Hawaii Series Part Two - Lanai
Our second day at the Four Seasons Resort Manele Bay Lanai started with breakfast looking out over the pool to the ocean and surrounded with beautiful flowers. We were the guest of Shea the sales manager who showed us around. She was a great guide with lot of information on both Four Seasons Resorts as well as island living; she has lived on Lanai for awhile with her husband…if you meet her ask her how she met him, it’s a great story.
I had met a man in the pool the day before and he commented on the beautiful art work around the hotel; as you walk abound you keep coming to beautiful pieces of Asian Art. We looked at different rooms, even the rooms back from the water have a great view of gardens and all the room were very spacious and have the same amenities. There were lovely little gardens all around; my room was an ocean front room and when I went out the door there was a Japanese Garden. We stopped to see the Spa; it’s a full service spa including some local specials; Lava Shell Massage, Ali’l Banana Coconut Scrub and the Pineapple Citrus Polish. The Spa and teatment rooms were set up in a very inviting way and they offer so many services.
After touring the resort, it was off to the world class golf course – The Challenge at Manele an ocean side course where Bill Gates was married. Built by Jack Nicklaus every hole has an ocean view, Imagine the Pacific Ocean as your water hazard! We went out in a golf cart to see the course…breathe taking views, just beautiful!
Then it was off to Lanai City…when I say city I don’t want you thinking of a big place, remember this is the island without a traffic light. We passed the gas station, I didn’t see any prices listed, but as it was pointed out it didn’t matter what the price was…it’s the only gas station so you pay what they charge. This was a small plantation town built by the Dole Pineapple family. The other Four Seasons hotel is located here in Lanai City.
The weather was different then on the coast, it was cooler and there was a light mist. Also different was The Lodge at Koele, a grand country estate this lodge could be in Colorado, with its large stone fireplaces and high beamed ceilings; there are more pine trees then palm. The Four Season’s high level of service and the smaller resort makes this feel warm and cozy. We had a nice lunch looking out at the beautiful grounds including a reflecting pool and Chinese pagoda. This resort is surrounded by mountains and forests.
Yes, they have their own world class golf course - The Experience at Koele. Designed by Greg Norman and architect Ted Robinson this course is surrounded by mountains and lush greens. The signature hole #17 plays from a 250 foot elevated tee to the fairway. Imagine going from one course to the other…what are you waiting for?
You can stay at one and use the facilities at the other resort; if you want to split your stay between them you only have to register at the first one – you will then be transferred to the other property – it’s seamless.
After a lovely lunch with Shea we headed back to the Manele Bay. We decided to leave the pool area and head to the beach, we were greeted by attendants who offered to set up chairs and umbrellas for our comfort…I’m going to hate to go back to my real life!
We had dinner outside, looking out at the pool and torches that are lit every night around the resort…a great way to end the day!
If you want to be active there is a lot to do - swimming, world class golf, archery, clay shooting, mountain biking, croquet, horseback riding, tennis, hiking, lawn bowling, snorkeling, diving and 4 x 4 sight seeing adventures.
Next blog will be on our last day on Lanai and ferry to Maui.
