Sitting atop the cliffs of Keauhou Bay on the Big Island of Hawai‘I, the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa can now lay claim to being one of the best properties in the state, thanks to a US$60 million renovation spanning guest rooms, food and beverage areas, meetings spaces and more. The property is popular for couples and families alike and to find out what makes the hotel so unique, James Wilkinson spoke to Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa General Manager, Geoff Pearson.

Geoff, the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is popular on so many levels, from the location to the club lounge, design, rooms and food and beverage on offer. Tell us about your favourite things of the property.

The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is special for many reasons, but what I appreciate most is the sense of place it creates from the moment you arrive.

The oceanfront location on the cliffs surrounding Keauhou Bay offers sweeping ocean views and a connection to Hawaiian culture that is unique to this locale. But above all, my favorite thing about the property is our team.

Their warmth, dedication and genuine hospitality are what transform a beautiful location into a memorable stay for our guests.

Tell us about the stylish rooms and suites on offer, which have had a fantastic makeover.

Our rooms and suites feel bright, open and authentically Keauhou. With ocean blue carpets, black lava-esque tiles we bring the beauty what mother nature provided around us into the room. And of course, our food and beverage offerings continue to be a highlight, from locally inspired dishes capture the spirit of the island.

Tell us about the amazing manta rays that put on a nightly show.

The manta rays that visit our coastline each night are one of the most extraordinary natural experiences in Hawai‘i. These gentle giants — some with wingspans reaching over 12 feet —glide effortlessly through the water, feeding on microscopic plankton that gather in the light.

What makes it so special here in Keauhou is that this is one of the few places in the world where manta rays reliably appear night after night.

What I love most is that it’s all natural, no feeding, no touching, simply witnessing these magnificent creatures in their own environment.

Our partners who guide the tours are highly trained and committed to protecting the mantas, ensuring this remains a sustainable experience for generations to come.

Geoff, you also have a fantastic lūʻau and tell us about that.

Feast and Fire is our signature lūʻau, and it’s truly one of the most meaningful experiences we offer at the resort. Our performers bring to life the stories, traditions and deep cultural roots of Keauhou in a way that resonates with our guests.

What makes this lūʻau special is the authenticity. Our partners from Traditions Hawai’i share powerful narratives of Hawai‘i and the Pacific through oli (chant), mele (music) and hula (dance), many of them tied directly to this very land.

Fashion Designer Manaola and his family own and operate Traditions Hawai‘i – and Manaola was the costume designer for our new Cirque du Soleil show in Waikīkī called ‘Auana.

Feast and Fire isn’t just entertainment; it’s an evening that connects our guests to the history and spirit of Keauhou. It’s one of those experiences guests enjoy year after year.

How important is the loyalty, particularly given the global popularity of Discovery?

Loyalty is at the heart of what we do, it strengthens our connection with travelers and helps us deliver the level of hospitality Outrigger has always been known for.

As a member of the GHA Discovery family we provide a program that is built around recognition and experiences, not simply points based program. Guests feel valued and return to Outrigger, or any number of other partners in the program, year after year.

Geoff what are some of your favourite things to do in the local area?

The vastness of Hawai’i Island provides for so many different activities, the options feel almost endless. Summit excursions to see a blanket of stars in the night sky, the magical manta ray experiences and helicopters over an active volcano provide some of the more breathtaking memories for guests to the island.

Having said that, don’t forget relaxing poolside with a book is also an activity!

ESSENTIALS: GETTING TO GETTING TO KONA, HAWAI’I

The best way of getting to Kona in comfort and style.

Qantas’ brilliant Business 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 feature the airline’s latest Business Class cabin.

Qantas’ Business Class cabin is headlined by a ‘suite’ seat – available on all the Boeing 787-9, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300 and Airbus A380-800 jets in the fleet and select Airbus A380-800s – that has been popular with executive and leisure travellers since it first arrived on the scene in 2016.

This next-generation Business Class seat from the Flying Kangaroo can be reclined for take-off and landing, and the cabin offering also includes top Australian food and wine and world-class entertainment.

From Honolulu, flights to Kona are available on oneworld partner airline Hawaiian and also Southwest.