Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

Wow, I have such wonderful things about both of these places and I have been all over other Hawaii websites reading reviews etc. FH and I will be eating PB&J on Maui for 5 days in order to afford this but I still cannot decide between these two resorts (too bad we can only stay at one.....hahah).
Thanks to those who responded to my other posts and gave info about the Four Seasons but of course I have more questions. Is there anyone out there that has stayed at BOTH places that could offer a comparison? I am sure I cannot go wrong with either.

Also, I just found out that the travel channel has done shows on both of these resorts and I seemed to have missed them all. Anyone know if/when they are still airing?

Re: Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

FOUR SEASONS ON THE BIG ISLAND WAS LISTED AS #1 RESORT IN HAWAII ON THE TRAVEL CHANNEL. I HAVEN'T BEEN TO KONA VILLAGE BUT TRUST ME, IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, THE FOUR SEASONS WILL BE THE MOST LUXURIOUS PLACE YOU WILL FIND. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

Re: Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

When I first was considering Hawaii for my honeymoon, I debated back and forth between the two (and then wound up not going to the Big Island at all - timing). Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with either. I have heard friends who stayed at both and gave incredible feedback. But the feedback I got seemed a little stronger in favor of the 4Seasons. I hear it is amazing (much better than the one in Maui!)!

Re: Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

The one big downfall for Kona Village is that there is no TV or phone or AC in the rooms. I think the Four Seasons will be so beautiful!! I went to the Hilton Waikola Village but they don't have the little cottages that you are looking for.

Re: Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

We stayed at the Four seasons on the Big Island in April for our honeymoon It was like a little bungalow and it was overlooking the 18th hole of the golf course. It reminded me of my own little apartment. The bottom floor rooms have access to a private outdoor garden shower. They give you a tour of the grounds by golf cart. There are people that live on these million dollar homes on the property and have access to the same services as the hotel guests. I thought it was great and I kind of felt rich for a little while. They have place where you can go snorkeling in a made made pond, we went to a beach BBQ and they were making smores over a beach fire..it was great!
We also saw big turtles on the beach and a mommy whale with her 2 babies while we were sitting on the beach at the hotel.
We went to Volcano national Park and saw lava. It was so cool.

edited to say: Oh, and you can't be the Evian spritz and popsicles!

Message edited 1/9/2004 12:02:46 PM.

Re: Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

I debated this as well. Just FYI I think, they are about the same price if you go for the best package at Kona Village.

We stayed in a cottage over looking the water. We had a lanai and our own private jacuzzi.

I think it really depends on what you are looking for. We went to three islands - Oahu, Kuai and the Big Island. We stayed at the Halekaluni on Oahu and the Princeville in Kuai, both of these are very upscale resorts and we figured that the Four Seasons would be more of the same. Kona village is a totally different experience. It is a bit more rustic than the four seasons but, I think it is worth it. We went there first (after our wedding) and it was nice to be away from tv, phone, internet for a while. We had breakfast delivered to our cottage every morning and ate together on our terrace overlooking the water. The four seasons is right next door so, we did go there a few times for dinner. I also "snuck in" and used the internet there...I was going through withdrawal, lol.

Kona Village is more low key and relaxed. People dress down more and are more private. The Four Seasons really is your typical nice hotel. I found Kona Village very relaxing. Its hard to describe. My husband described it as "camping for the rich."

Definitely FM me if you have any questions. I would recc. going there but, only if you are going for a few days. I think more than four days would be too much nature for me

Message edited 1/9/2004 12:14:22 PM.

Re: Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

Can't I do both? Hahahhaha Thanks everyone. Anyone have pics to share?

camping for the rich... i like the sounds of that!!

Message edited 1/9/2004 5:31:10 PM.

Re: Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

Four Seasons Big Island was the BEST place I have ever been. I think that they have 3 employees for evey one guest. The service is awesome! The employees all knew our name, and were so accomodating. You want a magazine for the pool? Name it. They will get it. The service and amenities were second to none!!!
Go for it! It is such a treat, but you wont be sorry. On a side note- Everytime I hear of someone going, a celebrity was there. The week we were there Shannon Doherty was there. The week before us Colin Farrell. The week after us Britney Spears. Crazy, but I was sipping daquiris next to them!

Re: Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

Wow, thanks everyone for your responses. Both of these sound truly amazing.

Should I just skip Maui altogether and stay on the Big Island for 4 nights (2 at each resort? hehehehe) and Kaui for 6 (instead of Big Island - 3, Maui - 4, Kaui - 4)?

Re: Hawaii Big Island - Kona Village Resort of Four Seasons?

Annieb - do you remember the name of the Hale that you stayed in at Kona? There are so many different ones to choose from......?