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Kona Village "rundown"?

New Orleans, LA
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288 posts
21 reviews
13 helpful votes
Kona Village "rundown"?
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We are considering a weeklong stay at KV next Feb/March (2011). Some friends recently returned at described it to my husband as "rundown". Now I know that it is rustic and not like a fancy hotel but do those of you who have been recently agree that is an accurate description? I'm wondering if they were just trying to say "rustic, hawaiian" and it didn't come out right?

Paradise, California
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1,331 posts
1. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?
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Oh my... It depends on what they are comparing it to. If they are comparing KVR with the Four Seasons next door, there is no marble, no granite, no room service, no spritzing as you sunbathe. if they are comparing KVR now to what it used to be, I'd say no, it is not run down in ways that a guest would notice. (It's no secret that they've needed to do infrastructure repairs to gas and electric piping, and some hale have yet to have separate glass walled showers replacing the tub showers.) The food is still superb, the main dining room was completely redone three or four years ago, they have new tables and chairs in the outside dining areas, they've added a ribcraft and outrigger canoes--in short, the village keeps growing with the times.

It is laid back and rustic, but that's part of what makes the village so attractive to those of us who have been frequent guests for years. I was there in August and look forward to being there in 28 days (but who's counting). If you are not up-to-date on what it's like, visit my website: www.davidskvr.net. I put it up last summer as a gift to the village, and with 266 pictures and honest commentary, you'll find it interesting.

But run down? Nope.

David

Omaha, NE
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1,472 posts
25 reviews
46 helpful votes
2. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?
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If Kona Village is "rundown", most other hotels and resorts should be condemned. Like David, we have reservations in less than a month for a week there as well. That doesn't mean that it's not overdue for some maintenance, however.

I'm not sure I'd consider KVR rustic either. I've stayed at several places over the years that could be considered "rustic"...and KVR could only be considered "rustic" in a 4-star sense. I'd suggest that your friends just didn't like KVR; nothing wrong with that. Some people just want/need certain types of amenities when they are spending that kind of money, and don't find the value in what makes KVR so unique.

South Pole
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43,797 posts
4 reviews
25 helpful votes
3. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?
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Yes, I don't consider KVR rustic. You can get rustic in a coffee shack in Captain Cook. KVR has the feeling of a very special enclave to me. Instead of hotel wings and rooms, the bungalows are designed according to styles of the South Pacific.

However, from the hales I've seen, they have not gone the way of new resorts in the South Pacific that are luxury fantasy designs of gleaming woods and canopy beds and thousand count sheets. There is an idea of the simple life. The overall environment more important than the interior decor.

If you go to other superior resorts on the island, there will be an aura of high end everything from the public bathrooms on up, everything done up to impress ... KVR doesn't do that.

Idaho
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101 posts
30 reviews
87 helpful votes
4. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?
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Hi there...

I am new to the Forum area, but I had to jump in and talk a little about KVR....

We just had a visit to KVR (not our first and certainly not our last!) and to say the KVR is "rundown" is so untrue. Granted, it is not the 4 Seasons that is a walk away. We did walk down to the 4 Seasons and did the "sneak" into the pool. We swam for about 45 minutes and our 4 girls couldn't wait to get out and walk back to "our home". They are right next door to one another, yet a world apart.

First, if you want a "Cabana Boy" spritzing you with water throughout the day (even when it rains) then go to the 4 Seasons.....If you want friendly people calling you by your first name and having coffee and V-8 juice waiting at your breakfast table before you even get there, go to Kona Village Resort.....

Second, if you want rooms with Driect TV and free movies, then go to the 4 Seasons......If you want nights that are filled with the most amazing stars you have ever seen and sitting on the beach looking up at them and having your kids ask to stay longer, then go to KVR.......

I am not sure what the friends said is "rundown"....The only thing I saw that could use some "help" was the bathroom at Hale Samoa. It is a bit pre-dated and has a fan in the window. But come on.........Who spends there time in the bathroom at Hale Somoa??????? I am thinking really, really hard about this. We were just there for 10 days....I honestly cant think of any other places or things that were rundown.

Feel free to look at my review and the pictures I posted to my review. I have 550 more pictures of EVERYTHING at the village, so if you want pictures, I have plenty!

KVR is not for everyone, but for the people that truly enjoy the village it happens to qualify as heaven on earth! There were 7 of us there for 10 days, we had 2 hales right next door to one another and couldnt have been happier. We took our 4 daughters and they had a ball. We have our trip planned for next year already.

When we walked to 4 Seasons, even though they are owned by the same person (Michael Dell) they are worlds apart. As soon as we set foot on the property you could feel the mood shift. Lots of people with the "upity" attitude and the feel of "who has the most money". When you are at KVR, you know there is money, but the feel is not present. Its amazing how you feel with everyone. We met a couple who told me this was their 17 visit and come to find out, he was a HUGE NBA person. We had no idea and he was a nice as the person next door. He and his wife told us they started at 4 Seasons and walked the beach and ended up at KVR because of the people they met on the beach! Never a mention of rundown....Another person my 16 yr old daugher met were 2 of the girls of The Hills TV series. These are 20 yr old girls and I asked why they would pick KVR. They told me that it is quiet, secluded and away from people that think they are "cool and rich" (their words, not mine). They also said they had been coming to KVR for 4 yrs in a row....Not a mention of rundown. These were spectacular girls and so very sweet to our daughter!

I realize I am going on and on....sorry.........But when someone says that a resort is something it isn't I will add my 2 cents worth.........

Hmmmm, now thinking about it, maybe we KVR junkies should just keep quiet and keep the place to ourselves..........:)

If I were you, I would pack my bags and consider yourself luck to be a patron of KVR..........

New Orleans, LA
Level Contributor
288 posts
21 reviews
13 helpful votes
5. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?
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Thanks to all of you for your input. You have confirmed what I have read elsewhere about KV. It really sounds like our kind of place and I suppose I am glad that it doesn't appeal to everyone! I am already looking forward to a visit.

Island of Hawaii...
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7,943 posts
22 reviews
6 helpful votes
6. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?
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I think I'm qualified to chip in after having stayed there 13 times, most recently just last month. I would suggest you check out Uncle Billy's Hotel in Kona to see a rundown place. KVR is a high quality resort with exceptional service. It's as close to real Hawaii as you can get anywhere in the state.

New Orleans, LA
Level Contributor
288 posts
21 reviews
13 helpful votes
7. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?
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That's exactly what I am going for "real Hawaii"-or close for a tourist. When I first started thinking about Hawaii, most people I know told me to look into Maui. When I did so, however, I got the impression of lots of large resorts which is not really our travel style.

We recently went to a really nice ranch in Wyoming that was sort of low-key upscale. Focused on the western experience with great staff. No tv, computers, etc. and well-made local food. We loved it! I get the impression that KV is the same sort of place.

Many thanks for everyone's input.

8. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?

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tinley park, il
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54 posts
95 reviews
67 helpful votes
9. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?
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Even though I am not a KVR regular I had to jump in to this one...I celebrated my 25th anniversary with my husband at KVR this past September...We actually split our trip between the Marriott waikoloa and KVR. I would hardly call KVR rundown...I knew from the minute we passed the guard at the gate and saw the woman waiting for us with a lei greeting I was going to love it there....This was one place where I truly felt I was in Hawaii...It was awesome despite no keys, no tv, no air conditioning and no radio...We survived just fine...We never left...The snorkeling was included and it was very good..The food was incredible and watching the absolutely beautiful sunsets from your dinner table was breathtaking....Is it the bells and whistles of the Hilton or Four Seasons? Probably not but those resorts take away what you are really on vacation in Hawaii for. Watching the turtles come to shore in the afternoon was something I have never seen before and the manta ray watch spot at night was mesmorizing....We had such a relaxing time there and we can see how guests return year after year.....The luau on Friday night was great and that was also included with your room rate...I would highly recommend KVR for a wonderful Hawaiian vacation...have a great time!!!!!!!

Chicagoland
Level Contributor
26,022 posts
10. Re: Kona Village "rundown"?
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Uncle Billy's! ROLF (Thanks, I needed that.)

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