Kona Village - come to the Big Island

October 10, 2009.

The advantage of being a teacher (in addition to having the luxury of being the rubber slipper contessa) is that we get the same breaks as our kids, so what better way to take advantage of living in Hawaii then to enjoy a "staycation" at Kona Village.

I left the kids and hubby behind and spent a couple days with the Ula La Red Hat ladies. Kona Village is a no phones, no television resort that includes all the amenities with none of the fussiness.  We stayed in a hale that led us right to the sand (major upgrade because they were slow - NICE). I finished three books under the shade. The best part is that you don't have to leave the resort. All meals are included and ocean activities are free (paddleboarding, kayak, snorkeling, scuba).

Lunch is an outdoor buffet by the water with an extensive salad bar, hot dishes, items from the grill and an extensive dessert assortment. Stake a place under the shade, order an Arnold Palmer (ice tea and lemonade) and have a leisurely lunch. You can tell the quality of a business by the staff. I've been going to Kona Village for about 8 years and I still see the same staff. They are attentive without being pushy, and they get to know you. They remember you when you return. Their fish of the day grilled "burger style" are totally delicious and the make your own sundae with tropical homeade ice creams will put you over the top. The best thing to do after lunch is hang out at the pool and just float or go under the hammock by the hale and take a nap.

Dinner is a more formal affair, although it's still outdoors with live dinner music and the "tiki torches." For dinner, men have to actually wear collared shirts. No t-shirts and surf short. Ladies, no bathing suits. For dinner, you can choose one of everything, from appetizers to dessert. Here was our menu for the evening:
Appetizers: pork ribs, oven roasted tomato and goat cheese, lemon ahi sashimi, salt and pepper shrimp, duo of ahi and Kona kampachi, pineapple and coconut float and Loeffler corn rice noodle (right). Each appetizer comes in little amuse bouche sizes so try it. I had the ahi and kampachi combo to keep with my seafood theme. The fish was fresh, well seasoned and the furikake crackers was a nice texture change.

Soup: chicken long rice soup or Manhattan style chowder. Again, seafood, went with the chowder. The base broth for the chowder was what made it so yummy.

Salads: local greens, chilled soba salad or caesar with chicken, ahi or plain. I had the caesar with ahi. I think they overdressed the salad, but I like my salad very lightly dressed, so ask when you have preferences.

Entrees - veal, prime rib, jumbo prawns, fish of the day, rack of lamb, split lobster tails, opakapaka "Hong Kong" style, beef tenderloin and shrimp tempura combo. I had the fish of the day, monchong that was flaky and well seasoned. I've never eaten monchong so it was a nice surprise.

Dessert - chocolate flourless cake, apple crisp, bread pudding, assorted ice creams, assorted evening drinks. I had the chocolate cake with raspberry coulis and then we rolled to our room for girl talk, irish coffee, and homemade cookies. When you get back to your hale, your bed is turned down, an orchid on your pillow and a water bottle by your bedstand.

Breakfast - same deal - pick and choose or on Sunday, go paddleboarding in the morning and come back at 10 for Sunday brunch.

If you're a kamaaina, call them directly. You'll get a different room rate. There's so much food that you will never starve, but if you want to go a little cheaper, they offer rooms at discount and 50% off of meals which makes it even more enticing.