Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa - Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii Luxury Resort for Family Fun

Where an ancient lava flow once found its way to the sea, the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa now stands, offering visitors an ideal venue for enjoying the many attractions of the Big Island's Kona Coast. The resort caters particularly to families and honeymooners, just a short drive from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

With 521 rooms and suites to choose from, the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa takes pride in its relaxing furnishings and modern dycor. Every guest room comes with one or more Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds that have a plush-top mattress, a puffy duvet and five deluxe pillows. Each standard room has 420 square feet of interior floor space plus a spacious lanai.

Much of the activity at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa centers on its multi-level fantasy pool - the Manta Ray Super Slide & Pool. This huge fresh-water pool has its own sandy-bottomed play area for children, the island's longest waterslide, and several bubbling whirlpool tubs.

As a special treat, the resort just happens to be adjacent to the natural feeding ground of the world-famous Keauhou Manta Rays. Most evenings, guests may observe these graceful sea creatures from the room lanais or from a special viewing area at the Crystal Blue Terrace.

Elsewhere, the resort's Ho'ola Spa offers guests full-service salon and spa treatments. Guests also have complimentary access to the Sheraton's fully equipped 24-hour, ocean-front fitness center, a full-size basketball court and a sand volleyball court. And there are two tennis courts on-site, with no charge for usage or equipment, which can be obtained from the Poolside Activities Desk.

For light dining and cocktails, the Manta Ray Bar & Grill is open poolside from late morning until early evening. The restaurant known as Kai serves breakfast daily and dinner each Wednesday through Sunday. Meanwhile, Crystal Blue provides a menu of cocktails and pupus (hors d'oeuvres) next to the Manta Ray viewing area.

Elsewhere on the premises, Keauhou Bay Coffee Co. prepares coffees and other beverages plus light snacks throughout the day. There are also al fresco dinner options nightly. In-room dining is also available throughout the day.

One the highlights of any stay at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa is the Monday evening luau show called "Firenesia.'' It takes place outdoors under the stars and features both top-class entertainment and dining. In partnership with Island Breeze Productions, the performance focuses on the journey of a young man through Polynesia as he seeks out the gift of fire. It includes drama, dance and music, and of course there is plenty of food, including such Hawaiian favorites as kalua pork, poi, and lomi lomi salmon, as well as green salads, fresh fruit, teriyaki New York strip loin, mahi mahi, and desserts.

For children, the Sheraton's popular Keiki Club Keauhou is offered during the summer months each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Besides crafts and games, activities are organized in and around the Manta Ray Super Pool & Slide. The resort has also made arrangements with Big Island Nannies to help with childcare year-round, while parents take a mini-vacation of their own.

The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa is located at 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740. Self parking is $10, and valet parking is $16. For guests who arrive by taxi or prefer not to use their own transportation, the complimentary Keauhou Trolley "intra-resort'' service is available. The shuttle makes stops at Keauhou Shopping Center and Kahaluu Beach Park, as well as Kailua-Kona town, and operates from 8am to 8pm daily.