Source: travelandleisure.com
Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina fell among T+L readers' favorites in the 2025 World's Best Awards—and it may be the most underrated Four Seasons property in the Aloha State.
What We Like
- Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina is located on Oʻahu’s southwestern shore, away from the hubbub of Waikiki.
- There is no shortage of things to do at this hotel, and one activity option includes a ride above Pearl Harbor in a vintage Warbird.
- Guests can unwind at the 35,000-square-foot Oʻahu Spa with an expansive menu of Hawaiian-inspired treatments. There are no less than eight restaurants and bars here, which run the gamut from Italian comfort food to Japanese and Hawaiian classics.
- The resort sits in one of the least light-polluted corners of Oʻahu—and private patios offer the perfect perch for watching the glittering night sky.
The Four Seasons brand has long set the standard for luxury hospitality across the globe. Some of its most enchanting properties—five, to be exact—can be found peppered across the Hawaiian islands, ranging from the wellness-focused Sensei Lanai to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, which served as the setting of the first season of The White Lotus. However, one of its most underrated Hawaiian properties, in my humble opinion, is tucked away in the quiet, southwestern corner of Oʻahu: the Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina.
Oʻahu is by far the most popular Hawaiian island for visitors, receiving about half of all travelers who come to the state. In 2024, about 5.8 million people traveled to Oʻahu, and it’s safe to assume that a large portion of them stayed in and around Waikiki Beach or the Honolulu area. Don’t get me wrong—there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a Waikiki vacation, and I’m actually a big fan of its walkability and high concentration of toothsome restaurants. But being one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Hawaiʻi, it can be quite busy, and at times, noisy—all good reasons to venture outside of the capital.
The Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina is about a 30-minute drive from the heart of Honolulu, and airport transfers via taxi, luxury car, or even helicopter can be arranged via the concierge team. Stepping into the sleek building, which was designed by modernist architect Edward Killingsworth in 1993, it can be easy to get the impression that this property is quite formal—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Upon entering, guests are greeted with a fragrant lei garland, full of blooming plumerias, and kids in floaties and water shoes run about while parents relax in cushy lobby chairs with eye-catching cocktails. It didn’t feel at all out of place to come back from a surf lesson, sandy and ocean-tossed, to catch a dinner reservation at Noe, the on-site Italian restaurant.
“What truly sets Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina apart from other resorts on Oʻahu, and makes it truly distinct within the brand's global portfolio, is the balance we’ve created between world-class luxury and a deep sense of place that captures a modern Hawaiʻi vibe,” Michael Mestraud, the resort's general manager, told Travel + Leisure. “It's truly a vibrant setting…My hope is that when guests leave, they carry with them not only beautiful memories of relaxation and discovery, but also a genuine connection to the spirit of Oʻahu and the warmth of our incredible team.”
The Rooms
The Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina has 371 rooms and suites, and a wide variety of accommodation types ranging from a room with a garden view and a king-sized bed to the 3,200-square-foot penthouse suite, which has two king-sized beds and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. No matter which room you pick, you’ll be able to enjoy luxe amenities such as gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows, an in-room coffee maker, a 65-inch television, twice daily housekeeping services, Four Season’s line of custom bath products, and cushy down duvets and pillows (you can request custom bedding as well as orthopedic pillows).
However, if you’d really like to treat yourself, I recommend opting for one of the 51 Club Lounge rooms, which were recently renovated and debuted their new look in May. Staying in one of these gets you access to a dedicated concierge and the Club Lounge at Ko Olina, which is the largest Club Lounge in the Four Seasons portfolio. There, you’ll be able to enjoy daily breakfast, a grab-and-go snack bar, and an evening cocktail service, as well as other refreshments available all day. Perhaps best of all, the Club Lounge rooms have large lanais with stunning ocean views—the vistas are perhaps only rivaled by the views from the Club Lounge itself.
Food and Drink
With eight on-site restaurants, cafes, and bars, let’s just say you won’t go hungry at the Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina. Start your day at La Hiki Kitchen, a poolside restaurant that has a generous breakfast buffet as well as an à la carte menu with both American and Japanese options. La Hiki is open for lunch services, though you can also grab something to eat from Waterman Bar, which has a sports bar vibe with all the classics, including draft beer and buffalo wings.
For dinner, you’ll have plenty of options. There’s the southern Italian eatery Noe (I recommend the mushroom tagliatelle), led by chef Ryo Takatsuka; Mina’s Fish House, helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina; and Manalo Lounge, which celebrates traditional Hawaiian dishes and cuisine. Feeling thirsty? You could sip on fun cocktails at Dr. Mai Tai's by the pool, or enjoy the sunset from the rooftop terrace at the speakeasy-like Five One Six. If you need a little pep in your step before you head out for the day’s adventure, you can get an espresso drink from open-air coffee bar Hokulea.
Since the hotel has a remote location, there aren’t a ton of local restaurants around. However, there is an Island Country Market (a version of Hawaiʻi’s beloved ABC stores) that’s about a six-minute walk from the hotel, and it’s also a great place to pick up souvenirs.
Activities and Experiences
There is absolutely no shortage of things to do at the Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina. Upon check-in, you’ll receive a comprehensive list of events and activities that will take place during your stay. The lineup changes depending on seasonality and what’s available, but some options during my stay included morning yoga, floating meditation, tie-dye workshops, snorkel sailings, and stargazing by canoe. One of the most notable offerings, however, is arguably the Pearl Harbor Warbird Legacy Flight, which takes you above Ford Island, Hickam Air Force Base, Dillingham Air Field, and historic Pearl Harbor in the state’s only vintage U.S. Navy SNJ-5C Warbird.
The Spa
The Oʻahu Spa at Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina spans 35,000 square feet across four floors and has both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. The spa menu is expansive and has everything from “warrior” hand and feet treatments (manicures and pedicures for men) to oxygen facials and Swedish massages. Many of the treatments are inspired by local Hawaiian culture or incorporate local ingredients, like plumeria-scented essential oils.
On the top floor of the spa building, you’ll find the fitness center, which is open 24/7. There are separate rooms for cardio and weight training, as well as a few pickleball and tennis courts (tennis and pickleball lessons are available as well). If you’re seeking relaxation but in an active way, there are a variety of classes that you can choose from, including yoga, breathwork, energy realignment, and sound baths.
Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707
Visit: fourseasons.com/oahu
Reservation Contact +1 (808) 679-0079
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