Four Seasons on the Island of O’ahu in Hawaii

I’d never visited Hawaii and read that the island O’ahu would be the best introduction to the tropical state for a first-time visitor. Overall, we felt safe traveling to Hawaii during Covid-19 because of the state’s extremely strict screening procedures. We wanted to stay far from Honolulu, Hawaii’s most populous city.

The Arrival

As we exited the freeway onto the Ko’Olina resort complex, passing Ko’Olina Golf Club, we noticed how different the manicured flowerbeds and towering palm trees were than the rest of our rustic drive from the airport. Arriving at the Four Seasons, our car pulled into the circular driveway which featured palm trees and a koi fish pond. A lavish white lei was offered to me, and as we checked in, a receptionist provided us with fresh guava juice in bamboo cups. Instead of traditional key cards, we were given teal blue wristbands to wear, a new feature at the hotel.

I was awestruck by the sundrenched lobby. A racing canoe from 1902 that had belonged to one of Hawaii’s most famous patriots was suspended in mid-air above me.  

The Room

We booked an entry-level room at the Four Seasons Ko’Olina, named the Garden View, which starts at $395 per night. Perhaps due to the re-opening, we were upgraded to the Ocean View Room which was essentially the same, except for a balcony with chairs and views of the ocean.

The 640 sq. foot room was themed in the spirit of Hawaii with wooden detailing and cushions printed with palm leaves against plush brown fabrics. The room was outfitted with high-tech conveniences, most notably a special iPad that allowed us to order virtually anything we needed, including a sleeping mask, body pillows and room service. (My boyfriend was so inspired by the room’s tech, he found and bought the iPad stand). We were impressed by the large, high-definition television. Notably, the nightstands had several built-in outlets for bedside charging. I slept great. The bed was incredibly plush with several pillows and premium white sheets. The black-out shades were complemented by several indoor lighting options.

The elegant room had a Nespresso machine with free coffee, tea, and water, and refrigerator, but no minibar, which I liked. The large marble bathroom featured two vanities on opposite ends of the room, a soaking tub, walk-in shower with rainfall showerhead, and private toilet. Toiletries were provided by Bulgari.

The Amenities

Of the four pools at The Four Seasons (the premiere Serenity pool, the kids’ pool, the adults’ Infinity pool area, and the wellness pool at the spa), we loved spending our time at the 18+ pool. As part of the renovation, the hotel had outfitted the Infinity pool with a cute swim-up bar with a special selection of Mai Tai cocktails. A receptionist checked us into lounge chairs, took our drink orders and provided ample sunscreen. While there were several luxury cabanas available, we didn’t need to reserve one to feel comfortable.

The spa and gym were located in a separate building at the entrance. The facilities were amazing and could take up an entire day. The Women’s Spa had a hot tub, steam room, sauna, locker area and relaxation rooms with tea, though they were closed as a precaution against Covid-19. The gym and tennis courts were located on the rooftop. During Covid-19, the gym is available during open hours and by reservation. There are two rooms: a cardio equipment room and a weight room.

The Restaurants

Three of the four pools were serviced by the Waterman Grill, which had Mahi Mahi tacos that I continued to crave for hours after I left the pool.

We dined at La Hikki, an al fresco high-dining restaurant by the Serenity pool. The “plant-forward” restaurant replaced their infamous Four All Seasons buffet with an ornate four-course brunch that included: breakfast pastries, crudo, eggs benedict, steak and lobster, dessert, and an optional wine pairing. Unfortunately, a regular menu was not available.

Another restaurant that drove me wild was Noe, a traditional Italian restaurant conceived by chef X. The endive and radicchio salad was an explosion of flavors in my mouth. I generally don’t like pasta dishes, but I loved bucatini cacio e pepe because of the house-made noodles. At Mina’s Fish House, my boyfriend had one of the softest, freshest lobster dishes he’d ever eaten. Smoothies, coffee and pastries were also served at Hokulea overlooking the pool all day.