THE SUPERB AND UNEXPECTED ON EVERY PAGE
STAY CONNECTED
DEPARTURES
PERFECTING PARADISE
Leave it to Four Seasons to Create Nonpareil Lana‘i
JACQUELINE WOODS
It is a widely accepted truth that for those who seek tranquility and harmony, can often discover the sensational islands of Hawaii is the epicenter of pleasure. Between the lush tropical landscapes and pellucid ocean waters, the Hawaiian Islands hardly disappoint. However, it is only on the island of Lāna‘i, Hawaii’s smallest inhabited island, where a truly intimate and rejuvenating escape awaits. For that experience, the Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i is the personification of ‘island paradise’ where nature’s gifts are harmoniously blended with exquisite luxury.
“The island of Lāna‘i is a very special place,” says Lori Holland, Director of Public Relations. “It’s authentic and genuine people, beautiful landscapes and the relaxed luxury at the Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i really do make for an extraordinary escape and perfectly encapsulates what to expect when visiting this remarkable place”.
Positioned amongst cascading hillsides that meet the shores of Hulopo’e Bay, the resort boasts succulent tropical gardens, and an organic landscape that ushers guests through the heavenly grounds. While Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts already has a highly regarded reputation for luxury hospitality, their location on Lāna‘i has recently acquired a number of upgrades and exciting new opportunities to offer their guests. From amenities, to luxury travel options, unparalleled resort activities, and delectable dining, The Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i has been revamped to offer guests an unforgettable and indeed, incomparable visit.
The reinvigorated experience of The Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i is apparent rather early on, beginning with travel services. Transportation and travel are made easy, regardless of whether you are journeying from another country, state, or simply island jumping. At the Daniel K Inouye International Airport (HNL), Four Seasons guests can recharge in their well-appointed Guest Lounge. Here guests are welcomed by a Lāna‘i Airport Lounge Ambassador who can assist in check-in services, as well as arrange dining and resort reservations. Also in the lounge, guests have the opportunity to relax comfortably, have a bite of complimentary food and enjoy a beverages, or simply unwind and make use of the charging stations, Wi-Fi access, tablets, televisions, and magazines available. The Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i Guest Lounge relieves any travel-related stress, making it the perfect beginning - and civilized end - for guests traveling near and far.
Another notable draw are the FBO services available at the Lāna‘i airport, a new inter-island charter service offered by Lāna‘i Air, and unique ‘Learn to Fly’ and ‘Zero to Solo’ piloting experiences. For guests traveling by private jet, FBO Air Service Hawaii is available at the Lāna‘i Airport, where access to jet refueling operations, plane-side vehicle access, line service and Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i catering amenities abound.
Inter-island charter service connects Lāna‘i Air travelers and up to five of their guests to the Daniel K Inouye International Airport on Oahu, Kahului Airport on Maui, and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on the big island with aircrafts customizable for the journey.
For those guests who are flight enthusiasts, the ‘Learn to Fly’ and ‘Zero to Solo’ excursions make it possible to soar above the beautiful atmosphere of Hawaii. Through ‘Learn to Fly,’ beginner pilots can operate a plane while learning how to perform fundamental flight maneuvers including takeoff, cruising, and landing. During this two to four-hour experience, piloting guests may choose one of three routes that take them over waterfalls, sea cliffs, or volcanos. If acquiring a Private Pilot License is a dream of yours, where best to start other than in Hawaii?
Through the ‘Zero to Solo’ experience, guests tackle ground level sessions before operating one of the world’s finest general aviation aircraft solo! Participants receive a student’s pilot license at the conclusion of the program, as well as unforgettable memories.
In addition to those travel-inspired upgrades, The Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i has more to offer both on and off-site. Health and wellness are strongly promoted throughout the resort, and with a new 24-hour, state of the art fitness facility, yoga studio, and zen-inspired spa guests are guaranteed access to the best in wellness resources. Both novice and expert yogis can benefit from the Wellness team’s nationally recognized yoga teacher, Will Donnelly as he guides participants into relaxation and self-peace through a variety of indoor and outdoor classes. Donnelly is also a certified AntiGravity yoga instructor, offering for-fee classes. The resort’s Hāwanawana Spa, whose name translates to ‘whispering ocean’, offers an assortment of treatments and services inspired by the natural powers of the sea. While spa therapists customize each treatment to every guest, personalization can go even farther by selecting a Zen Sports Wellness experience which includes a bespoke curation of private yoga and meditation classes, a sports massage, and one of three activities: tennis, golf, or horseback riding. The experience is activity-tailored in order to support refreshing recovery after any chosen activity. Zen Sports Wellness experiences include Zen Tennis, Zen Golf, and Zen horse, with massages focusing on the parts of the body exhausted in the chosen activity.
Along with the 168 guest rooms that reflect Hawaii’s Polynesian influences, the resort also offers a number of specialty suites reflecting the pinnacle of luxury. The Ohana Ocean Front Suites offer exquisite panorama views of the Pacific Ocean and have the luxury of spaciousness with separate living rooms, bedrooms, and two full bathrooms including a master bath featuring a wooden, Japanese soaking tub. The Ali’i Royal Suite enjoys panorama views of the Pacific as well as Hulopo’e Bay, and includes a formal living room, media room, separate dining room to seat six, a double Japanese soaking tub, walk-in steam shower, and more.
The resort has recently focused on renovating their current activates and expanding existing options. The Archery and Sporting Clays course has undergone renovation, and a new Pistol Range was incorporated earlier this year. A Tennis Garden featuring two Plexipave Cushion courts as well as one Har-Tru Green Clay court have been added, and the resort now offers Pickleball, Pop Tennis, and a variety of other events and clinics.
With resort upgrades that extend to the sea, the Four Seasons welcomed a forty-five foot, high-speed luxury fishing boat - the Lāna‘i V. Equipped for thrilling fishing adventures and unparalleled SCUBA excursions, and with a Lāna‘i based crew and captain who know the waters better than anyone; a sea adventure on the Lāna‘i V is guaranteed to be a highlight of any Hawaiian holiday.
Having worked up an appetite with all there is to indulge in at the resort, guests will appreciate the dining at The Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i. A remarkable experience in and to itself, dining at the resorts means access to a vast and varied assortment of cuisine options, including the sushi bar at Nobu Lāna‘i, Malibu Farm, One Forty American Steak and Hawaiian Seafood, Views, Sports Bar and Grill, and more.
It is at Nobu Lāna‘i, however, that an exclusive, new, and oh-so-private Teppanyaki dinner experience is now available to guests. Through the Omakase-style, two hour, fifteencourse, inimitable dining experience; guests will feast on a degustation menu that highlights fresh, local, quality ingredients prepared by Chef Hung Nguyen and his culinary team. The Chef ’s expertise is evident in each course, leaving guests pampered, satisfied, and inspired, and making this new culinary addition to the Resort into a feast of utter bliss.
Indeed, having undergone several changes in recent years and with top of the line technology, amenities, excursions, and cuisine; the resort is constantly striving to impress guests and remain unparalleled in Lāna‘i as a luxury retreat.