We are going to the Lodge for the first time. I want to make sure that we take advantage of all the "local stuff" ...Do you have any suggestions for restaurants, local stores, hiking, other activities? Thanks!

Lynda,

Are you aware that there is very little to do on Lanai except at your resort? I don't think you'll have a lot to choose from other than activities around your hotel.

Lodge at Koele.
Manele Bay Resort.
That's pretty much the menu.
MB has the great beach.
Lanai seeks to be the antidote to Maui and Oahu, so I'm not expecting a lot in the way of development anytime soon.

A van goes by every half hour more or less that takes you to the old Hotel Lanai (where we love to stay at around $100/night) right by Lanai City which has a few shops and places to grab a bite. It is fun. The van then goes down to the other resort where you can go to the beach, swim and snorkel. Your places to eat are at both resorts and at the old hotel. I think you might be able to put them all on your room charge. When we have been at the Hotel Lanai, we have people come from the lodge because the food is as good and cost half as much. To see other parts of the island you need a Jeep with 4 wheel drive. Roads are difficult to find and very difficult after a rain. We take with us a putter some balls, a couple of clubs and play the public golf course used by locals. This course is just down the road from the Lodge before you get to the old hotel. There is no green fee (is there is we never saw anybody to pay), no club house and the hole flags do not have numbers on them so you are not certain if you a playing holes in the right order. We have always been the only person on the course. I have no idea what the golf fees are at either of the resorts. We like Lanai very much and the gardens at the Lodge are beautiful. If you don't play golf you can go out on the public course and hike around and look for golf balls. We ran into an elderly gentleman that did this every day for exercise. He gave us a handfull of golf balls. Since they have houses or condos for sale there you can also go house shopping. When last there I think the entire island was for sale. In case you are not aware of it, the Lodge was once a Rock Resort and has a lot of the characterics of that era.

The Lodge is excellent. You won't be disappointed. The chef has changed since I was there last, but hopefully the standards are still impecable. The hiking is beautiful on the island. The concierge will direct you to anything your heart may desire. Be sure to utilize the staff, they will bend over backwards for you. There are also mountain bikes if you'd prefer to explore the trails that way. They have stables if you are interested in horseback riding. They will match you up with a horse in accordance with your experience if you ask. Watching the sunrise as the mist lifts from the pasture is also beautiful. I also went to the shooting range & was pleasantly surprised, since I had never shot a rifle. I had a very enjoyable time skeet shooting. The staff was gracious & attentive to my instruction. The jeeps on the island book up well in advance, so if you are planning to sight see -- reserve early. I've also heard that the snokeling is beautiful right off the island if the weather is calm for you.