Off the beaten track, on the rural island of Lanai, sits a small hotel that’s undergone big changes lately.
When I stayed at Hotel Lanai two years ago, it needed a good touch up both inside and out.
Hawaii travel icon, Mary Charles, came to its rescue as the new owner. She went to work immediately on upgrading the rooms, landscaping and restaurant. It’s a bright new future for this historic hotel that has sat here proudly since 1923 in Lanai City.
Bev Gannon, Maui’s favorite chef, is now culinary advisor at the hotel’s new restaurant, Lanai City Grille. Dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday from 5-9 pm, with entrees priced from $18 to $34.
What’s Included at Hotel Lanai: Upgraded accommodations with plantation style decor. Personal attention (you won’t get lost in a crowd here). Continental breakfast. Historical atmosphere. Free parking. Central location in Lanai City. A chance to mingle with the locals; most of the hotel’s staff were born and raised on Lanai.
What’s Not Included: TV (except for the cottage). Ocean views. Resort ambiance. Island shuttle service between airport, resorts, beach and ferry landing (an extra $36 per person during length of stay).
Rates: $159-$179 (price varies by size of room) and $229 for the Cottage. Cancellation policy is 21 days.
Special Packages: $349 per person for two night stay and $660 per person on a four night stay. Includes room with breakfast, dinner at Lanai City Grille, choice of activity (golf, jeep for the day, zodiac expedition or massage) plus complimentary island shuttle service.
Phone Number for Additional Information: 808/565-7211.
If you’ve stayed at Hotel Lanai recently, let us know how you liked it.
(Who’s in the photo: Jeff, his Aunty Rhea and Gail, our local Lanai friend).
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We stayed at the Hotel Lanai 10/5 to 10/8/08 during part of a three week visit to the islands. After doing extensive research we opted for the “Keepers cottage” at the hotel. It is a small cottage not attached to the hotel itself and mostly hidden from view by the landscaping (Just to the left of the main part of the hotel). The hotel refers to it as the cottage or room 11. It has recently been renovated but still has that old plantation charm intact. The bed in the cottage was by far the most comfortable we slept in during our entire stay! There is no A/C in any unit but you are well above sea level and it gets a bit cool in the evening so none is needed. The cottage has a picnic table right outside the door. The sitting room has a sofa bed so it would be ideal for a small family needing two beds. The cottage rents for a little over $200 a night plus taxes and is well worth it.
There is a widescreen TV with a DVD player although we did not use it except to catch a bit of the news. There is no refrigerator however they do provide a cooler and the ice machine is right around the corner from the cottage. There is also a blow drier, iron and ironing board. Very nice soap, shampoo and conditioner. There is no phone in the room but the cell service is fine. If you need anything from the front desk you will need to get it by 7 PM, it is not manned all night.
The cottage is quiet but is near the back door to the restaurant which the staff uses. They are as quiet as they can be and are gone by 10 PM. The restaurant is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
The free breakfast every morning on the shared lanai consisted of great coffee, juice, fresh fruit, muffins, toast and english muffins. It was nice to chat with the other guests and skim the paper every morning.