Thursday, August 30, 2012

What Is Value Luxury? Everyone's luxury travel is different. Including yours. Just as no two people




Some destinations are just built for relaxing, such as the island of Lanai, one of the smaller and much quieter of the Hawaiian Islands.  With just one gas station, two grocery stores, three main hotels, and not even one stop light, Lanai forces one to just chill.
On the way to Lanai, the woman we sat next to on the plane asked, how long are you in Lanai? A week, we responded.  Oh, that will feel like two or three weeks , she laughed.  There are probably at least 28 ways to relax in Lanai here, but once you're here, you'll realize holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor that counting doesn't matter. Here are some ideas to get you started.
A boat ride off the Lanai shore is a fantastic way to get some perspective on the gorgeous Lanai shore and take the opportunity for an ocean swim.  The only boat tour operator on the island, Trilogy , offers scuba, snuba (sort of a "scuba light" option), and wildlife-watching tours from Manele Bay.  Trilogy also offers a day sail from Maui to Lanai.
Many of the staff are locals who are happy to share lots of hospitality and stories about Lanai as you relax and watch the world go by, while enjoying complimentary soft drinks and snacks.  Value luxury indeed.
Lanai doesn't have any manufacturing on the island except holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor for produce from local gardens, which is used by the resorts.  But you can still enjoy one of Hawaii's best exports, Kona Brewing .  Kona beers are perfect to enjoy in the Hawaii weather – some personal favorites are the Castaway IPA or the Fire Rock Pale Ale, though if you're a lager or light beer fan, check out their Longboard Lager.
A great place for beer lovers is Pele's Other Garden , right in Lanai City, which has a huge draft beer selection, though most restaurants and the bars in the resorts holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor stock Kona – it's also on draft at the Fresco bar at the Four Seasons Manele Bay . Ahh, Liquid Aloha .
Lanai only has a handful of paved roads once you leave the tiny grid of streets in Lanai City.  You'll most likely be in a Jeep from Dollar Rentals, the only car rental shop on the island.  You'll want a jeep to help you navigate the bumpy dirt roads safely.  Garden of the Gods is one of the most popular spots for a drive, but make sure you continue on to Polihua Beach, one of the most picturesque on the island.
A further option is to hire a UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) from the Stables holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor at the Four Seasons Koele, operated by Lanai Grand Adventures.  You can opt for a driver or drive yourself and take the UTV up the Munroe Trail, to the highest point in Lanai.  This trail can be very wet and slippery, and somewhat dangerous, so if you're holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor a bit unsure, please enjoy the scenery and let a local drive.
Despite the lack of hustle-bustle on Lanai, there is one option for coffee shop-style relaxing and that's at Coffeworks , located in Lanai City just off the main Dole Square.  Originally from Honolulu, you'll find their award-winning iced coffees and other treats the perfect complement to the shop's outdoor front deck, and prices are quite reasonable. holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor Another option is to grab coffees topped off by pastries holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor from neighboring Blue Ginger Café – their cinnamon rolls are to die for – and find a spot around Dole Square to sit and enjoy.
I personally find walks and hikes to be physically and mentally restorative, and even when it's a long or strenuous hike, I find it to be a relaxing activity.  The highest and perhaps most strenuous trail on the island is the Munroe Trail.  Named after New Zealander George Munro, whose introduction of Cook pine trees had a dramatic impact to the island, the trail can be done as combination of hike, bike, or drive, but make sure to get out of the vehicle and do a bit of exploring – the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele makes for a good base to do a short day hike.
Seaside hiking is also an option from the Four Seasons Manele Bay – consider holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor the short walk out to Sweetheart Rock , where you'll have the opportunity to climb down into secluded beaches or just walk amongst the rocks and have a close look at the marine holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor life.
There are literally zero amenities holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor on the island with exception of Lanai City and the two Four Seasons.   Be sure to take water with you, as well as food if you plan on being out all day. Mobile phone service is spotty but I do suggest you carry a phone with you, as well as the phone number of your hotel, just in case.
If you would have told me that sitting in the lobby of the Four Seasons, singing and playing the ukulele, would be fun and relaxing, I would have laughed at you.  But an hour and a half later, after spending time with the Lodge at Koele's "Aunty Irene," I'm hooked.  Irene is part of the hotel's ho'okipa program which promotes holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor awareness holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor of traditional Hawaiian culture. holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor You can learn the uke (surprisingly easy), make a lei (did you know there are 7 kinds?), or learn a bit of Hawaiian language. holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor This is free to guests of either Four Seasons property, but plan ahead.
For more background on the history of Lanai itself, pop into Lanai Cultural and Historic Center right on Dole Square – a small but informative set of galleries and well-informed staff are available holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor to answer any questions you might have.
The Challenge at Manele Bay , designed by Jack Nicklaus, is a jaw-dropping seaside course, where from the tee, players have to carry the ball across a sea cliff inlet to hit the fairway (see the photo as an example!).  It may sound hard, but it is worth visiting and having a look around just for the views alone, and there are tee boxes for every skill level from champion to amateur, so all are welcome.
While The Challenge is one of the most beautiful and most challenging golf courses in the world, you can also enjoy golf at The Experience at Koele, or if you're just not feeling it, enjoy a round of putt-putt golf at the Lodge – clubs and balls free at reception.
Back over at the Stables at Koele, if the UTV drive doesn't sound fun (or if the weather up on Lanai Hale is too inclement to drive), you can instead opt for a horse ride.  The Stables sit on a gorgeous stretch of property, and you'll have plenty of free space to roam and get acquainted with your new equine friend.  The Stables can accommodate guests of all skill levels – reservations holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor are needed.
Swimming is always refreshing – it's a great exercise and you can take it as hard or as easy as you'd like.  The ocean off the Lanai shore seems quite salty and sometimes a bit rough, but you'll find plenty holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor of swim opportunities at either of the Four Seasons,  as well as a swim at Manele Bay's beaches themselves.
Vacation is for pampering, and nothing feels more luxurious than a spa appointment.  We've talked about Hawaii's Lomi lomi being one of the best massages in the world , but there are plenty of other choices on Lanai.  The two Four Seasons resorts offer a large selection of spa treatments, including a couple of types of Lomi.   Make it an experience to remember and enjoy your massage at an Oceanside Hale at the Four Seasons Manele Bay (pictured above) – an inexpensive upgrade to feel the ocean breeze and hear the waves crashing over the cliff below.  I speak from experience – it is dreamy.
Perhaps one of my more unexpected favorites was all of the free live music available at both of the Four Seasons properties, as well as Lanai City's Hotel Lanai.  Each property has a rotating schedule of music events, sometimes for happy hour, other times until late, but always fantastic choices.  At Hotel Lanai on Friday nights, they have what they call " Friday Under the Stars ," which includes live music with your meal.  It's busy (at least in Lanai terms) with locals and travelers, so book a table so you get a good seat.
Last, but not least, is nothing. If you want to do nothing on vacation, Lanai certainly makes for a good choice.  Many hotel rooms here include their own balcony or sitting areas, as well as public terraces  – really, there's no excuse to plop down and just sit for a bit, with a book/kindle/iPad/journal/nothing. holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor Go put your toes in the sand somewhere. Head into Lanai City and sit in Dole Park, watching the world go by.  Sit by the pool, sit in the gardens, sit on the beach, lay in bed and listen to the breeze.  Sleep in, go to bed early, or both.
Editorial Disclosure : Our Visit Lanai series is sponsored in part by the Lanai Visitors Bureau and their travel partners we thank them for their support! The opinions reflected here are entirely the author s.
Andy Hayes is the managing editor of Sharing Travel Experiences . Featured in CNN, Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, National Geographic Traveler, and other major publications, he travels for up to seven weeks at a time and spends the other seven right here with you. Follow him on Twitter, @andrewghayes .
What Is Value Luxury? holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor Everyone's luxury travel is different. Including yours. Just as no two people are alike, neither are your best vacations. What you value and what you define as "affordable luxury travel" is individual.
The bottom line: It is your vacation. But as the value luxury travel experts, we have some ideas to help you decide the perfect budget-luxury holiday inn sunspree resorts bar harbor destinations, accommodation, attractions, food and drink your next trip.

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