My husband and I had a terrific time at the Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island. The villa style hotel made it seem like there were fewer people at the resort than there probably were. We had very limited interaction with other guests, and that was kind of the way we liked it.

The resort itself is so remote that it was a long and winding drive to get to once you make the turn off of route 19, but the drive is interesting because you will pass huge stretches of lava rock and the beautiful golf course.

We had an ocean view second floor room (Room 2810 right by the 18th hole, so we lacked the open air shower, but I didn't think we were going to use that anyway, so it wasn't a big loss). When we were checking in, we were greeted with leis, pineapple orange and guava juice and an oshiburi towel to freshen up. The front desk clerk met us outside, right by the valet, so we never had to walk into the lobby building; once we were done checking in, we walked straight from the driveway to our room.

The quiet pool was one of the nicest pools I have ever been to in my life. It has a beautiful view of the ocean, and while we were there, there were so many open cabanas that we never felt like we had to wake up early to secure one (they are on a first come, first serve basis). The beach is also beautiful - sea turtles rest in one special spot by the restaurant Pahui'a everyday (but don't disturb them or touch them - it is illegal!)

The restaurants are also delicious. Alan Wong's was a delightful experience. I tried the tasting menu and I was not disappointed. Pahui'a was also wonderful. It has a four diamond rating from the AAA, and it was way to fancy a meal for breakfast. Try the lemon ricotta pancakes - beautiful, thin, and delicious!!!

The staff was friendly here as well. Everyone was very chatty and extremely helpful. A couple of concierge staff members went out of their way to help us. One was Gilles from Brittany and the other was Kathryn Castleberry. They were wonderful!

We would return here in a heartbeat if we can afford it a second time!

The Kona Four Seasons is the Four Season's flagship resort for a reason. I have been to some nice places all over the world, and I have to say that the Kona Four Seasons is head and shoulders above anywhere that I have stayed before. It is an awesome destination. We went to a wedding there and almost didn't stay at the resort, but my several of my fiance's coworkers said that we had to because it was the nicest place that they had ever been. We were not disappointed. The grounds and rooms were impeccable, only outdone by the service. The two things that I enjoyed the most about this place was that no one is a second class citizen. Every guest is a VIP, and there is no segregation (I played basketball with Jim Belushi). All the rooms are full on ocean front. (About the rooms, I would try to get one downstairs. They are arranged with two levels, upstairs and downstairs, obviously. The 2 reasons I would prefer the downstairs, which is where our room was, are that the downstairs have an magical outdoor shower, and you can walk right out of your room to the pool. I don't think that the upper rooms had the shower, but I can't be certain.)

The pools are amazing. One of the pools is for snorkeling. It actually has fish and rays and other ocean creatures. We really liked the pool that we were in front of. It wasn't the quiet pool or the family pool, but the other one. It was beautiful. One note about this is get out there kinda early to stake out a prime seat. (We never had a problem, but this was advice that I got. I don't think that anyone has problems there.)

Another thing that I loved was that the resort doesn't nickel and dime you. (I mean it is all priced in to that bill at the end, which *will* be substantial.) If you want a water, they are there for consumption. You don't have to feel bad wondering if you should pay for a $5 water, because it is free. It's not just the water, and I'm not trying to sound cheap, the resort thinks of everything. If there is something that you might think that you need, you turn and there it is. My fiance commented that the resort makes it so you don't have to think or worry. They take care of those processes for you. I thought that this brought us to another level of relaxation.

The resort has tons of activities, so there is no need to leave. We didn't. I am ususally one who can't sit around too long, and was dubious when a friend told me that there is no reason to leave the resort, and that I wouldn't want to. (I walked 45 minutes to get off a resort in Puerto Rico years ago.) It is true though. The only reason that you might want to leave is to see the volcano. I really wanted to do this, but it is a bit of a drive and then like a 1 hour to 2 hour hike. As far as I could ascertain, there was not much around the hotel, but I believe that there is a town not too far away.

One last tip. I know nothing of your means, but I would point out, as a friend told me, that there is a semi-hidden cantina. At the cantina, which is just past the spa, you can buy food, wine and beer at a pretty significant discount to anywhere else on the resort. I thought that this was a pretty good FYI.

Oh, and I just mentioned the spa. I am sure that you will use it, and it *is* amazing, but the facilities are open to all guests.

I can't gush enough about how much we enjoyed it, and that is what is making this email so long. I am happy just remembering it. What a luxurious experience.

My wife and I stayed here for a few nights on our honeymoon in July of 2006. We are a 27 year old couple.

There are not enough great things to say about this hotel. So many things have been said already that I'll keep this review brief. The hotel's property is unreal and the rooms are some of the nicest I have seen in the world. The service is first class and I cant say enough about how the guests are treated. The hotel is expensive, but in my opinion, everyone should try to stay here, and if that means skimping on other parts of your trip, than so be it, this place is perhaps the best hotel in the entire world.

This is my favorite hotel on the face of the earth! I stayed here about 4 years ago, and it remains as perfect as I remembered. While the hotel was fully occupied, there was never a problem securing a chaise lounge by the pools or beach. Staff is wonderful, rooms are luxurious and beautiful, and the food is spectacular. Sea turtles were napping on the sand, the Kings Pond snorkeling is terrific, the grounds are gorgeous, and everything smells great! We were invited to a manager's reception, and met two people who work for housekeeping. I have never met personnel from the housekeeping dept before at events in other hotels, and I was pleased to be able to tell them directly that the amazing housekeeping services are a major reason the Four Seasons are as great as they are. We never left the property at all during our week stay. Fabulous.