Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort

My wife and I just spent 4 nights at Sensei Lanai in the Hawaiian Islands. We had a wonderful stay overall and would certainly return to this property in the future. When we travel we always try our best to seek out quiet, secluded destinations in interesting natural settings and...

My wife and I just spent 4 nights at Sensei Lanai in the Hawaiian Islands. We had a wonderful stay overall and would certainly return to this property in the future. When we travel we always try our best to seek out quiet, secluded destinations in interesting natural settings and this island and property certainly hit the mark. We made sure to include a balance of activities and relaxation and also made sure that we spent plenty of time on and near the water while being to retreat to the peace and quiet of Sensei up in the mountains. Lanai itself really is special with just the two Four Seasons resorts, one small town with a few shops and restaurants, a cat sanctuary, and otherwise just secluded beaches and untouched areas of lush vegetation and red dirt. For the best of both worlds in the future we would consider doing a split stay between the beach resort and Sensei, however given that we only had 4 nights in total on the island, we maximized our time by staying at Sensei, but doing multiple dinners at the beach resort, going out on a boat for the snorkel cruise, and exploring the island on our own in one of the jeeps to visit some of the more secluded beaches. While the beach resort is nice, we did value the peace and quiet as well as the lush gardens and pool that Sensei had to offer. We were very happy with our choice of coming to Lanai because we were looking for a combination of activities and relaxation and Sensei had exactly what we needed for this particular trip. Check in/Arrival Arriving to Lanai was a seamless process. After landing at HNL and exiting the terminal we were quickly greeted by a Lanai Air representative. From there we grabbed our bags and were transported privately in an SUV to the Lanai Air hangar which was just 5 minutes from the main airport. The Lanai Air lounge was great to relax in for about 30 minutes, they had snacks, drinks, and plenty of seating. The weather during our flight on our way to Lanai was unfortunately a bit cloudy which limited our visibility from above, but once we got closer to landing we were able to have some excellent views of the island from the air. Once the plane landed, we gathered our bags and we were immediately greeted by a representative from Four Seasons. We boarded a shared shuttle that took about 15 minutes from the airport. Upon arriving at Sensei we were checked in and given a tour of the grounds and oriented ourselves to where everything was located, namely the pool, the spa hales, onsen garden, exercise pavilion, restaurant, and bar. The main lobby area is quite impressive with tons of paintings and sculptures, high ceilings, and plenty of sitting areas with two fireplaces to sit around as well. Room We were booked into a standard king room (#322) that was solid, Four Seasons standard in many aspects, but nothing spectacular. Room was decorated with light tones had a king bed with comfortable Four Seasons bedding that I’ve found at every other North American Four Season I’ve stayed at. The room had a big TV, mini bar area, desk area (oddly with no garbage can next to it, the only one was in the bathroom), and a bathroom with oddly enough just one sink, although there was a Toto toilet which was a plus. The room was comfortable enough, but certainly not the reason you’d visit this resort. We were on the ground floor of a 2 story building of which there was another identical on the other side. There are no standalone units on this property to my knowledge. Service For the most part, we were happy with the service at Sensei. Staff at breakfast, the pool, the Lanai Adventure Park, and on the shuttles all tried their best to deliver friendly and genuine service. They fulfilled every request we might have had with one small exception regarding the timing of a shuttle pickup. We asked to be picked up a bit earlier while dining at Lanai City Grill (approximately 1 mile from Sensei) and they offered us the shared shuttle which was coming about 40 minutes from when we made the request to get picked up. We decided to just walk back to Sensei, but my wife was wearing shoes with a wedge heel which have her some difficulty. When we mentioned this to the staff they quickly rectified the issue and offered us more than sufficient service recovery immediately. This went a long way for us and made us feel that they really wanted to get things right. The Four Seasons app was extremely easy to use and responses were very prompt on the app. We made fairly simple requests like changing our shuttle time, ordering in room dining, checking on availability of activities, etc. All of our requests were answered and fulfilled within a timely manner. We had no issues overall with the service, but also wouldn’t say that anything the staff did was memorable, over the top, anticipatory, or even overly personal. The friendly Hawaiian spirit was seen through local staff, some of which had lived on the island for their entire lives. Memorable staff members who did a particularly good job looking after us were Kimi, Jarien, and Hazel in their respective opportunities they had to help us at varying points during our stay. Activities Sensei itself is extremely quiet and relaxing which was a huge plus for us, but other than getting a spa treatment and relaxing in the onsens or at the pool there’s very little to do on the property, so the activities are an essential part of this property. We picked 1 activity to do on the 3 full days we were there and spent the rest of the day either working out or just relaxing by the pool or in the onsens. We chose to do: zip lines, rent a jeep and drive ourselves around the island, and the snorkel cruise. The zip lines were pretty tame and short so I wouldn’t really recommend those, especially for the price they charge, but we might try the climbing activities they have available. There’s an extremely impressive ropes course/climbing structure that would be interesting to do. The jeep rental and the snorkel cruise were both highlights of our stay. When we rented the jeep we drove to Shipwreck Beach which is on the west side of the island. It’s a quiet beach which had just 1 or 2 groups of people on it when we made our way there. There is an old ship which I believe was from WW2 if I read correctly and there were amazing views of Molokai and Maui from here. We spent some time swimming in the clear water and just enjoying the solitude on this side of the island. We were warned to avoid this side of the island in the afternoon because there can be intense trade winds. We then drove back east and passed through Lanai City and made our way to the cat sanctuary which was a fun way to spend an hour checking out all of the cats they’ve rescued and learned that maintaining this sanctuary protects the local bird population because the street cats would eradicate them otherwise. We regrettably did not have time to make our way to Garden of the Gods and some of the other secluded beaches, but we coveted a good amount of ground for a couple of hours of having the jeep rental. Lastly, we enjoyed the snorkel crew a lot. Martin was a great host on the boat that took us and a couple of groups out to a secluded location to snorkel. This outing departed from the harbor next to the beach resort where the Lanai-Maui Ferry can also be caught. The visibility of the ocean was excellent and the snorkeling was very good (the only other place we’ve done a similar snorkeling outing was at Azura Benguerra in Mozambique which had absolutely excellent snorkeling), but that being said there more than enough colorful fish to enjoy getting to view and enjoy and hour or two in the way. I also was able to spot an eel which was a highlight. On our way back we got views of humpback whales, as well as a massive pod of spinner dolphins that we got a great view of with them coming extremely close to the boat. Dining At Sensei there is one restaurant, Sensei by Nobu that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On the property you can also get food at the bar for all 3 meals. At the beach resort there is Nobu Lanai and Malibu Farm (which becomes One Forty for dinner). In town there is the Lanai City Bar and Grill. Aside from a few smaller options in town, to my knowledge, these are all of the dining options on the island. We tried all of them over the course of our 4 night stay. After arriving in the late afternoon we had our first dinner at Sensei by Nobu which was offering a Valentine’s Day dinner special omakase menu which we declined in favor for the a la carte menu. We started off with the gem salad and the hamachi Crudo which were both solid dishes, while I ordered my own bowl of miso soup. We got the tofu preparation of the sukiyaki which was a new dish for us, but we enjoyed it. For entrees we had the rack of lamb and the Thai yellow curry served with seafood. Overall, we were happy with the food served at Sensei, but definitely not blown away. Our second dinner took place at the Lanai Bar and Grill in Lanai City. It’s a part of a small hotel in town called Hotel Lanai. We loved going here for a change of pace, as the atmosphere was a bit more lively than at Sensei with live music being played. The dishes that stood out for us were the Parker rolls, Sensei farms salad, the axis deer (found on Lanai) ragu, and the seared ahi tuna with bok choy. Our third dinner was at One Forty. This is the Malibu Farm restaurant during the day, but at night it converts into One Forty. Our favorite dishes from this meal were the goat cheese salad and the mahi mahi served with rice and mashed potatoes. This was probably the dinner that we cared for the least. Our fourth and final dinner on this trip took place at Nobu Lanai at the beach resort. This meal was excellent stand out dishes were the rock shrimp tempura, the new preparation of both salmon and whitefish (local to Hawaii), the short rib, and the mango shaved ice with coconut sorbet. We loved this meal. We had lunches either at the pool or bar at Sensei. We tried the salmon burger, regular burger, chicken wrap, chicken sandwich, shrimp tacos, ahi tun sticks, chips, salsa, and guacamole, among other dishes. Overall, the lunches served at Sensei were a weak point for us. The dishes we tried for breakfast were mostly excellent. We tried the French omelette, Lanai breakfast, mushroom and feta toast, avocado toast, blueberry pancakes, coconut yogurt bowl, açaí bowl, banana bread, chocolate croissant, monkey bread, as well as a couple of the smoothies and juices. We ate 3 of our breakfasts outside at Sensei by Nobu and 1 of them in our room via in room dining. Overall the dining experience at Sensei and on Lanai was solid. The food is certainly not outstanding and leaves something to be desired, not nonetheless overall we enjoyed it. There are really only 4 main dining options on the entire island, although you can get food at the bar at Sensei as well as at The Break down at the beach resort, so the dining could definitely become repetitive after 4-5 nights. Location/Facilities The thought of going to Hawaii and not staying on the beach was a little confusing at first, but once you step foot on Sensei’s property and understand that you can take advantage of the hourly shuttles that run between the beach resort to Sensei all day long, then the appeal becomes much stronger. Sensei is situated 20 minutes up from the Manele beach resort, just above the one town on the island, Lanai City. Lanai City was a cute town that had a small gift shop, art gallery, movie theater, amongst a few other small shops. We drove around the town to check out the high school and a few other aspects of the daily life on Lanai. Getting to stay in the lush gardens up in the mountains was a privilege, but also having access to the beach resort and the water in general was the perfect combination. The gardens that make up Sensei’s property include plants imported from literally all around the world (Mexico, Philippines, Polynesia, Brazil, etc.) and make up the most fascinating, lush gardens. There are also sculptures are over the property that are fascinating to look at including the tree huggers, but highlighted by Talaia which is the massive head sculpture that is at the top of the resort property. The property also features a large lake, excellent pool with 3 hot tubs, and a spacious exercise pavilion with all the equipment one would need to get a great workout in (plenty of woodway treadmills too). One of the other highlights of the property for us was the onsen gardens. These are private hot tubs that are available on a first come first serve basis set amongst thick lush gardens towards the back of the property. They are available 24/7 and each one is completely private from the others so that even if others are using a separate hot tub, you will feel completely alone. Lastly, we received a couples massage in our own private spa hale which was a truly special experience. The massages were lovely and afternoon treatment we had 30 minutes (which we could have extended but elected not to) to enjoy the amenities in the hale which included a hot tub, cold tub, steam room, and sauna. Getting a treatment and spending time in one of the hales is a “must do” experience when staying at Sensei. Overall We had a great trip to Lanai and we are happy that we chose to stay at Sensei. The balance of spending time up in the mountains with being able to take the complimentary shuttle to the Manele beach resort made this the perfect trip for us. If we are to return and have more time on the island, we would consider a split stay, although I am not completely convinced that we would enjoy the beach resort as much as we enjoyed our time at Sensei.

The rooms are tastefully furnished, but i wish the bathrooms had 2 sinks and a soaking tubs. The flora on the grounds was gorgeous, and there was a nice pool and spa, although, the massages were frightfully expensive. i loved the gym and the classes and it was nice to...

The rooms are tastefully furnished, but i wish the bathrooms had 2 sinks and a soaking tubs. The flora on the grounds was gorgeous, and there was a nice pool and spa, although, the massages were frightfully expensive. i loved the gym and the classes and it was nice to be in the mountains and see a different part of Hawaii. Food was over priced and could have been better. Excellent service, though.

I love this hotel and will be saving up to go back. The grounds are wonderful including the onsen and pools. The Hale spa room is a must (at least 60 min). The food at Nobu has something for everyone. You don't need to spend much to have a good...

I love this hotel and will be saving up to go back. The grounds are wonderful including the onsen and pools. The Hale spa room is a must (at least 60 min). The food at Nobu has something for everyone. You don't need to spend much to have a good time here. This is a chill out place to unwind from hectic life and enjoy nature. Also, no children is a plus for us DINKS :) The staff is really what makes this hotel. Everyone is so nice and they really go out of your way to make you feel special and seen. Thank you!

I had the most incredible and spiritual experience at Sensei for my babymoon in Sept 2022. The grounds were tranquil and luxurious, the staff was friendly and welcoming, the culinary experience was unique and delicious and the activities were restorative and idyllic. To this day, when I think of my...

I had the most incredible and spiritual experience at Sensei for my babymoon in Sept 2022. The grounds were tranquil and luxurious, the staff was friendly and welcoming, the culinary experience was unique and delicious and the activities were restorative and idyllic. To this day, when I think of my happy place, I think of Sensei. Some of my favorite activities were "Freeing Yourself from Stories" which took a more psychological approach, forest bathing/meditation which helped with gratitude and presence, and daily stretch which kicked off the day with gentle restorative movement. My favorite of all though was the spa services. The hale's were amazing with their private sauna, steam room, pools, locker room, etc and the services were incredible, particularly aquatic bodywork. The aquatic bodywork treatment with Liran was fantastic and really helped me achieve some of my goals with this wellness getaway which had a focus on getting reconnected with myself, my baby and my husband. Unaware of the full scope of the treatment, I had originally booked only one aquatic bodywork session but ended up squeezing in a second last minute because the first was that impactful and I really wanted to try an underwater session! I was excited but nervous about going underwater since I believed I couldn’t hold my breath for very long underwater. Liran was able to sync his breath with mine which provided such a safe environment. Not only was he very in tune with my breathing needs, he also seemed very aware of any bodily cues of discomfort and adjusted accordingly. Being asked to release all my muscles and become like “seaweed in the ocean” really required a practice of relinquishing control which was necessary to experience the freedom provided by this practice. It was also a great exercise in noticing when I was uncomfortable and what caused me to feel so uneasy. I realized many times when I thought I needed air, I really just was seeking control. This treatment helped me see what comes up when I try to take the control back and practice releasing it whenever I feel ready to feel the positive effects of the release again. Through the treatment I learned to lean into the discomfort and not judge myself when I went back into control seat mode. Part of the way through the treatment, I began to amaze myself by exhaling first instead of grasping for air when I resurfaced and that helped me notice what I thought I needed was less about oxygen and more about control. Also, knowing that I could always pull myself up if needed, helped me trust the process and literally test the waters beyond a self-identified limitation. Overall, the aquatic bodywork felt so embryonic. Being in the water which is the same temperature as one’s body and cradled in the arms of the aquatic therapist with no control over my muscles, I felt very connected with my baby. In this treatment, I was at the mercy of Liran’s care just like my baby will be at the mercy of my care. I was able to practice compassion and get better in tune with the natural discomfort my baby must feel with zero control over their bodies and basic needs. One of my fears about this next step of motherhood was that it would be hard for me to create a safe haven for my child due my own childhood experiences but the fact that I was able to create this safe space with Liran after only meeting him once before helped solidify my faith in becoming a safe haven for my new baby. Between all of this and the incredible vibrations of the Tibetan bowls through the water, it was truly such a magical experience and one that was truly monumental in preparation for my baby’s arrival. This bodywork treatment was one of a kind and I would highly recommend it to anyone who’s open to an incredible metaphysical experience.

On an island that really has little merit there are2 Four Season hotels each offering something different thanks to Larry Ellison. Sensei is a " decompress" hotel set in magnificent lush greenery and with beautiful art sprinkled around the grounds. If you want calm and peace then come here. The...

On an island that really has little merit there are2 Four Season hotels each offering something different thanks to Larry Ellison. Sensei is a " decompress" hotel set in magnificent lush greenery and with beautiful art sprinkled around the grounds. If you want calm and peace then come here. The rooms are very tastefully decorated with everything you could possibly need. Staff are delightful and are ready to help you at every turn. The pool, hot tubs and Onsens are nestled in the magnificent grounds and no bookings are required. Its doubtful whether you will find a more picturesque group of Onsens anywhere in the USA....... private, with waterfalls and thick lush plantings are outstanding, stay for ten minutes or the whole day, there are no time restrictions. They also have 10 Halles which are basically a private massage structure that has steam and sauna and totally private but you need to book these. In general massages are expensive and to be fair overpriced in my opinion but staff are so nice you can really relax and float away. The main restaurant is Nobu, not as comprehensive as the Nobu at the beach Four Seasons but food is nicely prepared and tasty. A quiet and relaxing few days here soon gets you into the mood and you leave your work behind. If I have any criticisms it would be no nutrition program offered and no ability to have steam or saunas without booking the Halles. Come and find out for yourselves ! .

The property is absolutely gorgeous. Everything from the gardens, to the architecture and private spa hales are designed for ultimate peace and relaxation. Expert instructors lead a wide selection of free health classes every day. Make sure to book time in the spa hales which are truly special. However, we...

The property is absolutely gorgeous. Everything from the gardens, to the architecture and private spa hales are designed for ultimate peace and relaxation. Expert instructors lead a wide selection of free health classes every day. Make sure to book time in the spa hales which are truly special. However, we did run into service issues during our stay: 1. Avoid using the in-room iPad for service requests. We would regularly have to wait 30min+ for a response for requests made via the iPad chat function. 2. We were told by the front desk that third party taxi services were the best way to get to the Cat Sanctuary. We asked for help setting that up and they gave us a sticky note with a phone number to call. That number went to voicemail, so they gave us another sticky note with a number to call. We were eventually able to coordinate a ride ourselves, but the whole process left us disappointed. The Four Seasons is supposed to be synonymous with excellent service and we were given two phone numbers and told to essentially figure it out ourselves. 3. We scheduled a $90 smores experience to take place after our dinner on Saturday night at Sensei by Nobu. The dining experience team told us they would let the restaurant staff know so that we could go straight from dinner to smores. Dinner came and went and no one mentioned anything to us, so we walked to the front desk after dinner to see what was going on. Front desk called the dining experience team who said they had been calling our room and asked why we weren’t picking up. We weren’t picking up because we were at dinner…odd because they knew we would be at dinner when we booked the experience. After a delay, they were eventually able to get it set up for us. This really is a beautiful resort retreat. However, cannot wholeheartedly recommend to friends/family because of the service issues we faced. Hopefully our experience was an exception and not the norm.

A most enjoyable stay at a one-of-a-kind place. This unique property offers both serenity and adventure in an alluring lush location. Small adults-only tranquil setting with attentive service. A must do is the Koloiki Ridge hike. Can get chilly in the evenings but the gas fireplaces both in the great...

A most enjoyable stay at a one-of-a-kind place. This unique property offers both serenity and adventure in an alluring lush location. Small adults-only tranquil setting with attentive service. A must do is the Koloiki Ridge hike. Can get chilly in the evenings but the gas fireplaces both in the great room and outside easily solve for that. Would recommend more than our three nights to fully embrace all that Lanai has to offer. The transfer via HNL was pretty swanky too. A return visit is already being planned!

This is the nicest resort I have ever experienced. The customer service is over the top. The food has an emphasis on health but is fantastic. I’m in awe of this property.

As others have said, this is an excellent hotel. My wife and I enjoyed our 3 night stay at Sensei very much. The service is truly outstanding, especially in the restaurant. You're greeted by name every time the wait staff comes by to take your order or check on your...

As others have said, this is an excellent hotel. My wife and I enjoyed our 3 night stay at Sensei very much. The service is truly outstanding, especially in the restaurant. You're greeted by name every time the wait staff comes by to take your order or check on your meal. Our previous breakfast beverage selections were remembered on subsequent visits. Food came out promptly and was tasty. Bell staff, housekeeping, and the front desk crew all genuinely seemed to enjoy what they do. Everyone felt very genuine in their interactions, and the service lacked the pretentious undertone that's often found at luxury hotels in this class. I would highly recommend renting the Jeep. This allows you to see some of the more far flung areas of the island like Shipwreck Beach and Garden of the Gods, and also gives you the opportunity to visit the cat sanctuary, which you should absolutely do if you get a chance. The vehicles are in remarkably good condition for the abuse they take on the 4x4 trails around the island. The Onsen tubs are perfect and a wonderful way to relax after a day of exploring the island. We were mostly using the resort as a launching place to explore Lanai as opposed to the wellness angle that other guests chose, so I can't comment on that aspect of the hotel as much. Our room was well appointed, very clean, and comfortable, if a bit lacking in any Hawaiian or Japanese decor. I think this is the only hotel room I've ever stayed at that has had an Apple TV, which was very much appreciated! It felt like home to some extent. Small suggestions and feedback - I'd run the shuttle between the resorts every half hour instead of every hour, at least during meal times when you have less control over when you finish up or aren't sure how long you want to linger with a bottle of wine. We had finished dinner at Osteria Mozza at 20 past the hour and had to wait 40 minutes for a shuttle to take us back. That felt a bit long when we were ready to just head back to our room and retire for the night. The shuttles we were on departed very close to capacity as well, implying there is some demand for extra service at times. I'd also ask for a room on the second floor. Being on the first floor, footsteps traveled pretty clearly from above and made sleep a little difficult. Overall though, if you are looking to splurge and want to visit an island on Hawaii that not many people have an opportunity to see, Sensei is an excellent choice.

The resort is absolutely marvelous on every level. We have been to many world class destinations and don’t impress easily, but Sensei really left a strong positive mark for us. I don’t want to repeat everything that’s been already said here - all the positives are true! From landscaping, to...

The resort is absolutely marvelous on every level. We have been to many world class destinations and don’t impress easily, but Sensei really left a strong positive mark for us. I don’t want to repeat everything that’s been already said here - all the positives are true! From landscaping, to rooms, to services, to dining - everything is outstanding! I want to focus on a few specific suggestions for the resort and the travelers: - We were in room 263 and highly recommend it. It’s on the second floor, very quiet remote section, beautiful view. You can’t go wrong with any of the rooms, but generally I’d recommend getting a second floor if you want more privacy. - Not only is the laundry complimentary and very quick, but they also offer shoe cleaning service! If you do any hiking or running out in the mud, this is such a great perk! We had clothes washed daily and several shoe cleanings. What I really loved is that there is no plastic involved - they bring the clothes in a basket, beautifully folded and covered with a soft cloth - Make a plan ahead of time. Find the activities calendar on their website and make your own plan of which classes you want to take. Unless you have one of the upgraded packages, they won’t let you book the classes before arrival, but it will really save you time when you do arrive. Just give them your list and you’re all set. All classes had plenty of availability and they are great! - Go to the town! It’s super close, it starts almost around the corner from the resort. There are a few stores and it’s fun to look around. - Definitely do the hike. The views are magnificent and every day is different! The trailhead starts at the activity park which is a 2-3 minute walk from the lobby. You really don’t need the guided hike tour ($75 per person) unless you’re looking for company and perhaps hearing some stories (I assume). You can go by yourselves for free. The trail is well marked. There are both uphill and downhill sections and some can be a bit slippery, so be careful. - If you’re a tea drinker, at breakfast just ask for hot water (free) and bring a tea bag from the room. Otherwise they charge $12 for a small pot of tea. - If you’re a runner like we are, outdoor running spaces are great! You can run to and around the town, back to the resort, around the stables and through the adventure park which is to get 3-5 miles and more! - Go see the goats at the farm across the resort! They are adorable and you can feed them with little pine sticks from the ground. The funniest and most friendly goats I’ve met! If you do the horseback riding, which I recommend, you’ll see them at the farm. But either way, walk over or ask for a ride and go check them out! - The beach trip is worth it at least once while you’re there, but you will be happy to come back to the cooler weather, peace and quiet. Don’t worry about getting chairs and umbrella at the beach - they keep adding them as people come. However, you will be sat right next to other people which may have children and it may be annoying. We brought earplugs and made it. There were beautiful dolphins resting offshore super close! The water is warm, the sand is soft and deep. There are rocks just after you get in, when you are about hip deep. If you go towards the left side of the beach, there are fewer rocks. - Take advantages of the onsens - these are the 10 hot pools, each very private, set around the garden. You have a little sign you can change on them to say occupied! The water is around 101-103F. These are no natural springs - the water is heated, but it’s super nice! - Get creative at the Nobu restaurant especially if you’re vegan - they can veganize literally any dish and they do it very well! We were lucky to have met a visiting manager by the name of Francesca - she was there a few days and was impressive!! Expect to run at around $200 per dinner for 2 people if you each have a glass of wine. OR get yourself a bottle of wine from the town’s store and walk to dinner with a full glass from your room! The bottle costs as much as a glass of wine. For breakfast, it’s typical to run around $130 for 2. A dirty martini with house vodka at the bar is $26. - The hales are beautiful and very worth trying. Important to know that if you book an actual hale, you get a wooden soaking tub ready with bath salts and a plate of fruits for snacking. If you have a treatment you get to stay in the hale for 30 min after, but you get neither of those. You still have the hot and cold pools outside of course. Also be mindful that the 30 min of hale time after your treatment are more like 20 min because any time taken between the end of the treatment and when the employees step out, counts towards the 30 min. If your treatment starts, say, 5 min late, then you will have 5 min less of hale time. - If you’re taking a meditation or relaxation class, most instructors have policies in place to wake up snorers. The instructor of the Sound Journey class, however, encouraged snoring and I had a very annoying super loud snorer next to me. That was not the “sound” journey I came for. I couldn’t enjoy the class because of that. I ended up moving but overall it ruined the experience. From that time onward, I brought earplugs with me just in case. - You have an iPad in the room for communication with the hotel and you should also download the resort app. The front desk are amazing at responding very promptly. The iPad however can be glitchy. If you’re not getting responses, save to assume it’s the iPad and not the staff. Ours froze and while requests were being immediately fulfilled, we stopped getting responses. I reported it and they sent a technician to fix it. The phone app and the iPad in the room do not appear to synchronize, so you can have different conversations going on in each platform, A recommendation for the hotel: Please consider banning the use of cell phones on the property for talking and playing anything with volume. The only unpleasant experiences we had involved inconsiderate cell phone yappers. One was a man who decided to hold a loud conversation at breakfast by the outdoor seats of the restaurant, ruining the morning peace and quiet. Our neighbor downstairs had a full on business conference call on speaker on the balcony where the whole yard had to listen to him. Then a very rude elderly lady by the pool whipped out her phone for a series of video calls on speaker. And another man at the pool on a different occasion was literally walking up and down yapping on his phone. Without proper policies and enforcement of those policies in place, people with main character syndrome will continue to produce noise pollution. Please do the right thing and make a cell phone policy that guests have to sign. Fantastic resort and thanks to all the wonderful employees who made our experience stellar!

Just got back from a week here and it was total paradise! This is a very special property! The layout is wonderful, it has a nice boutique feel, yet still luxurious. The grounds are also exceptional. Service was top notch, attentive, yet warm and friendly. Our suite was also tastefully...

Just got back from a week here and it was total paradise! This is a very special property! The layout is wonderful, it has a nice boutique feel, yet still luxurious. The grounds are also exceptional. Service was top notch, attentive, yet warm and friendly. Our suite was also tastefully designed and super comfortable, quiet, with a pretty garden view. We will be back for sure!

I recently stayed at the hotel and I feel so compelled to share my experience of booking Watsu with Liran Ozeri whom which is a practitioner at the hotel. Life changing.... After a long and grueling journey with breast cancer—three major breast surgeries including a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, removal...

I recently stayed at the hotel and I feel so compelled to share my experience of booking Watsu with Liran Ozeri whom which is a practitioner at the hotel. Life changing.... After a long and grueling journey with breast cancer—three major breast surgeries including a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, removal of my ovaries, and years on cancer drugs—my body felt battered. Yet it was my emotional and spiritual state that bore the heaviest scars. I tried therapy, mindfulness, and every tool I could think of, yet I couldn’t seem to get beyond the finish line—until my trip to Lanai, Hawaii. On September 28, 2025, I was “carried out of battle” by an extraordinary Watsu and Reiki practitioner named Liran Ozeri. I had never heard of Watsu. It was offered at the Sensei Resort, and another guest told me she had “seen God” during her session with Liran. I thought, Sign me up. What happened during those 90 minutes with Lorin is something I will never forget. Without needing to share every detail, I can say this: Liran carried me to the other side of my trauma. For that last 2 years I’d been so close to emotional freedom but couldn’t quite reach it. Liran’s gentle, spiritual energy led me into a meditative state deeper than anything I’d ever experienced. As I said to him afterward, “I felt like a soldier, wounded and unable to move—you came to me, carried me out of the war zone, and now I’m safe.” When I emerged from that space, I sobbed. Not from pain, but from relief. For the first time, I believed—I am okay. I am going to be okay. I heard, in the quiet sound of my heart, a voice whispered, “You’re healthy. You’re good. Believe in your beautiful life.” I’ve never been able to meditate on my own. I didn’t expect this. But the energy that moved through me in that water was overwhelming, unforgettable. And if you’re reading this, perhaps it’s because you’re meant to find Liran as I did. We all carry trauma—large or small. And even if you simply want to feel your spirit rise and set sail in a new way, I don’t just recommend Liran; I implore you, human to human, to give this gift to yourself. If everyone on this planet could experience the 90 minutes I shared with Liran, I truly believe the soul of the world would be transformed. Dear Liran, I will never forget you or the healing you brought to my heart as we moved together through the water of life. Because of you, I’ve released my chapter with breast cancer and stepped fully into my next one. You carried me through.

My husband and I wanted to celebrate our 20th anniversary in a place that would be restorative and nourishing! Sensei Lanai was exactly that. It was so calming, quiet and beautiful. We took a class daily, rented a jeep and drove to Polihua beach (very intense but the only ones...

My husband and I wanted to celebrate our 20th anniversary in a place that would be restorative and nourishing! Sensei Lanai was exactly that. It was so calming, quiet and beautiful. We took a class daily, rented a jeep and drove to Polihua beach (very intense but the only ones at the beach the whole 3 hours), went snorkeling on the catamaran and had spa treatments. I was so excited to do the Aquatic bodywork with Liran because of the reviews but it was even better than I expected. It’s like a full body treatment, nervous system reset in a private pool. Highly recommend that treatment and extra Hale time! We stayed 6 days and are leaving better, refreshed versions of ourselves

My wife and I recently spent five nights and six days at the Sensei Lanai. If you are seeking a non-touristy, more authentic Hawaiian visit with maximum peace, quiet, and privacy -- Sensei Lanai is for you. I only have really gripe about the trip which I will detail below....

My wife and I recently spent five nights and six days at the Sensei Lanai. If you are seeking a non-touristy, more authentic Hawaiian visit with maximum peace, quiet, and privacy -- Sensei Lanai is for you. I only have really gripe about the trip which I will detail below. Travel to Lanai is a bit involved, especially if you do not have direct flights to Honolulu -- Austin no longer does. When you land in Honolulu, you are greeted at baggage claim by a gentleman who takes your luggage to a luxury SUV where a driver meets you and takes you to the Lanai Air hanger nearby. This is all included in your room rate and was a seamless transaction. It was first class service. Then, you take a roughly 20-min flight on a Pilatus PC-12 to Lanai. Sit on the left side on the way there for views of Waikiki, Diamondhead, and later Maui (and maybe Molokai). The resort then picks you up from the airport and transports you the 15min to the hotel; we had a private Tesla SUV with a friendly locally raised driver. My only gripe regarding the entire trip came next. The greeting at the hotel was very nice with leis given to myself and my wife and a welcome drink (kombucha). Our luggage was taken up to our room. But, I had tried for weeks beforehand unsuccessfully to hammer out all the details for our activities and spa treatments for our five day visit. Our dinners and most activities were set, but I still didn't feel that the spa treatments had been properly nailed down. I had done all this via email with the Sensei Experiences staff. On other vacations at Rosewoods, St. Regis, One & Only, etc., I have typically had rather responsive concierge services that quickly set up meals and activities with minimal back and forth. For this trip, I felt there were often delays of several days before I would hear back and for the spa treatments, we had a lot of back and forth due to duration of treatment or gender of therapist not being readily available. Anyway, we had to spend nearly an hour after arriving setting all of this up and moving around some other meals and activities. Our Experiences concierge was friendly and knowledgeable, but I just wish all of this had been taken care of ahead of time so you can arrive and immediately enjoy the resort. Due to the time difference between Texas and Hawaii and the fact that they use staff both locally and on the West Coast to manage these reservations, attempting to communicate with and arrange these activities beforehand felt a bit clumsy and cumbersome. It was really my only complaint of the trip. We had a Deluxe Room. I think it's a tad bigger and maybe on an upper floor. I thought this was afford a better view, but the resort is so densely vegetated that it didn't really matter. The extra space was nice, but I think the base room would be perfect, too. The room decor was classic Four Seasons. Classy and modern, but fairly nondescript. I would have loved some more local Hawaiian charm. The photos online accurately represent the rooms, but they don't feel very Hawaiian to me. Our bed was very comfortable, and we slept well. The Japanese toilet was amazing and appreciated. The bath goods were great. I could have done with a nicer shower head, and it seemed like we only had hot water. The rooms were kept very clean and housekeeping did a great job, although I wish they were able to time their visits a bit better when we were away for activities, etc. There were times we got back to the room and were surprised no one had visited in the interim. The TV has all sorts of streaming apps and we enjoyed watching a few shows in the evenings when we chose to relax in the room. The grounds of the hotel are phenomenal and 10 out of 10. The landscaping is lush and beautiful. You will take lots of photos, but none of them do it justice. There are 1000's of plants and countless trails through the immaculate landscaping. There are impressive trees, flowers, and modern art throughout the grounds. It is the type of place you could never leave and be happy. In addition, there is an enormous pool which blends perfectly into the landscape. The neatest part about the pool is that there are several places around it where you can sit on lounge chairs that are on very private little platforms basically in the jungle landscape. You have a view of the pool, but do not really see your neighbors. It's very private. Also, even when in the pool, you are never typically closer than 100' to another visitor. The service staff at the pool set you up in loungers with towels and seat covers. They were very friendly and generally responsive. There is a little bit of an "island time" sensibility compared to some other resorts, but I was fine with that. In addition, the grounds have yoga studio, a gym (very nice gym, but mostly machines, dumbbells, and cardio machines -- difficult to do any barbell work, but this is typical for hotels), a collection of onsens (natural hot tubs), and spa hales (smaller buildings for your spa treatments). We visited the onsens one night and they are very nice and do not seem to be used that often by guests. Again, privacy at a premium. We also visited a hale during our spa visit. They are very nice and include a full bath, a steam shower, an infrared sauna, a soaking tub, a seating area, tables for your treatments, an outdoor rain shower, an outdoor hot tub, and an outdoor cold plunge. You receive 20-30min in the hale after your massages, which is a bit rushed. You can reserve more I believe for roughly $220/hr/person. We originally planned to get a second massage and add some "hale time," but later cancelled it. The massages and hale time were both very nice, albeit very expensive. A massage for two will basically cost the same as a room for the night. We ate breakfast every day at Sensei by Nobu and had 2-3 dinners there. The food was fantastic. We ate at the traditional Nobu at the beach resort one night and greatly preferred the Sensei location. Again, even when there were other guests, you are spaced out so nicely and the general ambiance is silence and privacy. You are always relaxed at Sensei. Our dinner at the beach resort was much louder and felt more like a traditional restaurant. We were anxious to get back to Sensei afterwards. We also ate once at the Garden Bar, which is basically the bar restaurant and is a similar to what's offered poolside and in-room. This food was fine, but we didn't like it nearly as much as the nicer Sensei restaurant. For activities, we did horseback riding, a full-day Jeep rental, hiked the Koiliki Ridge, and went and spent a morning at the beach by the beach resort. We also went into town a few times for lunches. Horseback riding was OK and mostly for my wife. It was a fairly slow trail ride. The scenery outside the resort can be unremarkable at times, but there was a great payoff at the highest point where we had a beautful view of Maui. There were also some interesting pine groves we went through during the ride. If you are pinched for time, I would skip it. If you have a longer trip, go for it. The hike was very nice. We are big hikers. I would say it's a moderate hike and requires some base fitness level and familiarity with hiking. There are some decent inclines and declines and your HR will get up a bit. It's mostly shaded and the viewpoint at the very end was amazing. It was just under 2 hours for us, but I would budget 2.5 for most people. You can also do this with a guide. The jeep rental was my favorite activity. You can also do a guided Jeep tour. I don't know how long that is or where they take you, but I wanted the flexibility to go wherever I wanted and to move along at my own pace. It allowed us to basically see the whole island. We basically took all of the allowed and recommended roadways on the island. Each of these little excursions takes 2-3 hours each because the roads can get rather rough and require you to drive slowly and deliberately. If you can only take one of these journeys, I would do the Kaunolu Fishing Village. You need to have some comfort driving a Jeep on a very rough, rocky road with some steep climbs and descents. The view as you descend is gorgeous and the sites down at the end are fabulous. There is also a little historical hike you can take. We finished that trip with a quick stop at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary which is a neat, quirky cat refuge with over 700 cats. My second recommendation would be going down to Shipwreck Beach. If you're short on time or uncomfortable driving rough roads, this should probably be your first and maybe only excursion. Almost the entire road down is paved and the road along the coast is fairly flat and straightforward. We also went down to Keomuku where you can see some historical sites from an old village and sugar plantation. Further down, there is a pretty little beach at Lopa that we had all to ourselves. It's nice, but it's a looong drive to get down there. I wouldn't say it was worth the drive necessarily, unless you're just committed to seeing the whole island like we were. The last excursion we took was to the Garden of the Gods, which was neat, and then we started driving down to Polihua Beach. This was our first excursion of the three, and we were still a little unsure with the Jeep's capabilities, etc. We got about halfway down to the beach to find another Jeep turning around. This made us a bit nervous, and the driver had a different map that prohibited driving all the way down to the beach. We ended up turning around, too. I later found out that they had rented their Jeep from a private owner who didn't want his clients driving down there. I don't think it was any harder than the drive we later did to the Fishing Village. I wish we could have gone back and done it again. Based on photos, the beach at the end is one of the better beaches on the island (although I'm not sure how safe it is to swim), and you likely have it to yourself. In town, we ate a lunch at Ganotisi's (recommended by most locals). We loved their iced tea and the Korean Chicken was pretty good (although it's pretty heavy). We also ate twice at the gas station deli. Their italian sandwich is one of the best I've had. It was nice to take a break from eating at the hotel and support some local businesses. We also stopped briefly in the Lanai Heritage Center which was pretty cool, free, and informative. Our last day, we went down to the other Four Seasons at the beach. We got chairs and spent a few hours down there. The waves are pretty intense. It was a beautiful setting, and we finally gained enough courage to fight past the shorebreak and swim a bit. The water felt great, but you have to be pretty focused and engaged the whole time you're swimming. The waves are no joke! Food and service at the beach was fantastic. There is a free hourly shuttle running between the hotels, which we used. I would wholeheartedly recommend Sensei Lanai to anyone looking for a wellness vacation where you are prioritizing peace, quiet, calm, privacy, and relaxation. Every day spent there honestly felt like two full days, and we did not want to leave even after almost a whole week there. I hope you have found this review helpful.

My husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary at the Four Seasons Sensei last month, and it was a perfect trip. From the flight on the tiny plane from Honolulu to Lanai, to the welcoming arrival at the resort, to every day spent in peace and tranquillity, it was...

My husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary at the Four Seasons Sensei last month, and it was a perfect trip. From the flight on the tiny plane from Honolulu to Lanai, to the welcoming arrival at the resort, to every day spent in peace and tranquillity, it was just a perfect experience. The resort itself is stunning as far as the architecture and landscaping. We loved all the artwork around every turn - outdoor sculptures from artists around the globe, and beautiful paintings and small pieces inside the buildings. Nobu restaurant for breakfast every day - delicious, wonderful service. We rented a Jeep and drove all over the island, visiting Shipwreck Beach with a storm rolling in. We did a snorkel sail to a secluded cove, which was so much fun. We took the complimentary yoga classes every day, which were amazing. But mainly we relaxed. It was wonderful and we will be back.

The setting is like no other --the lush, peaceful gardens and landscaping embrace you in color, light and sound and fill your senses. The pool is stunningly gorgeous! Our favorite pool ever!! Many complimentary fitness & wellness classes are offered every day, and the staff are highly trained. There is...

The setting is like no other --the lush, peaceful gardens and landscaping embrace you in color, light and sound and fill your senses. The pool is stunningly gorgeous! Our favorite pool ever!! Many complimentary fitness & wellness classes are offered every day, and the staff are highly trained. There is an 18-hole putting course that is gorgeous and fun to play. The food at Sensei was delicious, offering healthy & comfort food options! The talented restaurant and kitchen staff were exceedingly kind & helpful when answering our many questions (our dietary requirements are a bit quirky). During our stay we enjoyed the following activities (most of which are complimentary): The Koloiki Ridge hike, rented a Jeep for the day ($), took a class or 2 nearly every day, Taco Tuesday at Lanai City Grill with great music ($), 2 free golf clinics, golf lessons with Sam ($), Mini Manele (at Manele Golf Course – on Wednesday afternoons -they transform the driving range into a mini 6 hole course – overlooking the ocean), putting course (the front desk provide the putters and golf balls), Onsen Gardens, restorative aquatics, circuit training, sound journey, Core workout, mindfulness classes, ranch walk and more. Enjoyed the pool every single day! Additionally, as Sensei guests – we could take the shuttle to the Beach resort and enjoy the beach/ocean plus participate in some of the complimentary activities offered there – like the 30 minute golf clinics at Manele Golf Course, a Concert at the Ocean Theater (the indie band Guster performed– which was fabulous) plus we went to the Observatory ($50pp) and we were able to view Saturn!! We enjoyed the live music in the lobby area on Friday and Saturday (after the concert). Even though we enjoyed many activities there – we were so happy to come back “home” to Sensei. A wonderful sense of camaraderie exists among the guests, united by the shared delight of having chosen Lanai Sensei. We originally had planned to stay at both properties – but decided to stay at Sensei the entire time. The room: Our room, a deluxe Koele king, offered stunning vistas of the sunset and the ranch, with views of the horses and miniature horses. The provided shampoo, lotion, and conditioner were disappointing—quite drying, in fact—so it’s best to bring your own. A delightful touch awaited us on many occasions: upon returning to our room, we’d find a beautifully arranged fruit plate or a tray of vegetables and hummus set out for us. Each member of the staff provided attentive and considerate service, with many individuals making exceptional efforts to ensure our stay was memorable. We are profoundly grateful to all of you!! Lanai stands out for its calm and relaxed atmosphere, offering a slower pace compared to the busier Hawaiian Islands. Simplicity and peace are at the heart of Lanai’s charm, and the experience stays with you after you leave.

Beautiful resort. Amazing service (especially the kind lady at the bar in the mornings, I think her name is Erica!). Great activities included, shuttle to the beach etc and laundry. So serene

Love it. Perfection. The takeaway was the people we met. 100% genuine and lively. Bowe set the tone with first class service upon arrival at the airport. The others who did an excellent job were the two Nancy’s at Nobu, Crystal, Mikalaya en the girl from Hungary at the pool,...

Love it. Perfection. The takeaway was the people we met. 100% genuine and lively. Bowe set the tone with first class service upon arrival at the airport. The others who did an excellent job were the two Nancy’s at Nobu, Crystal, Mikalaya en the girl from Hungary at the pool, Arlene, Sandy, Mrs Espy, Christy (pastry chef), the gentleman who drove us to the airport for departure, even the gardeners .. everyone here has a smile and really caters to you. We had a very special anniversary here and it was 100% enjoyable. By comparison we went to Manele Bay for a beach trip, and the staff was less than impressive. We were so happy to come back and enjoy the people we knew and grew to love. Outstanding team and all deserving of recognition.

It’s a 10 out of 10 -Location in one of the most beautiful islands in Hawaii -Ease of travel since the resort provides a complimentary Welcome Agent at baggage claim, chauffeur driven Escalade to the regional airport 10 minutes away, then, a 19 seat private jet for the 30 minute...

It’s a 10 out of 10 -Location in one of the most beautiful islands in Hawaii -Ease of travel since the resort provides a complimentary Welcome Agent at baggage claim, chauffeur driven Escalade to the regional airport 10 minutes away, then, a 19 seat private jet for the 30 minute flight to Lanai. No where else can you go to such a stunning resort with such relative ease! -Property-OMG it’s like waking into the most stunningly decorated hotel in the world. Each and every element is curated by the Designer who has to be one of the best in the world. This resort should be in Architectural Digest/Conde Nast Traveller BUT would need the entire magazine to be dedicated to the Sensei. When you enter, the Fine Art, architecture, symmetry, furnishings, quality of each and every design element is par excellence. -Fine Art, Jeff Koons, Botero, Hirst, too many to name. The owner has to own one of the best hotel collections of art in the world (and I’ve been to Chateau Lacoste in Provence!) -Staff-OMG again. One can’t explain how the employees are at the top of their fields. -Rooms-can you say “Toto” top of the line toilets in every room AND in most bathrooms throughout the resort (spa, gym, rest rooms etc…that’s millions in just toilets (lol). The beds are Four Seasons of course, the veranda was beautiful, the Electronics in the room from the room darkening shades to the lighting to the Grasscloth wallpaper, cream wood flooring (and ceiling!) amenities to the hilt as well. Spa-This resort has to have the most well trained top 1% of the worlds practitioners. Eric and Linda OMG. The treatments are special and unique -

My husband and I recently spent a week at the Sensei. The resort is beautiful, the spa hale is a must and the food was great…The one thing we had an issue with is the front desk staff. I did not find them to be friendly or helpful. In general...

My husband and I recently spent a week at the Sensei. The resort is beautiful, the spa hale is a must and the food was great…The one thing we had an issue with is the front desk staff. I did not find them to be friendly or helpful. In general they were slow to even acknowledge your presence. Sadly one of the last interactions with the Sensei staff was with Lavenda. She seemed bothered by my presence as if I was interrupting her. She is not knowledgeable, as she had to defer to others regarding several of my questions.