Living on the Kona Coast, we are surrounded by the beauty of ocean views, golden sunsets and warm breezes. It's a romantic paradise. For couples who live here, it can become commonplace, and the beauty can be crowded out by life's pressures. Work schedules, kids, commitments and the constant pull of responsibility can leave little room to pause, reconnect and be present with one another.
If you’re anything like me, on an island, it can feel hard to find a new experience to share with the one you love. I often find myself looking for a place that evokes mystery, discovery and adventure just for the two of us. This was the invitation of a three-day getaway to the Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i, little brother to the famed Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on our home island.
Lāna‘i is easily overlooked among the better-known Hawaiian islands. It sits just across the channel from Maui, nearby yet often unexplored. This is part of its magic. It's not on the way to anywhere. It's not a place you go to get something done. It is a place that quietly insists you slow down. This magic is shared by the Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i, a recent recipient of the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award, the Guide’s highest rating.
The journey to Lāna‘i sets the tone of stepping away and unplugging. Picking up a connection in Honolulu, we were welcomed by Lanai Air into a journey that felt unique and personal. Landing on the island was quite a trip, soaring in over the majestic sea cliffs to touch down on the Lāna‘i City airstrip. Immediately upon disembarking, we were greeted by friendly Four Seasons staff and driven across the island on a peaceful twenty-minute ride. The rolling hills and open skies invited us to breathe in peace and look forward to a few days that would truly delight.
The Four Seasons Lāna‘i is about as boutique as a global brand can be. With a limited number of rooms, it offers exclusivity and luxury with an understated elegance. Set along the sweeping curve of Manele Bay, the expansive hotel lobby opens toward the ocean in a way that feels inviting. Gardens meander through the grounds, encouraging wandering rather than directing traffic. There is no rush or urgency, just space to unwind and connect.
Following the purchase of 98% of Lāna‘i’s land by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, his investment in Lāna‘i has been about excellence and restoring the natural beauty of the island. True to that vision, everything at the Four Seasons feels intentional and classy, not overstating the case, but with attention to every detail and quality where it matters.
What truly elevates the Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i is the staff. Knowledgeable, attentive and genuinely kind, the team has mastered a subtle art of luxury service that does not intrude. We felt seen without being hovered over, and remembered by name without being managed. It created a sense of ease that allowed us to fully relax into the experience as a couple.
We dined that first night at NOBU Lāna‘i, one of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s world-class sushi restaurants. The food was exceptional, and the atmosphere remained warm and unhurried as we enjoyed the phenomenal Omakaze menu. This is sushi dining at its best, and it's easy to see why Nobu's restaurants have become a global phenomenon.
Accentuating the established Nobu brand, Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i recently completed and opened Osteria Mozza Lāna‘i. Chef Nancy Silverton’s modern Italian cuisine offers its own version of comfort elevated by craft and care. The centerpiece of the restaurant is a massive stone pizza oven that had to be craned in through the roof. Though we were there for opening week, the wood-fired pizza and creative aperitif’s of Osteria Mozza captured our attention and exceeded our expectations.
Mornings unfolded slowly, with lingering breakfasts overlooking the bay and no pressing schedule. We sipped coffee while watching the light change across the water. We enjoyed walks along the beach hand in hand without conversation needing to be forced. The quiet invited honesty and connection rather than filling space with noise.
Dining across the resort is an experience. Meals stretched longer as conversation deepened naturally. Every dish feels intentional, and every setting invites you to stay a little longer.
This is the slowing down that we needed, with room to unwind, think and connect without the hurry of daily life.
One of the most meaningful aspects of our stay was the balance between shared experiences and personal renewal. We chose horseback riding together, a beautiful adventure that brought laughter and a sense of shared discovery. The two-hour ride into the hills above Lāna‘i City offered expansive views of Maui and that little spice of adventure. Time spent exploring side by side creates memories that linger far beyond the moment, and that shared connection we long for.
There was also space for individual moments. An afternoon on the iconic Jack Nicklaus-designed Manele Golf Course offered me solitude and reflection. The world-class course, often ranked among the state's No. 1 or 2 golf courses, features stunning coastal views and thrilling overwater holes. Truly a golfer’s paradise.
That same day, a spa visit provided my wife with deep rest and renewal. Her massage by Juvy was perfect, the arnica-infused oil with a gentle menthol scent. Coming back together afterward was fun with stories to tell and experiences to share.
Our stay at the Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i was not about escape. It was about choosing to invest in what matters most. As a local couple, we appreciated the opportunity to step away and experience something fresh and wonderful without going too far. Sometimes the most meaningful journeys are the shortest ones, and sometimes a brief flight across the channel is all it takes to rediscover one another.
We left with hearts full of gratitude, new memories made and a sense of time well spent. The Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i is truly a special place, one that has to be experienced, and our only regret is that we weren’t able to stay longer.
There is something powerful about going slow on purpose. In a world that constantly demands efficiency, choosing slowness feels almost rebellious, like you’re subverting the trend. Yet relationships flourish in those unhurried spaces, when there is time to listen without distraction and when presence replaces productivity. Connection has room to grow naturally rather than being squeezed into the margins.
Thank you, Lāna‘i. We'll be seeing you again.
Learn more at FourSeasons.com/Lanai.