Last month we decided to visit Lana'i and after hours of research we agreed on 2 nights of camping at Hulopo'e Beach and 1 night in a hotel (it would have been a last minute decision after we arrived). We enjoyed the campgrounds so much, we decided to camp there the entire 3 nights. The campgrounds are very well kept (minus all the deer poop all over the place) - we saw Castle & Cooke (the company who owns the campgrounds) employees cleaning and maintaining the property every day we were there. At first, the $30 one time permit fee and $10 per person per night seemed a bit steep, but after arriving, it was definitely worth it. The bathrooms (like the ones at most public beaches) were very clean, always well stocked and well lit. We saw two bathrooms on property. There is no hot water, so we showered during the day when the sun was out. We saw two showers (the public beach kind). Lana'i residents are the only ones allowed to camp on the beach...all others, even if you're kama'aina from another island must camp on the grassy area across the parking lot. Upon your arrival, a Castle & Cooke employee greets you, shows you where to set up your tent, goes over the rules and collects your money (check or credit card only). The rules weren't bad at all - no picking branches off the kiawe trees (you can walk into the bushes several feet behind the campsite to pick up fallen branches), clean up after yourselves (there were a lot of trash cans around) and no fires outside the BBQ grills.

The Four Seasons Manele Bay is a short 7-10 minute walk from the campsite, however, we enjoyed visiting the Four Seasons Lodge at Ko'ele better. Back to the Four Seasons Manele Bay - we mention it in case you need anything from the gift shop, want to use the nice bathrooms or want to purchase a voucher to use the shuttle service. (More later).