Sitting atop the cliffs of Keauhou Bay on the Huge Island of Hawai‘I, the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa can now lay declare to being probably the greatest properties within the state, because of a US$60 million renovation spanning visitor rooms, meals and beverage areas, conferences areas and extra. The property is standard for {couples} and households alike and to seek out out what makes the lodge so distinctive, James Wilkinson spoke to Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa Normal Supervisor, Geoff Pearson.
Geoff, the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is standard on so many ranges, from the placement to the membership lounge, design, rooms and meals and beverage on provide. Inform us about your favorite issues of the property.
The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is particular for a lot of causes, however what I admire most is the sense of place it creates from the second you arrive.
The oceanfront location on the cliffs surrounding Keauhou Bay provides sweeping ocean views and a connection to Hawaiian tradition that’s distinctive to this locale. However above all, my favourite factor in regards to the property is our group.
Their heat, dedication and real hospitality are what rework a good looking location right into a memorable keep for our visitors.
Inform us in regards to the trendy rooms and suites on provide, which have had a improbable makeover.
Our rooms and suites really feel vivid, open and authentically Keauhou. With ocean blue carpets, black lava-esque tiles we deliver the wonder what mom nature supplied round us into the room. And naturally, our meals and beverage choices proceed to be a spotlight, from regionally impressed dishes seize the spirit of the island.
Inform us in regards to the superb manta rays that placed on a nightly present.
The manta rays that go to our shoreline every evening are probably the most extraordinary pure experiences in Hawai‘i. These mild giants — some with wingspans reaching over 12 toes —glide effortlessly by way of the water, feeding on microscopic plankton that collect within the mild.
What makes it so particular right here in Keauhou is that this is likely one of the few locations on the planet the place manta rays reliably seem evening after evening.
What I really like most is that it’s all pure, no feeding, no touching, merely witnessing these magnificent creatures in their very own setting.
Our companions who information the excursions are extremely skilled and dedicated to defending the mantas, making certain this stays a sustainable expertise for generations to come back.
Geoff, you even have a improbable lūʻau and inform us about that.
Feast and Hearth is our signature lūʻau, and it’s really probably the most significant experiences we provide on the resort. Our performers deliver to life the tales, traditions and deep cultural roots of Keauhou in a means that resonates with our visitors.
What makes this lūʻau particular is the authenticity. Our companions from Traditions Hawai’i share highly effective narratives of Hawai‘i and the Pacific by way of oli (chant), mele (music) and hula (dance), lots of them tied on to this very land.
Trend Designer Manaola and his household personal and function Traditions Hawai‘i – and Manaola was the costume designer for our new Cirque du Soleil present in Waikīkī known as ‘Auana.
Feast and Hearth isn’t simply leisure; it’s a night that connects our visitors to the historical past and spirit of Keauhou. It’s a kind of experiences visitors get pleasure from yr after yr.
How vital is the loyalty, significantly given the worldwide reputation of Discovery?
Loyalty is on the coronary heart of what we do, it strengthens our reference to vacationers and helps us ship the extent of hospitality Outrigger has at all times been recognized for.
As a member of the GHA Discovery household we offer a program that’s constructed round recognition and experiences, not merely factors based mostly program. Friends really feel valued and return to Outrigger, or any variety of different companions in this system, yr after yr.
Geoff what are a few of your favorite issues to do within the native space?
The vastness of Hawai’i Island offers for thus many various actions, the choices really feel nearly limitless. Summit excursions to see a blanket of stars within the evening sky, the magical manta ray experiences and helicopters over an lively volcano present a number of the extra breathtaking recollections for visitors to the island.
Having stated that, don’t overlook enjoyable poolside with a guide can also be an exercise!
ESSENTIALS: GETTING TO GETTING TO KONA, HAWAI’I
One of the simplest ways of attending to Kona in consolation and magnificence.
Qantas’ sensible Enterprise Class ‘Suite’
QANTAS BUSINESS CLASS
Qantas operates direct flights to Honolulu, Hawai’i from Sydney, Australia, with Airbus A330s and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that characteristic the airline’s newest Enterprise Class cabin.
Qantas’ Enterprise Class cabin is headlined by a ‘suite’ seat – obtainable on all of the Boeing 787-9, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300 and Airbus A380-800 jets within the fleet and choose Airbus A380-800s – that has been standard with govt and leisure travellers because it first arrived on the scene in 2016.
This next-generation Enterprise Class seat from the Flying Kangaroo might be reclined for take-off and touchdown, and the cabin providing additionally consists of high Australian meals and wine and world-class leisure.
From Honolulu, flights to Kona can be found on oneworld companion airline Hawaiian and likewise Southwest.
