Lanai is one of the smaller and less traveled islands in Hawaii. For much of the 20th century the island was mainly inhabited by locals and employees of the largest pineapple plantation in the world.

In the early 1980′s, the growing and harvesting of pineapples met its end on Lanai because the Dole Company sold the plantation to the corporation of Castle & Cook. After the sale and under new ownership, Lanai was transformed into the current exclusive vacation destination.

Currently Lanai hosts three hotels. The Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay, located on top of the cliffs above the beach, is the only Lanai hotel located on or near the beach. The Four Seasons Lodge at Koele is located among beautiful gardens and pines near the top of the highest point of the island. The Hotel Lanai, a picturesque plantation style hotel, is located in the middle of Lanai City along with the main population of Lanai.

The Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay is a dazzling visual feast combining Asian and Mediterranean touches with the indigenous beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. The hotel is perched on red lava cliffs above Hulopoe Beach, the nicest beach for swimming, snorkeling, surfing on the island. The Manele Bay is the most sumptuous of the Lanai hotels with its huge hand-painted murals, oriental antiques and exotic gardens.

The Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, located 8 miles from the ocean, is at an elevation of 1700 feet. This hotel is located amidst the forest of Cook Pines and was designed to resemble an old hunting lodge. The Lodge at Koele is in fact the largest wooden building in the whole of Hawaii. The hotel is probably the most novel of the hotels on Lanai.

Radiating charming old world European splendor, the large stone fireplaces, high beam ceilings, large old rugs and over stuffed antique furniture, The Lodge is easily as lavish as any hotel. It is encased by rolling hills, expansive lawns, gardens and is also home to one of the two championship golf courses on the island, The Experience at Koele.

The Hotel Lanai is the oldest of the three hotels on Lanai. The Hotel Lanai was originally used to house the managing employees and their guests of the Dole Corporation. The hotel was renovated during 1994 and now offers a relaxing stay in a recreated plantation style home in the center of Lanai City.

No matter which Lanai hotel you choose to stay in, one thing is for certain, you will feel right at home with the employees and locals of Lanai. The local folks of Lanai are extremely helpful and accommodating and will be genuinely happy that you chose Lanai as your vacation destination.

Holly Hunter is passionate about traveling to interesting locations and writing on interesting hotels. The authors latest work can be seen at Hotels on Lanai. Also, find out why the Manele Bay is one of the 5 top resorts in Hawaii!