Beach Fun Galore at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

Oahu’s West Shore is becoming increasingly popular for families who want a full resort experience off busy Waikiki Beach, with easy access to Pearl Harbor and the Honolulu Airport for multi-island Hawaii family vacations. Fortunately, a beloved luxury hotel property, Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, has made this part of Oahu is more appealing than ever.

Four Seasons kicked off the acquisition of the former JW Marriott Ihilani and completed a top-to-bottom renovation of all rooms and public spaces. The open lobby interior is airy and elegant with an expansive lanai overlooking a pool and ocean. The design is fresh but true to its classic Hawaiian roots and seamlessly integrates with the minimalist architecture.

Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is bordered to the north by the pristine nature preserve of Lanikuhonua (“where heaven meets the earth”) and to the south by four beach coves, known as the Ko Olina Lagoons. It’s a short walk to the award-winning Ko Olina Golf Club and just a few minutes’ drive to the Ko Olina Marina, home to a multitude of sailing and fishing expedition opportunities. 

Here’s what we love about Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina for families:

Family-Friendly Review of Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

The footprint of the Four Seasons Resort Oahu feels relatively compact — in a good way — with a brilliant layout that is easy to navigate yet offers plenty of discreet corners for a bit of solitude. The visual star of the show is the Pacific Ocean and there are many vantage points from rooms and public areas, with stunning ocean views. The property is surrounded by a lush garden and ponds complete with an old-style Hawaiian chapel for special ceremonies.

An appealing feature for families in particular is that the Four Seasons Resort Oahu shares a beach with Disney’s Aulani Resort, and this beach is absolutely buzzing with children of all ages enjoying a protected lagoon that is ideal for pint-size swimming, snorkeling and stand-up paddle boarding. These lively pools and lagoons means there’s never risk for boredom.

Swimming Pools

There’s something for everyone, as Four Seasons Resort Oahu offers a family pool area, an adult pool and a spa pool. The family pool includes a small kiddie pool with lounge chairs and cabanas, ideally configured close to the pool edge so parents of children with basic swimming skills don’t have to be in the pool with them at all times. The Serenity Pool attracts all kinds of action — ironically — as it’s shaped in a fun circle and well-positioned within striking distance of a few different restaurants.

The adults-only infinity pool is a spectacular, massive pool that take full advantage of the beautiful ocean views. There’s also an incredible set of private cabanas you can rent for the day, which feel more secluded.

Family Accommodations

Accommodations at Four Seasons Resort Oahu face the mountains or the ocean. Oceanview and oceanfront rooms offer either one king bed or two double beds and sleep a maximum of two adults and two children. Connecting rooms with the same bed configurations are also available.

Two-bedroom suites are ideal for families who want to spread out and have extensive living space — the average size of the oceanfront two-bedroom suites is 2,040 square feet. Incredible! There is also The Residence on the 11th floor, with three king-bedded rooms and three full bathrooms.

All rooms are beautifully designed in classic modern theme with neutral tones. The views are the star of the show and of course, so is the service.

Dining Options

The dining at Four Seasons Oahu Resort is a true culinary treat. From poolside service at Waterman Bar & Grill to the spectacular breakfast buffet at La Hiki Kitchen, there is something for all tastes and moods here. Mina’s Fish House offers an extensive grilled menu and overlooks the shared beach with Aulani; it’s buzzy with indoor/outdoor dining, as well as a full bar and a lively pool table zone. A perfect place to sip that mai tai with friends.

Meanwhile, Noe, an Italian restaurant, is the fine dining venue and offers an outrageous dining experience, with a creative Mediterranean menu set in lantern-lit garden that’s magic at night. We were totally unprepared for how wowed we would be by our meal here, from our craft cocktail starters to homemade pasta. We could easily have been at an award-winning restaurant in New York City from a food quality perspective.

A clever addition to the lobby ambiance is Hokulea, a coffee and cocktail bar with a gorgeous terrace overlooking Ko Olina beach. It’s light and airy with a library feel that’s casual … making it appealing for socializing, as well as a good book.

Spa and Fitness Center

Naupaka spa and fitness center is unique in that it is in an entire dedicated building. The fitness center is extensive and includes both indoor weights and cardio, as well as a basketball court, a turf area and tennis courts. It’s open 24 hours a day and is truly something. There’s a lap pool as well as wellness zones including whirlpools, sauna, and steam rooms.

The spa services are extensive and include four levels and 35,000 square feet of pampering, from facials to body treatments and massage inspired by authentic Hawaiian traditions. I had a massage by a well-seasoned therapist in a Hale, an open-air hut in the garden, while listening to the sounds of the ocean.

Kids for All Seasons

Kids for All Seasons offers complimentary supervised care for ages 5 to 12. There’s a sweet center that serves as the base for the program and the daily activity schedule.

Special Occasions

The Four Seasons does special occasions so well! We spent Easter here and the kids had an endless array of treats, from very popular baby ducks in the lobby to a property-wide Easter egg hunt. Fun!

Rates for a family of four at the Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina start at $US 825 per night. Reach out to CB’s Family Travel Advisor team for special Virtuoso value-added perks. It’s the same price as when you go to the hotel directly to book rooms, but you get additional benefits by booking through us.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family accommodations and activities in Hawaii on Ciao Bambino

Why Hawaii is the ultimate tropical escape with kids

Favorite activities in Oahu with kids

Best family summer beach vacation spots

18 summer vacations to take before your kids grow up

Editor’s Note: Amie received a media rate to review the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina for families. As always, our thoughts and opinions are our own. Photos by Amie O’Shaughnessy except where noted.