Lanai May Be Small, but It’s Big on Wellness, Relaxation and Romance
Love, Lanai.
- CategoryTravel
- Written byDarren Elms
In the crowded world of Hawaiian tourism, it might be easy to miss little yet lovely Lanai. Known by locals as Pineapple Island for its commercial past as the largest plantation developed by Dole, Lanai is only 18 miles in the longest direction and the smallest publicly inhabited island in the Hawaiian chain. But what it lacks in size it makes up in overall experience. It’s beautiful, naturally diverse and, best of all, quiet … a perfect place to unplug.
A whopping 98% of the island is owned by Larry Ellison, co-founder and chairman of Oracle Corporation. His longtime investment not only transformed the island’s infrastructure and agricultural industry but also revived two resort destinations: the Four Seasons Lanai and Sensei Lanai. Though connected by proximity and ownership, each resort offers its own special essence—from beachfront paradise to health-focused retreat.
Getting There
The most convenient way to get to the island is by plane. Lanai Air offers short flights from Honolulu for easy connection. Once you arrive in Honolulu, a car will escort you to a nearby hangar and lounge where you will board your 35-minute chartered flight to the island. Both the Four Seasons and the Sensei resorts include this transfer in your reservation.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai
Located on the island’s southwest coast, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai enjoys a remote location that rivals a private island. With the beach, ocean and hiking trails steps away from the property, nature figures prominently in the resort’s appeal. Lush, botanical gardens with water features and lagoon-style pools add to the tropical splendor.
Accommodations range from ocean- or garden-facing guest rooms to small and large suites with generous space for downtime. Each room and suite features a modern, island-inspired design with balconies and spacious bathrooms. The three penthouse suites offer private balconies, separate living and bedroom areas, and additional beds to accommodate families.
Views of Hulopoe Bay greet guests each night at the various dining venues. Nobu Lanai features Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s decadent 15-course teppanyaki dining experience and other beautifully executed Japanese-inspired dishes. One Forty, named after the resort’s 140-square-mile radius, emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, fresh Hawaiian catch, and beef from Snake River Farms. Casual dining and drinks can be found at poolside Malibu Farm, and The Break offers grab-and-go items.
The spa provides a healthy list of massage, body and facial treatments plus a few specialty offerings like sound therapy and aerial yoga. Golfers can choose a variety of packages during their stay, all on the Jack Nicklaus signature Manele Golf Course—the premier 18-hole layout at Lanai.
Other daytime activities include racquet and target sports, hiking, biking, and both adult and kid’s adventure courses. Don’t miss one of the catamaran tours offered to guests, including the Sunset Sail or more private Sail Away with Me, with Champagne and snorkeling for two.
Sensei Lanai
Tucked away in the island’s interior in the spiritual uplands called Kōele, the new Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, offers an even more intimate experience than its sister property. Designed as an adults-only wellness retreat and spa, health and fitness play a larger role in Sensei’s mission. True to Ellison’s roots, technology and science inform this educational and enriching experience.
The grounds are nothing but breathtaking—in every corner a botanical garden or small body of water sprinkled with sculptures by renowned artists. Beyond the main lobby, which hosts the one-and-only dining spot at the resort, also Nobu, fitness and yoga pavilions blend in with the natural surroundings.
The guest accommodations occupy two wings off either side of the main building. Both the rooms and the suites feature a soft, plantation-style design with balconies overlooking the gardens and large bathrooms.
With wellness in mind for your stay, the Sensei staff can curate an itinerary tailored to your individual needs. A day could include a specialty class, like a sound bath, meditation or yoga; a spa service in the seclusion of a private spa hale; and a one-on-one consultation on topics like biomarkers, nutrition, mindset, sleep and more.
Like the beach resort, Sensei also provides guests access to all the Four Seasons island activities, including horseback riding in the hills surrounding Kōele—once the center of ranching operations on the island.
After a busy day of body and soul enrichment, a quiet dinner at Sensei by Nobu, a collaboration between Chef Matsuhisa and Sensei co-founder David Agus, MD, should be savored. With a nutritional approach, each dish melds Matsuhisa’s incredible flavors with body-nourishing benefits. If you choose to order a sake or two, we won’t tell. This is a vacation, after all.
