The Chicest Hawaii Resort to Unplug—Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

Welcome to Traveling With Kids, a chic travel series where we highlight some of the most stylish stays around the globe that are also family-friendly—from boutique hotels to luxury resorts. This is for the fashion-forward parent who wants to luxuriate in a beautiful stay and keep the kids entertained along the way.

There is an expression in Hawaii called Aloha ʻĀina—roughly translated as a deep “love of the land” that holds a strong cultural meaning for Hawaiians. Connection to the ʻāina (land or earth) is the foundation of Native Hawaiian physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In the digital world we live in, our attention is directed toward screens and mediated information. With ʻāina the attention is directed toward physical place, senses, relationships, and reciprocity. During my recent trip to Hawaii, I’ve never felt more connected to the powerful rhythm of the`āina.

It’s almost embarrassing to admit, but there’s rarely been a day in the past decade where I’ve been fully disconnected from my devices. Social media is part of my job, as is working on my computer, and when I do disconnect after a day of work, scheduling, and looking after the kids, I’m usually zonked out in front of the T.V. As someone who loves the outdoors (and adamant to bring up my kids loving it too) I try my best to find a healthy balance between life plugged-in and a life offline—not an easy feat in today’s world but one I’m striving to be better at.

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With a stressful August behind me, I decided it was time to give myself and my family a break from plugged-in life and take a pause from our devices collectively. At least for a short week. And where better to do it than 2500 miles away in the middle of the Pacific ocean? I.e. Hawaii. We decided on Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort—an iconic hideaway, “rooted in joy”—nestled among ancient lava fields of what was once an ancient fishing village on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Fashion editor Judith Jones in Kona Village

(Image credit: @joiedejude; Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort)

There are no TV screens at Kona Village—a stay at this idyllic haven is to truly reconnect with nature and yourself. And the retreat makes it effortless to do so. The place encourages you to completely step back and unwind. A few hours after arriving with the warmest welcome of kukui nut lei’s, hibiscus mocktails topped with orchids, and the warm tropical breeze on my skin, I immediately felt my shoulders relax, and the tightness and stress I had been holding in my body, softened.

The resort is truly a slice of paradise and every corner of Kona village holds a breathtaking and beautiful view that relaxes, rejuvenates, and fills you with a sense of delight. Whether you’re taking in the vibrant Pacific blues and cooling tropical breezes at Kahuwai Bay, cycling through the dramatic natural black lava rock that makes up the rich and rugged landscape, or enjoying a tranquil sunrise walk at the peaceful lagoon—the views, nature, and the mana—that special Hawaiian joyful energy—enlivens your spirits and reconnects you to yourself and surroundings.

The lagoon at Kona Village, Hawaii

One of my favorite spots to reconnect and relax? On the lanai (balcony) of my hale (the Hawaiian word for house) and what they call the accommodations at the resort which are made from all natural materials and tastefully decorated with native Hawaiian artistry. With a view overlooking the ocean and the sound of the waves in the distance, lush verdant green plants surrounding the black lava rock and the sweet scent of plumerias in the air, those still moments—with a cup of passion fruit tea in hand, a book in the other—were some of my most memorable.