As much as we love a rowdy vacation surrounded by selfish resort-goers fighting over pool chairs, sometimes a gal just needs an intimate escape. You know, a place where the toughest decision is whether to have your couples massage on the beach or in a private cabana. Where the nightlife is stargazing with a mai tai rather than clubbing with college bros.
That place for us is the secluded island paradise of Lanai, Hawaii. Let the swarming masses mob Maui—Lanai is for lovers (and honeymooners, anniversary celebrators, or anyone wanting a little alone time with their special someone). With few dining options beyond dreamy 5-star resort restaurants, you won’t have any FOMO about missing the hot new taco stand. Unless your idea of a hot date is a 2-for-1 happy hour, you can’t do better than Lanai’s luxury hideaways.
So, pack your silkiest caftans, most fabulous sunhats, and the highest thread count sheets. In this blog post, we’re dishing on the intimate retreats and dramatically beautiful landscapes that make Lanai the ultimate setting for romance and relaxation.
The 3 Best Hotels in Lanai, HI
With rates starting at $1000 a night during low season, you know you’ll be cocooned away with only the most refined of guests. But don’t worry–what happens on Lanai stays on Lanai.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai
About a 45-minute ferry ride from Maui, Four Seasons Resort Lanai is a luxurious resort on an isolated island. Built on lava outcroppings along the rugged oceanside cliffs, this luxury property offers you a full slate of activities and luxury experiences. The hotel features 168 guest rooms and 45 suites. The hotel’s textured decor is a reflection of the Hawaiian art culture. The interior colors are a mix of creams and browns with Polynesian accents. Many rooms have lanais. These spacious lanais offer spectacular views of the beach and ocean. The bathrooms feature artisan tiles and separate showers. The bathrooms are also equipped with a deep soaking tub.
The resort’s activities include lei making, hula sessions, lei-making classes, ATV rides, and horseback riding. The resort’s Hawanawana Spa offers treatments inspired by the healing powers of the ocean. This spa’s signature treatment incorporates algae oil and seaweed. The hotel’s signature restaurant is Nobu Lanai, featuring the Japanese-Peruvian cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa. The restaurant also offers teppanyaki and intimate sushi counters. The Lanai Art Center features beautiful artwork by local artists. The hotel also offers a number of wedding packages.
The resort also features two pools: a lagoon-style free-form family pool, and an adults-only pool. The adults-only pool is decorated with lava rock grottos and waterfalls. The pool offers free use of snorkeling equipment and lounge chairs. The lagoon-style, free-form family pool also has a whirlpool. The golf course at Four Seasons Resort Lanai is designed by Jack Nicklaus. The course features three holes that are perched on cliffs. This course offers a challenging course for all levels of golfers. You can also participate in a two-hour sunset cruise and a three-hour ocean adventure on a catamaran.
The resort also has a yoga studio and a business center. Lanai City, a 25-minute drive from the hotel, is home to a few restaurants and shops. The resort also offers a shuttle service to Lanai City. A shuttle is also available to the Lanai Airport. You can also purchase ferry tickets online.
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort is an adult-only wellness enclave on the secluded island of Lanai, in the Hawaiian archipelago. This retreat, formerly known as the Lodge at Koele, has been transformed into a wellness oasis. Sensei’s well-being programming is emphasized, with lectures, wellness classes and contact-free dining options available to guests. The resort features a spacious, Japanese-inspired architecture aesthetic and offers a variety of wellness programs. The resort’s Sensei Guides work with you to create a customized itinerary for your stay.
They can suggest yoga and meditation classes, scuba diving, horseback riding and more. Sensei Guides also consult with Sensei’s team of fitness experts and chefs to create a menu of wellness activities for guests. The property offers a range of wellness classes, from a daily yoga class to a private massage in a private hale. In addition, the resort has an outdoor sculpture garden, an adventure park, ziplines, and an 18-hole short golf course. The property also offers a kids’ club. The property is also home to Sensei by Nobu, which serves fresh ingredients harvested from the resort farm.
This upscale restaurant also features a glass pavilion and an outdoor dining area. The restaurant also offers a selection of infrared saunas and private hales. Its menu also features a four-course Prix Fixe menu. In addition to its world-class dining, the property is known for its spa, which is rated #1 in the world. The resort offers treatments in private hales and the use of Sensei’s organic and sustainable products. A number of services are included in the resort’s all-inclusive packages, including massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body scrubs, and more.
As an added feature, the property offers a Select-Choice Experience that includes overnight accommodations, and 12 complimentary well-being classes daily. In addition, guests can choose to include a la carte items from the Experiences Menu. For guests who want to experience more of Lanai, there are also island excursions and shuttles to neighboring beaches. The Sensei Lanai is also home to a Sensei by Nobu Spa, which offers private hales and infrared saunas. There are also a number of daily wellness classes, including a functional movement screen, yoga, meditation instruction, and small group hikes.
Hotel Lanai
Hotel Lanai is a modern, stylish hotel offering a blend of rustic modern style with vintage Hawaiian charm. Built in 1923 by James Dole of pineapple fame, Hotel Lanai was originally designed as lodging for Dole executives. The plantation-style building, with its wooden floors and vintage furniture, exudes an authenticity that takes you back to the 1920s. The hotel underwent its first major renovation in over a century in 2018, further enhancing its appeal. The hotel’s accommodations are not just rooms, but intimate, tranquil experiences.
Each of the 10 rooms is decorated with unique furnishings and fixtures, offering a custom experience for every guest. The Lanai Rooms feature a joint lanai (porch) for relaxing and taking in views of the historic Lanai. Rest in the comfort of your room on a spacious king bed with luxury linens, styled with natural elements including modern wood paneling, grasscloth wallpaper, and natural bamboo and wicker furnishings. The hotel offers state-of-the-art amenities, including a flat-screen TV and control of the lights, blinds, and air conditioning with the touch of a button.
Several rooms at Hotel Lanai have porches overlooking the pine trees and Lanai City, and a separate one-bedroom cottage offers more privacy. The on-site neighborhood restaurant, Lanai City Bar & Grille, is a fresh, flavor-forward New American restaurant. It focuses on wild & sustainable fish, meats free of antibiotics and added hormones, and local produce, all prepared in fun, innovative ways. The restaurant is a social spot where visitors mingle with locals in the bar, talking or playing the ukulele long into the night.
