Alaska Airlines and Virgin America have added a significant number of new nonstop routes from SFO in 2017. We were fortunate to ride along on 12 of them, and our latest trip was on the inaugural route from San Francisco to Kona. This was our first visit to the Island of Hawaii, and it won’t be our last!
![Greeted by beautiful Hawaiian lei in Kona Hawaii at the Four Seasons Hualalai, thetasteSF](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/hawaii-kona-thetastesf-1000787.jpg)
![Staying at the Four Seasons Hualalai the luxury hotel in Kona greeted with guava juice and cold towels, thetasteSF](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/hawaii-kona-thetastesf-1000102.jpg)
![The lobby of the Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii hotel near kona, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-01581.jpg)
From the moment we arrived at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, we could tell this place was truly special. We were greeted with gorgeous leis upon arrival, and as we checked in, we were presented with chilled guava juice, a cold hand towel, and a delicious slice of pineapple.
![Canoe at the Four Seasons Hualalai Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-1000410.jpg)
![Have cocktails in Kona for lunch at the Beach Tree Club Restaurant at Four Seasons Hualalai the luxury hotel, thetasteSF](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/hawaii-kona-thetastesf-1000239-2.jpg)
![The best lunch in Kona with whiskey and hangar steak at the Beach Tree Club Restaurant at Four Seasons Hualalai the luxury hotel, thetasteSF](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/hawaii-kona-thetastesf-1000277.jpg)
![Beach at the Four Seasons Hualalai Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-00976.jpg)
![The beach near the Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-1000324.jpg)
![Outdoor shower at the Four Seasons Hualalai the luxury hotel in Kona, thetasteSF](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/hawaii-kona-thetastesf-1000116.jpg)
![Kings Pond in at the Four Seasons Hualalai the luxury hotel in Kona, thetasteSF](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/hawaii-kona-thetastesf-1000108.jpg)
![Custom Hawaiian meal at the Four Seasons Hualalai Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-1000377.jpg)
![](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-1000409.jpg)
![Relaxing at the Four Seasons Hualalai Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-1000385.jpg)
![View a Hawaiian sunset at the Four Seasons Hualalai Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-1000372.jpg)
![Hawaiian sunset at the Four Seasons Hualalai Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-01013.jpg)
![Rooms at the luxurious hotel The Four Seasons Hualalai in Kona Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/hawaii-kona-thetastesf-01102.jpg)
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is arranged around a number of pools (including an adult-only pool with swim up bar and another featuring thousands of reef fish for snorkeling), with immaculately maintained pathways lined with tiki torches connecting all of the buildings around the property. The customer service at this property makes a tremendous difference, with each passing team member offering a warm Aloha. In addition to a golf course, the hotel offers several incredible restaurants (best food we had on the Island, without a doubt), an amazing spa and fitness center, and high end on-site shopping. We were excited to check out their James Perse boutique with custom Hawaiian shirts and their spa had all of our favorite Shu Uemura hair products.
![Breakfast in the morning by the ocean in Kona Hawaii at the Four Seasons Hualalai, thetasteSF](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/hawaii-kona-thetastesf-1000516.jpg)
![The pools at the Four Seasons Hualalai Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Four-Seasons-Hualalai-kona-hawaii-oysters-thetastesf-1000794-2.jpg)
![One of the only hotels in the United States who is raising their own oysters is the Four Seasons Hualalai to serve at their restaurants in Kona Hawaii, The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/hawaii-kona-thetastesf-1000124.jpg)
During our visit, we had the privilege of experiencing lunch at the Beach Tree Club, dinner at ‘ULU Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge, and a tour of the resort’s on-site oyster farm. Something we found that’s very special about the Four Seasons is it’s commitment to conservation. They have a team of marine biologists who take care of the marine life on the property, as well as care for the environment and community around the resort. The food here was amazing and was the best we’ve experienced on the Island of Hawaii. Even if you aren’t staying on the property, the resort’s restaurants are a must for lunch or dinner.
Thank you to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai for hosting us and Alaska Airlines for sponsoring this post.