"Why book? It's polished Polynesian. A luxe oasis close enough to downtown if you feel like being in the heartbeat of Honolulu, but far enough away to serve as a constant reminder that you're on vacation. Set the scene Upon entering, don't let the grandiose, atrium-esque, white-marbled lobby fool you into thinking there's an ounce of formality or stuffiness here. The place is brimming with easy, breezy, grown-up luxury. As the name of the surrounding enclave "Ko Olina" (or "place of joy") implies, the property is family-friendly, unpretentious, and approachable. City chic couples clad in James Perse T-shirts and Tkees slides, golfers donning Titleist visors, business execs, and island-hopping world travelers can be spotted here. Lounging and relaxing poolside is taken very seriously with an ample supply of chaise lounges and umbrellas lining all four pools (three family pools and one adults-only pool), and an adjacent private beach and lagoon. The backstory Famed architect Edward Killingsworth—the visionary behind The Phoenician, Scottsdale Luxury Collection Resort and Case Study House #25, or the Frank House, in Long Beach, California—designed the 17-story high-rise on the leeward side of the island in 1998. In 2016, the 642-acre property became a Four Seasons hotel. The rooms Outfitted by Honolulu-based interior design firm Philpotts Interiors (other projects include The Royal Hawaiian and Hotel Wailea), rooms are awash in calming sandy tones with subtle hints of grass green and blush hues alongside woven desk chairs and upholstered headboards sporting reading lamps and power outlets. Bathrooms are equipped with rain showers, motion-sensing Toto toilets, and soaking tubs. (I still daydream about the unobstructed ocean view from my balcony in an oceanfront king room.) The best options for families include oceanfront king rooms with private balconies and oceanfront one-bedroom suites with approximately 1,400 square feet of space and two or three full bathrooms. Food and drink With five on-site restaurants, there's something for every type of palate and dietary preference. La Hiki Kitchen, a casual eatery adjacent to the Ohana pool, serves up poke bowls and lobster Cobb salads, while Noe transports guests to Italy with homemade pasta and seafood by chef de cuisine Ryo Takatsuka in a romantic setting with a tree-lined patio. At sunset, plant yourself by a cozy firepit-gone-table at Manalo Lounge for handcrafted cocktails. A new rooftop speakeasy, Five-One-Six, is set to open later this year. The spa The Naupaka Spa & Wellness Center features an expansive menu of body treatments and an innovative Healer-in-Residence program for private or group meditation sessions with practitioners, including Dana Childs and native intuitive Pi'iali'i Lawson. Lawson also leads an intention-based smudge stick workshop, guiding guests to forage for plants around the resort to create their own smudge stick to bring home, and the Mu Hala Sound Journey, a stress-relieving sound bath utilizing crystal sound bowls and tuning forks. For a complete refresh post-flight, opt for a sculpting and hydrating Celestial Black Diamond ultimate lift facial with lead esthetician Christine Domenden. The facial utilizes London-based 111Skin products expertly tailored to your skin type by Domenden herself. Post-treatment, linger in your robe and spa sandals in a spa lounge with a cup of detoxifying and immune-boosting mamaki, or take a dip in a hot tub. The neighborhood/area Situated on the island's west coast, the resort is a mere 30 minutes from Honolulu International Airport. It's also across the street from Aulani Resort, A Disney Resort & Spa, but you won't hear a thing unless, of course, you decide to take a short walk there to seek out Mickey Mouse and check out the action. The service It’s hard to make it past the bell desk without staff stepping in to help with luggage or offer local insights and recommendations. Throughout the hotel, expect to be greeted with friendly faces eager to assist with any need. Eco effort Eco initiatives and practices abound here, including electric vehicle charging stations; an organic waste diversion program for packaging and food waste (some is donated to local farmers); energy-saving controls in all guest rooms; and water-efficient landscaping and LED lighting. Accessibility The property offers six accessible room categories including the Deluxe Accessible room, located on the ground floor and featuring an outdoor spa tub, and the resort one-bedroom accessible suite with large private balconies. All rooms are wheelchair accessible with 36-inch wide interior doors; lowered peepholes, closet rods, and shelving; and ADA-compliant transfer or roll-in showers. For families Babysitting services are available for those seeking a play date or day trip sans the little ones. The Kids for All Seasons Program (guests ages 5-12) offers complimentary classes spanning beaded bracelet-making; mini volcano sculpting; dodgeball; and petroglyph sand art, to fee-based activities such as skateboarding basics for all skill levels at the Four Seasons x Proper Rideshop Skate Camp, a partnership with Proper Rideshop. Camp Manitou, a brand-new collaboration with the storied eponymous camp in Maine, hosts field trips to secret beaches as well as surfing lessons, bodyboarding, and snorkeling excursions to Hanauma Bay. Anything left to mention? Daily happenings include golf at nearby Ko Olina Golf Club, group sunrise yoga, tennis clinics, pickleball workshops, resin surfboard painting, and stargazing. History buffs and aviation enthusiasts can reserve a flight aboard a US Navy SNJ-5C Warbird (the only airplane of its kind in the state), as part of the newly launched Pearl Harbor Warbird legacy flight. The scenic, 40-minute custom tour on the 1940s aircraft includes roundtrip transportation in the resort's Mercedes-Maybach, an expert overview and exploration of the historic events, and a memorial flight pass over Pearl Harbor."
