Iconic Hawaiian Kona Village resort to reopen as Rosewood in 2022
Global real estate investment company Kennedy Wilson (NYSE: KW) has appointed ultra-luxury hotel group Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to manage Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, which is set to open in 2022 after a complete renovation of the property.
Located on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i, the iconic Hawaiian retreat has laid dormant since 2011.
Conceptualised and developed by explorer Johnno Jackson in the early 1960s, the original Kona Village Resort was best known for its free-standing, palm thatch roof ‘hales’ and tranquil location.
Spearheaded by Hawai'i-raised architect Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects, each of the 150 renovated standalone guest ‘hales’ will offer a private lānai, outdoor shower and locally inspired decor.
Guests will have access to new leisure facilities including Sense, A Rosewood Spa, a fitness centre, as well as multiple pools and tennis courts.
Spanning 81 acres of geologic landscape and richness, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, will draw inspiration from the history of the site, local culture and natural elements to create a guest experience that complements the distinctive Hawaiian setting.
Inhabited nearly 1,000 years ago, the site was once home to migrating settlers from Polynesia. The village became a place of trade and commerce due to easy access by the coast. Memories of the destination's renowned deep-sea fisherman are immortalised in the petroglyphs that can be found in and around the boundaries of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort today.
"We have a long history of investing in Hawai'i and we are humbled to be the next steward of Kona Village. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts shares our vision for creating a resort that honours the history of the region," said Bill McMorrow, chair and CEO of Kennedy Wilson. "In coordination with our talented team of designers, architects, and now with Rosewood onboard, we are on track to deliver a world-class experience in a tremendously special location."
"We are honoured to bring Rosewood's A Sense of Place philosophy to such a hallowed resort in the most stunning of destinations," said Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group. "Kona Village's illustrious history and vibrant culture provide the perfect backdrop for Rosewood's first property in the Hawaiian Islands. This is a defining development, not only for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, but also for Hawai'i, and we are grateful to Kennedy Wilson for allowing us to be a part of it."
Devoted to preserving the heritage of the destination, the resort will feature a cultural centre that will grant both locals and visitors access to extensive Hawaiian lineage, providing a link between the resort and its surroundings.
Walker Warner Architects, together with VITA Planning & Landscape Architecture, will incorporate sustainable practices and indigenous materials throughout the design of the resort.
In keeping with Kona Village's commitment to preserve its surrounding environment, the development team has engaged Re-use Hawai'i, a local non-profit, to deconstruct deteriorated buildings by hand and salvage up to 80 per cent of the materials for reuse and recycling, minimising the volume of landfill waste and the need to grow, harvest, produce and transport new material on island.
Hawaii Kona Village RosewoodStudio Piet Boon and OBMI to head up design for Rosewood retreat in Antigua
Work starts on £1bn project to convert former US Embassy into a Rosewood hotel
Rosewood Bermuda unveils resort-wide reimagination
Rosewood Half Moon Bay Antigua to open in 2021
Rosewood CEO reveals vision as new business hotel brand launches
Rosewood to expand European portfolio with Munich spa hotel
First Asaya spa lets guests design their treatments
Rosewood rolls out Asaya brand and plans six new spa resorts for 2018
Rosewood to operate urban spa hotel in Chengdu, opening in 2023
Rosewood chosen to operate hotel in London's reimagined US Embassy building
Rosewood opens first Chinese resort in Hainan Bay
Historic Hôtel de Crillon reopens with Rosewood spa and Karl Lagerfeld-designed suites
New renderings reveal Jean Nouvel's plant-covered São Paulo hotel tower
Rosewood Vienna to be housed in historic 18th century building
Rosewood to offer ‘cultural treatments’ at its new Mexican spa
Rosewood’s upcoming Hoi An resort to include 2,000sq m Asaya spa
Michelle Christensen appointed spa manager at Rosewood CordeValle
Rosewood launches new global wellness concept
Rosewood with 10-room spa set for Riviera Nayarit
FEATURE: Spa people – Niamh O’Connell
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
SHA Mexico to debut in January 2024 with genome-inspired design by Sordo Madaleno
Early-onset MS inspired Adria Lake to explore resilience as both a healing modality and an approach to design in the creation of her new home and company headquarters in Colorado