When booking our reservation for the Manele Bay Hotel, flight information was requested. Upon landing at the airport on Lanai, our driver walked up to us and asked us if we were "the Skidds Family". We said yes, and he escorted us to our transportation bus and made arrangements to pick up our luggage off the plane. We were the only guests arriving at this time, so the bus took off immediately. Our driver told us all about the island on our 20-minute ride to the hotel. There were no other cars on the road. The view was a hundred different shades of brown, except while we passed by the existing pineapple plants. The soil was a deep red clay. The mountain stretched out ahead of us, and the line of trees on the ridge was "The Lanai Ridge Trail", which stretched from Lanai City almost to Manele Bay Hotel. The Manele Bay Hotel is located on the top of a cliff, and the hotel is built into the cliff. Everything is a garden environment at the hotel, with all kinds of Hawaiian flowers. As the bus arrived and we departed, we were met by another staff member who showed us to our room and let us know the bell staff would shortly be delivering our luggage.
This hotel is ranked number 2 on Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List". As well it should be. The tropical resort has panoramic views of the Pacific and one of the world's most beautiful beaches. The hotel is perched on top of a red lava cliff with intimate courtyards, formal gardens, koi ponds, hand painted murals and some wonderful oriental antiques on display. The following activities are available weekly: Artist Showcases where you can met the local artists and purchase their artwork, arts and crafts workshops, blue water mammal watches, coastal fitness hike, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, guided garden tours, horseback riding, aquatic classes, Keiki hula children's show, pine sporting clays, Jeep road tours, tennis, snorkeling, sailing, and yoga classes.
Pampering begins the minute you arrive with a lei of beautiful fresh flowers and being escorted to one of their 249 suites or rooms. The average size of a room is 700 square feet. Exclusive suites have butler service, in the English tradition, but in every room at turn-down service, you will find a fresh orchid on your pillow.
The Presidential Suite is three corners for $3,500 per night and is 1,521 square feet in size. It consists of a separate bedroom, living room, and dining room, with a service pantry for the butler. It has one and a half baths, a king-size bed, and unmatched views off the private balcony.
The Mahai Corner Suite is $2,500 per night and is 2,521 square feet in size. It consists of one bedroom, a corner lanai with a view of the ocean, and a parlor with a sofa bed. This suite also has a king-size bed and a large bath.