Often overlooked for a luxury vacation, we think of Oahu as the hidden gem amongst the islands. Oahu is much different than the other Four Seasons Resort. Think Miami high rise. However, guest rooms offer breathtaking ocean views, creating a personal sanctuary within this all-encompassing luxury resort. You can dive into the invigorating pools and lagoons, with an array of water sports available at the resort’s beach. Engage in activities like tennis and golf, unwind at the spa, start your day with sunrise yoga, or embark on a deep-sea fishing adventure at the marina.
As a Top 30 advisor globally for Four Seasons, we visited Oahu right before its grand opening in 2017 and have had plenty of happy clients visit since. We are happy to share a review of our stay to better understand everything this resort has to offer.
Check-in Experience
The resort is 45 minutes by car northwest of Waikiki in Honolulu and 30 minutes northwest of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). The best way to get to the hotel is by renting a car or booking private transportation directly from the hotel. Our team can also assist with securing your transportation.
Upon arrival, prepare to be welcomed by complimentary refreshers and a cold towel. The lobby is next-level beautiful. The centerpiece of the lobby is the A`a, a racing canoe built in 1902 for Prince Kūhiō. The lobby is modern, yet the small details creatively pay respect to Hawaiian history.
A Room With a View
There are 371 rooms, including oceanfront and mountain view rooms. The rooms are large and comfortable and the design is soothing and tasteful. Nearly all of the rooms at the Four Seasons Oahu have ocean views and they make full use of the large balconies, each furnished with nice outdoor furniture. These balconies make every room feel like a suite with an outdoor living room.
If you want to go all out, we recommend checking out the Penthouse Suite. Forbes hailed it as “the most breathtaking hotel suite across all Hawaiian Islands,” and we have to agree. This exquisite two-bedroom pied-à-terre is perched on our 17th floor, boasting an expansive private terrace for uninterrupted day-long ocean vistas, and generously appointed interiors providing ample space for your family or friends (6 adults and 4 children to be exact). Our team can check for pricing availability during your desired dates.
Dining & Activities
The Four Seasons Oahu sits on a small peninsula and takes advantage of the waterfront on both sides. The hotel shares a beach with Disney Aulani, and the main beach cove hosts a family-friendly beach, providing easy access to the resort’s family pool and dining facilities right from the beach. The opposite side of the peninsula is home to the adults-only infinity pool with easy access to a different beach, which is more exclusive and quiet due to its “hidden” location.
For activities offered by the resort, guests can engage in sunrise yoga, explore stand-up paddleboarding, and secure coveted tee times at the Ko Olina Golf Club. For those seeking more adventurous pursuits, deep-sea fishing and mesmerizing whale-watching await at the Ko Olina marina. For some R&R, the spa opens up to lush green gardens, providing a calming backdrop for your treatments. Opt for an outdoor massage in one of the well-appointed private hales or cabanas.
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling with kids between the ages of 5 and 12, we highly recommend taking advantage of one of Four Season’s best benefits, the complimentary Kids For All Seasons. Arts and crafts, outdoor sports, swimming, and much more are part of the program.
There are four restaurants at Four Seasons Oahu. Dining options range from tasty fresh seafood at Mina’s Fish House to savoring Italian favorites at Noe. Breakfast is served daily in La Hiki Kitchen. For a lighter breakfast on the go, you can check out Hokulea located in the hotel’s lobby. If you don’t want to leave the pool to get a cocktail, simply swim up to Dr. Mai Tai’s bar located right at the edge of the infinity pool. Dr. Mai Tai’s is home to Dr. Mai Tai, the Resort’s ‘on-call’ cocktail doctor who makes his poolside rounds with signature rum-infused prescription elixirs.
For a full list of the best things to see and do on the island, check out our destination report of Oahu.
The Benefits of a Travel Advisor
As a Preferred Partner at Four Seasons, we are able to offer our clients exclusive benefits when they book their stay through our complimentary Virtuoso booking tool or directly through a team member:
- Complimentary room upgrade of one category (STA)
- Daily breakfast credit for up to two guests per bedroom, in the hotel restaurant or through in-room dining
- Hotel/Resort Credit (based on room category booked):
- Guest Rooms: USD 100 credit per stay
- Suites and Specialty Suites: USD 200 credit per stay
- Private Retreats: USD 200 credit per bedroom per stay
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out (STA)
Four Seasons Preferred Partner can generally be combined with any rates you’ll find directly with Four Seasons. The upgrades through Preferred Partner are also prioritized over upgrades through other programs, so you’ll want to use Preferred Partner over a program like Virtuoso or Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. As a Preferred Partner agency, we can make Preferred Partner bookings on your behalf.
Additionally, for $200, you can work with our Hotel Plus team to assist with any reservations, activity scheduling, concierge assistance, and more.
Discover Paradise
In our opinion, Four Seasons Oahu provides the quintessential Hawaiian vacation experience, embracing the island’s rich traditions and culture. If your air travel flies you in or out of HNL, it may make sense to prioritize Oahu as an option, however, we highly recommend pairing your stay with another Four Seasons property to get a well-rounded experience.
We understand that there are many luxury resorts to choose from in Hawaii. For a full list of our expert recommendations, you can visit our Preferred Hotels Map. If you are loyal to Four Seasons (and we understand why), we also have a blog recapping every Four Seasons resort in Hawaii to help you decide which hotel best meets your travel needs. For a deeper dive, check out our individual reviews of Four Seasons Maui and Four Seasons Lanai. You can also read our destination spotlight on Hawaii to narrow down which activities are on your bucket list.
Ready to plan your trip? To get started, email us at [email protected] or submit a Travel Request Form on our website.
