Four Seasons Hualalai is the most idyllic resort in the Hawaiian Islands. I just arrived home from an all-too-brief stay at
Four Seasons Hualalai where we enjoyed a wonderful vacation. From the moment my flight landed, this resort excelled at service. Handing our baggage claim checks to the hosts at the Four Seasons desk just inside the terminal at the Kona airport, we stepped into a taxi and minutes later were greeted at the resort. Checking in while seated in comfortable chairs around a table in the lobby, we were offered cold towels and a cold drink, then driven to our suite in a golf cart. Our bags arrived soon afterwards.
What do I love about Hualalai? It's a low-rise property with a Hawaiian flavor. Guest rooms are in two-story buildings — no mid-rise or high-rise towers here. Rooms and suites are large, comfortable, and casually elegant with a large walk-in closet and a marble bathroom with dual vanities, soaking tubs, and a walk-in shower (or two... but I'm getting ahead of myself).
Which crescent to book? Rooms are located around four crescents pictured on the resort map to the left. From bottom to top (south to north), they are Palm Grove, Beach Tree, Sea Shell, and Kings Pond. Yet another small grouping of guest rooms borders the 18th green of Hualalai's championship golf course. Which crescent should you choose?
Palm Grove (pictured at the top of this column) is my personal favorite. Secluded at the southern end of the property, this tranquil crescent is ideal for couples on romantic getaways and is a favorite of honeymooners. The center of the crescent features a small adult pool with adjacent hot tub. The attractive lawn offers lounge chairs in the shade under the palm trees. Book a lower-level room in the left half of the crescent for direct access to the lawn.
Beach Tree is the largest crescent and a place for lounging and socializing around the pool. When standing in the resort's lobby, one looks out over the beautiful sight of the Beach Tree pool
(pictured just above) lined with lounge chairs and cabanas. This is the pool to choose for lap swimming.
Sea Shell is an ideal setting for families with children as it circles a large lawn with the resort's kids pool in the center. Sea Shell is the place where kids (and parents too) can make new friends. Children under 18 can stay in their parents room for free, and Four Seasons Hualalai (like all Four Seasons resorts) offers a complimentary children's program with organized recreational and educational activities for younger guests.
King's Pond offers a completely different environment, featuring a pond carved out of lava rock, stocked with thousands of tropical fish. Do you love snorkeling? This is your opportunity to get up close and personal with colorful tropical fish. King's Pond is aesthetically very distinct without the green lawns that grace the other crescents, but for many guests, it's their favorite place to stay at Hualalai.
Golf Ocean View rooms are the most economical of all the resort's accommodations, yet they feature the same generous size and stylish interiors of all of Hualalai's rooms and suites. The views are extraordinary, looking out over the 18th green with a clear view of the blue ocean over the 18th fairway. Located right next to the golf shop, this could be the perfect place for avid golf spectators to sit on their lanais and watch golfers finishing their rounds. It is, however, the farthest from the beach and swimming pools.
One final question: upstairs or downstairs? Second floor Prime Ocean View rooms offer spectacular views of the blue ocean, yet many guests specifically request a first floor room. Why? Because they enjoy the outdoor lava shower... and because you can step right out of your lanai door into the crescent.
Four Seasons Hualalai offers a lot of choices. Need help sorting out your options? Talk to a Four Seasons Preferred Partner luxury travel consultant for first-hand advice ... as well as for exclusive Preferred Partner amenities that include complimentary Full American Breakfast for two daily, room upgrades upon arrival if available, and an $100 Food & Beverage credit once during your stay.
Four Seasons Hualalai (search here on Google)
copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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