Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Review: Our Big Island Summer with Kids
This summer, we escaped real life (aka laundry and school schedules) and landed in paradise at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island. If there’s a heaven for parents who want to drink a mai tai while their kids are fully entertained, this is it.
Between the King’s Pond pool, which is part pool, part saltwater aquarium (1.8 million gallons, 4,000 fish, and zero “Mom, I’m bored” complaints), and the resort’s intimate luau that made us feel like family instead of tourists in a stadium, our stay was the definition of vacation goals. My kids still talk about driving our golf cart around the resort like it was their personal mini race track—shouting “beep beep!” every two seconds.
But beyond the fun, Four Seasons Hawaii does what it always does best: flawless service, incredible food, and an atmosphere that somehow feels both luxurious and completely relaxed. Let me give you the full tour.
Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii Amenities
Accommodations
The rooms at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai hit the sweet spot of breezy Hawaiian style and refined comfort. You can’t go wrong, but here’s the rundown:
Ocean Golf-View Room: Faces the 18th hole of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course with a peek of the Pacific in the background. Great for golfers or people like me who just like pretending they care about golf while sipping coffee on the lanai.
Poolside Room: Just steps from either the Sea Shell or Beach Tree pools. Perfect if you want to wander out of your room and into the water without overthinking life choices.
Partial Ocean-View Room: Gives you a taste of the Pacific framed by tropical gardens, with some rooms offering outdoor lava-rock showers that make you feel like a jungle explorer—minus the bugs.
Ocean-View Room: Full ocean views and sunsets that make your camera roll cry happy tears. Many rooms have lava-rock outdoor showers because, honestly, who doesn’t want to shower outside in Hawaii?
Ocean-View Prime Room: Closer to the shoreline and perfect for people who want to watch the waves crash without ever leaving their balcony.
Oceanfront Room: As close to the ocean as you can get without actually sleeping on the beach. Falling asleep to the sound of waves? Yes, please.
Suites and Villas: We splurged on a villa, and it was worth every penny. The villa came with plenty of space for our family and, most importantly, our golf cart. My kids declared it “the best part of the trip,” which says a lot considering the fish feeding at King’s Pond was also a highlight.
Dining
Four restaurants keep everyone happy, from picky kids to foodies who want something spectacular:
‘ULU Ocean Grill: The seafood here is so fresh it practically winked at me.
Beach Tree: Italian-inspired dishes served right on the sand. My kids devoured the pasta like it was their full-time job.
Hualalai Grille: A classic steakhouse, perfect for when you want to switch gears from poke to perfectly cooked ribeye.
Miller & Lux Hualalai: Thomas Keller’s signature concept, elevating the dining scene with dishes that feel indulgent but not fussy.
Pools
This resort doesn’t just have “a pool.” It has an entire portfolio of pools:
King’s Pond: Our favorite—part aquarium, part snorkeling adventure.
Beach Tree Pool: Laid-back with killer views.
Palm Grove Pool: Adults only, because sometimes you need a break from cannonballs.
Seaside Pool: Ocean views and plenty of loungers.
Ocean Pool: Built into lava rocks—nature meets luxury.
Keiki Pool: Shallow and kid-friendly.
Lap Pool: For those ambitious enough to exercise on vacation.
Sea Shell Pool: A fun family-friendly hangout.
Spa and Wellness
The Hualalai Spa is worth blocking off a half-day just for yourself. Think open-air hales, volcanic clay treatments, and the kind of massage that makes you forget you own a phone. Add in a fully equipped fitness center, sports club, and pickleball and tennis courts, and you could justify all the pineapple shave ice you’re about to consume.
Golf
Golfers, this is your holy ground. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Hualalai Golf Course winds over 7,100 yards, starting in a lush kipuka (oasis) before curving across brilliant fairways set against black lava fields. The course finishes along the ocean, delivering some of the most dramatic seaside holes you’ll ever see.
And if you’re serious about upping your game, the Hualalai Golf Hale is incredible. This 3,000-square-foot instruction and practice facility offers a Full Swing golf simulator, outdoor hitting bays with TrackMan launch monitors, and personalized programming from the Hualalai Golf Academy pros. My kids aren’t golfers yet, but I can easily see them begging for lessons here when they’re older.
Recreational Activities
Marine Life Experiences: Snorkeling, fish feedings, and educational activities that my kids actually loved.
Water Sports: Paddleboarding, outrigger canoeing, and more.
Ka‘upulehu Cultural Center: A thoughtful way to learn about Hawaiian culture and history.
Additional Amenities
Boutiques, a business center (because emails happen), concierge services that solve every problem, and premium Wi-Fi round out the experience. There’s also on-site car rental if you want to explore the island without arranging transportation.
Why Four Seasons Resort Hawaii is the Perfect Spot for Your Next Vacation
The service here is next-level. Everyone greets you like you’re an old friend, and staff members somehow manage to remember your name, your coffee order, and that your kids like extra syrup with their pancakes. Housekeeping kept our Villa spotless, complete with nightly turn-down surprises for the kids (fresh-baked cookies earned the highest marks from our crew).
Four Seasons Big Island blends luxury with an easygoing Hawaiian spirit. There’s no pretension here—just seamless hospitality that makes it nearly impossible to leave.
Four Seasons Resort Hawaii Best Tourist Spots You Must Explore
While the resort is the main event, the Big Island is packed with nearby gems:
Manini‘owali Beach (Kua Bay): 1.5 miles (2.4 km) – Powdery sand and turquoise waters.
Kikaua Point Park: 1.7 miles (2.7 km) – Great snorkeling and gentle waves.
Kona Coast State Park: 2.0 miles (3.2 km) – A rugged, beautiful stretch of coastline.
Mahai‘ula Beach: 4.3 miles (6.9 km) – Perfect for a quiet picnic.
Makalawena/Pu‘u Ali‘i Beach: 3.9 miles (6.3 km) – A little hike gets you to one of the island’s most scenic beaches.
Kiholo Bay: 5.0 miles (8.0 km) – Known for sea turtles.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park: 9.1 miles (14.6 km) – A dose of Hawaiian history.
Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary: 8.9 miles (14.3 km) – A totally different ecosystem.
Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation: 9.2 miles (14.8 km) – Because Kona coffee is basically a souvenir in a cup.
(For the record, Volcanoes National Park is not around the corner, but it’s worth a day trip.)
How to Book Your Vacation at Four Seasons Hawaii
The best way to book is through Travel With Merritt—yes, me! I work with Preferred Partner programs, which means you’ll get perks like daily breakfast, potential room upgrades, and resort credits for things like spa treatments or cocktails by the pool. I’ve been to this resort with my kids, so I can help you choose the best room types (and tell you which pools your kids will never want to leave).
Conclusion
Our stay at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai was pure magic. Between lazy mornings at King’s Pond, an unforgettable luau, and the luxury of a villa complete with our golf cart adventures, this was the kind of trip that makes you wonder why you’d ever stay anywhere else on the Big Island.
If you’re planning a family vacation—or just want to experience the best of Four Seasons Resort Hawaii—Hualalai should be at the top of your list. Just be prepared for your kids to ask if you can move in permanently.
Whether you're dreaming of a Mediterranean yacht charter, a once-in-a-lifetime safari, or a family getaway with all the five-star perks, working with a luxury travel agency ensures every detail is flawlessly executed. As a personal travel planner, I go beyond booking hotels—crafting custom itineraries, securing exclusive upgrades, and providing insider access that turns a great trip into an unforgettable one.
