So....we moved out of our office building...leased a storage locker at public storage...finally got settled in our temporary space...and needed a little R&R. PLUS it was about that time of year for our annual interisland adventure with our friends Patrick and Dawn. Last year we went to Maui and stayed at my cousins' beach house in Makena. This year we decided on Lana'i. Surprisingly, I have never been to Lana'i....it was a first for all of us which makes it even better.
We were booked on Island Air, the only commercial airline that flies into the island of Lana'i. I am sooooooo glad we booked direct rather than through Aloha Airlines as I believe they shut down around the same time. We were a little worried that the flight would be cancelled because Island Air is a subsidiary-ish of Aloha, but I guess they have been operating seperately for a few years. So...we were on our way.
There are three hotels on Lana'i...the Four Seasons at Manele Bay, The Lodge at Koele and The Hotel Lana'i. We were booked at Manele Bay. When you arrive at the airport on Lanai, the Four Seasons is there to pick you up. There is a one-time $35pp fee for this but well worth it as it includes free shuttles between the two resorts and Lanai City. The road bewteen the resorts is lined with pine trees. The driver said they were planted there so people could see the road between the resorts.
We arrived at the hotel and, in true Four Seasons fashion, we were greeted with leis and cold hand towels...love it. The hotel upgraded us to an ocean view room (which we thought we already had) and put us in the "kama'aina gardens" wing with rooms next to each other. Kind of a joke..its not really called that but it seemed like that was where all the kamaainas were located...and the gardens below the building were actaully called the "kamaaina gardens." Anywho, the room was nice...sunset ocean view...large lanais...but we were more interested in the beach and pool.
I almost forgot...the hotel sent us two bottles of champagne...for our interisland adventure anniversary...thanks Patrick.
After champagne, we made it down to the poolside cafe and ordered our fav...seafood on ice. Dawn eats the shrimp, I eat the crab. The cafe overlooks Manele Bay and the beach below. Very nice. Very relaxing. Very offline. I actually DID NOT bring my laptop (first time).
There are lots of things to do at Manele Bay:
1. Morning hike to Sweetheart Point
2. Lay on beach (Four Seasons will set-up chairs, bring you water and fruits, spray you with Evian, give you snorkel gear and sunscreen).
3. Play football on beach
4. Swim with Spinner Dolphins (we did...for two hours)
5. Snorkel (its not Hanauma Bay, but its cool)
6. Sunset photo session with bottle of Veuve (bring with you from Oahu)
7. Hang out in gameroom at night (there's pool, shuffleboard and foosball!)
8. Hang out in the pool
We actually went up to the lodge our first night for dinner...and it wasn't the best experience. So...we decided to spend half of our last day there and it was well worth it. The grounds are gorgeous...it reminds me of one of those places that wealthy people spend the summer at in the mountains...like in dirty dancing. We had enough time to have lunch at the clubhouse, a few photo sessions and a very short game of croquet before leaving for the airport...which is only minutes away.
Would I go back? YES...but I think I would stay at the lodge next time...try some clay shooting, a round of golf and more croquet.
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