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Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From Hawaii to Bali: One Couple Hosted Two Intimate, Tropical Destination Weddings That Prioritized Their Shared Experiences Every Turn
"I'll admit, the exact day we met is a bit of a blur," Domynique Garrett says of the day she and James Johnson III first crossed paths in 2012. What she does remember is that they were introduced by mutual friends during a lively house party at Hampton University. They remained close throughout college, but their connection deepened a few years later when they both found themselves living in Washington, D.C. Over flag football games, dinners at favorite local restaurants, and countless adventures around the city, their friendship ultimately turned romantic, and they became a couple over sushi on November 18, 2018. Then, on Domynique's 30th birthday five years later, James surprised her with a proposal in Bali surrounded by flowers as Bruno Mars' 'Marry Me' played in the background. On November 18, 2024—six years to the day since they became an item— Domynique and James exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Lanai City, Hawaii, with 30 of their closest family members and friends. 'James was born in Hawaii, and though he only lived there for a few years, the islands always held a special place in his heart,' Domynique says. 'The natural beauty, rich culture, and laid-back spirit of Hawaii resonated deeply with him, and we wanted to bring that feeling into our celebration.' The couple worked with two planners—one, a dedicated planning pro from their venue; the other, Deanna from DeAnna Plans—to bring their vision of timeless elegance to life. 'Hawaii served as a source of inspiration—its lush landscapes, tranquil gardens, and vibrant colors captured exactly what we wanted our wedding day to reflect: a harmonious blend of beauty, serenity, and personal significance,' the bride says. But one celebration wasn't enough for this happy couple: Six months later, on May 25, 2025, Domynique and James hosted a larger reception attended by 60 loved ones at the W Bali, a location they chose as a nod to their engagement. "Both venues represented different parts of our love story—Lanai was the romantic, intimate escape, while Bali was the exciting, celebratory moment," the bride notes. "Together, they gave us the best of both worlds!" Bre Jane Photography was on hand at both celebrations to capture every stunning moment. Read on to see the photos of each tropical wedding here. Related: 30 Dreamy Destination Wedding Ideas to Highlight Your Locale The day before their wedding, Domynique and James hosted a combined rehearsal dinner and welcome party at Nobu at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. James wore a Hugo Boss outfit while Domynique wore a Bronx and Banco mini dress with a structured skirt, mesh lining, and floral detailing throughout. She accessorized with a flower embellished purse and an elbow length veil embellished with ribbons with her married name and wedding date! The couple and their guests enjoyed the chef's selection of sushi, short ribs, shrimp tempura and more. 'The speeches were incredibly touching and filled with love,' Domynique says. 'There were moments of laughter, a few happy tears, and an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.' Dominyque wanted a ceremony gown that felt both timeless and modern, so she chose a tulle ball gown from Galia Lahav with a sweetheart corset bodice, floral embellishments along the straps, a box pleated skirt, and a sweeping monarch train. She accessorized with a necklace and earrings from Tiffany & Co. and another set of earrings from David Yurman. 'For shoes, I went with the ultimate bridal staple—Jimmy Choo—because you can never go wrong with a classic brand,' she says. 'My veil was adorned with delicate crystals and pearls, adding the perfect hint of sparkle.' The bride asked for a makeup look that accentuated her eyes, which she says is the feature that James loves most about her, and wore her hair in Hollywood waves with a pearl headband. Dominyque's bridal bouquet featured a waterfall arrangement of cascading white calla lilies and phalaenopsis orchids. The bouquet was finished with a satin ribbon and a small memorial frame honoring the couple's beloved dog, Luna. Domynique had a first look with her bridesmaids, who all wore blue dresses of their choosing, which the bride says was one of the more emotional parts of the day. 'They were all surprised, excited, and some even cried, but we all couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear, sharing in the joy of the moment and the excitement of what was to come—the moment we had all been waiting for,' Domynique says. Related: How to Achieve a Cohesive Look With Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses The bride also had a first look with her dad. 'When I decided on who I wanted to do a first look with, it was a no-brainer. I knew I wanted my girls by my side, who have seen me through different stages of my life, and my dad, who I've always dreamed of sharing such a meaningful moment with,' she says. 'It was a moment I will cherish forever.' James wore a custom white linen suit from Streetsmart Tailoring, which featured touches of baby blue woven throughout, and accessorized with his late grandfather's watch. 'He had passed away just a few months before the big day, and wearing his watch felt like a way to carry a piece of him with me,' the groom explains. 'As I slipped it on, it felt like a quiet tribute to him, grounding me in the moment and connecting me to the past.' The ceremony took place on the property's golf course, where panoramic ocean views served as the backdrop to the couple's vow exchange. 'To preserve the beauty of the scenery, we chose two grounded floral arches, ensuring the ocean remained unobstructed while symbolizing our union and the merging of our lives,' Domynique explains. White ground arrangements framed the seating and rose petals were delicately scattered down the aisle. In honor of their Hawaiian destination, the couple surprised each guest with a custom lei draped around their ceremony chair. They also made sure to account for loved ones who couldn't be there on the big day. 'One of the most special touches was creating a memorial with empty chairs on both of our sides to honor our grandparents who had passed,' the bride shares. Related: The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Ceremony Seating The couple further personalized their ceremony with a few thoughtful elements: First, the groom's best friend officiated the ceremony. Second, Domynique and James hired a ukulele player to perform traditional Hawaiian music as guests were seated. The bride eventually made her entrance to 'Do 4 Love' by SNoh Aalegra played through the audio system and walked down the aisle with both of her parents. 'There was a time when my parents didn't get along, but over the years, they built a friendship centered around my happiness,' the bride notes. 'Seeing them come together to support me on such a special day meant everything.' The couple exchanged vows they wrote themselves, and their words were a mix of inside jokes, reflections on their journey, and promises for their future. 'Standing there, exchanging words crafted straight from the heart, was one of the most unforgettable moments of the day,' Domynique says. At the end of the ceremony, the the couple jumped the broom, an African-American tradition symbolizing commitment. 'For us, it was not just a celebration of our love but also an honoring of our ancestors and the generations that came before us,' Dominique explains. 'As we jumped the broom, surrounded by family and friends, we felt a deep sense of connection—not just to each other, but to the history and traditions that had shaped our paths.' The ukulele player performed 'Lovely Day' by Bill Withers for their celebratory recessional. Officially husband and wife, Domynique and James joined their 30 guests for an intimate reception dinner, where over 400 candles transformed the venue into a romantic escape. 'We wanted the décor to reflect that sense of closeness,' the bride says. Tables were dressed in elegant white linens and decorated with tossed rose petals. At their seats, guests found custom menus, hand-written thank you notes from the couple, and acrylic name plates that Domynique designed. 'It was important to me that our guests felt special, and these personal touches truly made the experience one-of-a-kind,' she says. Domynique envisioned wearing a glamorous Hollywood style gown during the reception, so she sought out a party-ready look, also from Galia Lahav, to wear for dinner. 'When I found this dress, I knew it was the perfect choice,' she says. The long-sleeve mermaid gown was inspired by Marilyn Monroe, and it featured a deep V-plunging neckline, low back, and hundreds of hand-placed crystal embellishments. Both the bride and groom wore custom leis from a local Hawaiian artisan during dinner, another nod to their destination. After Domynique and James shared their first dance to 'Spend My Life With You' by Eric Benét, the bride and her father shared a dance to 'I'll Be Around' by The Spinners. Guests dined on a multi-course meal that included entrée options like roasted rack of lamb, miso-maple-glazed Hawaiian sea bass, and braised chicken. For dessert, attendees were invited up to a create-your-own sundae bar as a nod to the couple's shared love of ice cream and slices of wedding cake. 'The cake was a three-tier vanilla buttercream wedding cake adorned with delicate fondant blue flowers,' the bride explains. The next day, Domynique and James hosted a farewell brunch at the resort. James wore a white collared shirt and blue shorts from Hugo Boss while Domynique wore an ivory mini dress from Babyboo Fashion paired with a small quilted Christian Dior tote and "Bride" veil. 'My favorite memory from the farewell brunch was seeing everyone the next day, still buzzing with excitement and reminiscing about the night before,' Domynique says. 'Hearing our loved ones gush over the ceremony location and how dreamy the dinner was made my heart so full." Related: Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Post-Wedding Brunch Six months later, the couple invited 60 guests to join them in Bali, Indonesia, for their reception. They hosted their May 25, 2025, celebration at the W Bali, where Domynique and her got ready that morning. 'I wanted a soft glam look,' Domynique says of her reception makeup. 'Whenever I get my makeup done, I usually go for full glam, but for this special day, I didn't want to look back at my pictures and think, 'Wow, I had a lot of makeup on.'' As a nod to the day she and James officially became husband and wife, Domynique accessorized with the pearl headband she wore at her wedding in Hawaii. Domynique wore a beaded mini dress with embellished lace sleeves, a waist cutout detail, and lapel collar. She held a bouquet that mimicked her previous wedding bouquet, with cascading blue and white cala lilies and palm leaves. James wore an ivory suit with a black bow tie, black shoes, and a white floral boutonnière. Since Domynique and James had been legally married in Hawaii, they chose to host just a party in Bali. While it still required careful planning, the bride explains that organizing the details of their second event was a very different experience for her. "This planning process felt very different from our first. Having already planned our wedding ceremony in Lanai, the pressure to make everything 'perfect' wasn't as heavy this time around. First, because we were already married, and second, because I had gained a new perspective: things won't always go exactly as planned, and that's okay," she notes. "One of the biggest lessons I've learned from planning not just a wedding, but any event is that something is bound to go off script. That's just reality." The reception took place on the venue's lawn surrounded by tropical foliage and palm trees. The couple customized a dance floor with a monogram of their first initials as the focal point of the space. Chandeliers were hung from arched stands covered in greenery and various pendant lights were strewn about the space, helping to enhance the ambience with a warm glow. The tables were dressed in floor-length white linens and paired with gold chiavari chairs and decorated with minimalist all-white rose centerpieces. White taper candles, placed in gold holders, dotted the length of the tables. Place settings included gold-rimmed chargers with beaded detailing, white plates, gold flatware, and glassware and were decorated with black ribbons with each guest's name in calligraphy. Instead of a traditional photo booth, the couple created a custom magazine cover that guests could pose for photos inside. It was embellished with several arrangements of white and cream florals, both inside and out. Related: 25 DIY Wedding Photo Booth Ideas Guaranteed to Entertain Your Guests At the end of the night, the couple cut into their wedding cake, which was decorated with abstract blue petals to mimic their first wedding cake. As they kissed, fireworks erupted behind them in a special show to close the evening. The next day, guests joined the bride and groom on a chartered yacht for a day of sightseeing. The group saw Kelingking Beach, the turquoise waters of Crystal Bay, SD Point, which the bride says is known for its vibrant marine life and pristine views, and Nusa Lembongan. The perfect day concluded with a stunning sunset over the water. Having now planned two destination weddings of her own, Domynique is well-equipped to offer advice to future brides and grooms. 'Prioritize what feels authentic to you, advocate for what's important to you as a couple, and don't be afraid to set boundaries,' she says. 'The most memorable weddings aren't the ones that check every box—they're the ones that truly reflect the couple's love and journey.'Credits Wedding Photographer Bre Jane Photography HAWAII Ceremony and Reception Venue, Catering, and Cake Four Seasons Lanai Wedding Planning Deanna Plans Bride's Hair The Hair Doc Bride's Hairstyling and Makeup Maui Makeup Artistry Flowers Ivy Cruz Flower Design, Anny Heid Flowers Invitations CraftsmanPaperCO on Etsy Paper Products Carlys Creative Co., EngraveCelebration, Inketch Reception Music Wilson Wilmix Digital Guest Book Kululu Transportation and Accommodations Four Seasons Lanai BALI Reception Venue W Bali Bride's Hair and Makeup Ranny Bronzer Flowers, Paper Goods, and Rentals Jicoo Bali Reception Music DJ Wilson Videographer Dreams Studio Bali Content Creator Treasure the BrideUp Next: 11 Ways to Honor Milestone Anniversaries That Aren't Vow Renewals Read the original article on Brides Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Joe Rogan in awe by son of music icon's encounters with orb-shaped UFOs: 'That's crazy'
The son of legendary music star Willie Nelson left Joe Rogan in awe by revealing that he's had multiple encounters with UFOs. Country music singer and songwriter Lukas Nelson revealed on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast that he and several other people have watched as orb-shaped UFOs streaked over Hawaii. 'I've seen some stuff. When I was in Maui, twice I've seen something that I couldn't explain,' Nelson said during the July 10 interview. According to Nelson, the first encounter took place nearly 20 years ago in 2006, when he witnessed an orange orb floating less than 200 yards over Maui which seemed to be observing the onlookers below. 'Then I swear it seemed like as soon as enough people saw it, it went whoosh. And then it went whoosh. And it moved like nothing else I thought possible at the time. It went out of the atmosphere. And it was crazy. Faster than any drone,' the performer said. In a second incident, the country singer added that he and a group of friends were on the Hawaiian island of Lanai when a pulsing and multi-colored craft moved across the entire horizon. Nelson didn't have any proof with him that could confirm what he saw, but the stories were very similar to recent orb incidents, including several involving glowing orange orbs flying over the US. In fact, orb sightings like Nelson's have become incredibly common, with dozens of cases being reported in just the last fives years alone. Nelson added that he's been following the news about government officials disclosing what they know about UFOs and extraterrestrials, telling Rogan that he's not just a believer, he's praying for their arrival on Earth. Hee also cited the famous 1967 incident where a UFO allegedly disarmed 10 nuclear warheads at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana as proof that aliens are trying to save humanity from global destruction. 'My great hope is that there is someone just trying to, you know, not step in but oversee it to the point where we hopefully we can survive to a point of having an interstellar civilization,' Nelson explained. The music star said he's even asked ChatGPT for help trying to filter out which UFO reports are real and which can be easily debunked. 'When I looked at all of the credible UFO reports, the only ones that really had no explanation... And the one that was not, the one that's still sort of outstanding is the USS Nimitz experience,' he revealed. Nelson was talking about the 2004 incident involving a craft that has infamously become known as the 'Tic-Tac' UFO. On November 14, 2004, Commander David Fravor, a Top Gun fighter pilot, was flying a training exercise off the coast of San Diego when he was re-routed to investigate a strange object spotted on radar by warships protecting his aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz. Fravor spotted a roughly 40-foot white object with no windows or wings, shaped like a Tic-Tac, that mirrored the pilot's movements before flying off at thousands of miles per hour, and then somehow stopping in midair seconds later. 'That seems to be the most compelling,' Nelson declared during the podcast interview. As for his own experience with unexplained phenomena, Nelson's story of the glowing orange orb over Hawaii has been repeated by multiple witnesses in the US, UK, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico. The National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), a non-profit organization that documents and investigates UFO reports, recently added 50 new orb sightings to their archives, with 46 taking place since 2020. NUFORC revealed that these sightings come from civilians, professional pilots, and even military personnel. Many of those witnesses reported the same type of strange encounter Nelson described, where the orbs tended to hover, seemingly observing the people and places around them before escaping at great speed. 'A bright light shined in my window. Once I [had] seen it, it zipped away,' one witness told NUFORC about a February 19, 2024 orb sighting in Antelope, California. In late December 2024, another swarm of bright orange UFO orbs were allegedly caught flying over New York City, raising concerns over the holiday week. A local recorded video of the sighting above Brookville Blvd in Queens, New York, right next to John F Kennedy International Airport. 'Lived here 14 years with planes flying by all day everyday. They fly so low it feels like you can almost touch them. I know what they look like when they come in to land and take off. I have never ever seen anything like this. Ever,' another New York resident who also witnessed the incident posted on Reddit. That same week, a father and son in Georgia chased an orange UFO orb after they spotted the mysterious light floating through the sky while taking out the trash. On December 26, 2024, a beaming orange glow in the distant night sky stopped the dad in his tracks outside his home in Central Georgia around 6:30 pm ET. Confused, he pointed out the peculiar glow around the orb to his son. The pair stared at it for several minutes and decided to film what they were seeing. 'I've seen similar sightings by myself before but this was the first time I was able to film something I witnessed while being in company of another person,' the father posted on Reddit. Rogan and Nelson discussed the possibility that these sightings may not be alien spacecraft at all. Instead, they suggested that all of them could be secret US military craft. Nelson noted that in the last 25 years there have been few military projects which have been declassified by the government. 'I'm curious as to like what in 25 years based on the technology that we've been able to see that makes it to modern society, how much is held back and what we don't see,' the singer explained. While Nelson didn't believe the US government was capable of covering up the existence for UFO-inspired aircraft, Rogan claimed it was very possible that such an operation exists. 'I think there's a high likelihood that a lot of this stuff is ours,' Rogan said.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Elite Athlete Reveals Shocking Side Effects After Swimming in the Ocean for 21 Hours Straight (Exclusive)
NEED TO KNOW In 2019, Rebecca Mann became the only person to complete the Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing, a 40-mile swim between the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai It took Mann 21 hours to complete the daunting swim, which left lingering side effects Mann talks exclusively with PEOPLE about the experience after going viral on TikTok After narrowly missing a spot on her third Olympic team in 2019, a moment that could have marked a quiet end to her elite swimming career, Rebecca Mann chose a different path – one defined by resilience, reflection, and her daring spirit. Advertisement As a two-time USA National Champion, the athlete set her sights on something extraordinary: a nonstop, 40-mile swim between the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, known as the Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing. At just 10 years old, Mann swam the nearly 10-mile channel from Lanai to Maui, called the Au'au Channel. Over a decade later, the athlete marked what she thought would be the end of her competitive career by pushing her limits once more – a way to celebrate all she had trained for throughout her life. Before the daunting journey, her longest swim had been 25 kilometers — about 15.5 miles — at the World Aquatics Championships in 2017. Advertisement When she embarked on the Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing, the then-21-year-old didn't know what to expect. 'I didn't really know where I was in the ocean. I didn't know how long I was going to be in the ocean, and I kind of just had to tell myself: 'you can do anything,'' Mann tells PEOPLE exclusively. She found the swim more mentally challenging than physically. While every stroke was painful, the discomfort was manageable, never overwhelming to the point that she couldn't keep going. 'I just reminded myself when things got really bad…I want to quit even less than I want to swim,' she recalls. After nearly 21 hours of constant exertion, she became the first person ever to complete the grueling, three-point swim. Advertisement However, the journey wasn't about breaking records; it was a statement of purpose filled with love for the sport that shaped her. Mann recently took to TikTok to share insight into the experience, striking a chord with athletes and dreamers alike. After sharing her feat online, followers flooded her social media with questions about sleep, food, and, most importantly, any sea life encounters. 'The only time I will ever skip a night of sleep is if I'm swimming through it because I love my sleep,' Mann said in one of her TikTok videos. The athlete tells PEOPLE that she followed a 20-minute feeding schedule, with her mom tossing her 'liquid fuel' – a mix of Gatorade and melted energy gel. Advertisement Luckily, Mann had no shark encounters, but she did suffer from something equally as terrifying: severe swelling due to the salt water. 'When I was getting towards the end, I was worried about my throat closing,' she reveals. About nine hours into the swim, her nostrils became swollen together, and she couldn't breathe out of her nose. 'But that wasn't a big deal for me because I was like, 'Okay, it's fine. I can breathe through my mouth,'" she says. "But then my uvula started hanging down onto my tongue.' Courtesy of Becca Mann Becca Mann swimming the 40-mile Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing. Becca Mann swimming the 40-mile Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing. Mann remembers not being able to swallow for hours after the swim. It took her two whole days to fully recover from the swelling – something she hadn't foreseen. Another unexpected result of her 21-hour journey was the recurring dreams she started having six months later. Advertisement 'I start having these dreams where I'm just stuck in the ocean and they're scary, but they're also not scary at the same time,' she says. 'It's just really strange. I'm always in the middle of the ocean trying to do the swim, and I'm not in good enough shape, and there are a bunch of sharks around me, and I don't have a boat next to me, and it's really bizarre.' Nearly six years since the swim, Mann continues to have these dreams, despite not being afraid of sharks in real life. Regardless, she says she would "absolutely" do it again. Courtesy of Becca Mann Becca Mann did not expect swelling to be a side effect of swimming 21-hours. Becca Mann did not expect swelling to be a side effect of swimming 21-hours. As an individual struggling with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), she admits that her thoughts would spiral during the long hours of swimming, leading to a few panic attacks. But she reminded herself it would pass and focused on staying present in the moment. Advertisement 'When I go through a challenge - that's my best self,' Mann explains. 'I think that it teaches me a lot about myself, and it reminds me of who I am, who I want to be, and I think that's the biggest lesson; just getting through all of the bad parts of life.' At one point during the swim, overwhelmed by emotion, she realized how grateful she was for the path she had taken. Had she made the Olympic team, she wouldn't have been in the middle of the ocean, swimming under a sky full of stars with no light pollution — one of the most incredible moments of her life. Courtesy of Becca Mann Becca Mann is not only a swimmer, but also a published author. Becca Mann is not only a swimmer, but also a published author. Undeterred by the disappointment of Olympic defeat, Mann was determined not to let that moment define her. She published two books, including a young adult dystopian novel, Unruly, in April 2025. Advertisement Meanwhile, the 27-year-old's memoir, Outside the Lanes, offers a powerful reminder that the end of one dream can be the beginning of something even greater. She is now in the process of making a comeback after a five-year break from swimming. 'We're often told that if you give everything, if you work hard, if you believe in yourself, you'll succeed,' she said in a TikTok about her memoir. 'But sometimes you don't, and that's awful, but that doesn't mean you can't use what you learned and apply that to other aspects of your life, or that it was all for nothing. It's about the journey, not the destination." Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tiny paradise island that looks like Mars is quietly becoming the new Hamptons as celebs flock there
America's elite are choosing a tiny Hawaiian island that looks like it belongs on Mars for their vacations to really get away from it all. Lanai, a tiny island in the Pacific with a population of just 3,000, has quietly become the ultimate celebrity hideaway. With no traffic lights and few choices of public accommodation, the island offers something that popular celeb hangouts like the Hamptons never could - anonymity. Lanai sits at the heart of the Hawaiian archipelago but feels worlds apart from tourist-packed Maui or Oahu with its celebrity-filled resorts. Tech titan Larry Ellison snapped up 98 percent of the entire island in 2012, transforming it into a billionaire's playground. It now attracts other celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Jessica Alba who have all recently vacationed there. The Oracle billionaire boasts a massive real estate portfolio and has been called the 'nation's most avid trophy-home buyer' by the Wall Street Journal. He is worth a whopping $89.3billion and is the world's ninth richest person, according to Forbes. Although its popular among America's elite - Lanai is still the 'smallest inhabited island in Hawaii,' Four Seasons Resort Manager, Juan Leonis, told 'And we also probably receive the least amount of visitors,' he added. 'We take a little more effort to get to, with no direct flights from the mainland, but we believe that simply adds to the attraction.' 'With about 3,000 residents and a small plantation town, we offer an experience that is like Hawaii as it used to be in vintage postcards,' he added. Bill and Melinda Gates chose the island for their wedding back in 1994, tying the knot on the spectacular 12th hole of the Four Seasons Lanai golf course. The grassy knoll sits perched dramatically on a cliff edge with waves crashing below. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and offers breathtaking views. But the island's landscape has changed dramatically since the 1920s when it was once the world's largest pineapple plantation. James Drummond Dole employed thousands on the island to tend his fruit empire. 'This island once produced most of the world's pineapples before its next chapter as a vacation destination, and closure of the plantation,' Leonis said. 'To us, true luxury is creating a meaningful sense of belonging, a dedicated focus on how people want to be treated, grounded in genuine care during your stay.' Today, the island's crown jewel is the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, which was completely renovated by Ellison. The Oracle founder tapped designer Todd Avery-Lenahan to create an opulent retreat that combines contemporary design with traditional Hawaiian elements. Guests wander past sculpted bamboo furniture, museum-quality shells and a massive traditional Polynesian boat in the lobby. The rooms can cost up to a staggering $5,000 a night. For that whopping cost, visitors enjoy two oceanfront pools surrounded by gardens, a Nobu restaurant, and poolside dining from celebrity favorite Malibu Farm. 'To us, true luxury is creating a meaningful sense of belonging, a dedicated focus on how people want to be treated, grounded in genuine care during your stay,' Leonis revealed. 'This starts with our passionate team, welcoming you always with a distinctly human touch, which is a beautiful complement to our aloha spirit here in Hawaii.' The resort's 213 rooms and suites host a revolving door of celebrities with a big focus on privacy. 'I believe our guests are seeking places where they can experience local culture in an authentic way, along with the natural beauty of Lanai for milestone occasions and family escapes,' said Leonis. 'Lanai has a private-island like ambiance, with minimal tourists, which provides a respite, a place to breathe, spend time with their loved ones or enjoy solitude in a luxury environment.' It now attracts other celebs like Oprah Winfrey who recently vacationed there 'Guests and residents can look deep into the night sky at various celestial bodies such as planets, star clusters, galaxies, nebulae, and the spectacular moon following a program about Pacific wayfinding,' Leonis said. Even the public beach at Hulopoe Bay is practically private, with Four Seasons staff ensuring well-heeled guests have loungers, umbrellas and tropical cocktails delivered directly to their spot on the sand. Adventurous guests can borrow gleaming white Jeeps to explore the island's 400 miles of dirt roads off the resort grounds. But one of the most spectacular sights is at the Garden of the Gods - a sweeping Mars-like landscape formed by red volcanic soil. The windswept summit, which once used as an open-air women's prison, offers views clear across to neighboring Molokai. A sunset yacht cruise around the island's waters is another prime activity, with the opportunity to spot whales and dolphins without another boat in sight. The town's Ohana Poke Market sells out of its famous ahi tuna poke by noon every day, serving the Hawaiian delicacy in simple paper bowls. 'Our guests enjoy an unhurried pace, lack of crowds and friendly people, but don't have to give up the comforts of a luxury resort and a range of activities – most of which we manage for a seamless Four Seasons stay,' Leonis told 'Activity wise, Lanai offers so much from horseback riding, sporting clays and archery or fantastic golf,' he continued. 'Our Adventure Park offers family fun with ziplining, or an aerial obstacle course, with a section for little kids as well. Many of our activities can be privately booked – charter a boat for snorkel sails or fishing, a custom horseback ride or group hiking or e-biking.' The 141-square-mile island, located eight miles off the coast of Maui, is the smallest inhabited island in the state. Ellison wants to add a zipline to the current lineup of resort activities, which include croquet, a putting course, horseback riding, archery, a shooting range, utility terrain vehicle riding, hiking, biking, lawn bowling and carriage rides. The mogul also re-opened a movie theater in town, stocked its main market with organic food, re-built the community swimming book and added football and soccer fields to the island.
Forbes
15-04-2025
- Forbes
How 6 Hotels Celebrate Earth Day Every Day
Half of Sensei Lanai is dedicated to a botanic garden. While Mother Nature faces unprecedented challenges with record temperatures and deadly natural disasters becoming more and more frequent, the hospitality industry isn't throwing in the sustainably sourced towel. Instead, luxury properties worldwide are doubling down on their commitment to the planet. Hotels and resorts are doing everything from rethinking room designs to rehabilitating ecosystems, and they're seeking vacationers' help with the efforts. Forbes Travel Guide has a vast list of VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality properties — those that demonstrate a commitment to more than 100 stringent standards to protect the environment and support the well-being of employees, guests and their communities — but we wanted to call out six special places that are doing their parts this Earth Day (April 22) and every other day to protect our planet without compromising the guest experience. This Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Lanai hotel doesn't just provide its guests with a wellness haven, it also makes sure the native flora and fauna are cared for. To that end, the breathtaking resort dedicates half of its 24 lush acres to a botanic garden. Hotel director of landscaping Robert Woodman cultivated and encouraged the regrowth of nearly 1,000 species of plants, with a focus on native Hawaiian- and Polynesian-introduced greenery. To help with these efforts, the resort employs water-efficient landscaping and uses produce grown from an indoor solar-powered greenhouse. These moves are crucial for preserving biodiversity on campus and supporting local ecosystems. As a beautiful bonus, the anthuriums, orchids and philodendrons dotting the grounds guarantee the hotel looks gorgeous all year. This property is working to ensure a bright future for the marine ecosystem. This Five-Star hotel takes great pride in being a responsible neighbor to the reef surrounding its three islands. An in-house marine biologist manages coral nurseries and works diligently to rehabilitate corals for reintegration into the reef. Additionally, the resort has partnered with Parley Maldives, the Maldivian branch of the nonprofit environmental organization Parley for the Oceans, to promote joint projects that ensure the future of the marine ecosystem. This collaboration ties in well with Hilton's larger Travel with Purpose initiatives to help drive responsible tourism around the world. Eco-awareness extends to all corners of this hotel. Sustainability has never looked more stylish than it does at this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel in Miami. Everything from the reclaimed sculptural driftwood check-in desk to the clustered tree stump tables to a striking 12,000-plant vertical garden, sets an elegant, eco-conscious tone. Design elements such as driftwood wall paneling, warm recycled pine headboards and organic cotton fabric used throughout the hotel's 426 guest rooms and suites create a space that feels as light as its carbon footprint. Locally sourced cuisine, carbon dioxide-offsetting measures and an electric Audi Q8 house car ensure that an eco-awareness extends to all corners of the property. Marine conservation is an essential part of Atlantis Dubai's mission. While neighboring sister properties Atlantis The Royal and Atlantis, The Palm's joint sustainability commitment led them to being named the first in the Middle East to earn the VERIFIED badge, it's the Atlantis Atlas Project, which implements various environmental and social sustainability initiatives, that may prove the most exemplary move. With marine conservation a major part of this mission, $1 is donated from every Atlantis Dubai marine animal experience (dolphin kayaking, anyone?) to support partnerships that combat unsustainable seafood harvesting and marine pollution. The projects focus on four vital components of the aquatic ecosystem: sharks, rays, dolphins and coral reefs. Atlantis Dubai has successfully bred and released 58 carpet sharks and 10 honeycomb rays into a marine-protected area after conducting thorough health assessments and behavioral programs to ensure the native marine animals' successful transition into the gulf. Experience Bali's rich cultural traditions during a stay here. The cultural programming at architect Bill Bensley's Four-Star luxury campsite enables guests to connect meaningfully with locals and experience Bali's rich cultural traditions. Visitors can prepare a traditional meal in the home kitchen of Pak Dewa, a fifth-generation Keliki farmer; sample babi guling (roasted suckling pig) and nasi campur (rice with side dishes)from popular local warungs (small, family-owned businesses); or spend a morning learning Keliki painting from I Wayan Gama, a master known for his colorful depictions of daily rural village life created with Chinese ink. These immersive experiences foster genuine cultural exchange and provide a deeper understanding of the vibrant world beyond the resort's walls, enriching the guest's understanding of the local community. JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea's amenities are thoughtful and sustainable. This Four-Star hotel in Turkey gets its youngest guests involved by promoting a more sustainable future with the help of a children's book. Grape Is in Nature entertains kids with stories of eco-friendly adventures, inspiring them to envision a greener world while instilling the importance of responsible living. Additionally, the book encourages families to do their part in creating a better future together by including foxtail flower seeds for them to plant back at home. Another sustainable amenity comes with turndown service. The Istanbul hotel gifts guests with a fragrant bar of soap made with lavender grown in its onsite JW Marriott Garden and olive oil. Use it during your stay or take it home as a naturally scented souvenir.
