Doing life as a military family, you really are forced in to the reality that “Home” is not a place, but rather wherever you may be together.
Home is a feeling.
Weekends together as a family in the house in which you live, yes, that is “being home”. However, family vacations in places that allow you to feel “together” and relaxed at the same time – there is almost no words to describe that level of happiness and fulfillment. And our stay at the Four Seasons Resort on O’ahu – was nothing short from magic + also felt like “home”.
Four Seasons Resort O’ahu is a beachfront island resort that sits on O’ahu’s west coast.
A 35-minute drive from Honolulu will bring you to Ko Olina Resort community on O’ahu’s sunny western shore. This is a 642-acre master-planned vacation and residential community with over 2 miles of coastal frontage and three natural + four man-made lagoons featuring white sand beaches.
The Four Seasons Resort is edged in the north end of Ko Olina, within the pristine nature preserve of Lanikuhonua (“where heaven meets the earth”). It’s nestled near the award-winning Ko Olina Golf Club and a quick few-minute drive to the Ko Olina Marina; which is Hawaii’s only private deep-draft marina where you can set off for fishing, sailing , and whale and dolpin-watching expeditions.
Pulling up to the grand entrance evokes all those “relaxing getaway” vibes, but although the size of the building may be grandiose – the atmosphere has perfected a balancing act between busy and calm. You have to experience it for yourself! ;)
After we handed the keys to the valet, we were first welcomed by an authentic Hawaiian (fresh flower and kukui nut) Lei Greeting; a symbol of hospitality, love, respect, and the Aloha Spirit.
Upon check-in, we were welcomed further with freshly made ginger lemonade for the adults and cold tropical juice for the kids – both equally refreshing and delicious. Then we were generously shown to our room and entered to find a stunning wall-to-wall ocean view, koi fish stuffed animal gifts for the kids, and a bamboo scroll filled a snack assortment of dried fruits.
The first thing that the kids insisted on doing, was exploring the pools, of course! And boy, this resort DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. There are three different pools: the main and largest located in the center of the resort, the extremely serene adults only infinity pool + jacuzzi, and then the super fun kids-friendly/family pool.
The latter was obviously my kids’ favorite and the concept of this kiddie pool is cooler than anything we have ever experienced before.
A portion of the shallow end contains a pebble/sand bottom which keeps the kids super intrigued and occupied within this concept of swim-beach-play all wrapped up in to one area.
The overall grandness is seriously mesmerizing.
I told myself that one day in the future I will have to come again on an overnight adults’ only trip also, to enjoy the 18-and-over pool/jacuzzi too, because Good Lord, it is soooo remarkable!!
Also, for those who are vacationing in Hawaii and choose to stay at the Four Seasons Resort on the island of O’ahu, aside from all of the amenities within the hotel grounds itself, you also have the option to walk right outback to the beach… So no worries: it has everything you could ever dream of for a perfect Hawaiian getaway. (Paradise Cove, “Hawaii’s Best Luau” is even located right next door!)
Bella & I had some major mommy & me pampering time – I mean who doesn’t do this when presented with hotel robes?! ;)
Besides the pool (a given), the kids’ other favorite parts of the resort included:
The “suuuuper comfy beds”, the “fancy hallways”, and of course the koi ponds!
Overall, I cannot say enough great things about our experience at the Four Seasons Resort O’ahu. I would surely recommend it to anyone I know. Whether it’s for the occasion of a honeymoon, getting married (yes, they host weddings here too!), a baby moon, family vacation, romantic getaway, or just a fun weekend staycation – this resort is an all around hit!
Aloha & thanks for reading,
x. Heather