Ko Olina Golf Club
There is nothing like a trip to Hawaii, and for our most recent adventure to this glorious destination we were fortunate to experience one of the best hotel experiences that we have ever had at the Four Seasons Resort O’ahu at Ko Olina.
That’s saying a lot as we are on the road quite a bit, but from the moment you arrive at this beachside sanctuary, you can tell that no stone is left unturned and that no expense has been spared in order to cultivate the perfect experience for you and your family.
In the Hawaiian language, the words “ko olina” translate to “place of joy.” That sentiment perfectly encapsulates the experience here. The elation begins immediately upon arrival when you are welcomed to the property with a Hawaiian lei and a warm smile as you begin your check in process in paradise.
Ko Olina Golf Club
A perfect combination
What makes the Four Seasons Resort O’ahu at Ko Olina so special is how it perfectly caters to both families and couples alike. We visited the resort with our family, and from the moment we stepped foot in our room the “no stone left unturned” elements started to enter the equation. Our massive room easily catered to our family of four. Our kids were greeted with a logoed turtle stuffed animal and their names spelled in colored sponges around the tub that immediately elevated the experience for our little ones. The bar had been set, and we’re happy to report it never went down.
The resort features four pools, two of which catered specifically to families. The Ohana Pool (“ohana” means “family” in Hawaiian) is the first pool you’ll first encounter on the backside of the property that features plenty of surrounding lounge chairs where you can order food and cocktails in between swimming sessions with your kids. The Keiki Pool (“keiki” means “child” in Hawaiian) overlooks the ocean and features a sandy beach area so younger kids can enjoy an area to splash around in. Our girls loved both, and after a short pit stop to snag a shaved ice, we made our way down to the beach where guests of the Four Seasons have a private area at a lagoon that is shielded by a rock wall that protects beachgoers from strong waves and riptides which was particularly nice for our little ones.
Another phenomenal feature of the property is that guests of the resort have complimentary access to the resort’s kids club known as Club Kohola. Available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, kids aged 5 to 12 years old can enjoy specialized activities, a fully stocked media room, video game room, recreation room, and so much more. Not only did the kids love it, but it allowed my wife and me to enjoy some of the key amenities onsite that make it so special for couples.
The first thing we did was to take advantage of the Heath Club at the Naupaka Spa & Wellness Center where you can work out both indoors and out which we both loved. Another one of the exclusive benefits for couples to enjoy is the adults-only infinity pool that brings a sense of serenity to your poolside experience where cocktails from Dr. Mai Tai’s swim-up bar creates the perfect setting to connect with your other half in paradise.
To extend the romantic and relaxing vibe, a visit to their Naupaka Spa is an absolute must during your visit. Personally, I had been dealing with golfer’s elbow for years and after an 80-minute Warrior Massage from my masseuse, whose hands can only be described as magical, I felt sweet relief for the first time in ages. After our treatment, we took a quick splash in the Spa & Wellness pool and then it was back to the kid’s club to enjoy the rest of the day with the family.
We wanted to enjoy as many activities as we could in the crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, and there are no shortage of options to do so at the Four Seasons. Available activities included an authentic canoe or voyaging experience, chartering a boat or a yacht for the day, and snorkeling or scuba diving to take in the incredible nearby sea life. And as another nice perk, the resort provides complimentary stand-up paddle board rentals as well as snorkeling equipment for you and yours during your stay.
After all this activity, you are sure to have worked up quite an appetite and there are plenty of amazing options onsite. Our favorite and an absolute must-visit was Mina’s Fish House. Stewarded by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina, the food here was spectacular and the open setting down to the ocean where we could enjoy watching the O’ahu sunsets with live music playing really put this restaurant over the top.
In fact, it was so good that we ate here twice!
Another incredible spot for dinner was Noe, a Southern Italian inspired restaurant that features homemade pastas amongst a garden-view setting that was a perfect complement to Mina’s Fish House. We also highly recommend you check out the Mānalo Lounge which also overlooks the ocean in a comfortable couch seating set up. The food blends Asian fusion with Hawaiian influences with a heavy focus on sushi and fresh fish options. We also loved how every restaurant onsite had plenty of options for the kids, and even the higher-end restaurants were very reasonably priced for them which didn’t go unnoticed.
Ko Olina Golf Club
The golf at Ko Olina
Of course, we wouldn’t be covering this amazing resort if there wasn’t exceptional golf nearby. Guests at the resort should tee it up at the iconic Ko Olina Golf Club during your stay. Designed by Ted Robinson and opened for play in 1990, this course features lush conditioning and large landing areas that create a relaxed setting that fits the island vibe, but out of bounds does loom near on several holes so playing for positioning over length may be the right call on some tee shots.
You’ll encounter plenty of water hazards and ample bunkering throughout the round as many of the larger, multi-tiered greens are well protected placing a premium on your approach shots. You’ll encounter multiple holes with breathtaking waterfall features that are draped in beautiful vegetation that set the stage for the Hawaiian golf experience that you have always dreamed about.
Even though the last thing you’ll want to do is leave this little slice of paradise, you’ll likely want to take advantage of the fact that you are in O’ahu as there is so much to see and do on the island.
For us, visiting Pearl Harbor was a major priority as we wanted to pay homage to those who gave their lives to provide the freedoms we enjoy today. After paying our respects, it was off to explore more of what O’ahu had to offer which included a Pillbox hike (of which there are multiple on the island), a little shopping in Waikiki Beach, and a drive along the North Shore that included some sightseeing at Kualoa Ranch where over 250 movies have been filmed including Jurassic Park.
As you can imagine, it was tough to head home after our stay at the Four Seasons Resort O’ahu at Ko Olina. It will forever be one of our favorite family golf getaway locations, and we highly recommend it for you and yours to enjoy.