Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Recognized in Wine Spectator’s 2025 Restaurant Awards

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the two Michelin key and first and only AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Five-Star Resort on Hawaii Island, is proud to announce the recognition of ULU, Miller & Lux Hualalai and Beach Tree with an Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator in the 2025 Restaurant Awards.

As the highest award given to restaurants that show an uncompromising, passionate devotion to the quality and diverse offerings of their wine programs, as well as compatibility with the restaurant’s style and menu, the Award of Excellence is presented to Miller & Lux Hualalai for the first time, Beach Tree for the third year, and ULU for the sixth year. Wine Spectator’s expert panel of judges evaluated the wine programs at hundreds of restaurants across the country and took into consideration menu pairings, location and quality of producers, size of the wine list, price point, and overall service.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai boasts a much-admired culinary program, offering a variety of on-property dining experiences introducing guests to the flavours and traditions of Hawaii and beyond. Earlier this year, the Resort proudly unveiled a refreshed aesthetic and revamped menu at its renowned restaurant, ULU, while also introducing a second-floor sushi lounge and omakase restaurant, NOIO. The Resort features four additional dining concepts including Miller & Lux Hualalai, Beach Tree, Residents’ Beach House and Hualalai Trading Co—each offering distinct culinary experiences that pay homage and celebrate the island’s vibrant flavours.

“We are incredibly proud to have three of our restaurants recognized by Wine Spectator for their dedication to exceptional wine programs,” says Charlie Parker, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. “This recognition is a testament to the passion and expertise of our culinary and beverage team, who thoughtfully crafts each menu and curates each wine list to not only celebrate world-class winemakers but also perfectly complement each restaurant’s unique offerings and atmosphere. We are honored to offer these elevated dining experiences that reflect the excellence of Hualalai and true aloha spirit.”

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai’s extensive wine program is a multi-faceted experience for guests—merging award winning restaurants, exclusive villa wine cellars, celebrity winemaker events, and private tasting classes with globally celebrated wines. The Resort’s sommeliers have traveled the world tasting wines from top regions and select variations to best complement the flavours offered throughout the property, and pair well with the natural bounty found on Hawaii Island. This supports and exemplifies the Resort’s commitment to elevating epicurean experience for guests seeking discovery and distinction.

Hualalai’s culinary program is helmed by Senior Executive Chef Richard Polhemus, bringing decades of experience showcasing a range of cooking techniques and deep knowledge on traditional Hawaiian dishes. Rooted in a farm-to-table approach, Chef Polhemus sources 75 percent ingredients from more than 160 farms on Hawaii Island. To ensure the utmost hyper-local experience, the resort chefs closely work with the Resort’s expert landscaping team to foster the on-site herb garden to supply various fresh herbs and vegetables as well as the Resort’s Marine Biologists at Punawai Pond to grow and harvest their own Pacific Oysters and White Shrimp.

ULU:

Proudly re-opening its doors in January 2025, ULU is situated on the water’s edge and features an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean that complements the refined, yet relaxed ambiance found within. Beyond its culinary offerings, ULU boasts an inventive cocktail program and a robust wine list to supplement the seafood-focused and farm-to-table menu. Fusing Hawaiian and Japanese spirits with locally inspired ingredients, each cocktail is unique, characterized by tropical and umami notes, perfectly complementing the restaurant’s culinary ethos. The extensive and meticulously curated wine list at ULU is credited by the Resort’s sommeliers, who have traveled globally to taste wines from the world’s most celebrated regions such as Napa Valley and New Zealand. The diverse selection of over 200 wines highlights Old and New World varietals and is designed to complement and enhance the flavours of the dinner menu, pairing seamlessly with each dish and creating an opportunity for guests to expand their palates with these unique and exclusive pours. Four Seasons Resort Hualālai believes in making these exceptional wines accessible to guests by offering a balanced pricing strategy between the high-end bottles and affordable, high-quality selections.

Miller & Lux Hualalai:

Created and led by celebrated Chef Tyler Florence, the Resort is home to the Hawaiian outpost of Miller & Lux which opened in January 2024. With an intimate club-like ambiance, Miller & Lux Hualalai offers a refined yet comfortable dining experience to guests overlooking the 18th green of the Hualalai Golf Course. Blending the flavours from Chef Florence’s acclaimed American steakhouse in San Francisco with the distinct flavours of the Island of Hawaii, the menu showcases a variety of inventive dishes featuring high-quality steaks from the best ranches in the country, a robust raw bar, fresh and sustainable seafood, and farm-direct vegetables. Miller & Lux’s award-winning wine list is meticulously crafted to enhance the richness of the steakhouse-inspired menu, while also celebrating the unique flavours of Hawaii’s local bounty. The extensive array of wines suits every palate with an accessible pricing strategy. In fact, Chef Tyler Florence has hand-selected two wines he calls “the ideal steak wine.” The first is the M&L Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied Cabernet aged in French oak barrels that displays plush fruit flavours, and the other is the M&L Chardonnay, exuding flavours of marzipan, vanilla and ripe honeyed apple giving an intense yet delicate taste.

Beach Tree:

At the heart of the Resort, a lone tree grows from the sand along the ocean’s edge, which inspired one of the resort’s most beloved dining venues, Beach Tree. Beach Tree epitomizes "barefoot elegance", offering guests an unparalleled dining experience that seamlessly blends California-inspired cuisine with Italian influences, all set against the serene backdrop of the Pacific waters. The wine program at Beach Tree is a thoughtfully curated list following the same ethos, uniting vintners and flavour profiles from California and the Mediterranean. Featuring nearly 95 bottles, the list emphasizes woman-owned, sustainable wineries and rare varietals that even seasoned enthusiasts may be tasting for the first time—all complemented by a diverse wine-by-the-glass selection. The inventory is curated to offer a balance between renowned labels and emerging producers, providing guests with both familiar favourites and new discoveries thus enhancing their dining experience.

Continuing to strive to deliver world-class dining experiences to guests, the Resort’s team of sommeliers are available to guide guests through curated flights and offer their expert pairing recommendations, ensuring each sip complements their meal seamlessly. To learn more about Four Seasons Resort Hualalai’s dining offerings or to make a reservation, please visit the website or call (808) 325-8000.