06.08Four Seasons Hawaii | Luxury Travel

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Hawaii conjures up images of sun, sand and surf – in other words, paradise. One of my favorite places in the world is the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii at historic Kaupulehu. Hualalai takes its name from the volcanic mountain that rises on the island and captures the essence of Hawaiian culture and tradition.

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Four Seasons Hawaii. If that’s not the ultimate in luxury travel, I don’t know what is.Leave it to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai to greet guests as they arrive at the hotel with a warm “aloha,” a mango Mai Tai, and abeautiful orchid lei for the ladies and a wooden beaded lei for the men. It doesn’t take long to exchange winter gear for bathing suits and clothing suitable for a climate that averages a balmy 80 degrees year round. The Big Island happens to be the sunniest, driest and warmest of the islands in the Hawaiian archipelago.

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
It’s hard to decide my favorite activity. It really depends on the time of day. The spa is rated No.1 for all the Hawaiian Islands and deservedly so. Each morning an array of exercise classes start at 7 a.m. and continue throughout the day. My husband is in heaven. Decidedly, he is NOT an early riser, but he’s at spinning class every morning at 8 a.m. sharp and, depending on the schedule, will take pilates, sports pump, butts and guts class and so on. He’s good for two to three hours. My max is two hours, followed by a little cardio. There’s something for everyone, from sunrise beach yoga, tennis and golf clinics, to learning the art of making flower leis or the hula. We always leave in better shape than we arrived!

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Daytime finds us by one of the many pools. Will it be the adult pool with a private cabana, the black-bottomed lava pool, or the family pool? Any choice fits the bill.

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Dining is casual and views of the ocean are on display for all to see. Every restaurant is open with views of the ocean. The surf is lit up at night, which makes walks along the beach an absolute must. Food is fresh from 160 local farms. Herbs come from the hotel’s herb garden. The salads are some of the best I have ever tasted. I will be sharing some simple to prepare, utterly delicious recipes.

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Golf is spectacular on Jack Nicklaus’ signature golf course. The emerald fairways cut through black lava fields to create a unique golf experience. Nothing quite like views of the ocean, sounds of the surf crashing, and those tricky black volcano rocks to give an added challenge to the course.
Hualalai is a slice of paradise you won’t want to miss!
– The Gourmet Review
August 9th, 2013 at 8:22 am
[…] Four Seasons, whether an urban or resort setting is internationally known throughout the world. […]
July 23rd, 2013 at 9:26 am
[…] thanks to Chef Ricardo at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai’s new Asian themed U’LU Restaurant on the Big Island of Hawaii for sharing this delicious […]
August 19th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
Lovely photos. I’m definitely going to visit this place during my summer vacation.
June 18th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
That resort looks amazing – they’ve done a great job of blending everything in with the natural surroundings
June 7th, 2012 at 12:11 am
[…] cocktail was created by one of my favorite bartenders at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Doug Shulman. You can also try the Hualalai Collins on this […]
May 6th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
[…] Don’t you think dessert is the best part of the meal? Chef Linda Rodriguez is pastry chef for Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. She is talented and passionate about each creation served at the hotel, from breads to pastries to […]
May 6th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
[…] drink. The cocktail is named the “19th Hole” and is featured at the golf club bar at Four Seasons Hualala on the Big Island of […]
March 15th, 2011 at 6:40 am
Love the pictures and the article!