I Highly Recommend Four Seasons Hualalai!

by Deborah T.
(San Diego, CA)

Can you ever really go wrong with a Four Seasons Hotel? I never have, and the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai did not disappoint. The resort is about 10 minutes from Kona International Airport, set on the Big Island’s beautiful Kona-Kohala Coast.

Driving to the resort is the first clue that the Big Island is unlike
any other of Hawaii’s islands. It’s desolate and expansive, pristine and virtually untouched by development. Then you arrive at this gorgeous Four Seasons oasis, which is tastefully decorated in traditional Hawaiian style, feeling like the luckiest person on the planet. The rooms are all two-story bungalows with sliding doors that open to amazing views of the ocean (or the golf course depending on where you’re staying.) The rooms are all light and airy and nature-inspired, and you can’t beat the breeze that comes through when the doors are open. The beds are to die for, and after a day out and about on the island, or poolside in the sun, it’s so nice to come back and take a late afternoon nap with that amazing breeze!

Speaking of pools, the resort has several, but we mainly used the
Beach Tree Pool, which was modern and large and overlooked the ocean. I will say that the beach isn’t as inviting as some of the other beaches we’ve been to, but since the pool is practically on the ocean, it’s the best of both worlds (at least in my opinion.) The surf was a bit wild as well, so spending time in the ocean wasn’t so easy, but regardless, with everything else this place has going for it, you don’t really miss it. And being at the pool has other benefits—beverage service, Evian misters (delivered by the staff to your face), and sunglass cleaning service! They also brought around Otter Pops (remember those awesome colored stick Popsicle things from your childhood? Well, they are even more awesome on a sunny day poolside.)

All of the restaurants serve up some pretty amazing food (the
breakfast at Pahuia is super yummy) and drinks. And the spa is one of the best I’ve ever been to. Be sure to get a massage after a day in the sun, pass out and enjoy! Also, the hotel will arrange for various activities outside of the resort—helicopter over a volcano, go hiking, charter a boat for a day at sea…you name it, it’s there. The only thing missing, and this might have changed since our last visit, was stand-up paddle boarding. Because of the nature of the coast and the rougher waters, the hotel didn’t have any like they do at their Maui resort, and we couldn’t find any near by. Oh well, still worth it!!

If you’re up for a splurge, I highly recommend the Four Seasons Hualalai!