Kona Village Resort is one of five in Hawaii to make the National Geographic Travler's annual 'Stay List.' (Photo courtesy of Kona Village Resort)

MEDIA RELEASE

 

The editors of National Geographic Traveler magazine have named Kona Village Resort as one of only five Hawaii resorts on their annual “Stay List.”

The list debuts in the April 2009 issue of National Geographic Traveler and includes 129 properties in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

“The hotels on our Stay List 2009 don’t just reflect their surroundings-they help define them,” said Traveler senior editor Sheila Feldman Buckmaster. “What they all have in common is a transcendent vision that goes beyond traditional hotel-keeping. This mindset is what gives these hotels their sense of place. Make no mistake: you’ll sense the vibe at once. And after your stay, you’ll leave with the kind of insight only soulful places can provide.”

To find these hotels, Traveler tapped into the collected experiences of veteran journalists, inveterate road warriors, and local experts. 

They based their nominations on key criteria. Is the hotel engaged with the local community? Does it subscribe to sustainable practices that respect the region? Does it truly capture the spirit of its setting? Further research and detailed questionnaires winnowed hundreds of submissions down to the final list of 129 hotels.

Kona Village’s 82 oceanfront acres were once the site of an ancient Hawaiian fishing village. Now the area is home to 125 individual thatched-roof bungalows nestled around lush lagoons and beaches of white and black sand fronting the marine preserve of Kahuwai Bay. 

Abundant ocean sports activities such as snorkeling and kayaking are included in room rates along with three island fresh meals daily, a Hawaiian-themed children’s program, tennis, and fitness center use, and cultural tours and activities. A centuries-old petroglyph field of ancient markings reflects the area’s rich history.

“We are thrilled to be named to National Geographic Traveler’s Stay List 2009,” said general manager Ulrich Krauer. “Our guests have always expressed a keen sense of belonging here, an almost inexplicable connection to this place. We look forward to continuation of Kona Village’s unplugged, unpretentious, and unmatched approach to hospitality for many years to come.”

Kona Village, a PADI resort, has also been rated among Hawaii’s top 25 hotels by Travel+Leisure Magazine, has appeared numerous times on Conde Nast Traveler’s “World’s Best Places to Stay” and the magazine’s Gold List and was listed by Forbes.com among the top ten luxury family resorts in the U. S. 

— Find out more:

Kona Village Resort: www.KonaVillage.com