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My mom and I flew into Kona International Airport, which is only about a 15-minute drive from the resort. Staff greeted us as our car pulled up, and we were given leis and offered a welcome drink. We'd booked a partial-ocean-view room, which was priced at $1,723 a night, including taxes. Rates vary by room type and time of year, but stays here are typically over $1,000 a night. As we checked in, we were told we'd been upgraded to a premium-view room. This could've been because I booked the trip through my travel advisor, who often helps me get priority for upgrades. Since it was only noon and the room wasn't yet ready, we took a walk around the property. The property spans over 850 acres, featuring several pools, restaurants, a golf course, over 200 rooms, a spa, and more. Most of the rooms are arranged in crescent-shaped blocks centered around the property's main pools. Each offers unique vibes and amenities. The Palm Grove Pool has a swim-up bar and is only for adults. I'd say this pool had the liveliest vibe throughout our trip. The Sea Shell pool is geared toward families. We didn't use it, but the kids there seemed to love it. Our favorite pool turned out to be the Beach Tree Pool, which was often very quiet. I loved the wood deck, free-to-use cabanas, and oceanfront jacuzzi. Regardless of which pool we visited, though, service was excellent, and we never struggled to find lounge chairs. Attendants regularly offered to clean our sunglasses and bring us complimentary drinks and popsicles. The property has several restaurants and casual dining options. Alongside the beach is Beach Tree, a coastal Italian-inspired restaurant that highlights fresh, local Hawaiian ingredients, blending Mediterranean flavors with the island's unique produce and seafood. Located near the 18th hole of the golf course, Residents' Beach House is a somewhat simple restaurant that serves some great fish tacos and pizzas. 'ULU serves Hawaiian and Asian cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and seafood. We went there most mornings because its breakfast buffet was included in our particular booking. In the evening, 'ULU became more of a fine-dining pan-Asian spot. We've visited Hawaii many times and have stayed at Four Seasons on Lanai, Maui, and here on the Big Island. Each property offers a distinctly different feel, but the one on Kona is my favorite. I love the raw beauty and the surreal landscape of black lava fields along the coast. It's the kind of place that really lets you check out. I also appreciated how the Hualalai resort seemed to lean into a relaxed country-club feel. Ultimately, this trip was easy, restorative, and exactly the kind of recharge I was looking for. At this price point, value is always subjective — but for a true getaway that allowed me to spend quality time with my mom, this stay was worth it. I tend to choose properties based on sense of place, authenticity, and experience, and the Four Seasons continues to deliver on all fronts.
