Travel Diary: Kona

Mar 1

The Big Island includes swaying palms, lush mountains, volcanic lava, and turquoise blue waters— an escape into a natural wonderland surrounded by the sea! While each island boasts their own unique features, Kona truly has everything you’re looking for when it comes to a classic Hawaiian getaway. The Aloha spirit is alive and thriving throughout the island, and you can’t help but feel the warm, tender embrace from the island everywhere you turn. An absolute dream destination on everyone’s bucket list, here is our travel guide to help you explore the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Kona.

Where to Stay

Four Seasons Hualalai
72-10 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (808) 325-8000

Begin your journey at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. This tropical resort is known widely for its gracious amounts of hospitality and luxurious amenities that adhere to adults and kids alike.

Where to Eat

Beach Tree
72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (808) 325-8000

Dine on the sand at Beach Tree located within Four Seasons Hualalai to celebrate your first night in Hawaii! This restaurant savors Californian cuisine with an Italian twist and some of their signature dishes are the Kanpachi Crudo, Gnocchi, and Roasted Beet Salad. You cannot go wrong with any of their selections, especially in such a calming atmosphere. Whether you decide to dine on the sand or in the open-air dining room, this is definitely a restaurant you don’t want to miss out on.

Canoe House
68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr, Waimea, Hawaii 96743 (808) 885-6622

Enjoy the sunsets with breathtaking Pacific Ocean views at Canoe House located in Mauna Lani. The contemporary indoor-outdoor space will have you automatically enjoying farm-to-table dishes inspired by the farms of the Hawaii.

Resident’s Beach House
100 Kaupulehu Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (808) 325-8510

Pair lunch with a decadent cocktail from Four Season Hualalai’s Residents’ Beach House. Located just past the Waiakauhi Pond and Hualalai golf course, this exquisite spot greets you with casual lanai dining and a menu of deliciously prepared seafood. This is a great place to whale watch, take in an amazing sunset, and relax.

Ulu Sushi Lounge 72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 325-8000

Have dinner at ULU Sushi Lounge where you can take a seat at the ocean-view bar and enjoy a delicious meal of fresh sushi and bright craft cocktails. We recommend the seasonal sashimi for the freshest catch of the island.

What to Do

Swim: Four Seasons Hualalai has a gorgeous natural pond for guests to enjoy and swim in— there’s even a friendly stingray wading around the pond! This is the perfect mini adrenaline rush to get your day started or make it a half-day adventure by hanging around the numerous pond and pools.

Golf: Head out to the golf course after your meal at the Residents’ Beach House as it’s right next to the eatery. This course is one of the best in the world, so even if you aren’t an avid golfer, it is definitely worth the small trek.

Hike: Get a hike in at the nearby Makuala O'Oma Trail to take in some of the most green, natural environments Hawaii has to offer. There are hundreds of trails in and around Hualalai, and we recommend browsing AllTrails for hikes best suited for you and your loved ones.

Go on a Helicopter or Boat Excursion: Book a helicopter ride to explore all of Kona through an aerial, one-of-a-kind view. If you prefer getting to know the island by sea, take a boat out and around the whole island to experience its bays and coves where you can hop off and snorkel with the local ocean wildlife.

Where to Shop

Seaside Luxe
72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (808) 325-4765

If you are staying at Four Seasons Hualalai, introduce yourself to the different shops and experiences the resort offers. Just below the hotel lobby is Seaside Luxe, an extravagant boutique that has the latest in resort swim and evening wear as well as a number of high-end jewelry and shoes to peruse.

Seaside Beach
72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808) 325-8549

For your beach essentials and resort wear, head to Seaside Beach. They have a great selection of paradise worthy swimwear and coverups while also providing athletic apparel and spa products.

What to Wear

Luxury Resort Wear

Whether you’re sporting a floral midi-dress or frolicking around in a cozy two-piece, there is no wrong way to wear luxury resort wear. We are currently obsessed with anything from Agua Bendita or Ciao Lucia for all your tropical wear needs.

We wish you the best travels and experiences when visiting beautiful Kona. The Big Island has a variety of eateries, activities, and sights to explore, so we would love to hear the recommendations you may have for us. Comment or DM us on our Instagram.

What to Eat

Beach Tree - Four Seasons Hualalai, 72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
ULU Sushi Lounge - Four Seasons Hualalai, 72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Residents’ Beach House - Four Seasons Hualalai, 72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Canoe House - Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, 68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr, Waimea, HI 96743