First encountered by Captain James Cook’s crew in 1779, the island of Lānaʻi has long occupied a singular place in Hawaiʻi’s story. Today, it is widely regarded as the state’s most exclusive island. Sixth-largest in size—and population—Lānaʻi is home to just over 3,000 residents, most of whom live in Lānaʻi City, a name that greatly overstates its modest scale.

In the late 1980s, the island set out to redefine itself as a refined retreat for the well-heeled, a transformation that proved successful in ways extending beyond luxury alone. Now owned by Oracle founder Larry Ellison, Lānaʻi continues to evolve under a long-term vision centered on sustainability, innovation, and carefully managed tourism.

For years, Lānaʻi was anchored by two of the most striking luxury resorts in Hawaiʻi. The Manele Bay Hotel occupies one of the island’s most beautiful crescent beaches, while the formerly monikered Lodge at Koele—once named “the No. 1 lodge in the world” by Condé Nast Traveler—has undergone multiple reinventions. Alongside these resorts came an array of amenities, including 18 holes of world-class golf (with another course now permanently closed), upscale dining, a full-service spa, and Lānaʻi Pines Sporting Clays—one of Hawaiʻi’s most distinctive attractions, offering clay shooting, air rifle target practice, and archery.

Despite its luxury credentials, Lānaʻi has retained the soul of a small island. The central square in Lānaʻi City still hosts a Saturday morning farmers market and is surrounded by a handful of charming shops, galleries, and local businesses. The town supports three food markets and five eateries, led by the well-regarded dining room at Hotel Lānaʻi, one of the few full-service dinner options in town.

The historic Hotel Lānaʻi, a plantation-era retreat dating to 1928, also offers an appealing lodging alternative for travelers seeking intimacy over indulgence. With a limited number of thoughtfully appointed rooms, it provides a more accessible way to experience the island’s understated charm without committing to the significantly higher price points of the resort properties.

On Lānaʻi, luxury exists—but it does so quietly, wrapped in simplicity, space, and an unmistakable sense of escape.

 

Airports:

• Lanai Airport (LNY)

Getting there:

• Expeditions Ferry from Lahaina, Maui

Major City/Town:

• Lanai City

Man-made attractions:

• Munro Trail
• Shipwreck Beach
• The Lodge at Koele
• Manele Bay Hotel
• The Challenge at Manele (golf)
• Lanai Pines Sporting Clays

Mostly nature-made attractions:

• Garden of the Gods/Kehaikawelo
• Manele and Hulopoe Bays
• Hauola Gulch