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Favorite Overall Resorts |
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| Our FAVORITE RESORTS for: |
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| BEACHES |
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| SERVICE |
| ROOMS |
| GOLF |
| SNORKELING |
| DINING |
| SHOPPING |
| NIGHTLIFE |
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
When traveling to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, you drive through ancient lava fields that look black and unforgiving. Then, upon arrival at the gate of the Four Seasons Resort you are met with the stunning emerald green grass of the golf course. As you drive past the private homes and villas you wonder what waits at the resort. What awaits you is our #1 Resort. Is the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai perfect ... that will be up to you to decide. But they do so many things right that it seems perfect to us.
Wow, what a resort. I know this might sound like a brochure, but how do you describe a resort that has thought of everything. The Four Seasons Hualalai has really kept the feel of old Hawaii when creating this property, but all the while providing a comfortable, world class resort. From the impeccable service, dramatic rooms with deep luxurious deep soaker tubs and the gourmet restaurants, all the way down to the little things like providing free self-serve laundry, Hualalai has thought of it all. Once you arrive at Hualalai, you will immediately feel relaxed and at ease with the luxury and service that awaits you. Is Hualalai perfect? After your stay you will be prepared to answer that question.
Here's our lowdown on Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
- Our Favorites -
SERVICE - 
The service is absolutely first class in all ways. The hotel management and staff "get it" when it comes to service. An adorable straw beach bag is provided for use during your stay and complimentary sunscreen at the pool and beach are just examples of little things that the resort does to enhance your stay. Housekeeping and turndown were awesome. Service at the Spa and Golf Course were excellent. We felt everything that the resort did was with our comfort in mind. You will love the service you receive at Hualalai. The moment you arrive, you will feel the true spirit of Aloha.
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| Golf View Room |
ROOM- What we like most about the rooms at Four Seasons Hualalai is the authentic Hawaiian feel that you get the moment you walk in the door. The rooms don't just feel like a luxury room; they feel like a luxury HAWAIIAN room. That is not to say that the rooms are not world class ... they are. The rooms have everything you expect in a Four Seasons room and then some: beautiful fit and finish, large bathroom with deep soaker tub and separate shower, large walk-in closet, exceptionally comfortable bed, huge flat screen TV's and a wonderful lanai. If you are traveling with your family or you just want a little extra space, make sure you look into a suite at Four Seasons Hualalai. There are 20 new luxurious oceanview suites, plus existing suites on the property to choose from.
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| Lava Rock Outdoor shower - Oceanview Room |
Another great feature of the rooms is they are arranged in small, two story crescents that really give you an intimate feel. If you are on the top floor, you get enhanced, awesome views. On many of the bottom floor rooms and suites, you get an amazing lava rock outdoor shower. While a little leery of the outdoor shower, once I tried it, I was sold. Whether you have the views from the second floor or the outdoor shower on the first floor, you are going to fall in love with your accommodations at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort. When you are in your room or on your lanai, you get a feeling of calm that causes you to go into total relaxation mode. That is what we love most about the rooms at Hualalai.
DINING - Hualalai has three excellent restaurants to choose from: Pahu i'a, Beach Tree and The Hualalai Grille. Each offers its own ambiance while still maintaining an inviting Hawaiian feel and all the luxury of the Four Seasons.
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| Pahu i'a |
Located just steps from the Pacific Ocean, Pahu i'a is Hualalai's fine dining restaurant and is an incredible experience. The food is outstanding, the atmosphere is unbeatable and the service is exceptional. Fresh, local vegetables and seafood are incorporated into their fantastic menu to help you experience all the tastes of the Big Island. Outstanding food, incredible presentation and unsurpassed views make Pahu i'a a restaurant not be missed.
Beach Tree is a great restaurant that hits on their goal of "barefoot elegance". Providing oceanfront al fresco dining at its best, this restaurant is open air and has a Hawaiian Beach House feel. The food is excellent with many casual and light items if you are looking for a quiet, relaxed dinner. When we were looking for low-keyed dinner after watching a breathtaking sunset, the Beach Tree was the perfect choice. Lunch is also a great option and you cannot beat the views.
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| Hualalai Grill |
The Hualalai Grille is a wonderful restaurant that is beautifully decorated with ancient Hawaiian charm. We ate both lunch and dinner here and the food was out of this world. The restaurant sits above the 18th green of the Hualalai Golf Course (more on that to follow!) and offers great views of the 18th hole. We highly recommend this restaurant. If you are looking for a little more casual atmosphere than Pahu i'a, but want all the great tastes and Four Seasons service, The Hualalai Grille is a great option.
BAR/LOUNGE - One of our favorite things to do while on vacation is to enjoy a tropical drink or two. The lounges at Hualalai were unbelievable. Lava Lounge above Pahu i'a has a great vibe as well as amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Our favorite appetizer was the sushi, which was fresh and very good. If you like sushi, be sure to try the Lava Lounge! The service is everything you would expect from the Four Seasons. We found the drinks and appetizers to be excellent but a little pricey. But when you have the exceptional service, views and quality, it all seems worth it.
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| Beach Tree bar |
Our favorite lounge at Hualalai is the Beach Tree Bar. The bar is located right on the sand and the views of the Pacific are amazing. We always take the time to catch the sunset from the Beach Tree Bar and so should you! The appetizers and drinks were good and the bartenders were great. The Beach Tree Bar provides exceptional service that we expect from the Four Seasons but also deliver that Hawaiian feeling of Aloha.
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| Beach Tree Pool |
POOL - As with most Four Seasons Resorts, Hualalai has multiple pools to meet the needs of everyone. The Beach Tree Pool, which is the main pool, was our favorite. It is a beautiful pool located oceanfront with gorgeous views of the Pacific. The service was absolutely amazing. As soon as you arrived you were greeted and shown to an available lounge chair (and the lounge chairs are VERY comfy!). You know the service is going to be great when it seems there were more attendants than guests! But the attendants were not overbearing. When you wanted a refreshing cocktail or something to snack on, the staff magically seemed to appear. The water service or fresh pineapple or Evian spritz were timed perfectly. Service when you desired; but when you wanted peace and quiet; you were left to your serenity. This is just another example of the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort taking the art of service to a higher level. If comfort, service and tranquility are what you seek, you will love the Beach Tree Pool.
The Sea Shell Pool is a great family pool with its infinity edge seeming to blend magically in with the blue Pacific Ocean. Nearby is a separate keiki pool, which is a children's pool with a sand bottom. Overall, the Sea Shell Pool and keiki pool is a great family set-up, with all the service (food, beverage, Evian spritz) that you have come to (or will come to) love.
The Palm Grove Pool is the adults' only pool that is situated in a beautiful grove of palm trees. The adult only pool is a great idea and is perfect for peace and solitude. This quiet pool is smaller than the other pools and has a self-service station with cold water, sunscreen and plenty of towels. There are many lounges and even several daybeds for your comfort. If you are looking for a great place to relax with a good book, head over to the Palm Grove Pool.
Finally, there is the King's Pond. This is a saltwater pool that is carved out of lava rock and stocked with 3,500 fish including spotted eagle rays. This is such a unique area and is really a great place to relax and unwind. If you are new to snorkeling or are just looking for a more controlled environment, you will find this the perfect area.
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| #17 Hualalai Golf Course |
GOLF - Ok, my wife can give you spa, soaker tub and beach club reviews, but when it comes to golf, we are in my realm. The course at Hualalai is immaculately manicured and well worth the price (it was $250 when I played). The course was not crowded (only resort guests allowed) and the staff were friendly and very accommodating. The fairways and tees were in perfect condition. Greens were typical Hawaiian Bermuda greens (a little slow, but very, very well maintained). The course is very playable and you can shoot a good score if you are hitting it well. Hole numbers 16, 17 and 18 play down to the ocean. #17 is Hualalai's signature hole and has stunning views that look across the contrast of emerald green grass and black lava rock to the dazzling blue Pacific Ocean. On # 18 before teeing off, be sure to look back towards the Pacific Ocean and take in the amazing views!
The experience was just first rate all the way around. The service on the course is exceptional. From complimentary drinks (non alcoholic) on the course to delicious cookies at the turn (watch out for the squirrels that will snag unattended cookies from your cart!) to the helpful attendants at the clubhouse, this was one of the best golf experiences ever. Just remember to slow down and take your time and enjoy every minute of your time on Hualalai Golf course. And remember to have a bite to eat at the Hualalai Grill above the clubhouse; the food is out of this world! You can enjoy a delicious lunch while overlooking the magnificent 18th hole. It really doesn't get better than the Four Seasons Hualalai!!!
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| Sunset at the Beach Tree bar |
DON'T MISS
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Sunset at Beach Tree Bar - The Beach Tree Bar is our favorite hang out at Hualalai. The bar is located directly on the beach. You can sit at the bar or at a table right on the sand and enjoy a refreshing tropical cocktail. The sunsets are brilliant at the Beach Tree Bar and are something we never miss. Remember to bring your camera as you will have some of the greatest sunset photo opportunities you will find in the world. Finish off your picture perfect evening with dinner at Beach Tree or Pahu i'a for an experience you will never forget.
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| Kings Pond |
1. Eagle Ray Feeding at Kings Pond - It's not just for kids! We had a great time going to the Kings Pond and seeing the Spotted Eagle Rays. You get in the pond (on a shallow ledge) and the Rays come right up to you and they take the food directly from your hand. It is well worth the short walk to the Kings Pond to experience these gentle and magnificent creatures. Just walk down, sign up and you are ready to go. There was no cost, so that was also another bonus.
2. A visit to Kilauea Volcano - Located in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea is an active volcano that has erupted lava almost continuously from its east rift zone since 1983. This is an amazing opportunity to see a live volcano. It's a bit of a drive to the volcano from Hualalai, about 3 hours each way, so make sure you plan enough time. But the drive is worth the opportunity to see an active volcano and the dramatic landscapes that have been created. For more information, check out the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park website for more information from the US National Park Service.
- Other Good Stuff -
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| Relaxation area at the Hualalai Spa |
Spa - The Hualalai Spa provides awesome services in a spectacular, tropical Hawaiian setting. The spa combines lush gardens with traditional Hawaiian interiors that provide a magnificent backdrop for serenity and luxury.
I enjoyed the classic Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage and it was wonderful. The Hualalai Spa is like everything else at Four Seasons Hualalai ... world class! The spa has some unique features such as helping you choose among local, natural ingredients to create a one of a kind treatment. Your session ends in the gardens with a "treat tray" which includes tea, cookies and local fruits. This is a lovely touch. If the spa is an important feature of your vacation, the Four Seasons Hualalai is a great resort option.
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| Beach at Hualalai |
Beach - The beach and shoreline at Hualalai is a gorgeous combination of white sand and black lava rock that forms the distinctive nature of the Kohala Coast. There are several sheltered swimming areas to enjoy the warm, crystal-clear water. We enjoyed exploring the beach and watching the famous Hawaiian Green Sea turtles lounging on the sand and swimming a yard or two offshore.
While Hualalai does not sit on a natural crescent beach that most people envision when they come to Hawaii, there is plenty of beach to lay back and soak up the Big Island sunshine. The service at the beach is outstanding and you will feel pampered and relaxed as you lounge in the tropical sun. The awesome beach experience at the Four Seasons Hualalai, without the "typical" beach, is a testament to the quality of this breathtaking resort.
Children's Activities - The Four Seasons Hualalai offers an excellent array of children's activities. They have a great children's pool that really caters to the youngsters. Also the King's pond is very cool for the kids. Swimming with thousands of fish as well as spotted Eagle Ray's would definitely be a highlight for any child. Make sure you sign up for the Rey feeding, where your keiki get the opportunity to feed the Spotted Eagle Rays and experience these amazing, gentle creatures up close and personal. The Four Seasons kids program is top notch and provides great activities for kids of all ages.
- And Our Not So Favorite Things -
Price - The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is expensive ... no getting around it. But it's one of the finest resorts in the WORLD, so I guess you pay for quality. We consider ourselves ... well ... frugal, but we found the Four Seasons Hualalai to be well worth every penny. Just be prepared for the cost. If you are looking for a special, luxury vacation, or just like the finest in resorts, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a world class resort that will exceed your expectations.
Snorkeling - There is not snorkeling right off the resort and that was disappointing. But if you walk 10 minutes on the beach, north to Kona Village resort, you will find great snorkeling. Four Seasons will provide equipment so you still get the service you expect, you just don't have the snorkeling right in front of the resort. Hey, it's a beautiful walk, and I can assure you the quality of the snorkeling makes the short walk well worth it! And if you don't want to walk, you can always snorkel in the King's Pond. You get all the marine life, including Spotted Eagle Rays, all in the comfort and convenience of one of the greatest resorts in the world.
Resort Information
Four Seasons Hualalai - [Link to Hotel Website]
72-100 Ka`upulehu Drive
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, U.S.A. 96740
Hotel Photos
Standard Room Rates
Room Descriptions
Package Rates
Resort Room Prices
When we travel, we always look for the best deal and do not mind traveling during the off season to get the lower prices. This means you may not get to travel at the optimal times based on Temperatures and Rainfall
(see charts below). At Four Seasons Hualalai the prices do not vary greatly during the year as at other properties. As we mentioned before, the prices at Four Seasons Hualalai are high no matter when you go. But you get and unparalleled experience that we think is worth every penny!
... Lower prices may be found if you travel during the April-June and Late August-November time frame.
... The Holiday Seasons in mid Dec - Early January are when you get the highest prices.
... Summer and the spring and fall holiday seasons have slightly higher prices than the low seasons.
Prices can change without notice. Please Click the following link: Room Rates for Four Seasons Hualalai to get the latest information on prices
Packages - Many times you can save some money by taking advantage of packages that the Four Seasons offers. To see the latest packages that Four Seasons Hualalai is offering, please click the following link: Package Rates - Four Seasons Hualalai.
Map of Four Seasons Hualalai on The Big Island
View Larger MapWeather on the Big Island of Hawaii
The weather on the Big Island is diverse. There can be snow on Mauna Kea, a downpour in Hilo and dry weather on the Kohala coast. Fortunately, if you like beautiful dry weather, the Four Seasons Resort is located on the leeward side of the island that gets the least rain. You get some of the best weather in the world on the Kohala coast of the Big Island. The deep, warm ocean keeps the temperatures very stable year round. The Big Island is big ... as big as all other Hawaiian islands combined, so you can get different weather in different parts of the island. Lucky for us that Four Seasons Hualalai sits in an area that gets some of the best weather year round!
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| Click to See Larger Chart |
Rainfall - Whenever we go on vacation, trying to avoid rain is always high on our list. My husband is especially fanatical about this. When you talk to the folks at the Four Seasons Hualalai, they will tell you that where their resort is situated, they get less rain than even areas directly around them. The chart at the right bears this out. The rainfall at the airport, which is just 10 minutes away, is over 24 inches per year, while rainfall at the Kona village (right next to the resort) is only 11 inches. If you want a resort that minimizes your chances of rain, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a good choice.
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| Click to See Larger Chart |
Temperature - The chart at the right shows the average temperatures for Kona (actually the Kona Airport). As you would expect the average temperatures (as well as the humidity) increase in the June-October time frame. The trade winds that blow from the northeast are a welcome relief to the summer heat. The weather on the Big Island, like all of Hawaii is moderate and gorgeous the entire year round. It can get a little chilly in the winter, but we were there in December and I did not need a sweater. The weather is great so plan your trip; the great weather is waiting for you.
Before you go The Big Island, or anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands, it is always wise to keep a watch on the weather.
Check out the latest weather for Kailua Kona on the Big Island:
Hurricanes are not common for the Hawaiian Islands. Still, it is always good to keep watch on the weather before you leave for your tropical vacation.
To check for storms around Hawaii and the Central Pacific, please click the following link: National Hurricane Center: Central Pacific.
Or check the Accuweather Hurricane Center
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