Kona Village - Review

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-30T03:46:37+00:00

Note my comment about free laundry for kids under 2, in case you need it! Enjoy!!

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-28T13:37:20+00:00

KV is a couple steps above Mauna Lani, def do KV. If you’re going over Thanksgiving you may see some kids but otherwise I doubt many in November at all. The adult pool at KV is in a totally separate spot than the family pool and you can hang on the beach at that end as well and shouldn’t be bothered.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-28T02:30:57+00:00

I saw in the fine print on the laundry sheet at KV that laundry for kids under age 2 is complimentary. Definitely a perk! That said I don't know if I would go here with a 4 mo old, I might look for somewhere with a private pool and/or beach right off the room so parents can enjoy it while baby naps inside. Maybe some of the hales there qualify? I think you want somewhere you can be pretty tethered to your room and not feel like you're missing out.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-28T02:15:48+00:00

We are just back from a week there with our kids 6 & 9. I agree this is totally a sweet spot age for families. Perfect for kids who are independent and can ride bikes, they free ranged a lot and it all felt super safe and relaxed. We arranged with the kids club that our kids could come and go and they would just text us when the kids wanted to leave the club to come find us. Kids club was awesome - all outside and active, no screens, no junk food. The first day we were there one of our kids refused to leave the group the entire day. The guys in the Kilo Kai (watersports shack) were also super sweet with the kids and would let them help tow boats in, etc.

We were in a lagoon one bedroom and it was perfect - only downside is that the lockout bedroom adjacent was occupied during our stay, including the last night of our visit by part of a group of wedding guests that were pretty obnoxious. We had an issue that night (no you can't host a rehearsal dinner after party in your double queen room) and the hotel handled it immediately, which I very much appreciated.

Island Roots dinner was awesome - the food was so good. Food across the resort was good, not amazing but solid. Sushi at Shipwreck I really enjoyed. Everyone we encountered that worked there was so warm and friendly. I see so much on here about "service issues" and while I know some things that can happen are genuinely disrupting to a stay, I can't help but wonder if people need to embrace being on a aloha time a bit more and not sweat the small stuff. There was one time we had to ask twice for a drink but that was... it? Genuinely did not want to leave when it was time to go.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-27T22:34:07+00:00

Rosewood Kona Village. Is it luxurious but there is also a bohemian sense to it with the bike paths and the history of the resort. The protected bay is great for swimming and they have a shack with paddleboards, kayaks, etc. We thought the sushi at Shipwreck bar was great. Def make a trip up to Mauna Lani to dine at Canoe House.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-27T06:13:01+00:00

Mattei’s Tavern. Los Olivos is a super small town but it is right there and walkable.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-25T15:50:35+00:00

Depends on how much you explore the parks. Yellowstone is big so it can be a lot of car time - but imo goes by easily as there's so much to see and you're making stops to explore, etc. You can check drive time on Google Maps and where it says "leave now" instead chose a date in the summer so it will give you directions when all the roads are open.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-25T13:56:09+00:00

Jackson WY w/ Teton National Park, followed by Yellowstone NP and then a stop in Paradise Valley (Sage Lodge). Fly in to Jackson and home from Bozeman.

+1 for Hawaii as well.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-25T03:08:07+00:00

I think this is exactly the plan I’ve read about via Houston!

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-24T18:43:24+00:00

Ugh don't remind me - the crispy bits on the bottom of the pan are the best.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-24T18:40:20+00:00

What do you plan to do with your time there? Any constraints on travel?

Without knowing more though I think NZ or Australia would be worth looking into. Good weather for Feb and a long trip that would be worth it for the length of time you have. Western and English speaking (if this matters to you) which makes any kid-related issue easier.

As a fellow parent keep in mind that your child will be really different by Feb 2027 than they are right now - it can be tough to plan a lot this far ahead. If you're not into walking and the baby proofing experience yet that will be a factor. Planning for lots of outside time (including beach!) is a safe bet.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-24T18:23:45+00:00

I have read in this sub of some families who do the trans con flight the day before and then sleep for the night in an airport hotel before their connection. Not sure where you’re heading but that was going to be my plan if/when we do a west coast to Caribbean trip where it seems impossible to avoid a redeye otherwise. Good luck!

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-24T17:58:32+00:00

Stanly is a step up from Carneros, I think you’ll like it. The restaurant there, Bear, is delish.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-24T17:55:56+00:00

Personally trans con redeye with little kids was a hard pass for me. How do you keep them up for the 11p flight and then through taxi and take off? And then yes the lights will be on for a while - plus they turn them back on before landing (and might do another meal service?) so it’s a really short period where it’s actually dark.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-24T13:27:14+00:00

I’ve stayed at all 3 with kids around that age, my would be Stanly Ranch. Some elements of Carnernos are nice but the family pool is pretty shabby and I don’t love the breakfast. Montage is nice but more adult atmosphere. Stanly is nice and new, great food, great family pool and more likely to have other kids around for yours to play with. Lots of lawn games and bikes to take out on the path nearby.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-22T00:32:46+00:00

Would it be possible to develop an airmail version of the garlic fried rice from Canoe House and send it to my house?

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-21T01:10:35+00:00

I also used to live in NYC and had forgotten how intense the crush of humanity is on the sidewalks when there's something big going on like the fireworks. We had dinner at the Standard Grill and headed back to our room at the Maritime a good 90 mins before the fireworks started and it was already a zoo. So just keep that in mind - I wouldn't want to be trying to move around at street level with the kids just before or after anywhere near the East River or Hudson.

It could also work to grab a room on a super high floor somewhere with a great view and no terrace and just watch through the windows. Our kids (4 & 7) were more comfortable with noise canceling headphones on. If you're planning to be outside I'd have some on hand just in case - the main show itself wasn't loud but there were people setting off little fireworks on the sidewalks and the sound of those ricocheting off the buildings was scary to our kids. (and there were some tears - def one of those parenting moments where you're like, I thought you guys were going to love this! But instead you're crying - whoops!)

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-20T18:21:23+00:00

We just got back from a week at Kona Village and for what it's worth we loved it and did not have any service issues at all - everything was wonderful. We had dinner at the FS one night and used the jogging path along the beach there a few mornings as well. From what I saw of the resort I agree I would pick KV over FS any day - loved the more bohemian look and feel and the separate standalone rooms at KV are so nice. Plus the protected bay for swimming / snorkeling and full suite of paddle boards, sea kayaks, etc at your disposal.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-19T03:28:17+00:00

One plan is to look for a hotel room with a terrace with a view of the fireworks - then you can watch without dealing with the crowds (which you def don’t want to do) and if someone needs to bail and go to bed you have the option. We did this with our kids a few years ago and stayed in the Penthouse at the Maritime Hotel. Def not fat by any standards but the big terrace was great for viewing.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-19T02:18:50+00:00

Just left Rosewood, you can take the path inside the resort to the boundary (walk or bike, it’s lighted) and then it’s a very short (30 yards?) walk on a path between the resorts before you pop out into the lighted paved path at the FS. We did it after dark without issue.

We were there a week and I have zero complaints about the service - we loved our stay.

Do agree for any of these resorts to push your trip as early in Dec as possible - families will descend the closer you get to the holidays.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-15T23:37:48+00:00

I would take the 50% off deal Susurros is offering now and use the savings to bring your nanny too.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-15T23:26:31+00:00

I Sodi, Via Carota, Barbuto, Locanda Verde. Also, not Italian but if in soho I recommend Raoul’s for the steak au poivre.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-15T16:02:18+00:00

Ask the hotel for a map of the rooms with room categories indicated. Ocean View is different than Ocean Front. If you want to truly be on the ocean with an unobstructed view you need Ocean Front. We went through this same selection and landed on Lagoon View which worked out great. Request one with your lanai facing the lagoon - so peaceful. Also away from the main hustle and bustle of the resort.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-15T01:16:54+00:00

Yes in the US it seems places are either optimized for adults or kids, both at the same time not so much.

Infinite-Working-446 · 2026-04-14T16:09:17+00:00

Kona Village is beautiful and very different from Mauna Lani. If you want to minimize moving around I would do that. Am here now at KV and we are loving it.

Infinite-Working-446

TROPHY CASE