Source: suitesandlobbies.com
So I finally got a chance to visit the Four Seasons Oʻahu at Ko Olina and it also happened to be my first time ever at a Four Seasons property. Having stayed and reviewed the other major luxury resorts on Oʻahu, Halekulani, Ritz-Carlton Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and the Kahala Hotel, I was keenly interested on how it would compare.
I was impressed.
Unique Features
I know each Four Seasons around the world is unique in its own way so let me share with you what I found here on Oʻahu. As soon as you arrive at the hotel you are greeting by the valet and given a lei while being escorted to the front desk. A cool ceramic cup filled with ginger lemonade is brought out for a refreshing start to your visit.
Take some time to enjoy the lobby area as it changes constantly throughout the day based on the lighting entering the top.
Booking
I booked through AMEX FHR program and got an early check-in at 11:30am which was great because we had lunch reservation at 12:30
The welcome amenity gift was a bottle of champagne, fresh fruits, and chocolate covered strawberries. I asked if they had wine and she asked me what kind I preferred. I mentioned a Cabernet and maybe a Riesling, she said not problem and would be back, I thought she had it with her so I said not problem with the champagne. Poured the champagne for us and came back in 5 minutes with the wine, just in case.
Got the free upgrade to a corner ocean front room with two balconies, FHR provides a free one category upgrade on availability, I lucked out this time. The also offered us a junior suite for $200 more but it faced the lagoon so I passed because I wanted this view.
We were entitled to a breakfast credit ($72 total per room) but it was a weekend and the next morning was the Sunday Brunch at La Hiki ($95 per person), not included but they agreed to give the breakfast credit over and I would be responsible for the difference
Service
As housekeeping is ever on the chopping block for a variety of service level hotels it was nice to know the Four Seasons still does it daily with turndown service each evening. During evening turn down they cleaned my glasses and left a Four Seasons cleaning cloth along with covering the wine glasses, brining additional waters, tidying up my shoes, and using a Four Seasons branded tie for my electronic charging cord.
In the shower cap is a tie up for those with longer hair, the little extra touches were noticeable throughout.
Room
The room had a view that was to die for. With both shutters opened you could hear the waves crashing along the shoreline below and set me up for one of the best naps in my life. A welcome note and Honolulu Cookie company box awaited us along with a wonderfully decorated room that had all the fixings. Double balconies gave us one unobstructed view of the coastline while the other had higher walls for increased privacy. We watched the sunset from both and it was truly special.
The balconies had thick sliding glass doors that provided excellent sound control. They also had sliding plantation style doors that we used for privacy but also to let the ocean sound and breeze in. The mood lighting system along with the robes and spacious layout made for a very relaxed space.
Bathroom
Double vanities and a deep soaking tub made this one of the best bathrooms I have enjoyed in Hawaiʻi. Water pressure was on the weak side but so far nothing above 10 floors is gonna give me that. The separate toilet room was a basic western toilet, I was surprised no highly automated Japanese toilet like the other luxury hotels I have stayed at on Oʻahu.
Dining at Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu, Ko Olina
Mina’s Fish House Happy Hour
I had a late reservation at Noe’s so I decided to check out Mina’s Fish House and to find this “SPAM” drink I had been hearing about. The cocktails here were delicious and the “If Can, Can” drink was everything I expected.
It did indeed feel weird drinking a cocktail in a SPAM can at the Four Seasons. The happy hour food here was limited and honestly it was terrible. The lettuce cup meat was way over salted and had a film of grease over the ground beef. The smoked marlin dip tasted like canned tuna and had almost no smoked flavor at all. I have eaten lettuce cups at dozens of other restaurants and love a good smoked marling dip, pass on the happy hour menu and come back later, disappointing.
La Hiki
The service at La Hiki was wonderful and I definitely recommend this place for a casual meal with friendly service. Located right next to the family pool and the main beach entrance, it is in the perfect spot. Starting your vacation off with a cool cocktail is one of the simple indulgences I enjoy.
First up was the “Hawaiian Bliss”, a coconut flavored cocktail that had hints of lime juice and was not too strong, almost like a POG drink with a splash of something something 🙂 Our favorite drink of the meal was the “La Hiki Rummy Whipped Coffee”, wow wow wow, this was like a chocolate coffee candy. I thought it would be hot but it came out cold and was a huge surprise. I thought the suspended glass section within the cup was also unique and made for a fun start to our stay.
We ordered the lobster roll with onion rings and found it to be simply tasty and flavorful. The plate was too small for a lobster roll but we managed to make it work. Bread was soft and tasty with lots of lobster and not too much of all that extra stuff. I ordered the 2 tacos and portion wise it was more of an appetizer then a full meal but if you are accustomed to small meals then this will probably be perfect for you. The Green Curry Mahi was nice but the flour tortilla is a no go for me, corn or bust. Although I did have a unique won ton taco shell in San Diego at the Republic Hotel that was amazing. The other taco was a braised Pipikaula beef – wow!, the flavor was incredible, better then most carnitas tacos I have had. A double corn tortilla would have made this an epic dish.
As with the majority of the staff at the Four Seasons Oʻahu at Ko Olina, they all seemed to know we were celebrating our 20th anniversary, very nice.
Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707
For Reservations Contact +1 (808) 679-0079
Visit: fourseasons.com/oahu/
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