Lana'i City
Hawaii


The Experience

Set on high lava bluffs along Lanai’s dry and hot southern coast, this Four Seasons overlooks dolphin-popular Hulopoe Beach (a five-minute walk away) and feels a million miles from everything. That’s not surprising, of course, since Lanai is practically a private island to itself, with only 30 miles of paved road and no traffic signals. There is another Four Seasons here (taken over from Castle & Cooke Resorts), but as the other is the English-style Lodge at Koele, in the island’s interior, this is your best waterfront option. With a large beach and a Jack Nicklaus oceanfront golf course (and since tiny Lanai is not built for extensive sightseeing), the emphasis is on totally unplugging.

The Rooms

The Mediterranean-inspired, U-shaped building can appear a bit generic at first, but it’s terraced along the bluffs so most rooms enjoy an ocean view. The two-story wings are separated by lush gardens, and some rooms face the man-made waterfalls, lotus ponds and streams. And even though these rooms are large (576 square feet) and have their own private lanais, it’s still the ocean view you’re after here. Upgrade to a slightly larger oceanfront or a suite-size prime oceanfront (761 square feet): All are open and airy, with wicker furniture and decorated in tropical motifs and patterns (thankfully in subdued colors). Suites are more formal, some offering mahogany furniture and the Asian accents found in the public areas, and some come with room-size lanais.

The Service

Considering that most of Manele Bay’s workers come from the extremely limited pool of islanders (population: about 3,000), it’s amazing the resort’s service is as good as it is. Frequent visitors to Hawaii’s other lavish resorts may notice a slight roughness around the edges, but the natural friendliness and cheerful attitude make up for any shortcomings. Pool attendants are especially dutiful, spraying sunbathers with Evian mist, serving fresh fruit and water without asking and setting up your chair when they see you coming.

The Highlights

While the point of Manele Bay may be to relax, it’s tough to stay off The Challenge at Manele. The golf course, built on lava outcroppings and dropping off into the crashing waves of the Pacific, does indeed challenge, with drives out over natural gorges and ravines (all while kids are occupied with the extensive children's program that includes crab hunting and ukulele playing). Sit down to a meal of Pacific snapper or Hawaiian-style short ribs, then stroll past the amazing collection of Chinese robes, huge vases and colorful statues to the spa for seaweed body masks and banana coconut scrubs. Or take advantage of the “after hours” program, where you can have the spa all to yourself after it closes, with a spa attendant serving you pineapple tea and hors d'oeuvres as you relax in the eucalyptus steam room and red cedar sauna.

--Matthew Link

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