Four Seasons Resort Hualalai facts for kids
| Four Seasons Resort Hualālai at Historic Kaʻūpūlehu | |
Quick facts for kids  Sunset by the pool. |
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| Hotel facts and statistics | |
|---|---|
| Location | Kona District, Hawaii, near Kalaoa |
| Address | |
| Opening date | September 27, 1996 |
| Architect | Hill Glazier Architects |
| No. of restaurants | 3 |
| No. of rooms | 243 |
| of which suites | 51 |
| Total floor area | 1,393,920 square feet (130,000 m2) |
| Footnotes | |
| [1] | |
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaʻūpūlehu is a super fancy hotel on the beautiful island of Hawaiʻi. It's located on the Kona-Kohala Coast in a place called Kaʻūpūlehu. This resort has earned the AAA Five Diamond Award, which means it's one of the best hotels in the world!
In 2011, a big wave (called a tsunami) from an earthquake damaged the resort. It had to close for about six weeks to fix the pools, gardens, a restaurant, and some rooms. Later, in 2020, the resort got a huge upgrade with a multi-million dollar renovation.
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Where is the Resort?
This amazing hotel is found on the Island of Hawaiʻi, near Kailua-Kona. It's built on the site of an old Hawaiian fishing village called Kaʻūpūlehu.
How the Resort Was Built
Work on the resort started in 1989. The first construction began in October 1990. The plan was to build 358 rooms. However, a worldwide economic slowdown in 1991 stopped the project.
The resort plans were completely changed in 1994. The hotel finally opened its doors in September 1996.
During the planning, builders found special saltwater pools and an old Hawaiian trail along the coast. These important natural features were saved and made part of the resort's design. They are now a cool attraction for guests to see.
Resort Design and Style
The architects, Hill Glazier Architects, designed the hotel with two-story buildings. These buildings are arranged in a crescent shape. The design was inspired by old Hawaiian villages. It uses "open-air pavilions" that offer amazing views of the Pacific Ocean.
To make the resort feel truly Hawaiian, they used special woods like Honduran Mahogany, koa, bamboo, and teak. The rooms are decorated in a Hawaiian style. They even have bedspreads made by Native Hawaiian artists.
What the Resort Offers
Hotel Services
The resort takes great care in choosing its employees. People who want to work there go through at least five interviews! This helps make sure guests get the best service.
Delicious Restaurants
The hotel has three restaurants: Hualalai Grille, Ulu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge, and Beach Tree Bar & Lounge. These restaurants often use fresh ingredients grown right on the Big Island. You might find local avocados, goat cheese, mushrooms, lobster, and honey on the menu.
Relaxing Spa
The resort has a huge tropical garden spa. It's about 28,000 square feet (2,600 square meters). Here, you can choose from many different types of massages and facials.
Cultural Center
The Kaʻūpūlehu Cultural Center is a special place. It teaches visitors about Hawaiian culture and history. You can take ʻukulele classes and learn how to do the hula dance. You can also learn to make beautiful flower leis. The center also displays a collection of Native Hawaiian art. This includes 11 paintings by the famous artist Herb Kawainui Kane.
Awards and Recognition
The Four Seasons Hualalai has won many awards. Travel + Leisure magazine readers voted it one of the world's best resorts in 2007, 2008, and 2009. It has also been on Condé Nast Traveler's "Gold list" for best resorts since 2005.
As of 2009, it was one of only three hotels in Hawaiʻi to win the AAA Five Diamond Award. In 2010, it also received the Forbes Five-Star Award.
Golf Course
The resort has an 18-hole golf course designed by the famous golfer Jack Nicklaus. Golf Magazine said it was one of the best courses in America in 2002. It also hosts a big golf tournament every year called the Champions Tour's Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
Other Fun Things to Do
Besides the spa and golf, the resort has six swimming pools. There are also fitness facilities where you can work out. In 2010, TripAdvisor named the resort the top place for celebrities to go on their honeymoon!
