Located along the South Kona coast of Hawaii Island, the Big Island, the Keauhou Resort area is about midway between the town of Kailua-Kona and Kealakekua Bay.
Often under-appreciated by island visitors as a resort destination in favor of the large and often more expensive resorts along the island's Kohala Coast, the Keauhou Resort was developed by Kamehameha Investment Corporation, Inc., the for-profit arm of Kamehameha Schools.
The resort includes 2,400 acres of land, five miles south of Kailua-Kona. The land is home to several ancient Hawaiian cultural and historical sites; the Keauhou Shopping Center; two golf courses; timeshare, residential and resort condominiums and single-family residences; and, last, by not least, two world class-hotels, the Keauhou Beach Resort, managed by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, managed by Pyramid Resort Group under a Franchise Marketing Agreement with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii.
We've previously looked closely at the Keauhou Beach Resort following their total renovation in 2007-8.
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa Becomes the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
In 2012, the 22-acre oceanfront Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa began a $16-million resort renewal of their own which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer 2012. In addition to upgrading the resort's physical plant, resort management is initiating significant efforts to connect guests with the rich history and culture of the Keauhou area.
The current work is being completed with minimal impact to the operation of the resort from the perspective of current guests. Upon completion of the work, the resort will undergo a name change. On September 1, 2012, the resort's name will change to Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. The addition of the name Kona to the resort's name should serve to help prospective guests identify the resort's unique location on the Kona Coast of Hawaii Island.
Guests who have previously stayed at the resort will notice significant changes and additions including:
- An enhanced arrival experience featuring new and lush landscaping, a refurbished port cochere, and the Silversword Lobby Bar which will host daily Sheraton Social Hour wine tastings.
- The new Flying Fish retail and guest activity center is where guests can arrange for an assortment of island activities ranging from swimming, snorkeling, hiking, exploring the volcano, island sightseeing, or simply relaxing around the resort's large aquatic playground which features the 360,000 gallon and 14,100 square ft. Manta Ray Super Slide & Pool with a river system that connects the upper and lower pools, leads to a waterfall and transitions a 200-foot-long lava tube water-slide.
- Extensive cultural offerings are already in place through complimentary historical and cultural tours and activities.
- The reworked Ainakai Restaurant will offer breakfast service daily with magnificent bay views. Now, however, the improved space will become available for afternoon and evening social gatherings, wedding receptions, meetings and group functions.
- Paakai Point will be the ideal spot for leisure, relaxation, and elegant sunset events and weddings.
- Refreshed guestrooms have new paint, carpeting, flat-screen TVs and are brightened with the addition of renowned Hawaii designer Sig Zane's visual art inspired by the ulukekoiau, or breadfruit tree, which is also represented throughout the resort, woven into team member's attire, and shared through daily cultural activities.
- The renewal has included the addition of 10 new guest suites (for a total of 20).
- Meeting space is enlivened with colorful Zane-designed carpeting, state-of-the-arts Audio Visual equipment and new seating.
- The complimentary oceanfront Fitness Center now features Sheraton's Core Performance® brand standard equipment.
Area Attractions
The Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay offers an ideal location for visitors to Hawaii Island who wish to explore such nearby attractions as Kona coffee farms, historic Kailua-Kona town, and Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park - The City of Refuge. It is also important to note that the resort is only 90 miles and less than 2 hours from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
For more information about the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, you can visit their website, follow them on Twitter: @KeauhouSheraton or on Facebook.
