Donna

We are considering Manele Bay hotel for a short stay; it is our last unexplored Hawaiian island. All we really need is sun, water, golf, and clean room to make us happy. How is service and food? Have heard widely divergent comments. Thanks for your time.

John

as Karl Marx once said "the needs of man are few" *W*

Gwen

Well, it's the second best place on Lanai (of the two resorts on the island!).
Kidding.
It is the second best on Lanai, but the Lodge at Koele is often rated the top resort in all of the islands, so that's no black eye against Manele Bay.
Haven't been there in several years, and have heard it's tailed off a bit with time, but based on your list of requirements, I can't imagine that it won't suit your needs. Beautiful, tranquil setting. Very quiet. Rooms are nice, spacious, but not as nice as the Four Seasons on the Big Island, for instance.
I'd recommend it to anyone interested in a quiet, well run island resort.

lcuy

Lanai has two big hotels: Manele and Koele Lodge. They are basically the same hotel - you can do room charges in either and enjoy the properties as you wish. Manele is on the ocean and has a nice beach for swimming and snorkeling, and a great golf course. The hotel is sort of Asian/Indonesian decor..lots of open lobbies, and paths to the rooms have fish ponds and lots of tropical plants. Service and food are wonderful, rooms are beautifully decorated. We like the ocean view rooms with the covered lanai. You can sit and watch for falling stars at night, as the lights on the beach turn off around 10 and there are no city lights coloring the sky.
Koele is more like an English hunting lodge...big timbered beams and panelling. They serve tea in the lobby in the afternoons, have a free mini golf course over little streams and bridges, and in the evenings there is free entertainment in the lobby. This hotel is up on the highest part of the island, so it is a bit cooler and sometimes misty at night. You can go horseback riding, play golf or sit on a rocking chair on the lanai. There are free shuttles between the two hotels. You can rent a Jeep and drive to shipwreck beach or just explore. Food and service are wonderful at both. Lanai is very quiet, but if you want a low key, elegant visit and need sun, water, golf and clean room, you will not be disappointed!

cath

ditto what lcuy said. We just spent a 3 day weekend at Manele Bay. Really enjoyed it, beautiful views on the golf course, lounged by the pool and watched spinner dolphins playing in the bay. Amazing dinner in the formal dining room at the Lodge (nb. men *must* wear a jacket), rented a jeep for a day but it was too wet to drive the ridge so we drove EVERYWHERE else!! All the locals we met were really friendly. So glad we didn't miss that island while we have the chance to go.