Loving Lan'ai
It's difficult to think of a more romantic notion than a (belated) honeymoon spent on a beautiful and isolated Hawaiian island. Lana'i, Hawaii's seventh-largest and little trafficked island, fit the bill nicely.
The phrase “paradise on earth” tends to get bandied around an awful lot in travel writing, but it's almost impossible to deny that this particular corner of the world has more than a little celestial beauty going for it. Luckily, that is exactly what my husband and I were looking for when we planned a weeklong getaway from Shanghai. As it was the first just-the-two-of-us trip we have taken since our wedding 18 months ago, we decided to dub it our honeymoon, which upped the ante on both the romance and expectations quotients.
With this in mind, the performance of Lana'i (pronounced lah-nah-ee) in not only meeting, but actually exceeding, our expectations is a pretty impressive feat. This relatively small island was once known for its pineapple plantations. Now extinct, what remains is even better – not one, but two first-class Four Seasons resorts offering the best of both sides of the island.
Fresh off the 30 minute flight from Honolulu we were shuttled from Lana'i's tiny airport to the 236-room Four Seasons Resort Lana’i at Manele Bay. This beachside resort overlooks a secluded marine preserve filled with colourful reef fish, along with the odd sea turtle and pods of spinner dolphins. Nothing is understated about this property, which is virtually overflowing with opulence – gold accents, dark woods and East Asian antiques abound.
Our ocean-view suite (it was our honeymoon after all) certainly lived up to the nominal promise – from the terrace, the sapphire water spreads as far as the eye can see. It also offered a great view of the resort's pool area, where the 4pm happy hour proved a popular distraction from all the swimming and relaxation that was going on poolside.
Another particularly decadent experience on offer is the spa, which boasts ocean-side couples massages within the billowing translucent fabric of private tents. Try the local Hawaiian Lomi Lomi for a massage experience much different than you will find at your local Chinese place. This brand of massage's signature is the use of forearms and elbows, a more practical option for covering a lot of ground on the big-bodied local population.
Golfing enthusiasts (of which my husband is one and I am not) will love The Challenge at Manele – the cliff-side holes certainly ensure the course lives up to its name. Despite this holiday being primarily a romantic endeavour, I was a nice enough wife to let him spend a day of our honeymoon on the golf course he described as “the best” he has ever played.
The second half of our Lana'i experience was spent staying at the Four Season's other property on the island, The Lodge at Koele (aside from a small hotel in the township itself, the Four Seasons are the only accommodation options on Lana'i). Completely different from its Manele Bay sister, The Lodge is reminiscent of a grand time passed, with a colonial manor house, sweeping gardens and croquet on the lawns. What it lacks in beach frontage it makes up for in tranquil, highland elegance.
Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay. Prices start at US$325 for a superior room. Four Seasons Lana'i The Lodge at Koele. Prices start at US$295 for a garden room. Web: www.fourseasons.com
Getting There
China Eastern has just started direct flights between Shanghai and Honolulu, making this the perfect time for you to make you dream Hawaiian holiday a reality. When we last checked, return tickets were available for RMB 8,510 (including taxes). Web: www.ctrip.com
Getting Around
There are shuttles between the two Four Seasons properties on Lana'i, as well as to and from the airport, but to really explore the island, it's best to hire a 4X4 jeep (from US$ 80 per day). Web: http://dollarlanai.com
