Our next stop on The Big Island is as ‘LUX’ as it can get. The Four Seasons Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu on the North Kona Coast was recently voted the #1 hotel in all of Hawaii by Travel & Leisure Magazine.

The 243-room resort went through a recent renovation and now upholds a standard as one of the nicest hotels in the world. All guest rooms are extremely spacious, with 32 of them bungalows. The Four Seasons Hualalai does not have a central tower so the resort is no higher than 2 stories in height throughout the grounds, allowing the natural elements to be the main feature. As a guest you have the opportunity to enjoy 5 unique pools, plus a snorkeling pond, 4 restaurants, and a spa that’s quality is unmatched on the Island. If you’re looking to golf, the resort features a Jack Nicklaus signature 18-hole, 7,100-yard golf course.

Complimentary services for guests include scuba lessons, valet parking, and twice-daily maid service. Kids will have just as much fun as adults at the Four Seasons Hualalai; they can enjoy the complimentary Kids for All Seasons program, featuring a dedicated kids room with video games, TV, toys, and more. The resort draws celebrities and other well-known guests, so don’t be surprised if you end up bumping shoulders with some of Hollywood’s best.

The resort can best be described as authentic luxury. Paradise does come with a price tag – guest rooms start at $775.

Four Seasons Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu
www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/
72-100 Ka`upulehu Drive
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
808-325-8000

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1. The Big Island Hawaii: Hilton Waikoloa Village
2. The Big Island Hawaii: Kona Village Resort
3. The Big Island Hawaii: The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows

Our next LUX Destination spotlight is Kona Village. Kona Village is located in, well…Kona, on The Big Island. This 82-acre resort encompasses everything the beautiful Kohala Coast has to offer – palm trees swaying, glistening lagoons, piled lava rocks, black sand beaches, and the ocean. Focused on traditional Polynesian culture, the resort is made up of 82 oceanfront hales, or bungalows, that come free of phones, TVs, radios, or internet, forcing the overworked traveler to really relax into the aloha spirit.

Upon arrival at Kona Village, expect to be greeted with a traditional Hawaiian lei of orchid flowers. After check-in, one is swept away by a golf cart to one’s hale. Each hale is cooled by the breeze of the tradewinds blowing through its slatted doors from the sea; only ceiling fans are used for extra circulation, and there’s not even a lock on the door. As unconventional as it may sound, there’s something very quaint in having to write messages to your resort staff on a clipboard outside your door or placing a coconut on your front porch as a sign of do not disturb.

Appropriately named, Kona Village was once a fishing village. To preserve and respect the land that was once frequented by the King and other royalty, the resort is set up to resemble a Polynesian village. The hales are elevated by stilts to protect from high tide and the roofs are thatched; some hales even come with a private hot tub on the deck – not authentic, but a luxurious necessity.

Kona Village is Hawaii’s only ‘inclusive’ resort and offers many resort dining options. Much of the Hawaiian cuisine served is sourced from local farms on the island. You can taste the difference in freshness from the fruit alone – it’s colorful and sweet, as if it were just plucked off the tree. In fact, more than 70% of all the produce consumed at Kona Village is from The Big Island. As authentic as its culinary presentation, Kona Village also puts on an island-renowned luau.

Along with the dining, many water sport activities are included in the daily ‘inclusive’ rate. You can snorkel, canoe, kayak, or use a paddleboard to explore the ocean. Since the property has such an expansive beachfront, there is plenty of space for guests and turtles to bask in the sun. On a stroll along the beach, one is sure to spot a Hawaiian Sea Turtle lounging on the sand or feeding near one of the many natural tide pools.

The most spectacular thing about the resort is really the authentic Hawaiian experience it has maintained for its guests. From the accommodations, to the food, to the entertainment, and the natural setting, there is an ancient story told through the hospitality at Kona Village.

Rates start just under $300.

Kona Village Resort
www.konavillage.com
Kona Village Resort
Kohala Coast
Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96745

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Related posts:

1. The Big Island Hawaii: Hilton Waikoloa Village
2. LUX Destination: The Big Island of Hawaii
3. The Big Island Hawaii: Four Seasons Hualalai