19-05-2025
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.
