We stayed 5 nights on the Big Island at the FS Hualalai. To be honest, if I had the time I could write a book about how fabulous this hotel is! The service is impeccable Everyone always raves about the FS on Maui but I think this hotel is so much nicer on so many levels! When our plane arrived in Kona we were greeted at the airport by a member of the FS staff. (I should have known that this would be like no other experience). They offered us a ride because I hadn’t told them we were renting a car. Instead the gentleman offered to take our luggage to the hotel while we picked up our rental car. I had reserved a golf view room but at check-in we were given a two category upgrade to a beach front room. (It was our anniversary and they knew that) The nice part about it was that we didn’t even have to ask. They also had a chilled bottle of champagne and some snacks waiting for us. We later found out that we were given one of the top 3 most requested rooms at the resort. It was simply amazing and if it’ll help some future honeymooners our room number was 1910. It’s very a very private bungalow on the 2nd floor overlooking the ocean! We were told that the other two most requested rooms are 1901 and 1902 but I didn’t see them so I can’t comment specifically. Based on service alone I cannot think of a better hotel anywhere. It seemed that every staff member knew our name as soon as we arrived, everyone always says hello and they are all genuinely nice and helpful. The sports club and spa are both top notch and the restaurant Pahuia is outstanding! Our bungalow was right outside the “Quiet Pool” which was wonderful! In all fairness I have to say that the beach isn’t the greatest but honestly, who cares! If your going to a hotel for the beach alone this would not be your hotel.
For restaurants we ate at the following:
We had breakfast buffet at the hotels restaurant each day and of course it was outstanding!
Chart House: No longer part of the chain and the food wasn’t very good.
Hard Rock Café: Don’t bother! Mediocre food and really lousy service. (worse than usual)
Hualalai Club Grill at the FS: Informal restaurant at the hotel and it was very good. I think we had pizza. I’d recommend it. It has a fabulous wine list and many great wines by the glass.
Roys: We like this restaurant a lot. Food is good, service is good and the wine list is good.
Pahuia at the FS: This restaurant and Mama’s Fish House on Maui were the best restaurants hands down. The food and service are superb. My husband had the most wonderful white chocolate and pistachio soufflé on earth. We highly recommend this restaurant and be sure to make reservations.
We tried to go on an excursion to Mauna Kea Observatory but it was cancelled three days in a row due to weather. Volcano National Park is a must and if you’re a hiker & happen to have a spare 9 hours, go for a walk to see the lava up close. Seriously, that's how far you have to hike these days to see the lava! We went to Hapuna Beach which is absolutely gorgeous! It was one of the nicest beaches we went to. Now onto Oahu.

Can you give more info on the room? was the beachfront room spectacular or just a nice touch?

The rooms are extremely nice at the FS but I'd say it's more the overall ambience that sells this hotel. The view was unsurpassed and I know for a fact that our room had the best view, period.

Honestly, if it were just the room you wouldn't be blown away by it. It's very nice but it's the whole resort experience that makes this place spectacular!

I thought the bathrooms were really neat. They are done in slate which is an unusual material for a bathroom but it really works nice. If you look at the picture of the rooms on the FS website, that's pretty much what our room looked like.

I'm just wondering if you and your husband frequent FS hotels or if you recieved special treatment for any other reason than your anniversary. I also have stayed at the FS in Maui and found the service impecible but was with a large convention and wasn't sure if the "average" hotel guest would experience the same service. What do you think?

Wendy,

This was our first time at both Four Seasons hotels in Hawaii. We have stayed at Four Seasons hotels before but not within the past 2 years.

When I made our reservation back in January the reservationist asked if we were celebrating anything. I told her it was our anniversary but that's pretty much the extent of our conversation.

I would have asked for an upgrade had we not been offered one but I never expected such a wonderful room!

You know it's really a double edged sword because now I'm spoiled and I know I could never go back there and settle for that golf view room. How would anyone not be disappointed? Then again I can only imagine how much we'd pay for a beachfront room! Back to reality........

Thanks so much rmc. It does sound fabulous!

I couldn't agree with you more about this hotel. We took our family vacation in Hawaii back in Feb and stayed at the 4s in Maui and the big island. The 4s on the big island is by far the best place that we have ever stayed. We were also upgraded from a graden view to an excecutive suite, which was great for a family of 4. The service was top notch, as well as the beauty of the hotel and grounds. I can't say enough great things about this place.

Tom,

I think that's one of the things that makes this hotel so special. I have been upgraded before but never to the level that this hotel seems to give their guests.

I can't for the life of me figure out why the 4S on Maui gets better reviews than this hotel. Oh and just so everyone knows, I don't feel this way just because we received a very nice upgrade the whole resort is completely top notch!

rmc- thanks for your response. I am also now a big fan of the 4S and will definatly look into staying at the Hualalai next time I'm on the big island.

Glad you had such a nice time.

RMC--Does any part of the 4S beach area have CALM water?

Yes Ted, they blocked off this small area (it looked like they used giant rocks of lava to do so) and it's very calm. This beach area is just outside the "kids pool" so if you happen to be staying in those bungalows you'd have quick access to both.

Enjoy!

(wish I was back there myself

rmc- which pools is the quiet pool at Hualalai? I was thinking about requesting an oceanfront room at the King's Pool section because ir seemed like it would be quiet there. Maybe I should switch to the area that you were in. I was also thinking about requesting a first floor room since they also have the outdoor showers which sounds very romantic. What do you think? I want to make sure that I'll be happy with the room and the view since I will be paying the rack rate for it.

Thanks for your help!

Re: the lava...

We are on the Big Island now. If you go to the volcanoes, it is a 45-60 minute roundtrip hike to see the lava flowing. It is not fast-moving, but you can see it move. You can get within just a few feet of it. You start the hike from the end of Chain of Craters road.

Kay, thanks for the lava flow report. How dangerous is the hike? The reason I ask is that people sometimes suggest hiking over the cooled lava is dangerous because it is very sharp and slippery. So, if uou slip, you can get cut up. Is this the case? And do you reccommend hiking shoes or boots, or will a good pair of sneakers do the trick? I am very interested because I will be there next month. I can't wait!
Hope you are having a fabulous time!