Where Do Hawaii Residents Vacation?

Being I live in paradise, I am often asked by my clients where I go for vacations. It largely depends on the time of year. As it is currently winter weather in the northern hemisphere, which is where we normally travel to for family and friends, the allure is not so strong right now.

Each Hawaiian Island Has its Own Allure

When we want a mini vacation or soul rejuvenation, my husband and I take shorter trips throughout the islands. Each Hawaiian island is so unique and has its own allure (the grass is always greener). I thought it may be of interest to share our most recent golf getaway…

We flew from Kona to Maui on Valentine’s Day on a commuter 8 seat prop plan with Mokulele airlines (which I love because you get to skip the whole pat down TWA affair; a terrifying experience!) 

We headed across the island to Lahaina in time to lunch at the historic Lahaina Inn and then caught the Expedition ferry to Lanai; a 45 minute whale watching adventure this time of year. We were met by the Four Seasons shuttle bus at the docks on Lanai. (No need for a rental car on this island as the hotels provide shuttle anywhere you would want to go…except off road pig hunting (not my thing).

The Island of Lanai Offers Beautiful Golf Courses & Places to Vacation

The Koele Lodge and the Manele Bay Hotel are both Four Seasons properties but total opposites. They offer beautiful settings, views, golf course, and place to vacation, and each gives you a different but memorable experience.

The Koele Lodge

The Koele Lodge is lodge-style with wrap around verandas, green houses, afternoon teas, and billiard rooms. It is surrounded by sprawling lawns, Cook Pines, Ficus, Eucalyptus, and Koa trees and….an 18 hole putting green!

We chose the 20 minute uphill drive to the Koele Lodge for some higher elevation, cool air, and this gorgeous golf course!

The Experience is one of the two golf courses on the island and is, in my opinion, the most beautiful; although the 200 foot drop on the 17^th hole is the real reason we chose to play this course.

The Manele Bay Hotel

The Manele Bay Hotel is on the waters edge, very modern and all you would expect of any Four Seasons property with the glitz and glamour, water features, oceanfront pools, and Pacific Ocean views complete with whales and dolphins and The Challenge golf course.

That challenge will have to wait til next time…

A hui hou!