Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/162471
PHOTOS COURTESY SHERATON KONA RESORT & SPA Top: Dramatic black lava rock attests to the volcanic past of historic Keauhou Bay. Middle: The luxe lobby at Sheraton Kona. Bottom: The picturesque Bayside Wedding Chapel is ideal for intimate weddings of up to 50 guests. long-ago eruptions. Even the climate varies considerably, with Hilo on the east side of the island boasting the most rainfall of any U.S. city. In contrast, the west coast remains the island's dry, leeward side. Along the famed sunny Kona Coast, the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay is built on black lava rock resulting from an eruption 200 years ago. Today, the resort sits on 22 spectacular acres of oceanfront and offers everything you need for a rejuvenating stay, from enormous swimming pools and a state-of-the-art fitness centre to a full-service spa and contemporary dining options. Having completed a recent US$16-million refurbishment, the freshly redecorated property has also renovated and reopened its signature oceanfront restaurant, Rays on the Bay, named for the enormous manta rays that entertain diners with their frequent nighttime visits to local waters. But what truly sets the Sheraton Kona apart is its close ties to its unique history. More than a thousand years after early Polynesian explorers first settled on the islands, King Kamehameha III, Hawaii's longest-reigning monarch, was born at Keauhou Bay. To connect guests to the region's storied past, the resort offers regular cultural walking tours, including a visit to the site of a key battle. In 1819, two descendants of Kamehameha I clashed over the abolishment of traditional Hawaiian religion and its kapu system of taboos. In the fierce fight, hundreds of warriors were slain and laid to rest on the rocky site now known as the Lekeleke Burial Grounds. Keauhou Bay was also once the water playground of Hawaiian royalty and a popular spot for celebrated surfers. On a hillside above the bay can be seen the remains of an ancient holua or sledding run, where adventurous Hawaiians would take part in Olympics-like competitions and slide down nearly 5,000 feet into the waters. Aside from its own cultural tours, the Sheraton Kona is the ideal base from which to explore and the hotel can arrange for activities that allow you check out more of the Big Island, whether you're into snorkeling, hiking or sightseeing. From the resort, you can also catch a free trolley into Historic Kailua Village to wander a restored 19th-century palace or the oldest Christian church in Hawaii. In addition to its historical significance, the seaside village offers plenty of bustling shops, bars and restaurants where you can sample tasty local beers from the Kona Brewing Company and, of course, world-famous Kona coffee. pg90-100_Honeymoon.indd 97 12-09-24 1:26 PM