Four Seasons Lanai Review: Which is the Best Four Seasons on Lanai?

Four Seasons Lanai, Hawaii

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When looking at where to stay on Lanai, Hawaii, options are limited. But they’re good ones!

Most visitors stay at the Four Seasons Lanai.

Ahhh. But which one?

Because one of the delightful facts about Hawaii is that there are two Four Seasons resorts on Lanai.

Four Seasons Lanai Review

The most popular (and larger) one is the 213-room Four Seasons Resort Lanai, which is a deluxe beachfront resort.

The other is Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort.

This swank adults-only country-style mountain lodge has a wellness focus.

Review of Four Seasons Resorts Lanai

Four Seasons Lanai review

Four Seasons Lanai Review

Some guests like to split their stay on Lanai and experience both (which is what we did).

But it may not matter which you choose, because an inter-hotel shuttle bus connects the two resorts (just 20 minutes apart) and you can use most of the facilities of both.

By way of background, Oracle CEO and biz whiz Larry Ellison bought the former pineapple island of Lanai in 2012, complete with the two Four Seasons properties, for an estimated $600 million.

Since then, he’s spruced up the resorts to reflect a more Hawaiian plantation vibe – and they now shine like new.

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

Rooms

Guest room at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai

Down by the water at Manele Bay, the 213 rooms and suites at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai average 700 sq. ft.

Most overlook the ocean.

Sporting a neutral color scheme (coffee and cream), they come with mahogany floors, handwoven area rugs, mood lighting, bedside iPads, Nespresso machines, glass showers with pebbled floors and furnished lanais.

Hulopoe Beach

Lanai beach

Beautiful Hulopoe Beach is at the foot of this resort. (We think it’s one of the nicest beaches in Hawaii).

Full beach services are offered for Four Seasons guests – including beach chairs, towels, and the complimentary use of snorkeling equipment.

While there are quite a few adventurous things to do on Lanai, hanging out on Hulopoe Beach is – needless to say – the preferred activity of choice for most people.

Dining

Tacos at Nobu Lanai

The chic Nobu Lanai restaurant showcases sushi and innovative Japanese-inspired cuisine by celebrity chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, with produce grown locally on Lanai.

Or you can choose to dine at Malibu Farm, serving healthy organic options.

Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort

Reception at Four Seasons Sensei Lanai

Sensei Lanai (formerly called the Lodge at Koele) opened in November, 2019 after a five-year renovation.

Sitting at the end of a driveway lined by tall Cook Island pine trees, Sensei Lanai is like a gracious country estate with white shutters and a wrap-around porch.

The adults-only lodge is simply gorgeous.

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And you could spend hours walking around the luxuriant gardens, sprinkled with million-dollar sculptures and Japanese-like onsens (Jacuzzis).

Sculpture in Sensei Lanai gardens, Kauai

As it’s located 1,500 feet above sea level, the resort is noticeably cooler than at the ocean-front Manele Bay resort.

Rooms

Guest room at Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort

The lodge’s 102 guestrooms are all cream and white, designed to put you in a serene state of mind.

They feature dream beds, Japanese bidet toilets, enormous flat-screen TVs and outdoor lanais.

Nobu restaurant and activities

The elegant high-end restaurant is Nobu-run, built around a Koi pond. You can sit inside or out.

What to do?

Do as much or as little as you want. A Sensei guide will reach out to you before you arrive to help plan and schedule your ideal stay.

Perhaps, to begin with, a little time relaxing around the pool?

Pool relaxation area at Four Seasons Sensei Lanai

Activities include yoga classes, private fitness and nutrition consultations, meditation sessions and other wellness experiences.

And don’t forget the beautiful spa!

Wellness at Sensei Resort, Lanai

There’s also clay shooting.

The resort even has horse stables too, so you can go horseback riding.

Horses at Sensei Resort, Lanai

Rates are fairly steep.

But they include roundtrip charter flight airfare from Honolulu on Lanai Air, meaning you arrive in style.

What to know about Lanai

When planning your Hawaii island trip to Lanai, be aware that apart from the restaurants in the two Four Seasons resorts, there are few other dining options on Lanai.

(The delightful Lanai City Grille in the lovely Hotel Lanai is an exception).

So your food choices are basically limited to superb, but expensive, hotel dining.

So, what’s the best Four Seasons resort Lanai?

There's lush scenery all around you at the Four Seasons Resorts on Lanai.

Both resorts appeal to couples, but the beach resort welcomes families too.

Sensei is quieter and much more focused on health and wellbeing (like a luxurious spa resort).

So the answer depends on whether you’re a serious beach lover, whether you’re traveling as a couple or with kids, your budget and if wellness is your prime goal during your stay.

Experience more of Hawaii!

Which island to visit? See our guide on visiting Hawaii for the first time – we share insights and tips on how to choose the right island for your vacation.

Maui: Maui is made for lovers and honeymooners. Check out all the romantic things to do in Maui for couples. Don’t miss splashing in the Maui waterfalls!

Kauai: We’ve visited Kauai many times and know the island well. There are lovely hotels in Kauai. Plus, there are lots of great things to do in Kauai, from SUP boarding on a tranquil river to hiking the Kalalau Trail!

Our top travel tips and resources

Hotels: Booking.com is perfect for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!

Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).

Cruises: CruiseDirect offers amazing deals on cruises (including Holland America, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn and other lines we’ve reviewed).

Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)

Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!

Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.

Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.

eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)

Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.

Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)

Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.

If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!


Photo credits: Four Seasons Lanai


About the authors

Janice and George Mucalov are award-winning travel journalists who’ve explored all seven continents. They share destination guidesluxury hotel reviewscultural adventurescruise insightstravel tips and more on their luxury travel blog, Sand In My Suitcase. See About.

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4 Comments

    1. Glad you found our post helpful!

      But you ask a tough question :-).

      Perhaps for a honeymoon, though, the Sensei resort would feel more special? It’s for adults only, so that adds to the tranquility of the stay. Flying in on the special charter from Honolulu is also a nice touch. The spa is first-rate, and the pool and grounds beautiful. To get your beach fix, you can always take the free resort shuttle to the beach and charge any food-and-drink purchases from the beachfront FS to the Sensei.

      On the other hand, if staying beachfront and having the beach at your fingertips trumps everything else, then of course you’d probably be happier at the FS Lanai beachfront resort :-).

      Have a wonderful honeymoon, no matter where you go!

  1. Both resorts look incredibly beautiful. Seems like I would have to follow your route and split my time rather than decide:-)