This is the third year my 4 friends and I have escaped to Lana'i for a day or two after being on Maui. This year, I was at my home on Kauai so I flew over while the others took the ferry. Oh boy, but Island Air has issues. Big issues. EVERY single flight was delayed, cancelled or something else was wrong that day. While in Kauai the pilot waited for 2 people to arrive while the rest of us were on time and boarded. Guess what? They made 5 of us late for our connection. We asked the flight attendants to inform the pilot to hold the flight in HNL to wait for us. They came back and said the pilot had called ahead. Guess what again? They didn't. So we get to HNL, go up to the agent at the gate and say, "we are the five who were delayed and called ahead." With the puzzled look on her face, she says, "we called your names and gave your seats to someone else", as we still see our plane at the gate loading bags. The next flight was full (and 3 hours later) and they were going to ask operations if the Maui flight would make a stop on Lanai and take us. So we wait and wait and finally I see the other 4 stranded Lana'i bound passengers in line in the direct flight to Lana'i. They had been called to board, but the agent forgot about me (a lone traveler). Good thing I went up to the desk (and I was sitting right next it) and said "what about me"? As they say "oh sorry here's your ticket" I race to the door and am almost the last passenger to board to one of my favorite places, The Four Seasons, Lana'i.
I run to my room at Manele Bay, drop my bags off and wait for my friends at the poolside bar for their good mai tais. When I wake up in the morning, the view erases my painful experience the day before.
We head to breakfast which is included in the room price and guess who sits down next us? I'll give you a hint. He parked his GIANT yacht in the bay. Yup good old Larry Ellison, the owner of the island, was there with friends. He got up and waited in the buffet line like the rest of us peons. I doubt a check appeared at his table, but no one bothered him and he seemed to enjoy his omelette. When I first say the yacht as the sun was coming up, I thought, "did Carnival start a new route". Nope it was just Larry's little yacht. It was gorgeous and quite a site at night.
Staying at Manele Bay is all about relaxing to me. Lots is going on with construction of some rooms but I saw some nice changes. One is the food has improved. Two they installed fire pits. Nice touch. We got to wedding crash a beautiful wedding on the lawn and had a nice dinner at the poolside restaurant one night, though my pasta was way undercooked. Even the chef came out and said how sorry he was and they took it off the bill. Customer service is still premo at this resort. From the front desk personel to the pool boys, they are all so nice and remember is year after year. "Oh there are the girls from California who always sit in the same spot" Marlon said when he say us. I love those guys.
I want to warn people that lots construction will be going on this year. At the Lodge too. Make sure you ask when inquiring about accommodations. Also if you stay at the Lodge you can't use the pool at Manele any longer. You can go to the beach though.
Our ferry ride home was like a Disney ride. We had 8 foot swells and I have never been in such rough seas and I sail all over the world. The winds even blew over the umbellas at the pool and walking under a palm tree was dangerous. I didn't care. I love Lana'i, I love the Four Seasons and I can't wait to go back. 2 1/2 days isn't long enough.