Kona Village Resort ~ Kailua Kona, Hawaii – We have been privileged to stay in some of the world’s best resorts over the course of the last year.  However, with the Kona Village Resort, we have found a property that we both would easily put in our top handful of properties.

Imagine a thatch-roofed bungalow sitting upon centuries old black lava belched from the nearly 14,000 ft. volcano visible outside your back door.  Further, imagine that your bungalow is sitting under waving palm trees, only 50 yards from the ocean, with an absolutely spellbinding view of the ocean replete with scores of migrating humpback whales breaching in the sun.

As I sit here desperately trying to find words to describe our experience, I find myself nearly mute and forlorn in a great desire to return to the porch of our Hawaiian bungalow on the ocean.

Kona Village Resort opened in 1965 and occupies 82 private acres along the Big Island’s Kohala Coast. Once the site of an ancient Hawaiian fishing village, the resort is now home to 125 thatched-roof bungalows called hale (pronounced ha-lay), nestled around lush tropical lagoons and pristine white and black sand beaches.

To further the magic of this tropical setting, the hales, while providing all the niceties that a luxury baby boomer traveler would expect, are completely void of technology.  It’s just you, your lover, your hale, the breeze, and a stunningly beautiful setting.

On one evening we watched a rare lightening storm over nearby Maui from our deck.  The following evening we watched the black skies become filled with sparkling stars from the hot tub on our deck.

Fond Memories

• Our first impression of the resort was a beautiful Hawaiian girl presenting us with flowered leis, and then finding ourselves gobsmacked as we surveyed the property on the way to our private bungalow in paradise.
• Our bungalow had quite possibly the best deck view on the planet.  If it’s available, request  unit LT 9.
• The best food we have ever experienced in an all-inclusive resort.
• Sunset dinner, on the beach, under tiki torches at Hale Samoa.  Unbelievable sit-down dining with Executive Chef Mark Tsuchiyama’s creative French Polynesian cuisine.
• Snorkeling in the reefs just yards away from the resort’s salt and pepper sand beach.
• Watching whales and dolphins parade by our bungalow each day.
• Walking on centuries old black lava, and watching the waves crash upon it.
• Breathing the cleanest air on earth.
• Listening to the ocean waves crashing just yards from my bed each night.
• The incredible, service orientated staff.  Every single person, even the grounds people, went out of their way to make your stay memorable.
• One of the most authentic Luau’s we have ever experienced.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:  experience is what luxury baby boomer travelers are most looking for.  The Kona Village Resort gave us experience in spades, and will certainly come forth when people ask us about our favorite destinations.

If I had ten thumbs, they would all be raised high in the sky.  Kona Village Resort is amazing, and we give it our highest recommendation.

Disclosure:  this incredible experience was provided by the very kind folks at the Kona Village Resort.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you!  Furthermore, a portion of our travel expenses were provided by the Hawaiian Visitors and Convention Bureau.  Thanks Hawaii.  We love you!

Special Notice:  sadly, the Kona Village Resort experienced some damage as a result of the tsunami from the recent Japanese earthquake.  As a result, Kona Village Resort is closed and not taking reservations until repairs have been made.  Please check their website for further information.  Once reservations are again accepted, I will remove this special notice.