The Hotel Lanai

Of all the Lanai hotels, this is the one that hold a special place in our hearts. We stayed at the Hotel Lanai our first trip to the island of Lanai since it was turned into more of a destination island in the early 1990s. This is the most affordable of the Lanai hotels and also an excellent choice as long as you know what to expect and don’t mind a few nostalgic inconveniences. Compared to the other two Lanai Hotels, this was much more in line with what our budget could stand 15 years ago, but we have continued to stay at the Hotel Lanai off and on over the years because it is comfortable and because we like the location right in the center of downtown Lanai City across from the Dole Park and the main business square.

The hotel is a small old plantation house that has been minimally upgraded over the years. The rooms are smallish, but clean and comfortable, and the hotel staff has always been very helpful and like virtually every Lanai resident you meet they are truly glad to see you. I understand that the hotel has been acquired by new owners so this trip predates the change in ownership. Hopefully the new owners are just as friendly as the previous owners were. Tourism is the lifeblood of Hawaii but that is even more the case for Lanai than the other islands. The residents like to let you know that they know that as well and are thankful you chose to come to Lanai and stay at the Lanai Hotel.

When I say that you should know what you are getting into before you stay here I mean specifically that this is sparse accommodations. There is no TV in most of the rooms, the rooms themselves are basic and decorated with the usual Hawaii flare and they are fine for sleeping (okay, there is a little noise, but we sleep like the dead on vacation so it does not bother us hearing a little noise through the walls). There is no pool, there is no hot tub, and there is really no common area for you to hang out with the other guests or kick back it. Several of the rooms do have lanais which is nice and we definitely suggest that you get a lanai room if one is available. There is also a slightly larger cottage that is separate from main hotel building and has a little living area and a TV (if you must have television). But overall, the Hotel Lanai is basic and if you decide to stay here you are doing so either because it is much less expensive than the other two Lanai hotels or because you want to stay in an interesting old plantation house turned inn from the days when the island was the world’s largest pineapple plantation. Hopefully, you are staying for the latter reason like we do, or if for the former reason, you can appreciate the Hotel Lanai for the same things we do. Besides, when it comes down to it, we spend very little time in our hotel room regardless of which Lanai hotel we are staying in. There is just too much to do on the island. The exception to this is, of course, is rainy days. But since every visitor on Lanai is welcome to use the facilities at the other two Lanai hotels (the Lodge at Koele and the Manele Bay Four Seasons), you can head up and use the game room Lodge or just go explore these other properties.

When I say minor inconveniencees they mainly have to do with the fact that the hotel is an old building and old buildings were not built with thick walls and insulation. And old buildings have old plumbing. All of this applies to this hotel. But in our experience everything works. It might be a little drippy, and you might hear more of your neighbor’s conversations (or whatever else) through the walls, but as long as that stuff does not overly irritable, this is a cool little historic jewel. And the restaurant is awesome!

On our latest trip to the Hotel Lanai was 2 years ago. We had come to Lanai as the end point of a two week vacation where we spent the first week plus a couple of days on Maui and the last 4 days on Lanai. We were looking forward to the quiet and slower pace after a week plus of go-go-go on Maui. Plus we were really looking forward to the snorkeling at Hulopo’e since it is easily one of the best spots for snorkeling in all of Hawaii. Plus, the DOLPHINS! That is, if you are lucky and they are hanging out in the bay.

This trip we reserved the cottage so we’d have a little more space. We had not stayed in this room before and found that it was nice to have a little separation from the noise of the other guests through the walls that is typical in the main hotel building. The cottage has two rooms basically furnished and a TV in each room, the bathroom is a little larger than the ones in the main building, and the bed was just fine (we only used one!). We were not expecting the Westin heavenly bed since we’ve stayed at the hotel before, but we slept. If you need a little more space or have kids with you, then the cottage is a better bet than the standard small rooms at the hotel.

The restaurant at the Hotel Lanai is excellent but expensive for the atmosphere which is quite basic. We ate a single dinner there and then opted for some of the other options available (which are limited). We suggest that you try the Terrace at the Lodge at Koele where we ate several meals; it is still expensive but you get the Four Seasons atmosphere and service. We also ate a number of times at Pele’s Other Garden. This is easily the best non-hotel restaurant on the island. It is a tiny deli located right off the main square across from the hotel (a two minute walk). They have great deli sandwiches and they will pack a picnic lunch for you if you are heading out for the day. At night they move the 10 or so tables around, turn down the lights and put candles on the tables for that romantic deli atmosphere! Actually, it is quite nice. And the food is terrific. Don’t miss this – eat there at least once.

Cute Street Sign in Lanai City

For breakfast we generally took advantage of the nice fruit and cereal options at the hotel. This is included in the room charge. A few mornings we went to the Canoe’s and the Blue Ginger Café. Neither is great to be honest, but it is basic breakfast fare if you need pancakes and eggs. Canoe’s has been around since the 1920s and still looks like it!

Dis N' Dat Shop in Lanai City

The Hotel Lanai is a great option to have if the Four Seasons isn’t your thing or your budget. We like it for what it is: good, basic, affordable accommodations with the atmosphere and history of the surroundings. We have never had bad service at the Hotel Lanai, but we are not high maintenance guests. And it is not the Four Seasons. The location is great and the shuttle service between the two other Lanai hotels stops right in front of the hotel so you can easily head either up to the Lodge or down to the beach every day. And since both of these other hotels and the facilities there are open to all guests on the island, you can stay at the Hotel Lanai and then go use the pool at the Four Seasons Manele Bay or play the mini golf at the Lodge. All in all a good place to stay and if you are planning your first trip to Lanai, I’d choose this hotel over the other Lanai hotels just because it will stay in your heart, like it has ours, no matter how many times you return to the island.