Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko'Olina

Located on Oahu’s sunny west coast, less than a one-hour drive from the chaos of Waikiki Beach, the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko'Olina is a good choice for families interested in visiting Pearl Harbor.

The Standout: The specialty suites, in particular the Penthouse on the 17th floor, with an 800-square-foot terrace for spectacular sunsets and whale watching (during certain times of the year) Don’t Miss: Immerse yourself in local culture by taking a class in ukulele-playing, lei-making or weaving, or an authentic hula workshop, led by revered Kumu Hula La’akea Perry, alongside the ocean.

• The peaceful location on Oahu’s untouched west coast
• The hotel's proximity to Lanikuhonua estate, a cultural and spiritual site whose name translates to "Where Heaven meets the Earth"
• The hotel’s five restaurants, all of which are equally delicious

Just 30 minutes from Honolulu International Airport, the Four Seasons is set on rocky shoreline in the Ko'Olina area (meaning "Place of Joy"). The property overlooks the ocean on one side and a manmade lagoon on the other—the sea-facing part borders Lanikuhonoa, a hidden inlet filled with freshwater springs. This cove is a favorite of the Hawaiian royal family who has been visiting the blissful Lanikuhonoa for years.

Originally built by the Japanese in the 1980's, the high-rise property was designed with the intention of being the most luxurious resort in the world. In 2014, the Four Seasons purchased the hotel and stripped it entirely, altering the layout and conducting a full renovation (although most bathrooms were only lightly renovated), which was completed in 2016. In order to ensure that the multi-million dollar renovation did not diminish the region’s Hawaiian spirit, the hotel enlisted the expertise of Mary Phillpotts McGrath, the grandchild of the last Hawaiian princess and the founder of the chic Phillpotts Interiors. It was Mrs. McGrath who inspired the resort’s traditional Hawaiian kama’aina design by incorporating historic sugar plantation architecture into the property.

With 371 rooms and suites (the majority of which have ocean views), the resort is divided into two categories: "serenity" (ocean-view rooms) and "lagoon" (lagoon/ocean-view rooms). The hotel is a classic Four Seasons at its core and thus the rooms are comfortable (though they could use a design refresh). However, Hawaiian influences—including contemporary wood-paneled walls, floral accents, curved wooden fans and modern rattan chairs—add a sense of place.

The hotel has a large gym, Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis school (headed by Jim Courier, former French-and Australia-Open winner) and a 3,400-square-foot spa with 17 treatment rooms. Given the resort’s relatively small size, the dining options (all of which are al fresco) are impressive. The hotel’s main restaurant, Fish House, is closest to the beach and serves seafood in a casual, barefoot atmosphere; La Hiki offers a modern take on traditional Asian cuisine with small plates for lunch and dinner; Noe, the resort’s Italian eatery, specializes in seafood, meat and pastas inspired by the cuisine of the Amalfi Coast; and Waterman Bar & Grill serves up fresh summertime classics; Hokulea offers light bites in the morning in addition to cocktails and small plates in the evening.

Families, couples and friends looking for the quiet, rugged side of Oahu; Families seeking a resort experience complete with reliable service, children’s entertainment and a number of activities and sights located within a 30-minute drive.

The resort’s lagoon is shared with Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa, which gives it a kid-centric vibe. Couples visiting will want to remain at the stunning adults-only infinity pool.

— Rose Allen