There’s no better word to describe Kona Village – nestled in Kahuwai Bay along the western coast of the island of Hawaii – than as a paradise. Considered a sacred spot by the first Polynesian settlers who have called it home in centuries-old village of Kaʻūpūlehu, Kona Village Resort was first established in 1965 and run by a husband and wife team who welcomed guests for decades with a charming ‘ohana (family) spirit.
The resort was the progenitor of today’s now-globalized barefoot luxury trend, finding new guests over the decades as an if-you-know-you-know place where friends and family wouldn’t be encumbered by all the noise of modern life – phones, televisions, radios, clocks or the assault on our minds by the 24-hour news cycle. Built in reverence to Polynesian culture and kicking off the hale thatched-roof design trend that’s commonplace amongst resorts dotting the Pacific, Kona Village has always been a secret hidden in plain sight amongst all the other Hawaiian vacation destinations.
That all changed on March 11, 2011 when an earthquake off the coast of Japan rippled across the Pacific and transformed into a devasting tsunami that swept away this quaint, little corner of the world. It seemed like the end, but hospitality finds a way…
Interior design to reflect a contemporary aesthetic that tips toward minimalism but still with strong nods to the region’s heritage
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The Rosewood Rebirth
Following nearly a decade of planning and reconstruction under the stewardship of real estate collective Kennedy Wilson as well as a cultural committee composed of lineal descendants of the original village, the hotel officially reopened its doors on July 1, 2023, as the 150-key Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort.
During this time, painstaking measures were taken to thematically design the premises in reverence of the fierce oceans, magmatic volcanism and lush flora that have shaped the Hawaiian archipelago, while also forging ahead as a wholly sustainable, LEED-certified resort by using natural or reclaimed materials and setting up a renewable microgrid based off 9,000 solar panels over a 2-acre plot. Furthermore, the 81-acre resort premises maintain 22 anchialine ponds (those with subterranean connections to the ocean) as well as 21 archeological sites, in addition to new onsite cultural center.
Together, this is one of the purest examples of hospitality’s resiliency to endure and surpass hardship then come out even more astounding as a result. It’s the only Hawaiian property to earn three keys for Michelin’s hotel guide.
Not only does the redesigned Kona Village honor its past, but it’s boldly moving forward with design evolutions like that of Asaya Spa which honors the lava outcrop and petroglyph fields it’s built upon with darker woods and blackened accents to contrast the lush greenscapes in all directions.
Prior to our present occupation, one of your two authors here, Larry, ran a hospitality and tourism marketing agency that proudly called Kona Village a client some two decades ago. And so, just as hospitality finds a way to stand the test of time, life has brought us full circle back to Kona Village, in this instance by granting us the opportunity to sit down with Daniel Scott, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort for an interview on what gives this property so much soul.
Let’s start with your career to date.
I’ve been with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts for two decades, and during that time, I’ve had the opportunity to work at some of the most iconic properties in the portfolio. Prior to joining the amazing team at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, my tenure with the brand took me to Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, Rosewood Sand Hill, and most recently, Rosewood Mayakoba. During this time, I also served as a Regional Vice President, overseeing The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, Rosewood Washington, D.C., and Rosewood’s Caribbean collection. Over the course of my career, I’ve gained a deep understanding of luxury hospitality and the importance of creating long-term emotional connections and lasting relationships with guests while positively impacting the local community.
One of the most rewarding experiences of my career was cofounding Centro Educativo K’iin Beh in 2017. This bilingual school was established to provide quality education for the children of Rosewood Mayakoba employees and families in the local community. Today, it serves over 500 students and stands as a reflection of my belief that hospitality extends beyond exceptional service. It’s about keeping the culture of the destination at the forefront and creating a lasting, positive impact on the people and places we are part of.
Can you describe the restoration process and the transition to Rosewood?
Kona Village has always been an icon in its own right, and after it was shuttered in 2011 due to the tsunami, there was a collective commitment to bringing it back in a way that honored its legacy. The restoration was a seven-year redevelopment process led by owner Kennedy Wilson, in close partnership with Kamehameha Schools and a Cultural Leadership Committee comprised of local lineal descendants, cultural advisors and community leaders of Kaʻūpūlehu.
Every aspect of the resort’s revival was guided by a responsibility to preserve the land’s history and natural beauty. Our goal was to retain the essence of what made the original Kona Village so beloved, while introducing modern sustainability initiatives and fostering a sense of unaffected luxury with an authentic connection to the people and land of Hawaiʻi.
The ultraluxury hotel category has become incredibly competitive over the past decade. What are the hallmarks that distinguish the Rosewood brand, and how are these reflected at Kona Village?
At Rosewood, we have always believed that true luxury is deeply personal and connected to the essence of a place. Our guiding philosophy, A Sense of Place®, ensures that each of our properties is an authentic reflection of its destination.
At Kona Village, this is woven into every aspect of the experience, from the architecture and design to the cultural programming and sustainability efforts. The resort was designed by Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects and the interiors were created by NICOLEHOLLIS, both of whom deeply understood the need to honor the land’s heritage while creating something that felt both modern and timeless. For sustainability, the resort is powered by solar energy from our own solar power microgrid, have three buildings that are LEED Gold certified and have committed to a zero-waste initiative.
Beyond that, our connection to Hawaiian culture runs deep. We work closely with a Cultural Leadership Committee and have a dedicated onsite cultural center to ensure that guests not only experience luxury but also gain a meaningful understanding of the traditions and stories that make this land so special. We aim to deliver a sense of unaffected luxury with an authentic connection to the people and land of Hawai‘i, grounded in service that is personal, not pretentious. It’s this simplicity – executed to perfection – that allows guests to feel truly cared for, present in the moment, and embraced by the spirit of aloha.
Multigenerational travel is a global megatrend that Rosewood has excelled at meeting. With Kona Village having earned recognition from Condé Nast as one of the top ultraluxury family resorts in the world, what do families really want from a luxury resort? What amenities, services, and room configurations are available to address this type of travel?
Families today want more than just beautiful accommodations; they are looking for immersive, meaningful experiences that bring them together while also allowing each family member to create their own special moments. At Kona Village, we’ve designed the resort to meet these needs in multiple ways.
Our accommodations include 150 guest hale and kauhale, ranging from one to four bedrooms, providing families with ample space to stay together while also having privacy when needed. For larger groups or multigenerational travelers, our signature kauhale accommodations – the Ocean Front Four-Bedroom Maheawalu Kauhale, Ocean Front Accessible Four-Bedroom Kumukea Kauhale and ‘Ohana Pool Four-Bedroom Kauhale – set a new benchmark for luxury family travel in Hawai‘i. These expansive, residence-style retreats offer between 6,500 to 8,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, private pools, dedicated butler service, and thoughtfully designed communal areas, allowing families to gather while still providing moments of personal retreat.
Beyond the accommodations, Kona Village offers unforgettable experiences that bring generations together and deepen each guest’s connection to Hawai‘i. Families can sail the waters of Kahuwai Bay aboard our traditional canoe, enjoy intimate Celestial Dinners under the stars, and explore the island’s rich landscape through curated off-property excursions – from local farmers markets to black-sand beaches and lava caves. At the heart of it all is the Ka‘uluola Cultural Center, offering hula and ‘ukulele lessons, as well as tours of ancient petroglyphs.