In a way, there’s nothing easier than finding lodging on Lanai. The island is tiny, and there are approximately a half-dozen places to stay, most of them in the main town. However, with only a halfdozen establishments (about 350 rooms) to choose from, it goes without saying that options are somewhat limited.

They are not as limited as one might think, though. The former Pineapple Isle has its five-star resorts, its charming country-style inns, its campgrounds and its private guest homes. The difference is that while Maui or Kauai has dozens of each place to choose from, Lanai only has one of each. Prices also tend to be fairly high, though it is possible to find rooms for less than $100. It’s also possible to find, on the other end of the spectrum, rooms that total
out at a whopping $600 per night.

Honeymooners, millionaires, golf pros and other people who want nothing but the best flock to the new Manele Bay Hotel. In the few years that it has been in existence, the hotel has managed to gain a loyal following among the wealthy and privileged. Its location has something to do with the popularity the hotel sits in secluded splendor on one of the world’s top beaches. Top-notch amenities and services, including tennis courts, gourmet restaurants, a modern conference center and a full-service wedding center, satisfy any demand or special occasion. The rooms are comfortable and stylish, decorated with original artworks.

The Challenge at Manele is consistently rated among the nation’s top golf courses, while the adjacent Spa at Manele offers everything from oceanfront shiatsu massage to full-body seaweed salt wraps. Since the island is so small, the hotel operates its own tours and activities.

The Lodge at Koele is Manele Bay’s sister property; everything that can’t be found at one hotel can probably be found at the other. Manele Bay is on the beach; the Lodge is upcountry. The fireplaces in the master suites are for more than just show; they come in handy on cold winter nights. Plush furniture and cozily elegant decorations make the guestrooms ideal for lounging about, napping and relaxing.

Just like its sister property, Koele has its own world-class championship golf course. It also has award-winning restaurants and a full-service spa. However, while guests of Manele Bay might enjoy snorkeling or swimming just outside the property, guests of Koele can opt for trail hiking, horseback riding or even hunting. The most popular trail in Lanai starts just a few hundred yards behind the resort.

The inception of Lanai’s two mega-resorts marked a major shift in the island economy. Before they were built, Lanai was literally a giant pineapple field. Any guests of the island (most of them friends of the Dole family) stayed at tiny Hotel Lanai, located in similarly tiny Lanai City. Hawaii residents and tourists on a budget often choose Hotel Lanai over either of the two major resorts. It costs approximately one-third the price, and offers the same access to island activities. Eco-adventure tours and Hummer rentals can be arranged through the front desk. Henry Clay’s Rotisserie, located onsite, is a favorite hang-out spot.

Hotel Lanai offers nothing whatsoever in the way of room amenities or guest services, but the rooms are clean, pleasant and cheerful. The hotel exterior and the grounds are well maintained. Visitors who want a laid-back, ultra-peaceful vacation with some authentic island flavor will enjoy this hotel quite a bit.

Around the same price range as Hotel Lanai is charming Dreams Come True, Lanai City’s token bed and breakfast. The property has two guest rooms and a guesthouse. It makes some concessions to modern times: the living room has cable TV, and a roving CMT is available for therapeutic massage.

There are also a couple of vacation rentals scattered around town. Hale O Lanai and Lanai Hui Captain’s Retreat are appropriate for family groups. Hale is a two-bedroom; the Retreat is a threebedroom. Both properties rent by the unit, not by the room. Anyone looking for a specific kind of rental other than the two mentioned above should call Okamoto Realty, the island’s friendly real estate broker. Almost all island vacation rentals, not to mention long-term rentals and real estate, are handled through Okamoto Realty. It’s possible to find a rental that will cost less than $75 per person this way.

The least expensive accommodation choice on the island is not for everyone. Tent camping is available on Hulopoe Bay Campgrounds for $5 per person. There are no cabins, and facilities are limited to outdoor showers, bathrooms and a barbecue area. However, camping in Hawaii is not like camping anywhere else in the world. The air is balmy, the sand is soft and, other than mosquitoes, no creatures come around in the night to disturb the peace. As far as shoestring travel goes, it doesn’t get much better.

At present, these are the only lodging choices in Lanai. For up to the minute information, it’s best to contact the Hawaii Convention & Visitor’s Bureau at (808) 464-2924. There is no local Visitor’s Bureau office yet.

That will all change soon, though. Sometime in the next 20 years, locals predict that Lanai’s pace will speed up, that its population will grow exponentially, and the place now nicknamed the Private Island will become the next Maui (while Maui becomes the next Honolulu). The dirt roads will be paved over, national chains will replace the neighborhood stores, and the private beaches will be dotted with hotels. Condos will spring up all over, and expatriates will open B&Bs by the dozen.