Kona Village Rosewood Part 2, What I Packed and More

On this post, part 2 of our stay at the Rosewood Kona Village. This part is on what we ate, did, and what I packed for a 5 day trip. This was for Max’s retirement and our 30th anniversary. A bit of a splurge, but we went the nightly rate was great in May, much lower than other nearby hotels, so we gave it a try and were so glad we did. Hopefully you can find the same if you check the less traveled months!

Welcome to the weekend meander with Juliet, Elizabeth and I share what’s new and on our minds! Sorry this post is a little Hawaii heavy, but I thought it might be fun to share more about the island and this pretty spot I had never been to before.

The resort

A little more about the Kona Village, the pools and beaches and the restaurants and where we went off the property. Last week’s post covered the rooms and the history of this incredible property.

Restaurants and food

Since Max and I were only there five nights, we planned to spend most of the time at the resort. Our routine was get up and do a beach walk or bike the property, grab the free Kona coffee and fruit and maybe a banana bread at the coffee shop. Since our big plan most days was reading at the beach and swimming, we didn’t want to eat a heavy breakfast.

One day we did go to the restaurant and I had a yogurt parfait and Max had a fantastic French toast. If you’re into buffet breakfasts, they have a gorgeous spread. If you can get it included with your room, even better. Below the lovely main restaurant Moana that has the buffet and fancier dinner. (Photo right is via the resort.)

Lunches we ate at the beach, but one could go to the Cookhouse. We loved having a sandwich and asked them to make a turkey club a few days which was off the menu, but was warranted at the beach. The hummus and veg, caesar salad with chicken, and guacamole with taro chips were our favorites.

To be honest they could use a hot dog and a few simpler items, but they are more than willing to try and make anything you ask for if they have it. I was temped to order something simple off the Keiki menu occasionally. The food is excellent, but I would say a bit meat heavy. Everyone wants more protein I guess except me.

The Kahuwai Cookhouse

The menu at the cookhouse, a casual spot in an incredible setting, is inspired by paniolo traditions, featuring Kiawe wood-fired cooking. The seating is on an open deck or on the sand, Many nights there is live music. We ate there two nights and split a Huli Huli Chicken (huge plate) and Pineapple fried rice – both delicious. Another night we had fantastic fish tacos and a Ceasar salad. I loved the guava cake and sorbet and ordered that two nights!

Next door, The Market offers on-the-go bites, baked treats, and coffees from Pacific Coffee Research. They also have free drip Kona coffee, and fruit in the early hours. Right next to it is the little Kona Village post box where you can grab a postcard, use their manta ray stamp, and drop it to be sent for free. I did that a few mornings! You can even send a coconut!

The pools and beach

KVR (as the locals call it) has two pools- a quiet adult pool with two levels and a sort of lap pool and jacuzzi. This pool has cabanas that are no charge and we could grab one in the afternoons when we were ready to move from the beach. The music is quiet and has a nice vibe.

The kid’s pool is huge – with a sort of infinity edge. It also has a jacuzzi and a kid’s sand entry. I forgot to snap a photo so using the resort pic..

The pools and beach have full service. You find your own seat and they bring you a cooler with aluminum bottles of water on ice for the day free of charge. They also have free sunscreen and cold water with ice at the pool and beach stands. Cabanas and covered chairs with umbrellas at the beach are no charge either. (I am mentioning this as a friend just paid $1500 a day for a cabana at the Grand Wailea for their mother and another pal paid $150 for two chairs with umbrellas there. I can’t believe that.)

The beach is huge at this 81 acre property. There are black sand beaches dotted along the property with loads of loungers and Adirondack chairs. Max loved that you can go and grab snorkel gear or a stand up paddleboards anytime you want.

The snorkeling in this bay was excellent and we saw turtles, so many fish and coral formations to check out. Max would snorkel and get a cappuccino and macadamia nut cookie in the afternoons.

There are two swimming platforms and daily sailing on outriggers and sail boats to sign up for. Yes they occasionally bring you a little fruit snack…

Can’t take him anywhere!

The geckos wanted a bit too. I had a few pals on my side table…I love them!

One day we biked to the edge of the property, parked the bikes and walked over to the Four Season’s far end and got their coconut chia pudding and lillikoi scones for breakfast at their Hualalai Trading Company. It was a nice way to get more exercise in and early in the morning the walk is filled with birds. We saw this beautiful egret hunting for lizards.

Most days we swam and read a lot. I loved biking and it was easy to grab another bike if you dropped yours off where you went. Always enough bikes!

One day we biked over to check out the spa which is gorgeous. I took a tour into the women’s facilities. Anyone staying there is allowed to use the steam rooms, jacuzzi and cold plunges at anytime, even if you aren’t having a spa treatment, which is really nice.

This photo is from the website…

One night they had a manager’s reception for everyone staying at the resort and it was drinks and appetizers in front of the Moana. It was fun to chat with other people staying there as the resort is so spread out, it can seem pretty empty.

We also loved the Shipwreck Bar, the original founder’s schooner that was dragged in after it sunk. It was refreshed after the Tsumani and is always buzzing with people all day long. It also has tables on the sand and is famous for its banana colada and sushi. We had dinner there one evening and watched the incredible sunset.

Things to do off the resort in The Big Island

One day we went up country to Waimea, which also has one of the best Saturday Farmer’s Markets (more details on this post.) We love the drive and stopping at Parker Square, an open air shopping center/gathering spot with Waimea Coffee Company (excellent) and the eclectic Waimea General Store. I bought a tablecloth and last time I got pretty cloth napkins. There is live local music on Saturday mornings and it is a very Hawaiian experience to enjoy some Kona coffee on a porch while listening to beautiful ukulele and singing.

Just up the road is Surf Camp, a newer addition with great clothes- I always get my guys a shirt, and more coffee and bites. I love the collection here of books, vintage Hawaiian clothes, candles and bags. I came home with a thick red stripe boating shirt I adore.

We also made a stop at the Hamakua Mac Nut Factory on the way back for souvenirs. The macadamia nut ice cream alone is worth a stop. Another charming town to visit is Hāwī ,which is the turnaround point for the Ironman World Championship Triathlon. It’s an historic town with cute shops, ice cream and coffee spots. Bamboo is a great place for lunch there with it’s own art gallery.

If you are in the Big Island you should also try and take in Volcano’s National Park. There are hikes for all levels. It’s on the Hilo side of the island and you will spend a large part driving, but the new belt road makes it shorter. The Kilauea Iki Trail is a walk across the caldera is a must if you can do a 3 mile hike. (Pack a jacket and warmer clothes for this area as it’s cooler and at a higher elevation.) There is also a fantastic botanical gardens on the Hilo side that is worth going to. We met the loveliest family at the resort and they own the Miranda’s Farms Coffee near the volcano. If you go that way, stop by their cute coffee shop, get a pastry and take a coffee tour. The parents came to Hawaii decades ago to pick coffee and in 2006 bought their own farm. It is all family owned and they specialize in Ka’u coffee.

What I packed -and wore

Full disclosure, I packed more than I wore. That seems to be a recurring theme with me in Hawaii. I’ve been to Hawaii so many times and still manage to overpack. I even bought a new bigger suitcase for this trip as I was tired of cramming everything into my small overhead size suitcase. I just got a Delsey Paris case (also one here for less in a dark color) that’s a bit bigger than the overhead and was enough to get my makeup bag in too.

I often feel like the small bag is has been overpacked so often, it’s just a matter of time before it gives up at some inappropriate time during a trip. I saw many other with the light color Delsey cases, and I have to say, it came out ‘relatively’ unscathed from being checked. We’ll see if that holds.

Take a change for the airport

Below sweating it out while waiting for the airport shuttle bus. Tip: pack shorts or something light to change into at the Kona open air airport. It is HOT when you land and wait for luggage and make your way to the car rental. No air conditioning, so think ahead and bring flip flops and a light clothes in your carry on.

The KVR vibe is casual

One nice thing about Kona Village, though it is a luxe sort of resort, the look here is uber casual. As all of the resort is connected through a series of coral paths, so you cannot really wear fancy sandals or shoes here. I did on a visit to dinner a year or so ago, and the crushed coral wrecked my shoes. I brought two pairs of comfy flip-flops, and wore them exclusively. My other four pairs (being embarrassingly transparent here) did not leave their bags.

At the resort, you are biking and eating dinner on the sand in all places except the Moana, so dressing up is not only impractical, it looks silly in a spot where people are more about chilling out, than getting fancy. If you want people fawning over you, this isn’t that place either, and I liked that. One couple was bejeweled and designer blinged out and just looked ridiculous. Since many of the guest were from the OG Kona Village, they know the feeling is back to nature, not showy. I didn’t even dry my hair except one day. I wore mostly sunscreen and a little lipstick and pulled my hair back in a bun or pony.

I was able to fold this bag from the Jacksons’ in my suitcase and it was perfect for the beach and pool and days out. The hotel also provides cool woven beach bags to use and most people did so, which is great if you want to pack less.

This linen shirtdress (great TjMaxx find) was my favorite pool coverup. Hat here. Do you wear your coverup most of the time? I do when I’m not swimming.

Most of the time I wore this swimsuit with a coverup. Despite bringing multiples, I wore the same two swimsuits. I should know I’ll always default to what is comfy and who cares if you repeat? You rarely see the same people. Why do I always feel I need to bring every swimsuit I own?

I never go on a resort trip without my BloqUV 50 wrap. This $62 item will last years. It can be a pareo or stretched over legs while I’m under an umbrella, or wrapped around my neck and shoulders when the sun gets too much. It has a cooling feeling and the SPF 50 blocks 98% of the UVA/UVB rays. It folds up very small and can always be in your handbag too. There’s an array of colors to choose from.

I used my cute Claire V. honeypot for most dinners out. It holds a lot! By the way I just missed a Claire V. pop-up at KVR, but they still sold cute totes and hats. I bought a canvas shopper. I sort of wish I bought a hat too.

One night I wore my J.Crew peppermint chinos and an old Isabel Marant top I’ve had for ages, and these Tkees matching pink flip flops. Funny enough there was a bit of dust up as it was a very windy evening and I felt like I was biking through a cloud. We couldn’t stop laughing.

I wore dresses out to dinner most nights. I have some older long sundresses I always pack that have a Hawaiian feel. Daytime I wore shorts, a white tank and a long sleeve linen button up when I wasn’t in a swimsuit and coverup. The nice thing about the long sleeve button-up is it feels cool even on a hot day and keeps the sun off my arms, so this became my default look and I didn’t feel the need to iron the linen shirt.

A few things shared here and that you may need for a Hawaiian getaway

As I mentioned on the previous post, we went in May and the rates are cheaper and there are deals to be had in June as well, typical slower months! Keep checking the rates, which do fluctuate. We got a much better rate than nearby hotels.

You may also like this post on Big Island recent resort remodels and vacation rentals, or this on our stay at the Hapuna Prince Resort in the Big Island.

Next week I’ll share a few things Max packed and wears a lot (most bought for him!) since Father’s Day is coming.

Other Good Things

Designer Harriet Anstruther shared her 17th century farmhouse on House and Garden UK and it’s so unique and fun. I adore the kitchen.

My purchases from Sezane I shared last week already came! I am loving the dress (threw it on without ironing) and pretty the scarf. The quality is so nice !

I joined four other blogs on Thursday with good ideas for your outdoor spaces. Mine was an Hawaiian themed table and menu. You can read that and get the links to everyone’s post here.

Keep on your radar- How to Rule the World by Theo Baker -is how this freshman journalist took down the university president and tells the truth about the arrogance, toxic culture and lies of the school along with venture capital money. It’s truth telling and it’s next on my list to read. This bright young man (loved his interview on PBS), called out this culture of teaching kids to rule the world- not do good in the world, in a environment rife with billions and vultures wanting to make even more from these students.

If you missed last week’s blog, I shared Part 1 of our stay reopened Kona Village – the history and amazing revamp of this beloved property in the Big Island.

Happy Weekend,

Kim

Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs for more good things…

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