5 Things We Love About Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Summer is here, and if you haven't planned your vacation, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Hualalai beckons. On the Western shore of the Big Island of Hawaii in Kailua-Kona, the resort offers something for everyone, from couples seeking a romantic retreat to families looking for outdoor adventures. Many of the rooms boast oceanfront views, the sandy beach is ideal for snorkeling and the massive yet walkable property is filled with lush plants, palm trees swaying in the wind and other local flora and fauna.
There's much to love about this tropical escape, but here are the five things beyond the inviting contemporary Hawaiian accommodations that make a stay at the Four Seasons Hualalai so memorable.
Tee it up on Jack Nicklaus-designed greens. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
There are two gorgeous layouts on the property: one is a Jack Nicklaus-designed signature course for hotel guests and another is for members of the local homeowners association. Both are dotted with stunning black lava rock formations and have excellent views of the Pacific glittering in the near distance.
After a morning round, an afternoon at Hualalai Golf Hale is essential. The Hale is a clubhouse featuring an indoor Topgolf Swing Suite, complimentary snacks and drinks, an extensive outdoor driving range and a putting green. The hitting bay features Trackman monitors, allowing you to track the distance and speed of your ball.
The friendly staff also gives lessons and hosts the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, a PGA Tour golf tournament that takes place every January. Everything about the course is state-of-the-art, including the golf carts, which are outfitted with personal sound systems and detailed digital maps of each hole. But be warned: the advanced carts will automatically stop if you attempt to drive in restricted areas.
NOIO is the resort's new sushi lounge. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai provides six unique culinary options, in addition to poolside offerings and room service. The Hualalai Trading Company is a coffee and snack shack with breakfast burritos and smoothies adjacent to the fitness center. The Resident's Beach House is an oceanside watering hole with exceptional seafood enchiladas, inventive salads (see: the grilled lobster wedge) and crispy fish tacos.
Beach Tree is the property's coastal Italian restaurant and a see-and-be-seen spot during sunset. It's also a sensational lunch destination with stellar hummus and crudité, a housemade hot dog served Chicago-style and scrumptious ceviche. Miller & Lux Hualalai is celebrity chef Tyler Florence's upscale American steakhouse. With gorgeous decor, an impeccable setting overlooking the 18th hole and elevated classic dishes (truffle deviled eggs, Caesar salad prepared tableside and tomahawk steaks), it's an excellent place for a festive meal to kick-start a vacation.
'ULU, the Big Island resort's signature eatery, recently underwent a remodel and menu update. The fresh look pairs wonderfully with chef Richard Polhemus and chef de cuisine Chris Damskey's elevated Hawaiian and pan-Asian-inspired fare. Oysters, which are grown and harvested at an on-property farm, can be ordered with 'ULU's signature caviar. The menu also serves crispy gochujang-glazed chicken, miso butter-broiled king crab legs and a decadent ahi tuna Wellington with local mushrooms and foie gras kabayaki.
There's also the new NOIO, a sushi lounge on 'ULU's second floor. Chef Nuri Piccio is behind the wildly fresh omakase experience, where diners embark on a journey that begins with delectable bites, including oysters with salmon roe and chawanmushi (a Japanese egg custard with uni and blue crab). A seemingly endless array of nigiri and sashimi made with locally caught, sustainable seafood follows.
Rejuvenate at the Four-Star Hualalai Spa. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai The Sports Club and Wellness Center
Fitness is not overlooked at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. In fact, it's an integral part of the hotel experience. The massive gym curates a packed roster of Pilates, yoga and cardio-barre fusion classes. There are rows of bikes and treadmills, weight training equipment, a lap pool, seven tennis courts and three pickleball courts. Saunas, steam rooms, hot whirlpools and cold plunges are also a part of the wellness journey.
At the Four-Star Hualalai Spa, those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation can find it in treatments such as aloe-leaf cocoon, acupuncture, reiki, oxygen-infusion facials and hot stone massages. If water sports interest you more, try aquatic adventures like fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and private night snorkeling where you swim alongside manta rays.
There's a pool scene for every type of traveler to dive into here. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai The Pools
Choose from eight distinct pools at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. The glamorous Palm Grove Pool is an adults-only oasis in the heart of a picturesque palm grove. The King's Pond is a saltwater snorkeling area with tropical fish, allowing guests the chance to see the sea without actually going into the ocean. Sitting above the pond is the infinity-edge pool King's Pool. Carved out of lava rock and a natural breakwater, the Ocean Pool is the resort's ocean swim area. A treasure chest with toys and a white sandy bottom is found at the Keiki Children's Pool, while the Sea Shell Pool is a saltwater jewel designed for families. If you want to get in some exercise, an Olympic-style lap pool is at the sports club and spa. Beach Tree Pool is a quiet area where cell phone calls and loud voices are not allowed.
All pools have hospitable staff members who surprise guests with thoughtful amenities like frosé, popsicles or sunglasses cleaner. Each pool also comes with its own culinary and cocktail offerings, so if you're in the mood for a margarita and guacamole, order away.
Miller & Lux has imaginative drinks on its menu. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai The Mai Tais
The mai tai is the unofficial cocktail of the Hawaiian Islands. Upon arrival, hotel guests receive a traditional ceramic glass filled with rum punch. The first sip sets the mood for an exciting trip to come. Traditionally made with rum, lime juice and orgeat (an almond-flavored syrup), mai tais are on every restaurant and pool's drinks menu at the luxury resort.
Each dining destination has its variation, and the bartenders take pride in creating these original concoctions. For example, at 'ULU, the mai tai is mixed with Aperol and mint, while at NOIO, it features pistachio paste along with dry Curacao. Miller & Lux's version comes flaming with two types of rum and passion fruit puree. Pineapple juice, lemon, macadamia nuts and guava nectar are other ingredients added to the mai tais around the resort.
Our favorite option is at the Palm Grove Pool. This superb take on the classic Trader Vic's mai tai recipe uses three types of rum, housemade orgeat and a dark rum float. Grab one before you head to the airport. It'll help ease the disappointment of having to check out of paradise. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Forbes Travel Guide's Best Hotel Bars For 2025 By Jennifer Kester Forbes 6 Breathtaking New York City Rooftop Bars By Spencer Whaley Forbes 18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways By Forbes Travel Guide Forbes 7 Remarkable Resorts With 9-Hole Golf Courses By Katie Sweeney
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