Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

We stayed during the last week of January at the Four Seasons Ko Olina -- our second stay in the past three years. (Long ago, we stayed at the hotel when it opened as a JW Marriott.) Last time, we overlooked the construction of the American Idol stage and we were insistent on a "quiet side" room this time, knowing that the show was actually being filmed during our stay. (And we received an upgrade to an oceanfront room.) The hotel is very expensive, so take advantage of the "4th night free" offer if you can. Likewise, the meals are very expensive but all three dinners at the hotel were terrific. (The lunches, not so much.) One drawback of the Ko Olina development -- about 30 minutes west of the Honolulu airport -- is its isolation. That's part of the appeal, but the restaurant and shopping options outside of the Four Seasons are quite limited. Finally, I do think the Four Seasons guest rooms are due for a refresh -- we had just visited the Fairmont on Maui, and its own thorough remodel was spectacular. The rooms at the Four Seasons felt a bit dated by comparison, but other amenities like the spa and adult pool are top-notch.

Absolutely exceptional rooms and service. Spent 10 days here and it was exquisite. I wish there were more affordable food options for long stays. This building is an old JW Marriott, and the architecture is absolutely gorgeous. This place has everything, and some. Kids for all seasons kids club was outstanding. I can't say enough good things, the list is too long. Highly recommend. 5 star in every facet. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I highly recommend this hotel. We had an excellent Christmas here. The club lounge access was definitely worth paying for especially with young children as they were up early and we want to get them breakfast. There was also a great selection of snacks and drinks there. The staff who work in the hotel are really friendly and excellent and we never had a bad interaction. The girls in the kids club were lovely too and had plenty of fun activities planned for our children. The location is stunning and although there are lots of pools and slides, and so on, it’s still felt like there was lots to do.Free paddle boarding and snorkeling was an added perk. I would highly recommend the hotel to families and adults traveling alone alike. The adult adults only pool was a real haven. They made a huge effort for Christmas day with the kids party, which had bounce houses, face, painting, balloon, ornaments, games, hot chocolate station, and festive cookies.

Positives: - staff mostly very friendly and welcoming, especially at Reception, Concierge, and poolside bar - rooms were delightful, huge, and clean. Massive balcony but still lots of privacy. - several pools to choose from, never unable to get a bed - huge variety of restaurants/bars/cafes to choose from - valet parking was quite efficient - beautifully decorated for Christmas - gym huge and well-equipped Negatives: - some limited attention to detail (e.g. lots of rubbish on path running outside the hotel) - some rudeness from staff (e.g. we were approached to ask if we were guests of the hotel while trying to relax in the lobby, where others weren't - could have looked at our Four Seasons card or bottle or anything to make the assessment that we were, rather than trying to embarrass us) - getting bags from storage when leaving took forever! I was worried our Uber would drive away and we'd be late to the airport. Overall: other hotels I have stayed at for the same or higher price have been better. But still a great place for a getaway in Oahu.

Did I have to leave? The most perfect relaxing trip to Oahu West Shore! Easy ride on Thanksgiving day from HNL (get a driver). No traffic because of holiday so lucky. Check-in perfect- no available upgrade with Amex Plat but no problem because really happy I booked the full ocean view room. Huge room! Long hallway into room, large bathroom, big bedroom and full balcony with sea view. I don't know if I have ever slept so good in a hotel room. That bed is so comfy! Left the slider open all night to hear the ocean and feel the coolness. Gym in morning so great... favorite thing to get up before the sun comes up in Hawaii and go to gym. We also walked the 2 plus mile walking path along the lagoons at Ko Olina. More on that later! Gym is so nice and large upstairs so you can even do free weights outside in the fresh air if you don't want to do them inside. Plenty of room for cardio and stretching. Breakfast "buffet" (typical 4 Seasons first class buffet) and I would never call it that because it is beyond good.. salads, fish, pastries, homemade sourdough bread, eggs, Japanese breakfast, fruit... Just the best ever! Love Amex Plat because you get the $100 daily credit for this. The walking path at Ko Olina is the best in the morning. Not one bit of trash, workers cleaning the entire area. What I love is they don't use the gas blowers so it is quiet. I wish all cities could clean the park grounds and cities like this. Ko Olina is really a pristine master planned area where I felt more safe than I have anywhere else. Not one bit of riff raff. None. And guess what? I never saw a single policeman/woman. How about that??? That is actually relaxing! I would absolutely go here as a single woman and feel so safe. The lagoons they have here are so amazing. Really sheltered from the ocean and protected for swimming. Spa- wonderful! Clean and attendants abound. Massage just perfect. Fell asleep, my gauge for how relaxing. Noe Restaurant- so good, order the fresh fish of the day. Very healthy! Great wine options too. Mina- just ok... his restaurants just are lacking lately. I think he is too big now. Pool bars- wonderful! Service top notch. They are on it! Yes, a Patron Silver Marg or a Mai Tai will cost you $30 with tip. But, so what. You are on vacation and they are really good. Build that into the cost of the trip. That is just reality now. Enjoy a drink by the pool! Adult pool- Wow!!! Wow!! Infinity edge with prime ocean view and the smell of plumeria in the background. Why does Hawaii smell so good? Ask AI and it will tell you it is a real thing that is smells good for a reason! Anyways, that pool is the best and glad it is adults only. Side note- way too many infants and bad behaved toddlers in restaurants. Glad they have adults only pool. If kids bug you on holidays, I suggest going non busy holidays. Don't expect a romantic dinner anywhere because these kids are in all venues in high chairs throwing things and parents constantly walking them around restaurants. Coffee place upstairs I love! Afternoon espresso and the girls always remembered me. The grounds at the hotel are immaculate and just relaxing to walk around and be in the palms and hear the birds. I can't say anything bad about this hotel stay! Will absolutely come back. Side note- used to be a big Caribbean person but I am back to Hawaii where it is the US and feel very safe in the islands no hustle no feeling like you could get robbed or poisoned :). I say Hawaii all day long! Nicest people too in Hawaii!

This particular hotel was not as luxury as some four seasons, but it's still very nice and the service was truly outstanding. Every single staff member made us feel pampered. The smaller grounds made it easy to navigate with kids, and while my kids are out of strollers, many families with young kids were able to take their strollers to the pools which makes life easier. Appreciated the public trail system out front for long morning walks and a grocery store across the street.

My wife and I visited for our 5th wedding anniversary and couldn't have been more impressed. The service was fantastic as you would expect at a Four Seasons - extremely warm and attentive. The room was well furnished and spacious. The pools were not overly crowded - even the adult pool at its peak (Friday afternoon) had some open seats, and the other pools had even more room. We were able to play tennis and use the fitness equipment whenever we wanted. My wife also had a massage and facial and thought the spa was excellent. All of the restaurants are fantastic, but the breakfast buffet at La Hiki was a standout as was Mina's Fish House. I don't think I've experienced a breakfast buffet with better food or a wider variety. Also, the complimentary coffee and small pastries in the lobby starting by 6am were such a welcome treat given that my wife as still sleeping (and on that note, the coffee served throughout the hotel was delicious). And don't miss the speakeasy style bar called Five One Six with a rooftop lounge - it was so much fun. Of course it's all as pricey as can be, but it's the Four Seasons and offers an experience that is a cut above anywhere else, so I felt it was worth it for a special occasion. We plan to return with our kids in the future. Thanks for a wonderful stay!