[5] The saltwater pools were restored and preserved by site designers as part of the development and their natural features emphasized as an attraction.

[7] To keep costs down, the developer, hotel operator, and architects collaborated to reduce the initial size of each room, saving millions.

The "low-scale post-and-beam structures" of ancient Hawaiian villages influenced the style, incorporating "broad overhangs, exposed eaves, and loosely defined interior and exterior spaces".

Menus typically feature Big Island-grown and raised items such as avocado, goat cheese, red and yellow tomatoes, mushrooms, lobster, fish, organic honey, and abalone.

The center also hosts a collection of Native Hawaiian art, including 11 commissioned paintings by artist Herb Kawainui Kane.

Four Seasons Hualalai was among the 100 of Travel + Leisure's world's best resorts awards in a readers poll in 2007, 2008, and 2009,[10] and ranked in several "top lists" by Zagat Surveys.

Golf Magazine ranked the course one of the best in America to play in 2002 and it annually hosts the Champions Tour's Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.