I received this letter from Kona Village officially announcing the closure.
Looks like a complete renovation that will take as much as two years.
Hopefully, the resort will be able to balance modern amenities with the aloha charm that made Kona Village so special.
SFO777, I was referring to last 2 posters...I know I have to do something different, but it is not quite as cut and dried as you make it.
Actually, it really IS that cut and dried. You can dwell on the disappointment, or you can move on, and use the chance to broaden your horizons. Personally, I would keep the flights you have, get a full refund from Kona Village, and stay somewhere else that's also top drawer.
The Mauna Kea, the Mauna Lani, and the Four Seasons, are certainly ALL quite special resorts as well. If you haven't already stayed in each of them, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss them as "just hotels". You might even explain your situation to them, and give them a chance to make you a new regular at one of those places. A budget of $550 a day would not be a limiting factor, except at the Four Seasons - and in the present economy, perhaps not there either. Any of these other places will also wish to make your vacation special, within a similar budget to what you would have spent at Kona Village.
Last edited by D1andonlyDman; Feb 8, 09 at 1:49 pm.
FYI, if your flights were non-refundable, you only have one year to rebook a flight on most airlines. So canceling and rebooking won't be an option because KV renovations won't be complete for two years.
I just got an email from one of our friends who works at KVR. They are NOT closing in Sept. They did not get the permits they needed so they are going to remain open at least through the Chrismas/ New Year's holidays. On top of that, they are reconsidering a total shutdown and may just do a partial renovation that would allow KVR to remain open.
I just got an email from one of our friends who works at KVR. They are NOT closing in Sept. They did not get the permits they needed so they are going to remain open at least through the Chrismas/ New Year's holidays. On top of that, they are reconsidering a total shutdown and may just do a partial renovation that would allow KVR to remain open.
Wow, with the current "who's on first" management, it's no wonder KVR is no longer the KVR we remember and loved.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turtlegirl
First, we are paying $550 Run of Village for the best available hale including 3 meals per day. Money IS, unfortunately, an issue for us. I think this will be difficult to find in another upscale hotel.
Second, we don't have another time to go before Sept. 09.
I'd go into full lawyer mode with this -- something I very rarely do in my personal affairs. You have a contract with KV, and they are trying to back out of it for their convenience. Imagine if you told them that you want your money back because you have embarked on a "renovation" of your life plan, and this won't allow for any travel in the next year.
Send me a PM if you wish to discuss this further. My fee would be the drink of my choice should we ever meet at a FlyerTalk Do.
dhuey, Thank you for your kind offer. I'm happy to report, though, that the problem has been resolved. I got an e-mail from the GM on Saturday and a phone call from reservations on Sunday informing me that KVR will remain open until January 3, 2010. Apparently, permits/planning delayed the renovation until November and so they decided to stay open through the holidays.
I'm thrilled that we can go in September as planned. I'm sure they were trying to be proactive when they called and asked us to to change our reservation, but I do wish they had waited a bit until things were set in stone because it definitely caused some unnecessary stress. I am grateful, though, that in these tough times, our source of stress was not being able to stay at our favorite place or having to choose an "ordinary" BI resort.
dhuey, Thank you for your kind offer. I'm happy to report, though, that the problem has been resolved. I got an e-mail from the GM on Saturday and a phone call from reservations on Sunday informing me that KVR will remain open until January 3, 2010. Apparently, permits/planning delayed the renovation until November and so they decided to stay open through the holidays.
I'm thrilled that we can go in September as planned. I'm sure they were trying to be proactive when they called and asked us to to change our reservation, but I do wish they had waited a bit until things were set in stone because it definitely caused some unnecessary stress. I am grateful, though, that in these tough times, our source of stress was not being able to stay at our favorite place or having to choose an "ordinary" BI resort.
Glad you'll be able to go to KVR after all. BUT, in the spirit of FT, I would certainly try to use this "fiasco" to your advantage. Email the GM and explain how their on again/off again renovations caused you much angst (be creative) and time arranging alternative accommodations, etc... and then ask them to comp you to a higher category hale and/or give you a resort credit.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFO777
Glad you'll be able to go to KVR after all. BUT, in the spirit of FT, I would certainly try to use this "fiasco" to your advantage. Email the GM and explain how their on again/off again renovations caused you much angst (be creative) and time arranging alternative accommodations, etc... and then ask them to comp you to a higher category hale and/or give you a resort credit.
I'm not sure that's really the spirit of FT. If there really was such hassle for the OP, then I agree. But I don't like the idea of saying these things regardless of their truth.
dhuey, Thank you for your kind offer. I'm happy to report, though, that the problem has been resolved. I got an e-mail from the GM on Saturday and a phone call from reservations on Sunday informing me that KVR will remain open until January 3, 2010. Apparently, permits/planning delayed the renovation until November and so they decided to stay open through the holidays.
I'm thrilled that we can go in September as planned. I'm sure they were trying to be proactive when they called and asked us to to change our reservation, but I do wish they had waited a bit until things were set in stone because it definitely caused some unnecessary stress. I am grateful, though, that in these tough times, our source of stress was not being able to stay at our favorite place or having to choose an "ordinary" BI resort.
I am delighted that they will stay open for the holidays, it seems that they would be giving up a lot of high season spenders to close before Christmas. My wife and I always enjoy walking over to Kona Village in the evening, a really special place.
I am so devastated now that I have found this thread. After looking into the many resorts among Kauai, Maui, and the BI, my fiance and I finally decided that Kona Village would be the best place for us to get married next year, June 2010. I had recently emailed back and forth with one of the sales coordinators with many questions and also spoke to another on the phone. Neither had ever mentioned closure for renovations. If they are closing in September 2009 and its supposed to be a 1-2 year closure than there is no hope. I'm so bummed. If anyone gets word on any expected reopening dates, please post. I guess we have to start over now.
Seriously, if you'd like a few days on the "wet side", the Palm House is highly rated.
So bummed!
