OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa

The outrigger in Kona is newly renovated. We have stayed here a few years back when it was the Sheraton and in need to some updates. Outrigger has done a nice job with the updates to the property. However do be aware there is still construction and we had to deal with the constant beeping from construction machines from our room from 8-5pm. The views are spectacular and there is access to beach near by. My kids were disappointed that the pools are no longer connected as there is now an adult pool. The activities on site are great and good learning experiences. The voyager 47 is great and provides a good breakfast and lite dinner. Lots to do around the resort which options. The facility is also wheel chair accessible which was important for us this trip. A couple of items to note check in can get really busy we waited over 30 minutes in the check in line additionally our check in person seemed a bit frazzled and for got a new items in our reservation package. There were easily cleared up by contacting guest services. All staff members we encounter were friendly and warm. We would return again

I really enjoyed the time we had at Outrigger Kona, I’d recommend the V47 ‘club’ as an add on (especially considering the main restaurant is under construction). The morning and evening offerings were varied and well done for a continental style meal. Shout out to Tessa, Sharlaine, Pua and Braulio on the club team. They were all so friendly and engaging in being great hosts of the island. Mahalo!

We spent 8 nights at the Outrigger Kona, booking through Costco which bundled valet, resort fees, luau tickets, and Voyager Club access. Here's our honest take for anyone considering this resort. **The property** is genuinely stunning — sweeping open-air spaces, two pools, a lovely water feature, and an open-air restaurant (Dukes was under construction during our visit). The location near the Captain Cook area is fantastic, and the resort sits on sacred grounds with deep cultural significance. **Room tip — and this is important:** "Ocean View" and "Ocean Front" are not the same thing. An ocean view room may offer only a sliver of the bay if you crane your neck. If you want open water in front of you, book Ocean Front. We switched rooms mid-stay with the help of the wonderful Jeneen at the front desk and the difference was night and day. **The pools** were a highlight. The outer pool closest to the ocean was our favorite spot. Chairs and towels were always available, and the deck attendants were exceptional — cheerful, attentive, and full of great local recommendations. Complimentary water and fresh pineapple throughout the day was a lovely touch. We even spotted whales breaching and dolphins from the pool deck. **Don't skip the cultural center.** Our guide Nani was extraordinary — her walking tour (free, ~45 minutes) was moving, educational, and genuinely changed how we approached the rest of our trip. She sang in Hawaiian as an offering to the island and had us in tears. It's one of the best resort experiences we've ever had. **The valet team — one of the best things about this resort.** We've stayed at a lot of hotels. We've been greeted by a lot of staff. Nothing compared to these guys. From the moment we pulled in on day one, they set the tone for our entire trip. They asked about our excursions, and genuinely seemed happy to see us every single time we returned — whether we'd been gone two hours or all day. It never felt scripted or performative. It felt real. They had our car ready exactly when we asked, without fail. But honestly, the car was almost beside the point. It was the warmth. The energy. The sense that they were proud of where they worked and wanted us to love it too. In a resort experience that had real highs and a few lows, these guys were the constant. If hospitality is an art, this team has mastered it. **Tip them generously. They deserve it!** ***Opportunities*** The **cleanliness of common areas** was disappointing for a resort at this price point. A beverage stain in the lobby foyer sat untouched for days. Our lanai hadn't been properly mopped. Hallway carpets and stairwells had visible sand, hair, and debris throughout our stay — not addressed. For what guests are paying per night, this is simply not acceptable. ( I will say our room was clean and we have no issues with the room cleanliness). The **Voyager Club** felt like a premium price tag on a budget experience. Breakfast leaned heavily on egg product rather than fresh eggs and continental offerings, and evening snacks were sparse — rice, miso soup, and a single protein option, minimal cold selections. The staff were consistently warm and welcoming, which we appreciated, but warmth doesn't justify the cost. We won't be adding this to our package on a return visit. The **luau was an outright failure** — and we want to be very direct about this because it affected us financially and soured what should have been a memorable evening. Our Costco package included two luau tickets valued at $370. Sounds great in theory. In practice, actually reserving a date required contacting a single, siloed department reachable only by one phone number. We called. We left voicemails. We visited the front desk. We spoke to the concierge. Days passed. Nothing. The concierge his advice was — and we are not paraphrasing — *"Keep calling. They don't always get back to you. Keep on them."* We were stunned. We are guests. We had already paid. It should not fall on a vacationer to chase down a resort's own department repeatedly just to use an included amenity. No one at that property — not the front desk, not the concierge could simply register us or escalate on our behalf. We never attended the luau. We lost $370 of our package value. That is a failure of resort management, plain and simple, and prospective guests booking packages with luau inclusions should go in with eyes wide open. **Amenities are also poorly communicated** to the point of being effectively invisible. (such as paddle board rentals, pickleball courts, spa, etc.) We discovered the on-site laundry, and water bottle filling station entirely by accident over the course of eight days. Other than a map there was no welcome orientation, no proactive mention at check-in. A resort that doesn't tell its guests what it offers is leaving money — and opportunity — on the table. **Bottom line:** We had an enjoyable stay overall and would return — but we'd book Ocean Front, drop the Voyager Club, and go in knowing the luau booking process is broken and entirely on you to navigate. The standout staff — Nani at the cultural center, Jeneen at the front desk, the pool attendants, and above all the valet team — are genuinely world-class and deserve every bit of recognition they get. It's just a shame the resort's systems and upkeep don't yet match the people who represent it.

There for a large convention. But other non convention people seemed to be having a good time. Place was pleasant. Rooms spacious with big windows and a balcony. Many with very nice ocean views. Very nice pool but no real beach. Generally friendly staff. Minus was isolated location. cannot walk to any restaurants so captive to their limited ones at high prices. One time food trucks showed up but the crush of customers ground them to a halt.

Really liked this property but we were told when we reserved that Dukes would be open. That was very optimistic cause they are not close to opening. Missed having a dynamic restaurant on site. We loved. Ring ocean front with 47 lounge access. Staff was friendly. Parking guys were great. My biggest disappointment is that our reservation rate which included all fees and charges was not honored. Reservation was made directly with outrigger. We were charged $160 extra and they could not explain why when asked. Outrigger has been our go to for hotel and condo stays for several years. But we will be looking closer at other brands in the future.

My family and I just finished an incredible stay here, and we can’t say enough good things about it. From the moment we checked in until the second we left, the entire staff was beyond helpful and made us feel right at home. Our room was absolutely exceptional, but the real star was the view of the bay—truly unparalleled and something we’ll never forget. A huge highlight for us was having access to the V47 lounge. It added so much value to our trip and really leveled up the whole experience. The staff at the lounge were so sweet and paid attention to every single detail to make sure we were comfortable. A special thanks to the wonderful team members who took such great care of us: Sharlaine, Tessa, Fred, Pua, Celeste, Zach, Kainea, and Braulio. You all made our stay so much more personal and special! Mahalo nui loa to the Outrigger and staff for a fantastic and memorable stay. We can’t wait to come back!

Everything here at the outrigger was AMAZING! My room was so clean and everyone was so welcoming! We were part of the voyager 47, which offered continental breakfast and early dinner pupus, and that was so satisfying! Beautiful view no matter where you are at the resort. The continental breakfast offered 100% Kona coffee, fruits, protein, etc. The pupu hour food was awesome!!! There were delicious desserts, super fresh poke, ulu, a true taste of the Big Island. Super clean and they kept the food coming! Every day they had something different and that was exciting. Sharlaine and Tessa were so welcoming and friendly- they took good care of us. I will definitely bring my ohana here again. Thank you so much to the whole Outrigger crew for you aloha and hard work!