Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Overview
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is, quite simply, one of the finest resort experiences in the world. Named the #1 Resort in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for two consecutive years, and holding Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings for 17 and 29 consecutive years respectively, this 249-room retreat on the Big Island's Kona-Kohala Coast sets the standard for ultra-luxury hospitality in Hawaii.
Set on 865 acres along a half-mile stretch of white sand Ka'upulehu Beach — on the site of an ancient Hawaiian fishing village — the resort radiates an understated elegance. Intimate two-story bungalow-style buildings are tucked among lava rock landscapes and tropical gardens, with eight swimming pools including the legendary King's Pond — a 1.8-million-gallon natural lava rock aquarium where you can snorkel among 3,000 tropical fish and a resident spotted eagle ray.
A transformative $100+ million renovation, the most significant since the resort's 1996 opening, has refreshed every room and public space while maintaining the authentic Hawaiian sense of place that has made Hualalai an icon. Five acclaimed restaurants, a 28,000-square-foot spa, and a Jack Nicklaus championship golf course complete a resort that delivers on every front.
Accommodation Options
All 249 accommodations (196 rooms and 53 suites) are housed in intimate two-story bungalow-style buildings, freshly renovated with authentic Hawaiian design elements. Standard rooms start at a generous 635 square feet, each with a king bed, spacious lanai, and refined tropical decor.
Room categories range from Poolside Rooms with direct terrace pool access to Oceanfront Rooms surrounding King's Pond and the beachfront crescents. Kekaha Suites (1,353 sq ft) occupy top floors with expansive outdoor living space, while the stunning new Kahuwai Suite (1,367 sq ft) in Bungalow 0 features a private infinity pool and hot tub overlooking Kumukea Beach.
For the ultimate experience, the Hawaii Loa Presidential Villa spans 5,200+ square feet with four bedrooms, two stories, direct beach access, and a private whirlpool. Two additional grand villas — Makaloa and Ho'onanea — offer multi-bedroom retreats with private pools and firepits. All accommodations benefit from the resort's signature anticipatory Four Seasons service.
Pools, Beaches & Activities
With eight swimming pools, Hualalai offers more aquatic variety than virtually any resort in Hawaii. The legendary King's Pond is the headline attraction — a 1.8-million-gallon natural lava rock aquarium home to 3,000 tropical fish across 75 species and a beloved resident spotted eagle ray named Kainalu. Grab complimentary snorkeling gear and swim among the fish — there's nothing else like it in the world.
A new elevated King's Pond Infinity Pool overlooks the aquarium with wrap-around deck, panoramic views, and three hot tubs. The Palm Grove Pool is adults-only with a swim-up bar and ambient music. The Seashell Pool is family-friendly with thatched-roof palapas, while the Keiki Pool features a sand bottom designed for young children.
The Beach Tree Pool sits steps from the ocean, the Ocean Pool uses a natural lava rock breakwater for safe ocean swimming, and an Olympic-style Lap Pool at the spa serves serious swimmers. It all adds up to a pool experience that's unmatched in Hawaii.
Spa & Wellness
The Hualalai Spa is a 28,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor sanctuary and the only Forbes Four-Star spa on the Big Island. Nineteen treatment rooms include open-air cabanas accessed via winding paths through lava rock walls and trickling waterfalls, creating a setting that's as therapeutic as the treatments themselves.
Signature offerings draw on Hawaiian healing traditions — the Lomi Lomi Massage is a sacred Hawaiian art, and body polishes incorporate Big Island ingredients like Kona coffee, coconut, and pineapple. A 15,000-square-foot fitness center with three open-air gyms, yoga and Pilates studios, and an outdoor four-lane lap pool support active wellness.
Facilities include his-and-hers changing rooms with saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, and cold plunge pools. The central Waiea (Water of Life) Garden provides a meditative setting between treatments.
Dining
Five acclaimed restaurants showcase the Big Island's exceptional produce, with 75% of ingredients sourced from Hawaii Island and over 160 local farm partnerships. 'ULU, freshly renovated with a $17.6 million redesign, serves pan-Asian Hawaiian cuisine with crudo, sashimi, and locally caught fish — it holds a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for six consecutive years.
The brand-new NOIO sushi lounge (opened December 2024) occupies the second floor of 'ULU, offering a seven-course omakase experience. Beach Tree delivers California-Italian cuisine in a beachside setting, while Miller & Lux Hualalai — from celebrity chef Tyler Florence — serves premium steaks and sustainable seafood with views of the 18th green. It won Best Neighbor Island Restaurant in 2025.
Residents' Beach House provides casual oceanfront dining with whale-watching opportunities during winter months. 24-hour in-room dining ensures you never go hungry.
Golf
The Hualalai Golf Course is a Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole championship layout (par 72, 7,117 yards) that weaves along the coastline through contrasts of emerald fairways and black lava rock. The course regularly hosts PGA TOUR Champions events, and its ocean-side finishing holes are among the most photographed in Hawaii.
The recent renovation added the Hualalai Golf Hale with an indoor simulator, and an upgraded practice facility features Trackman Range technology. Beyond traditional golf, the resort offers creative variations including Par 3 and Pizza, Night Golf, Foot Golf, and a One Wheel Turf Surf experience — making the course accessible and fun for all skill levels.
Nearby Attractions
The resort's location on the ancient Ka'upulehu fishing village site connects you to deep Hawaiian heritage. The on-site Ka'upulehu Cultural Center features exhibits and interactive programs led by Hawaiian cultural specialists.
Five marine biologists staff the Kumu Kai Marine Center, running daily fish feedings at King's Pond, behind-the-scenes tours, touch-tank experiences, private eagle ray feedings, and the popular Jr. Marine Biologist program for kids. The Kona Coast is one of the world's premier manta ray viewing locations — the resort arranges private nighttime manta ray snorkeling excursions offshore.
A 46-foot luxury catamaran takes guests to secluded beaches along the coast, and deeper explorations include Mauna Kea stargazing (90-minute drive to the summit) and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (2 hours). The resort's own concierge team can arrange helicopter tours, deep-sea fishing, and lava tube adventures.
Tips & Good to Know
Four Seasons Hualalai carries a nightly rate averaging around $2,300, making it the most expensive resort on the Big Island — but there's no resort fee for hotel guests, and the breadth of included amenities and experiences justifies the investment for those seeking the best.
The King's Pond snorkeling experience alone is worth the visit — arrive early morning for the clearest water and the best chance to see Kainalu the eagle ray. Don't confuse the eagle ray with manta rays (a common error) — manta experiences happen off-property at night.
For families, Kids For All Seasons (ages 5-12) runs year-round, and the seasonal Camp Manitou offers adventure excursions to hidden beaches, lava tubes, and Kealakekua Bay. Children four and under eat free at the restaurants.
The resort celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026 — ask about special anniversary programming and experiences during your stay.
Location
72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
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