By Ashley on 12/21/2011 3:37:08 PM
Category: Hotels   |  

Traveling to Hawaii Anytime Soon? We Have the Perfect Hotel For You....

As we head back from dinner in the city of Kona, we pull up to the Valet to drop our car off.  As we get out of the car, the Valet asks, “So how did the Orens family enjoy your night out?”  After a great dinner at a local Pizza place, we shared the highlights of our dinner with the valet, and then headed to our room.  As we walk to the stairs that take us down to the main resort level, we notice our car has been pulled around and the headlights are shining on the stairs.  Although there is enough light, this added gesture and surprise is just what we experienced during our entire stay at Hualalai from most of the staff.  That is one of the many reasons that Hualalai feels like a second “home” to me.

I have been lucky enough to enjoy this great resort since they opened 15 years ago.  I can confidently say that today the resort and staff have never been better.   The resort was exceptional when it opened, so you can only imagine what it’s like now.  There have been a number of renovations over the past few years which really improved on perfection.  The Beach Tree restaurant now feels like the central hub of the property.  The new, enlarged and improved restaurant and lawn area really give you that feeling of “belonging.”  It just seems nice to hang out there. There is a large lawn in front of the restaurant where kids can play on the lawn, a platform where a duo plays music during the dinner hours, and there are a number of lounge chairs overlooking the Ocean, as well.  As the sun sets to your left, you see so many guests coming out with their cameras and cocktails to enjoy this peaceful time of day.  The Beach Tree bar is close by, and the servers are never far away to meet your every need, something that I have come to value, enjoy and expect at any Four Seasons resort.

One of the other great improvements is the new pool in the Palm Grove crescent.  The pool use to look like an afterthought and not very inviting at all.  I never really noticed anyone there.  But now, the area has an infinity pool with swim up bar and some amazing drinks.  The Palm Grove pool has gone from “why would I go there” to “wow, I can’t wait to be there” atmosphere.  The entire feel of this crescent is like a resort of its own.  Aside from some very comfortable chairs and the infinity pool, there are number of romantic cabanas on the grass area just between the pool and the ocean. 

The other pools all still remain great.  Beach Tree, Sea Shell and King’s Pond all have identities of their own and are sure to meet the desires of any guest.  The pool service is comfortable, relaxed, personalized and extraordinary.  During the day you are spoiled with a number of treats ~ cold towels, iced frapuccino, “clean your sunglasses?”, “more water?” and a number of other special treats and offers!

As expected, the rooms are beautiful, clean and inviting.   But, one of my favorite amenities is on the first floor rooms ~ the outside lava shower.  Through the bathroom, and then through the shower, you are in the private garden of your room.  Showerhead, towel bar and the beautiful Hawaiian fresh air….what more could you want?  One of my other favorite parts of the first floor room is the patio and path to the pool.   All the buildings at Hualalai are only 2 floors, and most of the first floor rooms have a path from the patio to the pool area of the crescent (There are 4 crescents at the resort, one around each pool).  Once you walk on the lush Hualalai lawns between the rooms and the pools, you’ll want to walk barefoot on them all.

There are a number of places to eat at Hualalai – and I recommend you try them all.  The food at each one is different, but each menu has its own theme.  Each menu is not that big, but each time I looked at one of the menu’s there were too many good things for me to order.  So of course I had to go back to each restaurant so I was sure to try as much as I could.  Everything I ordered was great, and I would order again, but one thing not to miss is the Tuna Melt on the lunch menu at the “Residence Beach House.”

Hualalai is one of the closest resorts to the Kona Airport, one of my favorite Hawaiian airports.  The Kona airport is small, easy to get through and when you land they bring the stairs to the plane and you walk out into the fresh Hawaiian air (nothing better after sitting in “plane air” for 5 hours). You should get a car in Kona, as there is a lot to explore, and, as you leave Hualalai (which is always so sad), you can get gas right there on property.  15 minutes and you’re back at the airport planning your next trip to Hualalai!

There is so much more to say about Hualalai and the beautiful Island of Hawaii, let me tell you more!  The resort, the food, the service, the feeling of “home,” you have to go!   And finally, thank you to the great team at Hualalai for allowing me to have this special and wonderful place to escape to!

 

Book Your Stay with Plaza Travel at The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai & Receive The Following:

* Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)

* Lunch for two once during stay (up to USD85, excluding gratuity and alcohol)

* Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)

* Welcome note at check-in acknowledging the amenities that are being extended

* Complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings

Call us at: (818) 990-4053 to reserve your next Four Seasons Vacation!