Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, will reopen in July after a complete renovation. On the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i, the 81-acre property, which has been closed since a tsunami struck in 2011, has been reimagined with the site's history, local culture and natural elements in mind.
The property originally was developed in the 1960s by Johnno Jackson, and was known for its free-standing, palm thatched–roof hales (individual cottages), which have been refurbished for the modern guest.
"We are honored to bring Rosewood’s 'A Sense of Place' philosophy to such a hallowed resort in the most stunning of destinations," said Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group. "Kona Village’s illustrious history and vibrant culture provide the perfect backdrop for Rosewood’s first property in the Hawaiian Islands."
Less than 10 miles north of the Kona International Airport, Kona Village features 150 standalone guest hales with locally inspired décor, great views and a sense of seclusion, each offering a private lānai and an outdoor shower.
The original resort’s Shipwreck Bar and Talk Story Bar will be welcoming guests once again. Also on-site will be Sense, a Rosewood Spa; a state-of-the-art fitness center; and multiple pools and tennis courts. The outdoor recreational program will include ocean sports and activities designed to inform, inspire and excite travelers. For events, there is nearly 23,000 square feet of outdoor gathering space.
Honoring Rosewood’s "A Sense of Place" principles, Kona Village will embrace sustainability while working closely with the local community to respect and perpetuate the cultural significance of Kona and the state of Hawai'i. The resort will feature a cultural center that will allow visitors to learn about the site's extensive Hawaiian lineage.
Walker Warner Architects, together with VITA Planning & Landscape Architecture, are incorporating sustainable practices and indigenous materials throughout the design of the resort. The development team also is working with Re-use Hawai'i, a local nonprofit, to deconstruct deteriorated buildings by hand and salvage up to 80 percent of the materials for reuse and recycling, minimizing the volume of landfill waste and the need to grow, harvest, produce and transport new material on the island.