We are a couple in mid 30's that have booked 4 nites at Manele on Lanai in January. All travel mags rave about both. We are doing 4x4 pkg with several activities - will want to dive, golf, and see the whales! Any inside tips you can provide
Thanks

Aloha Kevin,

We(late 30's) love Lanai, we usually stay at the Lodge. If you are visiting any other islands while in Hawaii, I would change (if you can)resorts and stay at the Lodge.

Manele Bay is very similar in feel to other luxury Hawaii Resorts, on the other hand the Lodge is unique. After visiting other beach resorts on the other islands the change would be a wonderful contrast. It's a posh hunting lodge with large fireplaces, cozy nooks and wonderful Asian antiques. The rooms are beautifully decorated and roomy. The numerous gardens are varied and superbly maintained.

Lanai City with all of its Cook Pines isn't to be missed! Its very Hawaiian in feel. Great dives right off the
shores of the island (green turtles). January is a great time to see the Humpbacks.

Call the resort in advance and have them send brochures on the various activities you are interested in. Late January through end of February is a very popular vacation period, you might want to book your activities through the resort now so you won't miss out on the tours you most want to participate in.

We look forward to hearing your reviews on both resorts when you return. Whichever resort you choose both are sure to please!!!

Have a wonderful vacation.

Respectfully disagree. I've stayed at both the Lodge and Manele. The rooms at Manele are MUCH nicer, even larger. The Lodge can be a bit chilly for swimming in the pool or lazing about in the sun. What the Lodge is good for is: food -- both dinner and afternoon tea.
Of course, there is no beach or surf at the Lodge as it is inland and on a fairly high plain (hence occasional drizzle and unHawaiian temperatures).
I'd stay at Manele yet contrive to eat dinner often at the Lodge.

First of all, you are sure to have a fabulous time. My husband and I enjoyed Lanai immensely when we visited last year. The beach at Manele is fabulous; it could be the best beach in all of Hawaii. While there, the spinner dolphins came into the Bay and were looking for people to play with. What a sight!

Some comments. If you plan to rent a jeep, do so in advance. We made our reservations the day before and had to take one without air-conditioning -- big mistake. We couldn't wait to get back to jump in the pool!

The dinner we had at the Lodge's Formal Dining Room was wonderful. My husband considers the venison to be the best he has ever had.

Be forewarned. It can be costly on Lanai. I know people always say Hawaii is expensive. Having visited a number of times, I can understand why one might think so; perhaps because we live in NY, we had never found that to be the case. But, I must note that, by far, we spent more money on meals on Lanai than on any other island.

Finally, with apologies to gp, I think you made a great choice with Manele. We stayed at Manele and were glad to have done so. While the Lodge is lovely, and we spent some evenings there, I was happy our days were at the beach. A couple from LA we met on the plane ride over booked their first two nights at Manele and the next two at the Lodge. When we ran into them a couple of days later, they told us they preferred Manele and were disappointed in having moved locations. While I cannot remember all of their reasons, I do recall they noted that the rooms at Manele were much larger. They felt like we did - the Lodge was a nice place to visit, but Manele was a better place to stay.

Nevertheless, it is my understanding that if you wish to switch hotels after you arrive, you can do so if rooms are available.

Hi Kevin:

We love the intimate feel of the Lodge, and listening to live jazz at night in the main hall while curled up on a comfy couch next to the fireplace. So we stay at the Lodge. We are avid mountain bikers and enjoy the trails near there. Since here's a free shuttle between both hotels, we spend time at Manele Bay, and enjoy poolside at both locations.
Dinner at the Lodge is fabulous, and dinner at the formal restaurant at Manele is an out-of-this world excess of riches,too. Stay where you wish; either way, you will have your cake (sprinkled with gold leaf) and eat it too.
Mele Kalikimaka!

Kat and kt: Were you impressed and pleased with the food at Manele as well? Also, did you happen to notice if the room service menu had an interesting and varied list of main courses or was it more run-of-the-mill? Thanks!

Bob -- the food at Manele is superb. It's just that The Lodge has the best cuisine in all the islands. However, that holds true only at dinner in the Dining Room. I found breakfast and lunch to be much better at Manele. Room service at Manele is likewise superb with many tasty choices.

Thanks, Kat -- am looking forward to going there very much, indeed! I also agree with you about the Lodge vs. Manele: I most emphatically do NOT go to Hawaii to stay hidden up in the mountains away from the beautiful ocean, no matter how beautiful the Lodge may be!!

To all:

If we were coming from the mainland in January, we'd surely stay at Manele. But for us sun baked island folks, the mountain is a nice contrast.
A hui hou!
-k

Bob - Sorry for the delay. The food at Manele was good, but not as distinctive as at the Lodge. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the room service menu, one way or another. I only ordered breakfast from that menu.
Have fun on your trip!

Hello Kevin,
I spent my honeymoon at Manele Bay. Trust me it is the place to stay. Go to the Lodge for dinner. The food there is wonderful, as it is at Manele. The golf courses are incredible. One totally different than the other. Jack Nicklaus designed the Challenge (Manele), and Greg Norman did the Experience (Koele).Both offer breathtaking views and tons of treacherous terrain not kind to golf balls. A must is renting a Jeep to drive in the mountains, and around the island. This will be the most fun you'll have. Spectacular views from the highlands, and amazing scenery along the trails are abundant. You will have a great time, guaranteed.

I have stayed at Manale Bay three times and consider it preferable to the Lodge at Koele. If you want easy access to one of the undisputed finest beaches in the state, Manale Bay is the resort of choice. If you stay at the inland Lodge, you must take a shuttle bus to the beach...I assume you are travelling to Hawaii for its tropical allure, so why stay at a mountain lodge? Food is superb at both locations and you can, and should, eat at both resorts and charge your meals to your room. By the way, the chef at the award winning formal dining room at the Lodge is now the chef at the formal dining room at Manele Bay, so comparisons based on prior visits are somewhat meaningless. What is certain is that you will enjoy your stay at these great resorts. You should try the horseback riding and skeet shooting at the Lodge, the very good snorkeling at Manele Bay, and bring plenty of money for the delicious, but pricey, food offered at both locations. Enjoy!