Question on getting to Lanai and continuing stay on Maui
 

Have a question regarding logistics of getting to Lanai. I will be using miles on Hawaiian air to go to Maui probably in Oct/Nov this year. I would also really like to visit Lanai for a few days in the beginning of the trip but the logistics of getting there are boggling my mind. I notice that Hawaiian Air didn't really have flights to Lanai. I would have to book with a local carrier if I need to. Sooo...

Do I buy an interland flight from HNL to Lanai? Then, take the ferry from Lanai to Maui and continue my stay there? If so, are there car rentals in Lahaina where I can rent and then return at Kahului Airport when my stay is over? OR, do I have to take a taxi from Lahaina to Kahului to get a rental car?

OR Do I fly into Maui and then hire a taxi to take me to Lahaina, ferry over to Lanai and back, and then same deal with the rental car?

I am not sure how I would go about doing this so any help is appreciated! I tried checking out different Lanai travel sites but most just seem to say: take the ferry or interisland flight, but nothing else about how to get to the ferry, or what to do when you want to stay on Maui after...

Thank you in advance!

I suggest you fly from HNL to Lanai. Yes you can take the ferry and get a reserved car rental in Lahaina.

Keep your eyes out for a few things. Elison, the new owner of much of the island has also taken over Island Air and schedules are a bit chaotic at this point. Also, word on the street is that the tradition of enjoying the two resorts may be changed. I've stayed twice at The Lodge, and we prefer it to Manele. But it seems they are considering not allowing guest at the Lodge to have pool and resort benefits at Manele in the future.

Our first trip, it was a Sheraton property. For the same price we could stay at either or split our visit between the two. We just fell in love with upcountry. Our second visit was after 4S took over. Again, prices were close, and we enjoyed breakfast in Lanai City, and afternoon down at Manele and evenings in the Lodge.

If you are planning on staying at one of those resorts, I would suggest contacting the general manager to find the latest status. They will also best advice you on interisland travel.

Fly to Maui. Rest overnight. Take the ferry to Lanai. Take the ferry back.

Hawaiian Airlines will be flying to Lanai from Honolulu starting this summer on their new affiliate airline "Ohana". That will give people another option when flying from Honolulu directly to Lanai. Island Air already has service to Lanai City from Honolulu and Maui. (the Maui route is fairly new). Island Air is talking about increasing flights to and from Lanai City.On Maui, you can take the Expeditions Ferry from Lahaina to Manele Small Boat Harbor on the island of Lanai. Service is 5 times a day back and forth.
From Maui, there is no real transportation from Kahaluli to the Harbor in Lahaina for the ferry . Some people take a cab , some rent a car from Hertz in Kahaluli at the airport and return it at the Hertz location in Lahaina. (or vice versa).
I do believe if people are staying at the Four Seasons Hotel in Maui they do shuttle people to the ferry in Lahaina if they are going to stay at one of the Four Seasons Hotels in Lanai.

As for the changes with the Four Seasons Resorts on Lanai. If you are staying "upcountry" at the Lodge at Koele you are no longer allowed to use the spa or pool at Manele and if you are staying at Manele you are not allowed to use the spa or pool at Koele. Per a recent meeting here on Lanai from one of the Lanai Resorts executives, "this is to preserve the exclusiveness " of each resort property.

Thanks all for your information...I will definitely look into flying to Lanai, then taking the ferry to Maui, renting a car, and then spending the rest of my time on Maui. I will have to see how much all of this costs though - usually when you rent cars it's more expensive to drop off at a different location.

Questions about the Four Seasons - Everyone I know has recommended Manele Bay to me. If you are a Lodge fan, why do you like it? I am open to it too, but we don't really golf so not sure if it is for us. I am a little sad that there aren't sharing privileges anymore...I have never been to either before so I am not sure how it presented any issues. Either way I am looking forward to checking out Lana'i!

Thanks again!!

I think they are making a major mistake for both the 4S brand and the island with this new exclusive policy. It's just a bad business decision. How can one Four Seasons 5 star property be more exclusive then the other? I can understand if Ellison builds a third resort that it would have a separate identity.

As per their website, I would no longer be able to drop $100 poolside at Manele, and why would they deny me spa services that could cost a few hundred? Meanwhile the Manele guests can come upcountry and play executive pitch and put, crocket in two styles and lawn bowling?

I love most everything about The Lodge, except when they decided to dye the water at the executive pitch and put course. But the greensman and I laughed a lot while talking story. I love staying upcountry to walk into town for an early morning breakfast with the locals. I love walking into town to do laundry before packing up and having a non resort dinner. I love strolling the golf course at sunrise or sunset and talking to the greensmen who went from working the pines to working the golf course.

I love going down to Manele to soak up the sun for a few hours both at the pool and at the beach and taking short hikes. Like I said, years ago we were offered to move down to Manele. We love spending a few hours a day there, but even looking at the room, we just preferred the peaceful retreat at The Lodge and found it to be a superior destination.

I really don't understand the decision to segregate parts of the resorts that have been sister properties for years. When they take away the option for me to spend a few hours poolside spending money on a fruity cocktail and lunch and then heading down for a snorkle - well the thrill has been diminished. The Lodge Pool does not beck and call for such an poolside experience, although serene and also lovely for a few hours of reading.

I'm also not keen on the plans to add two new pools to Manele. Seems they are leaning toward a more Disney experience, which is not Lanai. So if your master plan is to add two new pools, why the desire to segregate paying customers from what I consider to be the superior property from pool time, pool money and spa money.

Hopefully kaila will have some local perspective.

I adore Lanai. But this recent decision will keep me from returning anytime soon. If you want the tourist fantasy of sipping cocktails by the pool and getting a massage, you are now forced to stay at Manele. Being in cooler upcountry is not for everyones tastes.

tifa, I realize I was sounding like Debbie Downer. Please continue with your plans. If being oceanside is part of your vision, then Manele is your place. And then just shuttle up for a local breakfast or dinner and some time at the Lodge strolling the grounds or going horseback riding. Their formal dining room was one of our favorite meals on the island. The people of Lanai are a gift, in their hospitality and warmth as they have transitioned from working the pines to working resorts. That is especially noticed while upcounty. And 4 wheeling to Garden of the Gods and beyond while plans continue to try to build a windfarm - well get there while you can!

Thank you Lookin_Glass for the invaluable information. Your descriptions of bother properties are very helpful. I'd like to visit Lanai before the Ellison-ization of it. I would love to have an ocean view so I think Manele Bay would be perfect. I would love to spend time at the Lodge at Koele too, it sounds so comforting (and I love upcountries in Hawaii, like Makawao, and Waimea on the BI). I have heard good things about the small town of Lanai City. Let's just hope I can work this out logistically. Another option would be to stay for a few days at the new Andaz down in Waikea/Makena. That looks very nice too, but as of right now it is more expensive than the 4S Lanai.

You can and should work it out and visit Lanai. I choose to believe that Ellison's intentions are in the right place. I'm just not sure about his vision. And do consider renting a 4x4 for a day to explore!!!