This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Disclosure, visit this page. Melissa thanks the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai for hosting her, so she could write about her experience.
The moment your sandals touch the lava stone path at Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, something subtle happens: shoulders drop, breath expands and the chaos of the outside world dissolves. The air smells faintly of plumeria and sea salt, the ocean hums just beyond the palms, and time seems to agree with whatever pleasure you delight in. The arrival experience is a soft landing into Hawaiʻi as it’s meant to be felt – unhurried, calm and quietly luxurious. The day is now yours, made clear when the check-in ambassador greets you at valet by name and effortlessly facilitates the logistics in the arrival lounge, with an elixir and hand towel. At Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, the Big Island simply welcomes you and somehow, you already feel like you belong.
Built into the natural surroundings and set on 865 acres along the Kona-Kohala coast, the property is host to eight pools and 249 magnificent rooms and suites, configured like five crescent moons facing the ocean. Situated on the largest Hawaiian island just twenty minutes from Kona International airport, the resort offers restful quiet but also endless opportunities for adventure, fitness, wellness, and relaxation. Service is stellar. Cue the White Lotus vibes.
A Two-MICHELIN-Key hotel, and the only Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond Resort on the Island of Hawai’i, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai combines history, culture and true aloha with championship golf, a world-class spa and fitness center, tennis, on-site water activities, cultural experiences, and newly conceptualized dining.
This year, the resort celebrates its 30th birthday, touting longevity at the top of the luxury list. Three decades ago, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai first opened its doors, setting a new benchmark for island luxury – with an open-air design, rich Hawaiian materials and reverence for the land. It’s been a favorite destination for travelers seeking both aloha spirit and world-class hospitality since its debut in September, 1996. Many guests return year after year to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, and family milestones – set against a backdrop of palm trees, lava coastline and Pacific sunsets.
Favorite ways to spend time at this breathtaking Big Island resort:
Lounge on the lanai
For a private sanctuary, retreat to your balcony and sink into a plush lounge, where swaying palm trees and rolling Pacific waves set the scene. As night falls, linger in a nearby pool or jacuzzi beneath the stars, then drift to sleep to the soothing rhythm of the surf. Crack the balcony slider door open and let the ocean’s lullaby carry through the suite, where a palate of natural woods and calming neutral colors embody refined Hawaiian style. Luscious pillows, a cloud-like bed, and generous living space make for an effortlessly restful stay, while the expansive bathroom – complete with a rainfall shower, deep soaking tub, and double sinks – offers ample room for couples to unwind in total comfort.
Stroll the oceanfront lava path
During winter’s whale season, witness the gentle giants slapping their tails along the horizon line, making themselves known as they catapult from the ocean. Once a thriving fishing village, the resort sits in the ancient land division known as Ka’ūpūlehu, where a mile-long paved walkway winds through natural lava formations along the coast, passing tide pools teeming with tropical fish and resting turtles. Considered a spiritual place where ancestors roam, signs remind visitors not to move the volcanic rocks. Views are mesmerizing at every turn, from ancient twisty trees, black volcanic rock contrasting with white coral, and surf spraying up through the lava rocks. Soak in the view on a bench or take in the sunset.
Snorkel, swim, and admire turtles on a sandy beach
A mile from the property’s center, at the end of the oceanfront volcanic pathway, a long, sandy, manmade beach oasis is perfect for a dip, snorkel, or rest. Turtles can be seen in the water and resting onshore, often camouflaged against the rocks. Within the tide pools in the lava rocks (which act a natural protective barrier), observe eels trying to pounce on fish and be careful not to step on sea urchins.
Surrounding the property are various ocean stretches to swim and snorkel, protected by the natural volcanic barriers.
Indulge in an oceanfront omakase experience at 12-seat NOIO
One-year-old sushi lounge, NOIO, is perched above the resort’s beachfront ‘Ulu restaurant. The space sets the tone for a sensory experience before the first bite. At the inner 12-seat omakase counter, the chef orchestrates the menu, delighting guests with an extraordinary 12+ course ocean-to-plate journey featuring an array of the freshest local and island-sourced seafood – from yuzu-bright snapper fin tea and Otsumami (appetizer) snacks, to Chawanmushi with Japanese uni atop oysters raised on the property. As a lineup of pristine nigiri and sashimi are rolled out, Chef Nuri Piccio and his team showcase their knife skills with a luscious assortment of fish.
Favorite bite of the night: melt-in-your-mouth wagyu, topped with bright yellow Japanese uni, bursting with ocean flavor. The glowing pink fluorescent globe sunset dips below the horizon just after the 5:30 seating, tantalizing as if it’s one of the sensory courses. At $400 per person, this splurge-worthy celebratory meal can be paired with sake for an additional $150. An additional 8:30 seating follows every night. Guests leave with a boxed mochi dessert and pair of elegant chopsticks. Sushi-making classes are also offered during the day.
Take in lunch, sunset, or dinner at casual chic Beach Tree
A few steps from the sand, embrace the gentle breezes while dining at this Hawaiian open-air beach house next to the crashing waves. A fresh, local, and seasonal menu serves up options like ahi tuna poke with avocado atop sushi rice, salads with island shrimp or catch of the day, and Mahi Mahi tacos. Signature desserts include a nod to a childhood favorite – strawberry shortcake ice cream bars – elevated to perfection.
A central gathering place of the resort, the beachside lounge also offers Italian-inspired cuisine from the island’s farms, ranches, and fishermen. Pull up a sunset facing chair and unwind over live music or enjoy a nightcap at the festive late-night beachfront bar.
Taste new flavors at ‘Ulu
Hawaii offers a wonderful mix of cuisines, often influenced by Polynesian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Korean cultures, through ingredients and techniques – a sample of which are on display at ‘Ulu. On the grand sprawling outdoor terrace with varying oceanfront seating, the setting hypnotizes with each bite, morning or night.
Start your day with a fresh carrot orange ginger juice or an ube or macadamia nut latte. The breakfast spread at ‘Ulu is a wonderful way to try new bites, with rotating specials like Korean chicken, Kahlua pork fried rice, Poi, miso soup, dumplings, shumai, and Portuguese sausage. Sample handmade mochi, fresh malasadas, or local fruits like papaya, while traditional favorites are always available – made to order eggs, bacon, pastries, fresh yogurt, and oatmeal with toppings.
Steps from the beach, watch the sunset at dinner over dishes from land and sea. Share the local fresh grilled fish, oysters grown on site, King Crab Mochi Noodles, uni toast, sushi rolls such as Hamachi with a puffed rice crunch, and sashimi like Kanpachi or Hokkaido Scallop. Tableside poke is a fun Hawaiian affair, as varieties are made in front of you – from fresh raw Local Bigeye Ahi to Japanese Bluefin Tuna.
The new chef is having fun with the dinner menu, with new offerings like Broiled Kona Lobster Frites and fresh catch prepared in a variety of ways, like Ahi Tuna au poivre with a crispy potato cake and rich peppercorn sauce. Leave room for their famous decadent shareable souffle with rotating flavors like coffee toffee.
Snorkel in King’s Pond
In the volcanic brackish “pond” where the sea mixes with fresh water from underground, you won’t have to fear sharks, as this loaded 1.8-million-gallon swimmable aquarium houses more than 4,000 tropical fish and is surprisingly deep. Connect underwater with Kainalu, a 30-year-old gliding spotted eagle ray, and a myriad of colorful fish. Observe in awe, as Papaya, the gigantic striped belly puffer fish glides underneath. The resort’s team of marine biologists care for the sea creatures and if you’re lucky, you can watch them feed the ray oysters and marvel as he crunches the seafood delights.
Relax with a Lomi Lomi Massage
In an outdoor thatched hut cabana, completely unwind as the expert hands of Pua lull you into a state of bliss – with long strokes, gentle stretching, and lavender or Pikake aromatherapy oil. Begin or end your service with time in the outdoor jacuzzi, cold plunge, dry sauna, and eucalyptus steam shower or glass-walled eucalyptus steam room. Even on a weekend, the spa feels like your own, adding to the growing peace and contentment.
Choose the pool to match your mood
Eight pools are spread across the property, each with a distinct personality.
The adult-only Palm Grove pool with ocean views, a swim-up bar and ambient music, is an easy way to cool off or soak in the jacuzzi under the stars. Sit on the beach in a cabana and alternate ocean wave relaxation with dips in the “quiet” Beach Tree pool that anchors the property.
Swim with the fishes at King’s Pond or take in the sights just above the pond in the Infinity pool. Or stretch out with some laps in the 25-meter heated Olympic-sized 4-lane pool located right outside the spa and wellness area, also loaded with state of the art indoor and outdoor fitness equipment options.
Enjoy family fun in the all ages made-for-families Seashell pool, beachfront oasis Ocean pool carved out of lava rock, or the Keiki Children’s pool.
Golf on an 18-hole championship course with an ocean finale
The Hualālai Golf Course represents everything a resort golf course should be – and is home of the annual PGA Mitsubishi Electric Championship, the longest-running PGA site. The 18-hole championship course winds over 7,100 yards – beginning in a lush oasis, flowing across bright green fairways contoured against black lava, and returning to the ocean for its final breathtaking views. In January, we saw six whales in one day surface along the horizon. While we didn’t have time for a round, this would be high on our list for a future visit.
Stay fit with the ultimate wellness and exercise facilities
For those who tire of relaxing and want to pursue active goals, the resort boasts the largest indoor-outdoor fitness and wellness facilities we have ever seen at any property anywhere, including strength and cardio gym options, from Pilates reformers and yoga classes to half-court basketball and a CrossFit area.
For those ready for paddle sports, 7 tennis (with two lit at night) and 3 pickleball courts are available. All equipment is included. Private trainers abound too – for tennis, swim, surf, and fitness.
Deepen your Hawai’i understanding at the Ka’Upulehu Cultural Center
Make leis, take hula lessons, and play the ukulele through immersive hands-on experiences. Take a piece of Hawaiian culture home in your heart.
Design a bespoke ocean adventure on a 46-foot catamaran
Explore the pristine waters and vibrant marine life off the coast of Hualālai on the Four Seasons’ custom Alaka’i Nui catamaran operated by the Alaka‘i Nalu – including scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, whale watching, visiting black sand beaches, snorkel scootering, SEABOB adventures, stand-up paddling and more.
Guests can also participate in interactive marine education and ocean preservation programming at the Kumu Kai Marine Center, led by the resort’s dedicated Natural Resources team.
Other exclusive “Only at Hualalai” experiences include a three-day freediving adventure with Kimi Werner; chef’s knife blacksmith experience with Neil Kamimura; wooden surfboard making and lessons with Bonga Perkins; and more.
