Kona Beach Village | reopening in 2022

beachfront cottage at Kona Beach Village (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Kona Beach Village, a quick walk down the beach from Four Seasons Hualalai, has been closed since the tsunami of 2011. During my last visit to the Big Island, I walked through the 81-acre property, even venturing into some of the old cottages. Though not luxurious by contemporary standards, it's easy to see why KBV guests so loved the resort. They were very casual, and that was the charm. The bungalows offered a true sand-between-your-toes beach experience. Some cottages, like the one pictured above, were set directly adjacent to the beach.

Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort is set to re-open in 2022. It will feature 150 completely new standalone hales, each with private lanai and outdoor shower. Shipwreck Bar will be resurrected, and guests will enjoy multiple dining venues, spa, fitness center, multiple pools, and tennis courts.

I expect the new KBV to be fully five-star and can't wait to see what Rosewood will bring to the Big Island of Hawaii. I'm certain that Rosewood Elite amenities will be offered, and the resort will presumably join Virtuoso.

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Kona Beach Village | being reborn?

bungalow at Kona Beach Village (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Is Kona Beach Village beginning renovations? Looked that way to me during my recent stay at Four Seasons Hualalai, its neighbor immediately down the beach. KBV's ocean front bungalows are all in a state of disrepair, having been wiped out by the 2011 tsunami that hit Hawaii's Big Island.

We walked over to KBV during our stay at Hualalai, staying outside the posted fence, mind you. We went through parts of the resort on facing the beach. Buildings were dilapidated, but I can see why Kona Beach Village was such a loved beach resort. Not fancy ... but simple accommodations with lots of privacy, right on the beach, with unblocked ocean views.

The resort was recently purchased by a group of investors including Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs. She and Steve enjoyed KBV, and perhaps that love will be instrumental in bringing it back to life for others who shared their love. I'm truly looking forward to that day! KBV is not intended to be competition for FS Hualalai — it will appeal to an entirely different set of vacationers — but its return will be welcomed by its many fans!

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.