Big Island, Hawaii
The Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, is the southernmost and largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is 93 miles across at its largest point. It is one of the six main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and one of the four islands that has a major tourism industry, together with Kauai, Oahu, and Maui.
Big Island is also the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands and is still growing. The volcano Kilauea, which has been continuously active since 1983, experienced a major eruption in May 2018. There have been a number of smaller eruptions since.
The island is one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth. Extremes of climate ranging from tropical rain forest to arid dessert to polar ice-capped mountains can be experienced all within the same day. However, for the casual tourist, perfect vacation weather is assured due to the remarkable consistency of the island’s temperatures at sea level, maintaining an average of 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months of May to October.
Dream
Four Seasons Resort Hualālai: This Forbes Five-Star rated beachfront resort, surrounded by white-sand beaches and black-lava landscapes, is situated on the Kona-Kohala coast on the West side of the island, 8 miles from Kona International Airport. The hotel comprises 249 guest rooms and suites set in two-story bungalows, on a beautifully landscaped 865-acre property.
Rooms are large and very comfortable. We chose an “ocean golf-view room” with views of the Pacific Ocean across the Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole Hualalai golf course, large granite bathroom, slate floors and hardwood trims.
The resort has four restaurants, two lounges and eight pools. There is a large Sports Club and Spa with an extensively equipped gym, first class tennis center, and a well-stocked trading post. In fact, there is no reason to ever leave the resort during your stay!
Dine
The hotel’s four main restaurants are ‘Ulu Ocean Grill, Beach Tree, Miller & Lux Hualālai and Residents’ Beach House. ‘Ulu Ocean Grill is temporarily closed for enhancements.
Our current favorite dinner restaurant at the Hualālai resort is the Residents’ Beach House. This beachside restaurant is more intimate than the others, with casual lānai dining, a menu of simply prepared food, and a welcoming cocktail bar. Resort guests may make reservations after 3.00pm on the day of request. We recommend visiting during your stay at the hotel.
‘Ulu Ocean Grill: This is the hotel’s signature indoor/outdoor restaurant and the stunning location for breakfast each day. Set right beside the beach, steps away from palm trees, black volcanic lava rockpools, and the beautiful azure ocean, it is a great way to start the day. In the evening, dinner is served in the restaurant, together with craft cocktails and the freshest sushi at the ocean-view bar in ‘Ulu Sushi Lounge.
Beach Tree: Another beachside restaurant in an idyllic location, Beach Tree brings a Hawaiian beach house vibe to lunchtime. Californian cuisine with an Italian twist is served on the open-air deck using the freshest ingredients. Healthy, simple farm-to-table options are available, such as grilled chicken with tomatoes, as well as incredible deserts to indulge in beside the lapping waves, such as the first-rate lemon meringue ice cream pie.
Also just steps from the ocean is the casual Beach Tree Bar and Lounge, a great place for a glass of rosé in the afternoon, and a very popular gathering spot to view the sunset or partake in libations under the stars.
Miller & Lux Hualālai: This new dining experience from Chef Tyler Florence is an American steakhouse set on the second floor, overlooking the 18th green of Hualālai Golf Course. With a more intimate and club-like atmosphere, and the only one of the four main restaurants set away from the beach, Miller & Lux Hualālai offers a menu of high-quality steaks, fresh fish and farm-direct vegetables. Patrons may also relax in the adjoining bar area.
Hualālai Trading Company: Located next to the Sports Club and Spa, the Hualālai Trading Company sells high-quality coffee, ice cream, acai bowls and a range of all-day lunch and snacking items, together with an array of groceries, wine and other shopping items.
Finally, 24-hour room service is also available.
Do
Big Island has much to offer visitors, including stunning volcanic scenery, coffee plantations, waterfalls and other natural wonders ready to be explored by the avid hiker. On this trip we opted for some serious R&R spending most of our time on resort. However, on our next trip we will be sure to get out and about to take advantage of more of the island’s abundance of riches.
Relax by one of the resort's many pools: There are seven outdoor pools at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort, each with its own individual features.
Beach Tree Pool: This is one of our favorite, and one of the most spectacular pools we have seen on our travels. This tranquil oasis surrounded by wooden decking, flanked by cabanas and palm trees and steps from the ocean, is aquatic perfection.
Palm Grove Pool: This “quiet” adults-only pool features ambient music, a swim-up bar, oversized hammocks and private “Couples Nests” lounge areas.
Sea Shell Pool: This is the main family pool, set beside ‘Ulu Ocean Grill. The saline/chlorine pool features an infinity edge and is surrounded by thatched palapas and daybeds.
King’s Pond: Somewhat more unusual, this pool is a 1.8-million-gallon lagoon carved out of the black lava rock and stocked with thousands of tropical fish. There you can take a snorkeling lesson and swim amongst the tropical sea life.
Lap Pool: Olympic-style pool at the Sports Club and Spa.
Ocean Pool: A rectangular “pool” carved out of the oceanfront lava rock with a natural breakwater.
Keiki Children’s Pool: A shallow pool with white-sand bottom beside the Sea Shell Pool, complete with cute, mini-sized chaise longues.
Sports Club and Spa: The Four Season’s Sports Club is very well equipped. As well as the Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course, there is a tennis club with eight tennis courts, two of which are illuminated. The fitness center has a wide array of free weights and exercise machines, including treadmills set outside under a thatched palapa, and Peleton bikes inside an aerobic exercise studio. In addition, there is an outdoor four-lane 25-meter lap pool and 28,000 square foot full-service luxury spa.
Running Trails: For those that enjoy taking their exercise amongst nature, the resort boasts a paved jogging trail that stretches along the coastline, carved out through the natural black lava rock, which contrasts dramatically with the bright blue pacific. The result is a spectacular track along which to raise your heart rate.
Hapuna Beach State Park: This beautiful white sand beach on the Kohala Coast is a 30-minute drive north from the Four Seasons. It is Big Island’s largest white sand beach and is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the USA.
NOTE: The majority of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the southeastern corner of the island, home of Hawaii’s most famous volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kilauea – has now reopened to visitors following the cessation of the recent increased activity of Kilauea Volcano.
