch to book with complimentary VIP perks.
