One of the lesser visited Hawaiian Islands, it can be easy to overlook secluded Lanai when planning a vacation. A former pineapple plantation that once produced up to 75% of the world’s pineapple supply, 98 percent of the island is owned by Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison. Along with a bit more than 3-thousand people, Lanai is also home Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort.
The wellness-focused resort is one of just three hotel properties on the island. Sister property, Four Seasons Lanai, is located on Lanai’s southeast coast, overlooking Hulopoe Bay. With less than a dozen rooms, Hotel Lanai is located in Lanai City, steps from a handful of shops, restaurants, and markets, as well as the only gas station on the island.
Adults-Only Wellbeing Sanctuary
The Sensei approach to healthy living features three core pillars — Move, Nourish, and Rest. It was founded by Ellison and Dr. David Agus, a physician and professor of medicine and engineering at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and Viterbi School of Engineering.
Spa services such as massages and facials take place in private, freestanding hales (Hawaiian for house) that boast a long list of bells and whistles, including an infra-red sauna, steam room, plunge pool, and one of the largest, most amazing outdoor showers I’ve ever experienced.
However, spa treatments are just one factor in Sensei’s wellness focused equation. Sensei Guides and Wellness Practitioners run counseling sessions on a bevy of topics ranging from fitness, sleep, and nutrition, to mindset and meditation.
Accommodations
Set on an inland stretch of 24 acres, Sensei Lanai features 96 rooms and suites. Regardless of room category, all rooms have a soothing white-beige color palette and a welcoming dose of natural light thanks to multiple windows. From Dyson hair dryers to Nespresso coffee machines and fluffy white towels, you’ll find all of the luxe amenities you would expect from a Four Seasons property.
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Amenities & Activities
While there’s much to see on the island of Lanai, resort amenities make a strong case to simply enjoy staying put. Sit by the pool, soak in the outdoor onsen baths, wander the estate to take in the tropical greenery and extensive sculpture art collection, or perhaps sign up for a morning ranch walk and see how excited the resident goats get at breakfast time.
Additional experiences such as horseback riding, e-biking, zip line adventures, archery, snorkeling, and island tours can be booked for an additional fee.
Dining Options
Eating healthy has never tasted so good. Sensei by Nobu serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dishes embracing Sensei’s “Nourish” nutritional philosophy range from mushroom feta toast to broiled local eggplant with lilikoi miso and sesame seeds, to gazpacho with Kauai shrimp. There are also opportunities to enjoy Nobu favorites, including miso-marinated black cod, yellowtail with jalapeno peppers, and caviar tacos made with wonton taco shells, boiled egg, and Osetra Caviar. While the dining room is typically flooded with natural light, it’s tough to beat an outdoor table with a view of the koi pond and tropical fauna.
Open throughout the day, Koele Garden Bar offers a bit more of a casual, relaxed setting. Along with a grab-and-go breakfast, I highly recommend banana bread, which has a complimentary coffee and tea station set up every morning. You’ll notice some crossover offerings from the neighboring Nobu restaurant on the lunch and dinner menus mixed among selections including steamed edamame, a poke tower, a salmon burger, and a traditional burger made with short rib and Wagyu beef.
Room service is also available and a snap to order thanks to the bedside tablets provided in every room.
Good to Know
There aren’t direct flights to Lanai from anywhere in the continental United States. After flying into Honolulu or Maui, you can connect with a local airline that offers interisland service. There is no TSA security at Lanai Airport. The airport is small. Both Four Seasons resorts typically include the cost of the flight from Honolulu to Lanai in the nightly room rate.
If you fly into Maui, you also have the option to hop on the passenger ferry. The trip takes about an hour, and during the winter months, you might see humpback whales.
Shuttle service is offered throughout the day to sister resort, Four Seasons Resort Lanai. Guests enjoy beach access and signing privileges.
Rates at Sensei Lanai start at $1080. (This includes round-trip airfare from Honolulu on Lanai Air through Dec 31, 2026. All stays also include complimentary airport transfers.) All guests must be at least 16 years of age. Wi-Fi is complimentary; valet parking is available for a fee.
Check rates online at Expedia or Hotels.com.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
