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Lanai, Hawaii: Four Seasons The Lodge at Koele Review

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Located 1,600 feet above sea level in the upcountry of Lana‘i, Four Seasons Resort Lana‘i, The Lodge at Koele averages between 10-15 degrees cooler than Manele Bay. The towering Cook Island pines define the fresh upcountry air and line the expansive gardens of The Lodge. For a minute you feel like you’re in a mountain resort in the Sierras, not just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean and Hulopo’e Bay.  Already in 2012, The Lodge at Koele has received the following awards:

Forbes
Resort – Four Star Lodging
Dining Room – Four Star Lodging

Travel + Leisure
T+L 500 – World’s Best Hotels

U.S. News & World Report
Top 10 Resorts in the United States

When entering the Lodge the Great Hall is warm and inviting, wood burning fireplaces and an afternoon tea add to the highlands mystique, which seems to offer an endless supply of calm, peace and activity. People are gathered by the fireplace, you have views of the lush grounds just beyond the restaurant, local artisans are showing their wares, and the feeling of Aloha is apparent everywhere there’s a smile.

Accommodations
Our room was spacious, beautifully clean, and comfortable. With a fridge and microwave at the entry, and a sitting room separate from the sleeping area, these rooms are great for couples or a family, especially with the two televisions! All the windows oversee the property and a great view of the pool outside on our patio.  Three chairs and a table give you one more beautiful space to enjoy during your stay, that is also private and peaceful.  iPhone users will appreciate the iHome alarm clocks that can be used as a charger as well as enjoying your personal music via your electronics.  The bed was supremely comfortable, and as my husband fell ill on our trip, he appreciated the provided robes for added warmth along with the bed where he spent a majority of the time.

Dining
Our first afternoon we enjoyed a quick lunch prior to an excursion at Terrace, the hotel restaurant.  The servers offer house or bottled water and are always close by visually to attend to all your needs.  Sharing their hot dog, you’ll find that the added bacon is quite a surprise, but for us a pleasant one.  I loved their asparagus soup, creamy yet light and the vegetables were sweet and fresh, I left feeling I had a healthy lunch!  The view during the day is delightful overlooking the Reflecting Pond and the pristine gardens.

Our dinner was hearty and comforting as we enjoyed meals we’ve made at home with a twist.  My meatloaf was made with sausage and beef wrapped in bacon (again!) served with mashed potatoes.   The flavors of the spices in the sausage stood out to make the meat anything but ordinary.  The overall serving portion was huge, leftovers or even sharing is possible.  My husband enjoyed the skirt steak cooked perfectly and it just melted in your mouth, the sweet braised carrots were paired perfectly.  That night we were greeted by Shane, the Manager in Training and he made sure our night was enjoyable.  We learned he’s fresh out of college and that he’s done his share of travel in his young life, very personable, we felt this customer service was top notch.  On a business lunch the following day, I enjoyed the club sandwich and a salad, again generous portions and quite delicious.  Chef de Cuisine Junior Ulep visited our table and again the attention to the guests are premium.  Prior to leaving the lodge, I did enjoy a late dessert around the fireplace, strawberry shortcake with key lime sorbet.  The sorbet was tart and amazing, so fresh and pleasing to the palate, the strawberries were sweet, it was so delicious.  The portion was small, I could have eaten two!

Activities
Like the Manele Bay, the Lodge had a trophy room with pool tables and shuffleboard.  Enjoying the atmosphere of the resort, my husband and I enjoyed playing a few rounds of both games.  Inside the trophy room you also have access to the internet, printing, and enjoying a big screen television.  While my husband fought his fever, I did get out to the pool late one afternoon.  Enclosed by shrubs, the pool area has plentiful seating, two hot tubs, and is adjacent to a workout room.  I jumped into the hot tub and controlled the bubbles by a timed button for about 20 minutes.  Though my husband was under the weather, we did get a nice walk about the gardens for photos before we left the lodge.  The Orchid House was so beautiful and I would love to have taken a book into the area and just relaxed around all the floral beauty.  The wild turkeys wander about the property quietly and remind us of a neighboring town at home where the chickens do the same.  The pond, waterfall, bridge, mini-golf course, walking trail, and lush lawn around the property is just so clean and fresh, we felt like one with nature. Like Manele Bay, the quiet calm of the resorts surround you with peace and the ability to relax.

Family Friendly
I toured a room on site that was set up with a family in mind.  Imagine going on vacation with an infant or toddler, now imagine all the gear that you have to pack and tow, it can be overwhelming.  Staying at the Lodge or Manele Bay has you covered!  Leave behind the port-a-cribs, strollers, high chairs and more that can just load you down and be an added cost on the airplane.  The Lodge provides parents all the necessary goods you need for baby to use during your stay at no additional cost!  A crib, high chair, stroller, bottle warmer, baby monitor, diaper genie, step stool, baby bath, and much more is available to you so that you can bring your family, have the resort experience you want and deserve, without worry!

I loved the children’s robes and stuffed animal on the bed, immediately kids can feel they are appreciated and welcome at the resort.  The note with the horse tells a child, “be my friend” while you are here, giving them a responsibility and a bigger purpose to their visit, it’s genuinely sweet.

I’d like to thank the staff at the Lodge.  As mentioned, my husband fell very ill during our trip and not only did he just ask for a referral for a doctor, the staff arranged his appointment for him along with a call when the shuttle arrived to remind him as he was sleeping.  Illness doesn’t discriminate on vacation and we are just thankful for the extra special care the resort during our trying time.

Our stay and some meals were hosted.  Some meals, all gratuities and experience is our honest opinion.

Lanai, Hawaii: Rabaca’s Guided SUV Tour Review

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Our trip to the beautiful island of Lanai got off to a wonderful start thanks to Rabaca’s Limousine Service. The morning after our arrival we had the pleasure of taking a private SUV tour of the island. The three hour tour included visits to the most noteworthy attractions accompanied by the relaxing yet surprisingly informative narrative of our local guide Bruce. After the tour, we were wishing that our visits to the other islands had started off with this type of experience. A personable local guide is definitely THE way to start off your first visit to the islands.  It’s a quick way to get a feel for which aspects of the island would be of most interest to you during the remainder of your stay.We met Bruce outside the Four Seasons at Manele Bay and were ushered into a comfortable Chevy Suburban.  This Hawaiian-born guide had so much to share and his take on the area was something we appreciated as well as his role as a parent raising a child on the island as well.  Along the road from the resort to Lanai City, Bruce pointed out landmarks and gave us a brief history of the geology of the island including the volcanic connection all the Hawaiian Islands share including the unique relationship the islands of Molokai, Maui, Kahoolawe and Lanai share. The varied terrain and climates of Lanai are readily visible in 20 minute drive from the tropical shores of Hulopo’e Bay at sea level to the cool forests of Lanai City at an elevation of roughly ¼ mile.Lanai City with a population of roughly 3000 people is the only town on the island of Lanai, and boasts an eclectic collection of homes, shops and even a small zoo (not really a zoo, just 4 deer in a front yard). The laid back and welcoming nature of the residents was personified by our guide Bruce who painted a delightful picture of the town’s characters including the benefits of living in such a tight knit community. Also mentioned, the minor drawbacks of exorbitant prices on everyday items such as eight dollars for a gallon milk, and a gas station that doesn’t even advertise the price due to the lack of competition (roughly five dollars a gallon).

Our tour continued with a brief look at the grounds of the Lodge at Koele, and a history of the cattle operations that prospered on this part of the island in the past. Upon leaving Koele a vast plain stretched miles westward toward the sea which was planted entirely with pineapple by the Dole family from 1922 through the 1980’s.  The pineapple industry dominated the island and for a period of time this tiny island produced 75% of the world’s supply. As profits dwindled in the late 1980’s the tourism industry became the economic mainstay of the island and the only evidence of the pineapple plantation are the fragments of black plastic found everywhere the fruit was grown.

Ten miles out of Koele, dirt roads formerly used by the pineapple plantation lead us to Keahiakawelo, Garden of the Gods. This mangled terrain of rocks and scorched earth provide a sense of the violence associated with a volcanic island and a surreal beauty that accompanies the making of a planet.  Looking like something you’d envision on Mars, it’s almost hard to believe you’re in Hawaii.  Strewn rock vistas reaching westward to the sea provide the jumping off point for 4×4 tours of the isolated beaches of the Polihua beaches along the northwest coast of Lanai.

Bruce then led us back up through the Kanepuu Preserve and explained the unique roll hunting plays on this island. Apparently, with no natural predators deer and other imported mammals flourish in this environment and the only means of control is managed hunting. Lanai boasts a world class archery and trap shooting range and numerous hunting related activities.

As we headed down the north slope of the island we were treated to amazing vistas of Molokai and the Kalohi Channel. The road meanders along the Maunalei Gulch which was the historic home of a large population of natives. The natives of Lanai peacefully farmed this gulch and some water rich inland parts of the island as well as lived off the bounty of Hawaii’s seas.  Our tour led us to Kaiolohia or Shipwreck Beach on the windward side of the island, home to Hawaii’s largest continuous reef.  The area where Maunalei Gulch meet the sea was the site of a tuning point in the history of Lanai.  A war party from neighboring islands landed near this spot, invaded Lana’i and laid waste to the natives and the delicate ecosystem. Intentionally set fires destroyed much of the native vegetation and the murderous invaders decimated the native population. Lana’i was essentially uninhabited for a number of years until colonists began the grazing operations. In an attempt to restore some vegetation to the island, cattle ranch manager George Munro began planting Cook pines and no visitor to the island today leaves without an impression of these unique arboreal specimens.The SUV tour by Rabaca’s Limousine Service was the perfect way to start our vacation on Lanai. This 3 hour journey through the geology and history of Lanai was an enjoyable and informative trip around the island.  The Aloha spirit is alive and well on the island of Lanai and this tour is an excellent way to experience this unique Hawaiian landscape.  For more information, and to book Rabaca’s Guided SUV Tour, call (808) 559-0230.

Our tour was hosted by the Lanai Visitors Bureau, gratuity was offered by us and all opinions are ours.

Four Seasons Lanai: Custom Demi-Blending Perfume Experience

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What’s your signature scent?  Is there a perfume that you use daily that you love and believe it was made especially for you?  How about having an experience of a lifetime and actually creating your own scent, mixed and blended professionally before your eyes?  The Four Seasons in Lanai can make that very dream come true!

One of the signature spa treatments at The Spa at the Four Seasons resorts in Lanai is the Custom Demi-Blending Perfume experience.  You can create your own custom scent with Ajne Rare and Precious, with over 200 scents that are sophisticated, intoxicating and indigenous to Hawaii, the fragrance blends will meld with your body’s chemistry. This treatment includes a scent analysis and prêt-à-porter fragrance consultation performed by the Spa’s mélangeur, an aromatherapy and blending expert. The fragrances are 100 percent natural and are designed to interact with your body chemistry and also have a holistic component, which are known to have a healing and balancing effect on the mind and the human body.In my mind I have scents that I love.  One of my favorites is plumeria and star jasmine.  Both of those flowers were in my bridal bouquet nearly 16 years ago and each time I spot a flower I need to run up and take in the scent.  As far as scents that I don’t care to have lingering on my body all day, those that are spicy such as a cinnamon scent.  Sure they are fabulous in the kitchen, baking and cooking, but on my body, I don’t care for them.  Also, the spicy scents do remind me of something a male would wear, I enjoy it on a man, but don’t want that particular scent on me.Katie, the mélangeur,was sweet, beautiful and attentive while asking me about my favorite scents. We discussed floral, spicy, citrus, woody scents and how they made me feel, or what they made me think of.  I related spicy and citrus and vanilla scents to mainly foods that I’d prefer eating than wearing.  Woody and spicy scents remind me of men’s cologne and deodorants, I was determined to love a floral scent! We also discussed my state of mind, do I deal with stress and anxiety, all questions sought out to find my Chakra, my balance.  Placing the oils and scents on strips for my testing, I would stop and cleanse my nose with a bowl of coffee beans ever so often so I can appreciate each and every scent.

Ranking the scents, I was shocked to find that I was not enjoying the floral scents individually, they were almost too strong and shot right to my head.  I was moving more toward the earthy scents that I believed were more masculine. I focused on finding a scent that like many, have a link to a memory, a feeling, a thought, a personality, I wanted this scent to say “made in Lanai, for Jen!” Katie happily blended and the science behind it all was fascinating to hear about and watch.My final recipe that Katie blended for me was a blend that was both for my body, my mind, my senses, and frankly for my sensuality:

Ambrette Seed– Aphrodisiac , mild adrenal stimulant
Myrrh– One of the oldest oils used in perfumes- Antiviral,moderates the thyroid.
Vanilla– Aphrodisiac
Juniper– Slimming, detoxifying
Pink Grapefruit– Uplifting, energizing,
Litsea– Calming/ Anti-inflammatory

If I describe the scent on my body I think of musk, I think of an old box of powder that my grandmother owned.  Though, I also think of a sensual romantic feeling I get when I can a whiff of my signature scent.  It grows and changes over the day to be soft and subtle, but so very complementary to my senses and to those around me.  I never wanted to stand out and say, “can you smell what I’m wearing?” that has never been my style, so I love that The Mom Jen perfume is definitely present, but not showy, like my personality.

I love seeing that beautiful vial on my bathroom counter.  It reminds me of the special experience, the island of Lanai, our lovely trip, and that it is something I created. An experience of a lifetime, I would recommend this to every woman (and man), and as a special treat for a bridal party, or a mom/daughter experience.

Thanks to the Lanai Visitors Bureau and the Four Seasons Manele Bay for the wonderful opportunity.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Four Seasons Lana’i: Lanai Rejuvenating Pedicure

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Four Seasons Lana’i: Lana’i Rejuvenating PedicureE Komo Mai means “welcome” in Hawaiian, and oh how I felt welcome as I entered the Spa at Manele Bay in Lanai.  The signature experiences reflect authentic Hawaiian ritual, ingredients and aloha at The Spa, the mood is relaxed, soft music plays, aromas of body oils fill your nostrils and a feeling of calms comes over your body upon entering.  As a mom my family always comes first, my needs are last and though I am not full of regret, I still don’t get a good pampering often enough.  Moms need a recharging and I highly recommend the Rejuvenating Pedicure at The Spa at the Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay, ask for Mimi!Four Seasons Lana’i: Lana’i Rejuvenating Pedicure

After browsing the spa’s shop, you enter the “locker room” and I only call it that because I did have a locker for my things, but it’s by far different than a men’s locker room.  It smells good, it’s warm, I’m treated to a robe and sandals, though I opt for my flip flops to protect my impending pedicure.  I approach the sink and find a sweet smelling deodorant and apply it even though I’m already covered.  The frizz in my hair could use some of the hair gel, and a gently comb it up with the given products.  I step on the scale and smile, I stroll through and notice the sauna and steam rooms for my use if desired.  I really need to do this more!

Four Seasons Lana’i: Lana’i Rejuvenating PedicureCoffee in hand I head back to the waiting room where Mimi greets me happily and leads me back to the room for my treatment.  I’m pleasantly surprised to find I have no internet/phone access, DARN, I’ll have to disconnect minus snapping some necessary photos.  You will appreciate not having to answer the phone or the desire to text once you sit in the amazing massaging chair and the controller is left for you.Four Seasons Lana’i: Lana’i Rejuvenating PedicureAfter choosing a pink color for my toes, Mimi asks to make sure I’m utmost comfortable in my chair, the warmth is right in the room, and if I’d like some infused water to compliment my coffee.  She also has me remove my rings for cleaning, just an added bonus I loved and honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve done short of the shower!

I relax in the chair as the warm waters bubble at my feet.  She begins filing, sloughing, and massaging my feet and calves and I close my eyes and can picture the bay just outside.  We have amazing conversation about her time on the island, how she got here, and the love a mother has for her children. She is so sweet, kind, and genuinely cares about my words and I again feel that strong sense of ohana of the island of Lanai exudes.

Four Seasons Lana’i: Lana’i Rejuvenating PedicureWith three different balms including a cooling mint cream, I was massaged on my feet and lower legs and then wrapped in moist warm towels. A paraffin wax treatment, steam heated in the room adding to the ambiance, was then applied as booties over my feet.  The entire time I thought I want to enjoy the rest of the day with my feet up, I can’t walk on these royally treated tootsies!

A hot stone treatment with essential oils was the finally and boy you must have this done on your entire body.  I fantasized about those stones and was truly amazing how incredible they felt pulling the knots out of my cramped legs.  Lubed up the stones feel like powerful hands and not at all like something you walk on almost daily in your life, it was an incredibly luxurious transforming experience!

Four Seasons Lana’i: Lana’i Rejuvenating PedicureThe polish was last but certainly not least.  It’s been 2 weeks and one day since the polish was applied and my toes looks just as beautiful and hardly grown out.  My daughter was shocked and said yesterday, “did you get your toes done within the past few days?”  The shine is there as well as the memory of the amazing pampered experience.  Moms this is not your every day salon treatment, this was luxurious and priced so incredibly right for the time (80 minutes), the experience, and results.  I made a promise before I left that I would do this more than once a lifetime!

My experience was hosted by the Lanai Visitor’s Bureau, my gratuity and all my honest opinions are my own.

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