I'm taking my honeymoon in August 2002. We had planned on going to the Four Seasons on the Big Island for one week followed by the Four Seasons on Maui for the second week. When calling for reservations, we found out that the BI prices are much more expensive than those on Maui.

On Maui we get a Mountain View room for $350/night. This price includes breakfast for two daily plus a car rental daily. This is about our target price range. On the BI we would get a Golf Ocean View room including breakfast for two daily OR a car daily for $535/night. The room will be nicer, but I'm not too concerned about the room. I definitely want to see the BI, and look forward to the laid back resort after the hustle of our wedding. Is the BI resort worth the extra price? Should I suck it up and make reservations? Any recommendations for resorts on the BI that are in my price range?

Also, any comments on these particular rooms would be much appreciated! Also, any comments on the weather in Hawaii in August would also be much appreciated! Thanks!

I haven't stayed at the Four Seasons on the Big Island (yet) but I've been dreaming about it for awhile and I seem to recall reading somewhere (maybe here?) that you want to be sure to get a downstairs room because they have private outdoor lava showers. Anyone can comment on this?

I'd suggest looking at Kona Village. It's next to the Four Seasons and while not inexpensive, the price includes meals. It is a wonderfully charming resort, perfect for a honeymoon, and would nicely balance a stay at the Four Seasons in Wailea.

we've stayed at the four seasons big island and like it much better than the one on Maui. the BI resort is much more hawaiian in feeling and much more spread out so you never feel crowded. The maui resort is beautiful with a much better beach (BI has no real beach) but much more crowded, less space (one large pool only).
I'd opt for an upstairs room, I didn't much care for the outdoor showers and you can hear your neighbors upstairs walking around--the stone floors aren't too well insulated, I guess.

Hawaii Traveler: Tell me a bit more about the so-called "beach" at the 4S on the BI! In one photo I saw it looks like there is one small section that has calm seas, while most of it has rough surf. Did you find this to be true or is it ALL rough surf? As a beach fanatic do you think I will be vastly disappointed, despite the beauty of the resort? Thanks!

John

As far as I remember, the is NO beach at the BI 4S (in the flat sand and walk into the water sense of a beach).

The resort is breathtakingly beautiful and RIGHT on the ocean, but there is NO beach; it is all black lava rock.

Thanks, Ted. But tell me this again: Is there any part of this "lava rock beach" (HA!) where the water is CALM, or is it rough surf all the way?

The water was calm when I was there (last) November, but there was no safe way to get into it...there are some big tide pools you can splash around in, but for swimming, you would have to go further up to Mauna Lani Beach Club or the 2 Prince hotels (great! beaches)

Tim'
We just returned from our honeymoon on the BI. Although we did not stay at the FS we did go there one night for dinner to check the place out. There is a beach! It is small but it is there! The resort is breath taking! And the dinner we had was amazing. My husband and I said that when we return we would definitely stay there.
You will love the BI, so much to do and beautiful unlike anything you have ever seen! If you have any other questions, I will be happy to help!

My wife and I stayed at the 4S on BI for a few nights in early September for the end of our honeymoon, and it was the highlight of our trip. If you can afford this place, there's no other place to be -- it's wonderful.

If you want something less expensive, I would recommend the Holualoa Inn, probably about 30 minutes south on the slopes above Kona -- a beautiful place with the best breakfasts I've ever had.

Hope this helps.

My daughter and I stayed at the Four Seasons Hualalai last summer and it was beyond fabulous. There are 2 swimming beaches. One that is surrounded by a coral "reef" to calm the seas and another that is a little walk down a path with waves, but quite swimable. Waves in Hawaii are a given. Stayed at the Mauna Lani year before and hated their "beach". It was corase sand that appeared to be imported to the sight and their "reef" area, which allowed a larger calm part of the ocean than the Four Seasosn, rendered the sand slimy to the touch because of alge growth. That said, Four Seasons is almost always my top choice everywhere.

Rather than stay at a hotel, you might want to consider staying at one of the many 5 star/Gold Crown condos. You could stay for the whole week with a full kitchen, washer and dryer,etc. for the price you're going to pay per night. We just returned from Kauai and now headed for Maui and B.I. next week. We've stayed at many wonderful hotels such as the 4 Seasons but personally feel the deluxe condos are a better way to go. The complexes offer all the same ammentities as the nicer hotels except for room service of course. Feel free to email me if I can help in anyway with your planning or questions.

I agree with the luxury condo idea...the room and lanai are usually much larger. Even if you don't do any cooking, it's nice having coffee pot and microwave and having your own laundry is super for packing light. Go to greatrentals.com and you can rent condos directly from the owners. Use the money you're going to save to eat at great restaurants.