Kona Village Possible Partial/Full Closure for Renovations Through New Years 2010?
Hi fellow flyertalkers. I posted this on another travel forum but wanted to share this information here as well. I just received a phone call from Kona Village reservations informing me that they will be closed for renovation beginning September 09-I don't know for how long- and that I had to change my Sept. 09 reservation to another month.
I made and paid for my reservation in full in September 08 in response to their offer of receiving 08 rates if you booked your 09 trip by the end of September 08. I paid in full as required for the Run of Village special.
I had heard rumors of their closing for renovation so I made 2 phone calls to make sure they'd be open in September before making my reservation and booking my non-refundable air fare.
My husband is a CPA so we can't travel January-April and in May we have 5 ff tix booked for our family to Kauai so I'm at a loss as to what to do.
I know there are other places to stay on the BI, they just don't compare to Kona Village...
Kona Village is now open through at least 2010 and may not close at all, doing their renovations in small increments...Moderator, I don't know how to change the name of this thread...Can you perhaps change it or close the thread? Mahalo
Last edited by turtlegirl; Jul 7, 09 at 8:24 pm.
Reason: Update
This is an invitation to enjoy the Four Seasons--maybe Kona Village will work out a great rate for you. If I still wanted to stay at Kona Village, I would reserve at the prepaid rate for September, 2010. Of course, I like knowing where/when my next 3 trips to Hawaii are going to be. Happy New Year.
I would nicely, but forcefully, ask for my money back and find another place on the BI to stay - there are many very nice places as I am sure you know. Your only option shpuldn't be to move your vacation plans because of their renovation schedule. I would escalate my way up the chain of command to be sure I received a full refund. Their renovation schedule should not be your problem. I can't imagine that you couldn't get a refund if you push the issue.
Agree with rockdoc... I can't imagine you would have a problem getting a refund.
I can understand your disappointment and frustration since you asked twice about renovation before you booked your NR tix. But there may be a silver lining if you haven't been to KVR for a few years.
Unfortunately, the change of ownership and retirement of long-time GM Fred Duerr has diminished the KVR experience. We were annual visitors in the 80's and 90's but our last visit in 2005 was pretty disappointing. KVR needed renovation then and I'm sure it needs it now.
The kitchen has clearly suffered to the point that, even though all meals are included, we opted to go "off property" for dinner most nights, either to Alan Wong's or Pahu i'a at the Four Seasons or CanoeHouse at Mauna Lani.
You might also consider Mauna Kea which will be reopening after a complete rebuilding/renovation... best beach in Hawaii.
I don't believe I'll have a problem getting a refund, although I haven't asked yet. The problem is that our air is booked and I don't really want to stay anywhere else-the other places are just hotels to me. And while the food isn't the best, I enjoy it and the convenience of eating right there and cost is an issue as meals really add up on the BI and this was an "extra" farewell trip to the KV as we know it.
Well if your airfare is non-refundable and you don't want to stay anywhere else I don't know what options you have other than to cancel the entire vacation and wait for them to reopen in a year or so (probably longer knowing how slowly construction moves on the BI). They are not going to keep the hotel open through September just for you - you need to make other plans despite the disappointment. You can apply the airfare as a credit for future travel, but will pay change fees, etc (ie, $$$$) or you can select another "hotel" and go when originally planed. What other choice do you have?????
Also, meal costs can be reasonable if you are willing to eat where many of the locals eat and skip the resort restaurants and more expensive eateries that cater to the touristas.
Sometimes life throws us curveballs. You can focus on your disappointment or use it as unexpected opportunity to expand your horizons. Personally, I'd start researching other resorts on Big Island.
Aloha!
"...(T)he greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
Wondering if those who suggest staying at another hotel as if it's no big deal have ever stayed at Kona Village?
Jeez, did you even read my previous post?
I have stayed there some 15 times, most recently in 2005. Yes Kona Village is special, Sid is a great bartender and the Shipwreck Bar is a great place to spend the afternoon, but KV is not as special as it was 10-15 years ago... new ownership and new management, not necessarily for the better.
Unfortunately you relied on misinformation from KVR staff (welcome to the new KV) and purchased non-refundable tickets for a time which you now discover they will be closed. S**t happens, KV is not going to open up in September just for you, so move on.
Your options appear to be clear:
1) Keep your travel dates and find another hotel. There are numerous excellent luxury hotels on the Big Island, starting with the Four Seasons Hualalai right next to KV. The newest star on the Kona Coast may be the first hotel, the totally rebuilt Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which has always had the best beach in Hawaii, way better that either KV or FS rocky beaches.
2) Change your travel dates to a time when KV will be open. Since KV is not cheap (ocean front hales will set you back >$1,000 a day), a $150 change fee to rebook your flights seems insignificant. And given the circumstances, I would think that a letter or phone call to the KVR GM explaining the problems caused by their error, should elicit some compensating perk if and when you actually go.
Turtlegirl, I understand your disappointment but you only have two options and you know what they are - move your trip to stay at KV before they close (or after they reopen) or go when you want and stay at another place. I sympathize with your problem, but your options are limited.
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.
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. My husband can't take vacation between January and April, we are taking a family trip in May and traveling out of New England during the only warm months of the year over the Summer when Kona Village is loaded with kids when we just took vacation in May isn't exactly appealing.
I do agree that KVR has deteriorated since new management/ownership and this certainly proves it.
Not sure where anybody got the idea that I expected Kona Village to stay open in September just for me. I know it was clearly a business decision with either bookings way down or permits approved or both.
Anyway, I'm upset and I also thought I'd let others know that Kona Village is going ahead with their renovation in September.
If you really like feeling pampered and don't want to lift a finger except to raise your cocktail, then I'd recommend the Four Seasons or Fairmont. Yes, they are hotels instead of individual hales, but they have a quiet elegance to them that you might find appealing. Also, Frommers and BigIsland Revealed both praise the Mauna Lani Bay.
You might also consider staying on a different part of the island, such as Hilo. That way you can more easily access adventures on the other side of the volcano. I'd love to stay a night or two at the Volcano House just to experience the lava flow at night.
No matter what you choose, I'd definitely have a frank conversation with the manager of KVR about your long-term loyalty and how dismayed you are at their closing for renovations even after you called and inquired. Explain how you made non-refundable airline tickets and that you'd like his assistance in choosing an alternative hotel and even solicit his help in negotiating the best rate.
FYI, I've found the maps and reviews on WizardPub to be very helpful. Here's the one for BigIsland:
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If B&Bs aren't your thing, you might also consider renting a private home/condo. They run the gamut from rustic to luxurious and can offer such great amenities as kitchens and washer/dryers. Personally, I feel stifled in a hotel anymore and love to rent villas so that I can fix my own breakfast and lunch, and then go out to a nice restaurant for dinner. With the money I save on food, I do activities such as taking sunset sails or horseback rides on the beach.
And if you rent a 2 bdrm+, you can invite some friends and split the cost!!
I have stayed there some 15 times, most recently in 2005. Yes Kona Village is special, Sid is a great bartender and the Shipwreck Bar is a great place to spend the afternoon, but KV is not as special as it was 10-15 years ago... new ownership and new management, not necessarily for the better.
Unfortunately you relied on misinformation from KVR staff (welcome to the new KV) and purchased non-refundable tickets for a time which you now discover they will be closed. S**t happens, KV is not going to open up in September just for you, so move on.
Your options appear to be clear:
1) Keep your travel dates and find another hotel. There are numerous excellent luxury hotels on the Big Island, starting with the Four Seasons Hualalai right next to KV. The newest star on the Kona Coast may be the first hotel, the totally rebuilt Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which has always had the best beach in Hawaii, way better that either KV or FS rocky beaches.
2) Change your travel dates to a time when KV will be open. Since KV is not cheap (ocean front hales will set you back >$1,000 a day), a $150 change fee to rebook your flights seems insignificant. And given the circumstances, I would think that a letter or phone call to the KVR GM explaining the problems caused by their error, should elicit some compensating perk if and when you actually go.
I second SFO777's suggestions. Four Seasons Hualalai will have finished up their renovations around this time and would be hard to be disappointed in.
Palms Cliff House
