Over the years, the island of Lanai has reinvented itself from the world’s leading pineapple exporter to one of America’s great resort hideaways. Still, this tiny Hawaiian island—Rhode Island is more than 10 times its size—has been able to maintain its character, its unique sense of place.
If The Lodge at Koele provides the "good life" on the island, then its 1,250-square-foot Fireplace Garden Suite takes the Lanai experience to its highest level. The two-room suite is located in the main lodge and overlooks the back gardens, swimming pool, reflecting pond, orchid house and The Experience at Koele golf course. The living room includes a full wet bar, queen-size Murphy bed and a cozy fireplace. The bedroom features a four-poster king-size bed. Both rooms have a common porch.
The Fireplace Garden Suite is priced at $2,200 per night.
Opened in April 1990, The Lodge at Koele is secluded among towering Cook Island pines and tucked away within Lanai’s central highlands. The 102-room resort is reminiscent of a stately country manor in a Hawaiian setting. A large collection of Pacific artworks, a Japanese hillside garden and Hawaiian fruit gardens are among Lodge’s highlights. The resort’s Great Hall includes architectural touches such as high-beamed 35-foot ceilings and natural stone fireplaces. Outside, shady banyan trees surround an ancient reservoir, while attractive pathways meander through gardens and scenic picnic spots.
The Lodge also offers a formal dining room, tea room, library, sundry shop, music room, trophy room and more. On occasion, the resort’s acclaimed Visiting Artists Program brings in some of the world’s most noted authors, poets, chefs, musicians and producers to meet and mingle with guests. Past participants have included humorist Dave Barry, actress Jane Seymour, novelist Paul Theroux, magazine editor Helen Gurley Brown, chef Thomas Keller and sports columnist Jim Murray.
Outdoor adventures abound on Lanai. There are two 18-hole championship courses on the island—The Experience at Koele and The Challenge at Manele—as well as sporting clays, horseback riding, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, bicyling, hiking and more.
Photo Credits:Photo1: Castle & Cooke Resorts, LLC, Photo2: Castle & Cooke Resorts, LLC ©2003-2004 Media-HI, Inc. All rights reserved. |
