Hawaiian Island Charm at Hotel Lānaʻi

I felt quite silly locking my cottage door when I went to breakfast at Hotel Lānaʻi . Especially when I watched a local woman toss her keys on the dashboard of her car as she left for lunch. This is a friendly Hawaiian island where everyone waves to one another and shares the Aloha spirit. The same holds true of Hotel Lānaʻi. The residents of the island are one big Ohana (family.)

Once home to visiting Dole Pineapple executives, Hotel Lānaʻi sits 1,645 feet above sea level. This 11 room, 1920’s country inn is homey and rolls out the island style welcome mat with typical aloha flare. The location is ideal, as it is steps away from Dole Park and the downtown shops and restaurants. There is a $35 shuttle fee, per person, for unlimited use during your stay. Inter-hotel shuttle operates between Hotel Lānaʻi, Four Seasons at The Lodge at Koele and Four Seasons at Manele Bay. Check with the front desk for shuttle times.

Hawaiian island decor

Each of the 11 hotel rooms showcase local artwork by Mike Carroll and features handmade Hawaiian style quilts made by a local mother/daughter team on the nearby island of Maui. All rooms include a portable red cooler for picnic and day trips to the beach. A black umbrella is also tucked in the closet…just in case. Snorkel equipment and bicycles are available via the front desk.

Hotel Lānaʻi cottage

If you are newlyweds, crave privacy or you are celebrating a special occasion, Hotel Lānaʻi’s cottage is the place for you. The cottage, with queen bed and separate living room, rents for $229 per night (check website for current rates) and includes a daily continental breakfast. All breakfast pastries, such as mini quiche, muffins, banana bread and morning buns, are house-baked and the granola is house made, as well. There is also fresh fruit, coffee, tea and orange juice.

Co-owner Michael Charles took over the property in April of 2007 and completely renovated the hotel from top to bottom. He says that Hotel Lānaʻi’ is perfectly suited for intimate wedding celebrations, family reunions or golf getaways.

Insider Tip

Hotel Lānaʻi’s restaurant, Lānaʻi City Grille, serves dinner between 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Friday and Saturday nights they offer live music between 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The food is excellent and locally sourced. I loved the pulled pork wontons with sweet chili boursin aioli and shoyu dipping sauce, the signature spicy shrimp and lobster bisque and the fresh catch of the day. Be sure to save room for the banana lumpia with warm caramel and vanilla bean ice cream  – Hotel Lānaʻi’s Philippine answer to bananas foster.

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.

If You Go:

Hotel Lānaʻi  (808) 565-7211

828 Lana‘i Avenue| P.O. Box 630613, Lana’i City, Hawaii 96763

Article written by, video and photos courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of  Lānaʻi Visitors Bureau.

Related Posts:

Four Seasons The Lodge at Koele

Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi Manele Bay