Kailua Kona, Hawaii
When I heard the news that the Big Island’s storied Kona Village Resort was set to reopen as a Rosewood after it was destroyed by a tsunami back in 2011, I immediately texted my mom: Do you think it’ll still be as magical? I was lucky enough to grow up visiting the Hawaiian resort with my extended family and—like many of its devoted regulars—felt a deep connection to it that bordered on the spiritual. Set along a rugged stretch of lava rock on the island’s western coast, the resort was a true barefoot hideaway, with simple thatch-roof hale (bungalows), palm trees that swayed in the plumeria-scented tradewinds, and a no-television-or-phones rule that encouraged disconnection. I worried its timeless spirit might not survive the rebuild. But I needn’t have. On my recent visit back as a “legacy guest,” I found a reimagined property that manages to both honor and elevate the original. There are 150 hale now, which have TVs this time around, sure, but still exude a sense of peace by way of soothing wooden walls, neutral palettes, and earth-toned regional art. The iconic Shipwreck Bar & Sushi, a breezy beachfront hangout carved from the original owner’s boat, was lovingly restored and now gleams with a sleek new wooden finish (don’t miss the legendary mai tais). A gorgeous new spa, Asaya, is built into the lava rock and offers luxurious, locally inspired treatments. Legacy guests like me will appreciate these tasteful upgrades, and new guests will feel lucky to join the club. —Annie Daly
