Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

With all the action happening on the beaches of Oahu and Maui and in the deep forests of Kauai, it’s easy to overlook the Big Island. And perverse as it may be to claim that any part of Hawaii qualifies as a well-kept secret, it’s nevertheless true that the island of Hawaii, for all its natural beauty, is under-traveled, relative to its neighbors. Thus it’s the perfect site for a resort like the Four Seasons Hualalai. For as luxurious as it may be, this is anything but an ostentatious monument of a hotel.

In keeping with the Kona Coast’s unpretentious and authentic character, this Four Seasons is a restrained and relatively sedate affair, composed of low-slung two-story villas and bungalows, scattered amidst winding pathways, gardens and pools, every room featuring its own private lanai and most within view of the ocean. The interiors are subtly, tastefully Pacific in style, slightly retro and decidedly elegant. All modern luxuries are accounted for, including DVD players, interactive televisions and high-speed internet access, and the bathrooms are a sight to behold, with deep soaking tubs, and in most ground-floor rooms, outdoor showers in private walled gardens.

The bars and restaurants leave little to be desired, from Pahu i’a, centered around a giant aquarium, to the oceanside alfresco atmosphere of the Beach Tree and the open-air (and open-kitchen) Hualalai Grill. Service is nothing if not attentive, in typical Four Seasons style, and the facilities are beyond comprehensive, including a kids’ club, a spa and fitness center, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, and no fewer than five swimming pools and eight tennis courts.