Visit Big Island: Residents' Beach House

Even though I've stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai a few times before, it wasn't until my recent stay did I try the Residents' Beach House.

Thai Chicken Salad

The Thai Chicken Salad included Hirabara greens, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, green papaya, mint, and a citrus peanut dressing.  The chicken was a little on the dry side, but the flavor was good. 

Garlic Parmesan Fries

It's hard to go wrong with Garlic Parmesan Fries!  They were delish!

Longboard Lager Battered Ono & Chips

We actually got served our food before we had any silverware, and had a very long wait for silverware, unfortunately.  We had to flag down our server as she nor the food runner didn't even notice our silverware was missing.  Other than that, service was overall fine.

The menu is pretty standard for a local resort, but the options were satisfying.

Residents' Beach House
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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Visit Big Island: ‘Ulu

While at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, we had breakfast at ‘Ulu.  They offer both a breakfast buffet as well as a la carte menu items.  I usually prefer to get a la carte menu items since I never get my money's worth at buffets (as of this post it was $59 per adult).

Hualalai Sunrise Smoothie

The Hualalai Sunrise Smoothie had non-dairy yogurt, orange juice, banana, strawberry, flax, and honey.  It was sweet and refreshing.  I didn't taste much of the honey, but the strawberry and banana flavors were more forward. 

Huevos Rancheros

My friend enjoyed the Huevos Rancheros. 

Loco Moco

I had the Loco Moco, which consisted of braised short rib (you could also opt for grilled fish), topped with an adobo gravy and served with Ali‘i mushroom fried rice.   I thought the greens were out of place, and the short rib was unfortunately too tough, but the gravy was tasty and I really liked the fried rice. 

I'll definitely have to try the Huevos Rancheros next time!

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
72-100 Ka`upulehu Drive
Kailua-Kona, HI 96725
(808) 325-8000

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Noe

Noe is without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants on the island. 

We try to go at least once a year, and it's quite the splurge for us since we take the entire family, but it's so worth it.  The food is so amazing and the service is stellar. 

Burrata and House Bread

The Burrata is always a must-order for us, and pairs nicely with the House Bread.

My go-to order is the Noe Signature Tagliatelle.

Noe Signature Tagliatelle

It's indulgent and umami-packed, and not surprisingly a signature dish.  You must try it for yourself!

Jidori Chicken Marsala

Lobster Spaghetti

Ahi Tonnato Carpaccio

Truffle Mashed Potato

Celebration S'mores Cake

We had tried some new-to-us desserts, and they were so elegantly presented!

Gianduja Rocher

Noe Limone

Our server, Kyle, was excellent.  Four Seasons is synonymous with amazing service, and at any venue on property you'd expect such service.  The service we received on this recent visit was the best we ever had of all of our visits, and really the best service I've had all year at any restaurant.

If you live on the Windward or East side, it's worth venturing to Ko Olina to experience Noe!

Noe
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079

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La Hiki

I had heard great things about La Hiki at the Four Seasons Resort in Ko'olina, and I finally got to try it thanks to Hawaii Mom Blog's founder Gem, who treated me and Nadia to lunch for our birthdays! 

 

We ordered the three sandwiches that are on La Hiki's lunch menu:

Lobster Roll 

Chef M's Crispy Chicken Sandwich 

LHK Burger 

Each sandwich includes choice of side. We decided to each order a different side so that we could enjoy three different sides - onion rings, sweet potato fries, and Truffle fries. 

Nadia and I each shared half of the LHK Burger and Lobster Roll - both were amazing! The Lobster Roll came with a very generous portion of lobster, and I liked how they used sweet bread for the bun. As for the burger, it's hard to go wrong when it's served with white cheddar cheese and caramelized onions - delicious!!

The restaurant gave us special cupcakes for dessert since we were celebrating our birthdays - the cupcake was moist and not too sweet (these cupcakes are also not on the menu!). It was the perfect ending to relaxing morning at the Four Seasons Ko'olina. Thank you, Gem, for spoiling us!

I hope to try their Sunday Brunch one day soon! 

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La Hiki at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko'olina

92-1001 Olani Street

808-679-3347

 

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Sensei By Nobu - Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Sensei by Nobu

During our two night stay on Sensei Lanai, we had all but one meal on property.  Sensei by Nobu is the resort's anchor restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Their food philosophy centers on how the person feels after the meal with emphasis on incorporating organic, local and seasonal foods.  The menus were designed by a collaboration between Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Sensei's nutritionist's science-driven approach to diet.  

The restaurant itself is breathtaking.  It's spacious and encased in glass paneling with a vaulted ceiling.  There's both indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks a reflecting pond. 

Our first meal was lunch.  We were all pleasantly surprised that the portions were generous and the dishes were all very tasty.  We had a great lunch experience.  

Ham Koele Sandwich ($24)

Green salad with shrimp

Roasted White Fish ($38)

Whole Wheat Vegetable Pasta with Seafood ($28) 

White wine and Soju Spritzers (Nobu Soju, Pineapple, Shiso, Lime, Prosecco Float)

Later that night, we returned for dinner after some pool time.  The restaurant offers a tasting menu as well as a la carte.  Since the temperature on the Koele side of the island is cooler, I was in the mood for something hot so I opted for the Tofu Hot Pot with salmon.  We appreciated that the menu offerings were very different from lunch.

Yellowtail Jalepeno ($26)

Tofu Hot Pot with Salmon ($46)

Prime Ribeye ($65)

Nobu Bento Box (Valrhona Guanaja Fondant Cake, Imperial Matcha Ice Cream) $16

The next morning after the Koloiki Ridge hike, we stopped in for breakfast.  The menu has a great selection of traditional American breakfast foods like your omelets and benedicts as well as lighter fare like acai and yogurt.  My friend ordered the Traditional Japanese Breakfast that comes with baked fish, onsen tamago, miso soup, pickeled vegetables, simmered vegetables, and your choice of white or brown rice. Note you can't order the Japanese breakfast for in-room dining.  I opted for the avocado toast and a green smoothie.  The sandwich was too big for me to finish in one sitting so I took it back to the room.  Another delicious meal!

Signature Dish - Traditional Japanese Breakfast ($32)

Sourdough Avocado Toast ($26)

On the morning of our departure we chose to sleep in and order breakfast in bed.  They were able to set it up outside so we could enjoy breakfast on the lanai.  This time I ordered the eggs benedict and the poi donut while my friend had the smoked salmon with eggs and a berry smoothie.  It was the perfect ending to a wonderful stay at Sensei Lanai!    

Eggs Benedict ($29), Smoked Salmon ($30), Poi Donut ($7)

 

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My Visit to Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort

My friends and I had an incredible time at Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort.  Sensei is a new luxury wellness resort for ages 16 and over and was the former Lodge at Koele.  When it first opened (pre-pandemic) it only offered all-inclusive packages with accommodations, but since their reopening, the resort also offers a room only rate.  The resort requires a 2 night minimum stay, but is currently running a promotion where round trip flights between Honolulu and Lanai are included with your stay.

And that brings me to Lanai Air.  We arrived 30 minutes before our flight time and were treated to complimentary drinks and snacks before we were driven to our semi-private plane.  After a few bumps and 20 minutes later, we arrived in Lanai and immediately took a shuttle to Sensei where we were each greeted with lei and a welcome drink.  

Since we only booked rooms and not a package, we had to make all our dining and spa reservations when we arrived, which luckily we were able to do.  We did miss out on some of the complimentary daily activities, but it didn't take away from our great time.

Sensei by Nobu is the resort's main restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  We dined there for all our meals except one and were pleasantly surprised that the menus are very different for each meal time and the portions are generous.  The restaurant itself is gorgeous with glass paneling overlooking the lake.        

Dining room

We spent most of our first day by the pool relaxing and chatting before having dinner.  The next morning, we went on the Koloiki Ridge hike.  The resort offers a guided hike, but you can also hike the 4 mile out and back trail on your own.  It's very well marked and took a little less than 2 hours.  

Gorgeous heated pool

At the Koloiki ridge summit!

Later in the day I headed to my massage appointment in my very own private spa hale.  Each spa hale is 1,000 square feet and features a massage room that opens into a garden.  The hale also houses a infrared sauna and steam shower room.  Two of the ten hale have an outdoor watsu pool that is used for aquatic treatments and mine was one of them! I had the best time and I would 100% recommend this unique spa experience!  

Entering the spa hale

Looking out onto the watsu pool.

Ofuro bath

Outdoor rain shower

Enjoying a dip in the watsu pool

My friends and I enjoyed our final day at Sensei with breakfast on our patios before lounging in our robes in the most comfortable beds you won't ever want to get out of...until you have to.  Sensei is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have stayed and is so unlike anything in Hawaii.  If you are in need of some serious relaxation, Sensei Lanai is for you.  

Our breakfast spread

The expansive grounds and lake view

A gift from Sensei - Yeti water bottles!

  

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Four Seasons Resort O`ahu at Ko Olina

I once again treated myself (and my family) to an amazing staycation at the Four Seasons Resort O`ahu at Ko Olina for my birthday / Mother's Day.

Our family stayed in an Oceanfront Junior Suite, which had a King Bed and a pull-out sofa bed.

The spacious, marble bathroom had two vanities, a stand-up shower, soaking tub, and a water closet.

The lanai opened up to the most stunning views!

We were welcomed with a fun array of fruits, including kid "sushi" (made from sweets!).

I admit - it's so hard to leave such a comfortable (and air-conditioned) room with such beautiful views (I lounged on the lanai a lot during our staycay!), but the property is just so gorgeous - the outdoors just beckons!

The grounds are absolutely stunning.  Whether you  swim or stand-up paddle board in the lagoon or spend time at the pools, you'll almost always find the most picture-perfect setting!

I did my early morning walk strolling along all four lagoons and back, and my family enjoyed the pool and beach later in the day.

Dining options are plentiful on property.  We dined at La Hiki for breakfast, Noe for dinner, and got snacks from Hokulea.  Mina's Fish House is also on property, and room service is an option as well. 

We only stayed overnight, so we didn't have enough time to take full advantage of all the activities that the resort has to offer, but I did make sure to spend some time at the Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre, where I had an amazing `Alohi HydraFacial. 

And besides, we were there to mostly indulge, and rest and relax anyway, so that's exactly what we accomplished.  

Service was once again fabulous, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate than at the Four Seasons Resort O`ahu at Ko Olina.  

Be sure to inquire about any Kama`aina discounts and specials when booking your stay!

Four Seasons Resort O`ahu at Ko Olina

92-1001 Olani St

Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079

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