Specific hotels rarely make it into our picks for the best places to see in a given region. However, this 5-star hotel complex is a must-see in our guide to Hawaii's Big Island.

It's one of the world's best-known and top-rated beach resorts, and one of the most famous celebrities, not only from the USA. The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, for example, has been voted the best place for honeymoons and honeymoons.

Book a room at the Four Seasons Hualalai

A 5-star resort that offers everything

Four Seasons resorts are generally some of the best in the world, and when you add to this the exotic setting and location on the slopes of the inactive Hualalai volcano, the incredible play of colours in the surrounding landscape from the deep black of the lava fields to the bright green greens of the golf courses to the turquoise blue of the Pacific Ocean, and the uncompromising service, you have a dream holiday.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai offers over 20 different room types in several understated buildings that blend in with the surroundings. You can take advantage of 15 different restaurants, an 18-hole golf course (par 72) and most importantly a great beach with sunbeds and umbrellas that are always available for hotel guests only.

Beaches and swimming

The resort follows the coastline and winds along several coves for almost 1 kilometre. The main beaches of Kukio and Kumukea offer stunningly fine white sand, a romantic boardwalk with palm trees and crystal clear water.

While Kumukea beach, adjacent to the hotel, is often wilder with waves ideal for bodysurfing, Kukio beach lies in a quiet bay where conditions are ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

Although the beach is on hotel property, by law all Hawaiian beaches must be open to the general public free of charge. So even the beaches at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort can be visited by anyone, just walk through the main hotel gate.

Accommodation rates

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is one of the best hotels in Hawaii, however, in its 5* category it is rather average in price, at least by Hawaiian standards.

One night in a 2-bed room here will run you roughly from 1099 eur.

Show room offer at Four Seasons Hualalai

How to get there

The hotel complex is located near the main Highway 19, and the turnoff to it is clearly marked.

Kona Airport is just 13 km away, while Hilo Airport is 131 km from the hotel. Several large parking lots offer free parking for beachgoers not staying at the hotel.

The hotel is even served by bus routes 80 (Kona, Kona Airport, nearby beaches and Hilo) and 90 (Kona, nearby beaches and the entire west coast). In total, buses run to the beach about 8 times a day, and you can find details of the service on the heleonbus.org website.