Is Four Seasons Lanai Worth It?

Debating splurging for a stay at FS Lanai in Hawaii? I’m sharing all the details that answer the question: Is Four Seasons Lanai Worth It?

When someone asks me what my favorite hotel in Hawaii is, I sometimes struggle, so I usually respond with: On what island? Because it’s not fair to peg hotels against each other on different islands. That said, I have top contenders that I will choose over and over and over again. One of them is Four Seasons Lanai. For our first trip back to Hawaii since moving to the mainland, Dane and I chose to have our epic island homecoming at FS Lanai. So, is Four Seasons Lanai worth it?

Is Four Seasons Lanai Worth It?

Before Four Seasons Lanai created Sensei, a Four Seasons property (an adults only wellness retreat in upcountry Lanai), there were two properties: Four Seasons Manele Bay and Four Seasons Lodge. We used to go to the Lodge frequently, but have yet to visit Sensei. I’ve heard it’s gorgeous and it’s on our list for our next visit. This was our second stay at Four Seasons’ beachside resort, known as Four Seasons Lanai. 

Why did we choose Lanai?

It’s not as hustle and bustle as the other islands, and certainly not as chaotic as Oahu can be. Lanai is truly what you think of when you envision “untouched Hawaii” and has a little something for everyone: beaches, hikes, pools (at resort), an activity center, and solitude. This marked our fourth time to Lanai and I can honestly say that each time we go, it just keeps getting better.

First thing first: the FS Lanai property is immaculate. It’s everything you imagine when you envision a tropical FS resort. It’s beachfront (the only beachfront hotel on the island) and features 213 guest rooms, that are honestly more like suites if you ask me. We’ve stayed in Garden Rooms each time, but they’re huge and feature a balcony with chairs, as well as a larger-than-my-at-home bathroom with both a shower and tub. The rooms also come equipped with Dyson hair dryers, televisions in the bathroom mirror screen, heated toilet seats (with a bidet), and top of the line toiletries in giant pump bottles. Also worth noting that the beds are comfortable and you can order the type of pillows (and how many) you’d like prior to checking in.

The resort features two pools: one family pool and one adults-only pool, as well as two hot tubs. There are plenty of chairs so you don’t have to stress about getting one each day, and attendants are there to set them up with towels for you. One of my favorite aspects of the beach/pool offerings is an endless supply of reef-safe sunscreen. Between the toiletries and the provided sunscreen, it makes it so easy to make this a carry-on only trip, so you’re not messing with making sure your toiletries abide by the 3.4oz TSA rule.

The property also has a gym that overlooks the beach and has Peloton bikes, a Jack Nicklaus designed 18-hole golf course that is perched atop 200 ft. sea cliffs, a very relaxing spa (I love the Lomi Lomi massage they offer!), a telescope for stargazing at the observatory, complimentary cultural classes each day (think lei making, hula lessons, and weaving), on-site birds (8 in total) and bird keeper that is extremely knowledgable, daily happy hour specials, five restaurants including NOBU, and honestly…so much more.

You can also add on activities like deep sea fishing, a sunset catamaran sail, horseback riding, clay shooting, and more I am blanking on right now. They make it really easy to do this, and the concierge can walk you through each activity, or you can easily book in the app during your stay. You also have access to a complimentary shuttle to take you to Lanai City, which is worth checking out if you’ve never been.

FS Lanai also sits within a beautiful community where people live, so there are plenty of roads to walk (lots of hills) to get some outdoor exercise and enjoy the views. We took advantage of the complimentary coffee in the lobby each morning to-go and walked the hills just soaking in all the sea air and sunshine.

All of this considered, the resort comes with a price tag that is higher than pretty much any place we have ever stayed and is definitely what I would consider a luxury splurge vacation. So, is it worth the spend? In my mind, absolutely yes. It’s not a place we can afford to visit every year (or every other year for that matter), but for a celebratory vacation…absolutely. The accommodations, property, service, and atmosphere fall squarely in the “treat yourself” category – no detail goes unnoticed. It’s also a huge bonus that right now, complimentary flights to/from Oahu are included with your booking cost (book before Dec 2024 to take advantage). After such an amazing week, reintegration back to reality has been rough and I’m already dreaming about our next vacation.

Can Kids Stay At Four Seasons Lanai?

Yes, absolutely. We saw tons of families with kids and the rooms are certainly large enough to spread out a bit. There’s no shortage of activities the whole family can enjoy on the island, too, so while FS Lanai is obviously a luxury destination, kids and parents can both have fun together.

Is Lanai Worth Staying?

Yes, absolutely. While you can absolutely do Lanai as a day trip, there is too much to enjoy (frankly, the peace and quiet) to only stay for a day. If one day is all you have, I highly recommend taking the ferry from Maui to Lanai. Since the Lahaina fires, the ferry is running on a limited schedule each day.

Does Richard Branson Own Lanai?

Nope. Lanai is owned by Larry Ellison, the CEO of Oracle. He bought 98% of the island in 2012.

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