After having heard for months that there were no luxury hotels on Molokai, we were amazed when we entered our gorgeous room. In the center of the room was a queen-size four-poster bed, with a colorful hand-quilted bedspread and throw pillows of various designs with a ranch theme. The bed faced the lanai (balcony) and the end of the room that was rounded and had windows on all sides. Skylights let the sun shine directly onto the bed. There was a television hidden in a low cabinet that popped up at the touch of the remote control, coming out of its cabinet and rising to the proper level for viewing from bed. But who needed TV? The view from the bed, and the more panoramic view from the large lanai (balcony) was the spectacular scenery of the Molokai ranch, sloping down to the ocean five miles away, sunset, and the island of Oahu in the distance (about 30 miles away). The bathroom was not large (only one sink), but it had both a tub (with feet!) and separate stall shower. There was fruit and bottled water provided for us in the room. Lying in bed after dark, we could see stars through the skylight. And later that night romantic moonlight shown directly on our bed. So Molokai does finally have one small luxury hotel.

If you're going to Maui as well as Molokai, see this great website:
LOTS more information about Maui sights, activities, restaurants, hotels and more at
www.mauihawaii.org

The lobby is a beautiful wood structure with a ranch look, comfortable soft western-looking sofas, a three-story high ceiling, and a large fireplace with tall stone hearth. The bellman introduced us by first names to the check-in guy, who sat down with us at a round table in the lobby to complete the check-in paperwork. He brought us orange juice and hot hand towels. He was as friendly and warm as the bellman and everyone else we encountered here on the Friendly Isle. But this is the only time I ever had to sign a "Waiver, Release and Indemnity Agreement" (three pages of fine print) when checking into a hotel. (It claims that I understand that ranch activities such as hiking, biking, camping and swimming are dangerous and they are not responsible if I get injured or die there!)

The check-in person asked what activities we would like to reserve (we mentioned dinner that evening, cultural hike another day, brunch on Sunday), and he immediately took care of all arrangements. Then we rode on the only elevator on the entire island of Molokai, from the first to the second floor of the Lodge, to see our room. For more about our room, see my next posting about this hotel. (Limits to length do not allow me to include room description here.) If you're going to Maui as well as Molokai, see this great website:
LOTS of information about Maui sights, activities, restaurants, hotels and more at
www.mauihawaii.org