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Activities

The Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele offers a number of activities, most of which are located within minutes of the resort. These include golf at the The Experience at Koele, designed by golf legend Greg Norman and architect Ted Robinson, tennis, sporting clays, archery and air rifle, horseback riding and hiking.

Guests can also make use of the free hourly (and often twice-hourly) shuttle to the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay where they can make use of all of that resort's facilities including their spa, play a round of golf at the Challenge at Manele, swim or snorkel in beautiful Hulopo'e Bay, or perhaps take a catamaran sail from nearby Manele Small Boat Harbor.

I would also encourage visitors to take time to explore nearly Lana'i City which features a number of interesting shops and galleries and small restaurants, as well as the Hotel Lana'i.

Dining

The Lodge at Koele offers two on-site dining options (as well as privileges at all of the restaurants at Manele Bay).

The elegant main dining room is open Friday through Tuesday for dinner featuring local estate-grown ingredients prepared using avant-garde variations on classical culinary techniques.

The Terrace, adjoining the Great Room is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dinner menu offers contemporary American cuisine mingled with traditional Hawaiian touches.

The Staff

I would be remiss if I did not mention the staff at the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele. They are exceptional in every respect. I was amazed how many of them were able to address me by name after such a brief time.

The front desk and concierge staff were efficient and professional in every manner. They even rescued my sweatshirt which I inadvertently dropped on my way to my jeep after checkout.

The housekeeping staff kept my room in pristine condition with an evening turndown service and they did so virtually invisibly. Restaurant servers were attentive and saw to my every desire.

Finally, I owe a special thanks to Michelle Edwards, the resort's Public Relations Manager who gave me a personal tour of both of the Four Seasons resorts and hosted me for lunch at the Ocean Grill at the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay.

Taken As a Whole

The hardest and most subjective part of writing any hotel or resort review comes when it's time to assign a rating. In the case of the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele there is no question and no hesitation. Five stars all the way.

Just about 1% of visitors to Hawaii ever visit the island of Lana'i. Many, like I did for many years, believe that Lana'i is a place only for the rich and famous with little to offer the average Hawaii visitor. I was so wrong and I regret that it took so many years for me to come to see how much Lana'i has to offer for visitors of all ages, interests and of most incomes.

In related features arising from my stay on Lana'i, we'll profile and photo gallery of the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay, provide a photo tour of each of the island's two superb golf courses, detail the numerous activities available on Lana'i and finally offer a walking tour of Lana'i City.

Be sure to view our entire gallery of 48 photos taken at the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele.

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As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.