If you’re looking to escape the relative hustle and bustle on the other Hawaiian islands, then Lanai is the perfect getaway. With a population of just 3,000 and another 1,000 or so guests on the island at any given time, you won’t find much competition for space on the beaches or the 30 miles of paved roads around the island.
I was looking for a sit-on-the-beach-and-do-nothing kind of vibe, and as I did my research, Lanai looked like it would be the perfect match. The timing worked out well for my May trip, since the Larry Ellison-owned Four Seasons Lanai had just completed a vast refurbishment a few months earlier and was was offering a 4th night free as part of the re-opening.
As a relatively infrequent flyer, I mainly view myself as an airline free agent and will usually just chase the best deal for that particular trip. However, I do have one exception to the rule, and that’s for flying Alaska Airlines to Hawaii.
We arrived in Maui with an ambitious to-do list, but were barely able to put a dent in it. The problem? Our stay at the Montage was so relaxing that we literally spent a couple days just lounging by the pool. That’s something that we NEVER do, and was probably a testament to just how amazing the hotel was. However, we did get out a few times to explore the surrounding areas, mainly in search for food. The food options in Kapalua are somewhat limited, especially if you don’t want to eat at the hotel. And even though we had a full kitchen at our disposal, we didn’t feel like cooking, but did stop by the neighboring supermarkets to pick up tuna poke and other snacks.
Even though this was my first trip to Maui and therefore had nothing else to compare to, I feel like I can still say with certainty that the Montage Kapalua Bay is the best hotel on the entire island. In fact, it may be the best hotel in all of Hawaii. Not convinced? Let me explain why.
In recent years I’ve been very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to the Maldives and the Seychelles. But while the Maldives and Seychelles provide ultra-exclusive island getaways, they also have the price tag to match, and are a 24+ hour journey each way from the USA. As beautiful and amazing as those destinations were, as I reflect on those trips, what I really walk away with is a renewed appreciation for just how lucky I am to have Hawaii in my backyard. From the West Coast it’s less than a 5 hour direct flight to the Hawaiian islands, and they are chock full of mainstream chain hotels to use points at. Also, since you’re still in the USA, it’s easy to drive around and there’s worrying about cell phone service.
On the heels of the sale fares from Virgin American and Alaska Airlines that came out yesterday, Alaska Airlines is back again with sale fares to Hawaii. The sale includes…
***This is part 4 of my “Hawaii Six-O” trip report detailing a recent trip to Oahu, Hawaii to celebrate my parents’ 60th birthdays and retirements*** 1. The Club Lounge at…
***This is part 3 of my “Hawaii Six-O” trip report detailing a recent trip to Oahu, Hawaii to celebrate my parents’ 60th birthdays and retirements*** 1. The Club Lounge at…
Looks like there’s a pretty good deal over at Travelzoo for 60% off at the Four Seasons Hawaii in Lanai with prices as low as $519 for 3-nights which normally…