kuroneko

Please help me decide between the two. Seems like the Lodge is pretty isolated, but the Inn at Manele is too much like a typical hotel. Anyone out there stay at either or both and have comments? TIA

vuittonsofstyle

Yes I have stayed at both. It makes sense to spend a couple of days at Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, then a few days at Manele Bay as the experiences are quite different.

It all depends upon why you are going there and if you play golf.

Both resorts have incredible golf courses that embrace the land and the sea. Whichever you stay at, you can play both courses. There is a regular shuttle between the resorts as they are only around 15 mins apart and most guests take advantage of both experiences.

The Lodge at Koele is set high on the island and is cooler. It is also a more rustic, relaxed inland resort - very colonial in style and with only 102 rooms and suites.

Manele Bay is a more conventional resort, with 236 rooms and suites. It is very grand and with stunning sea views - more dining options, too. There is also a beach below the resort, whereas at The Lodge, you are high on a bluff, so no beach.

Manele would be the choice for families or people who want beach activities and a more vibrant resort feel, whilst Koele is better suited to couples and/or golfers who are looking for peace and quiet and a more authentic Hawaiian experience.

grumbler

Manele Bay is a rebadged Starwood property, I think - certainly, the rooms themselves are nothing to write home about (and the resort is sprawling, so you need to be careful what room you select depending on how much peace and quiet you want). However, pool area and views are spectacular.

amimac

Both resorts used to be Starwood properties. I stayed at the Lodge in Feb 2008 and at Manele Bay in April 2009. As the other posters said, it completely depends on what you want in a vacation.

The Lodge is really unique. Depending on what time of year you're visiting, though, you may not get the heat/sun of Hawaii. In Feb and Apr, having visited the Lodge, I definitely wore jeans and a sweater. Sometimes there is fog. If you're looking for a romantic, beautiful place that is NOT the beach, then the Lodge really fits the bill. Gorgeous grounds (the landscaping is really spectacular, I was stunned). Activities like lawn bowling (with no one else around), croquet, executive putting, very easy and serene activities. The Lodge inside has a grand hall. Dark woods, fireplaces, a bar/oak room with drinks.

If you're going to Hawaii because of the beach and sun, Manele Bay is great. The rooms are nice (the Lodge actually has nicer rooms in my opinion). The pool is standard but nice, two hot tubs, and a pretty easy walk down to the beach. Service at the pool and beach is superb. Chair set up, food/drink service (at the pool).

Lodge is less expensive. Yes you can visit both resorts, but definitely stay longer at the one you want to be at.

Can you tell us something about the vacation you're trying to have? Maybe that would help...

MTGKJ

We live in the Mtns so Manele Bay was a no brainer... we loved it. We visited the Lodge and played golf on the Experience. Its an easy quick ride from one resort to the other. I would recommend staying at Manele unless you live on/near the beach now.... in which case you might want to split your visit and stay at both places. They are totally different.

kirbypwang

I've stayed at Manele Bay twice, and visited the Lodge several times during both stays. I agree with MTGKJ; unless you live at or regularly vacation at a really nice beach or maybe if you don't have the chance to visit a mountain or foothill area, I'd suggest staying at Manele Bay and visiting the Lodge. You'll get the feel for that property with a visit, golf or a hike from the Lodge.

vuittonsofstyle

Originally, both properties, which were built by the Dole Pineapple Company, were managed by the original Rockresorts and were in those days of a very high quality. It was much later that Starwood was brought in to manage them, so they had nothing to do with the design or quality levels.

grumbler

I think my point was that it's pretty clear FS wasn't involved from the ground up, so to speak.

mktozd

True, and I hear what you are saying. Although this is the case for many Four Seasons properties, from the Ritz Carlton which they manage in Chicago to the Bora Bora Four Seasons, which was originally to be a Ritz and the management changed. In either event, I generally find that Four Seasons does wonders for most places they manage and could probably make a tent in the jungle into a top resort.....

Kagehitokiri

interesting re FSBB. IMHO beachfront villa design is incredible.

mktozd

Absolutely, and the initial reviews on the place are spectacular.

vuittonsofstyle

Sorry grumbler, misunderstood. You are correct, but then FS will rarely take on an existing construction unless it lives up to FS standards and even then it will want to bring it up to FS quality levels.

kuroneko

Thanks, everyone, for all your suggestions! It sort of confirms my suspicions. We (a couple with no kids) are planning to visit HI at the end of the month, and will have many opportunities to both stay on the beach and visit the mountains, so the decision is still tough.

It sounds like the Lodge is the answer, since it seems like a more charming/unique property than Manele. Will definitely let you all know what we finally decide and what the stay is like.

mktozd

To get a better idea of the resorts, we purchased the Great Hotels episode on Lanai that features both properties. While the Video http://www.amazon.com/Great-Hotels-S...wn_review_prodis a bit old, it does give a good idea of the two resorts and of the island. We bought it and decided that we couldnt decide between the two properties.

kuroneko

Just a little follow-on post as promised - we ended up staying 3 nights at The Lodge, taking advantage of the recent promotion for buy 2, get 3rd night free. For us, this was absolutely the right choice. It was nice to be walking distance to Lanai City and the shops and restaurants, something that we would not have been able to get if we stayed at Manele. We did take the hike on the adjacent trail (A nice touch was that it has walking sticks (for the hike) as one of the room amenities.), used the shuttle to the Bay, and also just hung out and enjoyed the resort, which was lovely.

All-n-all, we found both resorts to be extremely relaxing and uncrowded. Probably the highlight of our overall Hawaii vacation, which also included Kauai and Maui.

The FS shuttle not only goes to the Manele Bay location, it also stops in town at the Hotel Lanai. I would add that we had an excellent meal at the restaurant at the Hotel Lanai (forgot the name) - highly recommended.