Hawaii, Hualalai, U.S.A. – July 07, 2009
http://press.fourseasons.com/hualala...n-enhancement/
Gloriously Revitalised Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Set to Unveil USD 40-Million Enhancement. New suites, expanded spa and beachfront dining among the highlights.
The 15-month, USD 40-million enhancement at AAA Five Diamond Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is set to be unveiled in late July. Designed by Michael Booth, co-founder of the internationally acclaimed San Francisco-based design firm BAMO (formerly Babey Moulton Jue & Booth), the enhancement includes 20 new suites, a significant spa expansion, an expanded oceanfront pool deck, additional retail shops and a transformed open-air beachfront bar, lounge and restaurant.

“Because many guests return each year and view Hualalai as their home away from home, we wanted to create a sense of nostalgia by referencing Hawaii’s Golden Age, when an organic Hawaiian style of design and architecture emerged, but seen through a modern lens,” said Booth. “The design communicates tradition through island motifs and warm, natural finishes. It’s comfortable and luxurious, simple and soulful.”

“Since it opened in 1996, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai has enjoyed a reputation as best of the best,” said General Manager Robert Whitfield. “The design and ambience of the new enhancement will once again raise the bar for luxury hotels in Hawaii, and solidify the Resort’s reputation as a place to spend quality time celebrating life and connecting with friends and family.”

Ocean-View Suites
Twenty new one- and two-bedroom suites have been created, offering between 1,150 and 1,950 square feet (107 to 181 square metres) of indoor/outdoor living space and some of the best ocean views on the property. The new one-bedroom units suit couples who want a separate area for entertaining; the two-bedroom suites are perfect for families. All of the new suites offer spacious living rooms, bathrooms with steam showers, and expansive lanais with 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean.

Mary Philpotts McGrath, founder of Philpotts & Associates, Hawaii’s premier interior design firm, consulted with BAMO on the design of the suites. McGrath carefully selected Hawaiian fabrics, stone and wood to introduce texture and depth to the clean-lined natural furniture. The Resort’s art consultant selected traditional and contemporary Hawaiian art pieces to grace the walls. With an easy flow between outside and in, both literally and visually, the suites exude a sense of comfort and style.

Hualalai Spa
The new spa, expanded to 28,000 square feet (2,600 square metres) from the original 13,000 square feet (1,200 square metres), seamlessly integrates open-air tropical gardens with dark, cool interior spaces, and feels uniquely Hawaiian. Guests are greeted at a burnished koa wood desk in the reception area, where custom bamboo screens create mellow light. Before their treatments, guests can enjoy complimentary neck and shoulder massages while trailing their toes in the stream that trickles through the tranquil Waiea garden. Kupuna (island elders) and wellness practitioners shared their wisdom to give the spa experience a genuine sense of place, using healing qualities of native plant and mineral resources incorporated into signature treatments. Guests may choose from more than 20 natural local ingredients, from Hawaiian sea salt and volcanic ash to coconut and crushed macadamia nuts, which are then custom-blended to create unique personalised spa treatments.

Beachfront Dining
With enhancements symbolic of the Resort’s unique style of “barefoot elegance,” Beach Tree – the Resort’s beachfront restaurant, bar and lounge – will reopen in late July with transformed interior and exterior spaces, a new menu and chef, and expansive ocean views. Sixteen-foot (5-metre) ceilings create an ambience of bringing the outside in. Richly textured wood tables, upholstered cushions and blue tones connect the restaurant with ocean and sky. Outside, awnings and comfortable seating invite casual al fresco dining; a thatched roof crafted from local trees lends a casual “Hawaiian beach house” feel to the bar. In the lounge, guests will relax on overstuffed sofas and chairs. New Chef de Cuisine Nick Mastrascusa, who joins Four Seasons Resort Hualalai from 57 at Four Seasons Hotel New York, will oversee a menu featuring fresh market-driven cuisine with Italian, Californian and tropical influences.

Boutique Shopping
Two boutiques have been added to the Resort to provide a wider range of on-site shopping selections for guests’ convenience.

Adjacent to the Hualalai Spa, the new Seaside Boutique features designers such as Allegra Hicks, Tory Burch, Vince, Tibi, Catherine Malandrino, Diane von Furstenberg, Irene Neuwirth and more. Accessories include light cashmere wraps, Kotur clutches, Mizuki jewellery and K. Jacques St. Tropez sandals.

Below the main lobby, Seaside Luxe offers high-fashion lines such as Pucci, Missoni, Lanvin, Zac Posen and Irene Neuwirth. In addition to fashion, Seaside Luxe features custom furniture pieces and home accessories from renowned designer Tim Clarke. Local artwork is highlighted, with proceeds from art sales benefiting the Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy in Waimea. Within Seaside Luxe is a melange of children’s gear – including beachwear, playful jewellery, toys, books and novelty items – with exclusive offerings from designers such as Nikki Cool, Calypso and Lacoste.

Interesting, I found the first update on the Beach tree grill http://www.flickr.com/photos/snuffy/...7622243935727/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/snuffy/...7622243935727/. Looking forward to see it in person and would be interested in any first reports.

Wonderful find! I will report back in 3 days.

Just finished my wonderful stay at the FS and a visit / stay at few others, will do a TR in a few days.

What I can say is the FS is fantastic, great service great restaurants. How any other resort can top it I would be very surprised.

I remember reading a post saying that the poster couldn't justify the cost/value equation between FS Hualalai and some Asian resorts. Before I came I was worried that this would be the case. In short, I should not have worried. This is truly a remarkable resort with remarkable people located in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Having just got here I will wait a few days before posting a comprehensive report. Mahalo!

what about amanjiwo for example?

looking forward to the report. ^

in terms of value, there isnt much of a beach, and you have a "small" room instead of a large villa (which might be beachfront or overwater) even if you dont care about things like private pools.

also, one thing ive wondered about is how crowded it gets during peak season, considering there are probably a lot of residential members. although there are member-only offerings, and limitations. (hualalai club) and perhaps FS went the nonbranded route there to avoid a situation more like FS punta mita, where its reportedly getting more crowded as branded residences/fractionals continue to be built.

Also looking forward to your trip report!! Enjoy your stay!!

Aloha and enjoy your trip. FS Hualalai has a special presense that is hard to replicate. We look forward to your report back. If you have a chance to see the beach tree grill and new spa, I would be particularly interested.

Quick update (don't want to stay away too long from my hammock:0)

Beach Tree Grill:

This restaurant is right on the beach and seemlessly blends into the sand and surf a few feet away. About half of the seating is outside and half "inside." I put inside in parentheses because inside means there is a high ceilinged roof, few structural pillars, and a beautiful view of the ocean. Actually, almost all of the resort is this way; the lobby, the gym, the spa.

The food is very tasty. Yesterday I had the swordfish for dinner, excellent. It was tender fresh, and had delicious vegetable sides. This afternoon I had the lobster burger. Its a must! Even the water selection is interesting, you can add green tea extracts for example.

Adjoining the Beach Tree Grill and even closer to the water, is what they call the Lounge. Its a group of maybe 20 comfortable recling or semi-reclining chairs facing the ocean. Haven't eaten there but they have small bites if you don't want a full meal and just want to sit and enjoy the ocean.

The Loung is next to a bar, with great fresh smoothies, which is next to a bon fire for roasting complimentary smores every evening, which is next to a perfectly placed hammock...do you get what I am trying to capture here? Its my kind of heaven.

The Spa:

Had a macadamia nut scrub this morning. I am the most refreshed I've been in years, and I smell like a cookie! Much of it is open air and what can I say about the new water features. Its simply ridiculous how beautiful and private and pampered you are at this spa. I don't know how they've gotten the vegetation to look this good after such a short period of time. Gotta go, my drink is ready!

Thanks a lot for your update. It is just so wonderful to read reports written while people are actually in the hotel or resort. So much more alive, making me instantly want to go there, making me feel that I am there already for a couple of seconds. Totally understand that most people do not take time to write reviews while on holidays, but thanks to those who do!

Thanks for the report. I love Hualalai. I stayed at the resort years ago just a few days after their official opening and it was perfect then. Seems like it's even better now. Shame it is so far away from where I live.
Have a great holiday!

Thank you for the report Goodmorning2U, much as I wanted to return to Hualalai before your report, I really cant wait now. Very glad to hear that they have improved upon the Beach Tree Grill.

Kagehitokiri,

Excellent questions all.

I have never been to Amanjiwo but it sounds and looks amazing. I'm probably in the minority on this board but I haven't been won over by Aman. I far prefer FS Jimbaran or Sayan to Amandari. I also didn't have a good experience at Amangani and do not care for the style of the Setai in Miami.

At FS Hualalai, the professional staff bring the tradition of warm aloha alive, surpassing that I have experienced at any other resort.

Even loving private plunge pools, my experience at Hualalai surpasses my private villa experience in Bali. Though, I would love to go back to Asia one day. Currently, we are in an ocean view superior suite on Kings Pond, with a great out door shower. The next time we come back I might choose the Beach Tree area to be closer to a lap pool.

The beach in front of the hotel is actually very nice, lots of sand, of course clean, and extends a great distance. Immediately in front of the hotel there is a very large pool sized area carved out of the coral for those who prefer calm ocean swimming but just on the other side of the reef wall is excellent snorkeling. And, towards Kona village (a five minute walk) there is a spot comparable to a small Black Rock on Maui. Wild life is everywhere here, with families of turtles sunbathing feet from the lounge chairs, not to mention Kings Pond, where they let you feed and pet the Eagle Rays (and 1600 other tropical fish).

I've been told that Hualalai is the development that owns the land on which the FS sits and that the hotel leases it from the development company. Considering that Michael Dell purchased the Kona Village resort adjacent to Hualalai I wouldn't be suprised if one day they expanded FS Hualalai or rebranded (and renovated) Kona Village. He might also have purchased it in order to keep the lease price of the FS reasonable (i.e. if Hualalai raises the lease price too high he could threaten to move the FS brand and recreate an FS Kona Village). All conjecture.

Regarding crowding during high season, I imagine that it is like high season at other Four Seasons properties. My experience during high season at FS hotels is that you have to make reservations for dinner and the spa but that the service remains at the highest levels. Usually during high season they also offer more amenities it doesn't make sense to offer during low season, like more fitness class options, extended gym and spa times, free shuttles, etc. The FS George V is almost always running at 100% and hasn't ever felt crowded. Actually, as different as the locations are, the level of service here reminds me a great deal of the gracious service at the George V.

there are others who prefer FS sayan to amandari as well. also, amangani and setai (ghm) definitely get mixed reports.
most FS dont have ~500+ residences.

dec 19 2008 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122963264282619367.html

Having been at FS Hualalai when it is 100% sold out, I can say that the place does not feel like its sold out or crowded. The Hualalai residences are so upper end and have so many other amenities, I dont think that many of the residents spend a lot of time at the hotel portion. Similarly, we have always found service exceptional, in many ways as Goodmorning2U suggested, like the George V.