Latest news with #Lanai
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.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Lanai brings taste of Maui to Coeur d'Alene
Apr. 2—When Byron and Kim Brown sought a mainland site to expand their Akamai Coffee Company and Maui restaurants, they settled on Coeur d'Alene. That's where they also bought a second home in 2021. Since his wife has family near Bothell, Washington, the couple narrowed in on the Northwest. After visits and initially renting here, the Lake City was the right fit. The couple opened the Lanai on Feb. 7 in midtown Coeur d'Alene — bringing similar food, vibes and decor as its Hawaiian counterparts. Brown is chef de cuisine and operator. His wife handles front-house operations, office and hiring. "The Lanai is a restaurant that has a high-end coffee bar, serviced by Akamai Coffee Company," Byron Brown said. The couple decided to diversify holdings when COVID-19's long shutdowns hit hard in Maui. "We started looking at areas where we'd enjoy to live as well. A lot of people in Coeur d'Alene travel to Maui. So many people who come in here say they can't believe a place they love in Maui exists here. This is the vibe we have there, too." In Maui, where the couple's enterprises go by the Akamai name, they started a first location in 2007. Now, they have three separate Maui sites : a restaurant, a cafe and a drive-thru coffee stand. Here, the Browns chose the name "Lanai" — Hawaiian for patio — for an off-island twist. It's decorated with white oak, plants, natural grass shades for lights and a large mural closeup of a Hawaiian tea leaf plant. Byron did the construction work here, coming from owning a construction company in Maui. Growing up in San Diego and later living in Aspen, Colorado, he moved to Maui in 2003. That's where he met Kim, a Seattle University graduate with a psychology background. Over the years as a builder, Byron regularly did side culinary work. "I worked in culinary with some of the highest-end chefs," he said. "When I lived in Aspen, Colorado, I worked for a family as an assistant and got to work with chef legends. I grew up cooking; my mom's an amazing cook, so I'm really good with flavor and presentation." He also worked in the front-end side of Spago Restaurant — a Wolfgang Puck flagship — in the Four Seasons Resort Maui. "That got me into fine dining and working with customers." Brown said he and his wife focus on such top customer service. Even on a recent Monday morning, the Lanai's customers filled most tables to order specialty coffees, pastries or Brown's scratch-made dishes. Choices cover breakfast to dinner, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. There's a Belgian waffle with an option of berry compote, or choices of avocado toast, egg toast or French toast. Its sandwiches and wraps — with ingredients ranging from house-made hummus to fresh-chopped vegetables — include the caprese, croissant, banh mi and vegan veggie. A few Hawaii dishes enter as specialties, such as Wagyu Loco Moco with steamed Jasmine rice, Wagyu patty, house-made gravy and eggs sunny-side. Others are a pork fried rice dish with egg and a Spam musubi that has steamed rice, grilled spam and teriyaki — seaweed wrapped. "Our menu here is the same as in Maui, then we added a few additional items and a happy hour," Brown said. "Maui is a culinary island. Everything is fresh. Most items I use here are organic." Although there are mimosas, wines and beer, Akamai Coffee is the star attraction. Featured coffees include the Hawaiian Honeybee — with espresso, milk, coconut, vanilla and honey — and Road to Hana with espresso, milk, chocolate, macadamia nut and toffee nut. The Browns got passionate about coffee more than 20 years ago. Island voters in local publications have ranked Akamai Coffee No. 1 since 2016. "Coffee is our main business," he said. "We roast our coffee to where it has an excellent flavor profile." The couple first sourced all coffee from a Maui farm but had to expand the scope as sales volume grew. Then, the devastating Maui wildfires in August 2023 burned all the crops at the farm where they mainly bought beans. They put the Coeur d'Alene eatery on hold that year, when they returned to help Maui friends and family in the aftermath. Today, the Browns are business partners in a coffee farm in Chiapas, Mexico, near Guatemala, where much of their coffee originates. The Lanai has a Mexico menu nod: Chilaquiles with organic corn chips, egg, chile verde, lime, cilantro cream, pico de gallo and queso fresco. In warmer months, the Lanai will extend its hours and open an outdoor patio. When taps arrive, expected soon, Byron said Maui Brewing Company beers will be featured along with other selections. The couple will divide time between Coeur d'Alene and Maui, but for now, the Browns will focus energy here. "We're passionate that everything is done right and the customer gets the same experience every time," he said. "The way that works is our employees come first, and then that translates to our customers. "Our motto — since the very beginning of our business — is that our interaction with customers could be the very best part of their day. We want to make sure they feel cared for. That's our goal, day in and day out."
