At Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, an upscale wellness retreat, you will embark on a curative journey of personal transformation and well-being.
With a Japanese-inspired architectural aesthetic, the intimate resort is the brainchild of owner Larry Ellison, created in collaboration with Dr. David Agus and chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who helms the guilt-free restaurant. The oasis sits upcountry on Lanai, a sleepy island with an old-time Hawaiian vibe. Here, amid Eden-like gardens, dotted with eye-popping art (from the likes of Jaume Plensa, Fernando Botero and Ju Ming), you will partake in guided experiences, certain to support a shift in behavior — even if that merely means getting a good night’s sleep.
Relax in lakeside nooks, swim in the lava-sheathed pool, do a few downward dogs in the yoga pavilion, build muscles in the over-the-top gym or opt for a range of daily fitness classes. Horseback riding, hiking, a zip-lining adventure and staple island activities like snorkeling ensure bespoke itineraries with endless possibilities.
- The unique, goal-oriented experience begins before your trip with a phone interview. And once you get to Sensei Lanai, your sensei guide coaches and encourages you, while adapting your personal wellness itinerary every day.
- The gardens — full of museum-quality art, tropical ferns and flowers, onsen soaking pools, immense trees and a shimmering lake — have plenty of alcoves for rumination and repose. One step along their paths leads to a hypnotic state of blissful tranquility.
- Ellison loves Lanai (the Oracle cofounder has owned the island since 2012) almost as much as he does technology. Find both at the luxury hotel, where Hawaiian soulfulness combines with cutting-edge perks — from Tesla X cars and Peloton bikes to Ellison’s own Pilatus PC-12 planes that transport you from Oahu (stays include 35-minute round-trip Lanai Air flights from Honolulu and airport transfers).
- The 10 spa hales (standalone, Japanese-intoned huts) are peerless. The spacious indoor/outdoor areas boast ofuro soaking tubs, outdoor onsen pools, an infrared sauna, oversized massage beds and more amenities.
- The vast array of offerings boggles the mind. Expect 10 to 16 daily options, which might include guided meditation, advanced vinyasa yoga, a sunrise hike or a class on fascia that’s led by wellness practitioners.
- Lanai, once a pineapple plantation that produced 75 percent of the world’s supply of the fruit, is a relaxed, quiet island with no stop lights, traffic, malls or chain stores. Expect a slow pace — tranquility stands out as its virtue.
- Wellness isn’t limited to the gym and spa. Your guide can arrange sunset cruises, snorkeling, gallery visits in town and more. You also will have access to nearby sister property Four Seasons Resort Lanai for the beach.
- It’s recommended to check in for five days or more for optimum wellness results. Please note: you set your own goal, whether that’s relaxation, detoxing, learning a new skill or adopting better sleep habits. The itineraries are not meant to intimidate.
- Choose a journey, where a pre-arrival specialist and sensei guide develop a customized itinerary that includes private wellness consultations, spa treatments, fitness classes, enriching activities and more, or create your own journey with an à la carte, room-rate-only option.
- Guests must be 16 and older to stay here.
- The 92 rooms and four suites are understated and light-filled with neutral cream, tan and white tones. Many even face the gardens.
- Most units only sport showers, since there are so many places on property to soak, such as the onsen garden with 10 heated tubs.
- The top suite, the 1,200-square-foot Kaiholena, has an 85-inch TV, a spa-like bathroom and a fireplace, ideal for chilly winter nights at the Lanai hotel.
- Sensei by Nobu focuses on locally grown produce and sustainable practices. Enjoy dishes that incorporate Sensei’s nutritional philosophy (look at the health-conscious Nourish menu) as well as Nobu classics.
- Cocktail, wine and beer lovers won’t be denied at the wellness hotel or Koele Garden Bar. The resort proffers an outstanding collection of adult beverages.
- For more culinary options, pop over to Four Seasons Resort Lanai (transportation is included) to dine at the popular Malibu Farm, ONE FORTY steakhouse or another Nobu outpost.
24-hour room service 
Adults Only
Bar
Beach
Fitness classes
Golf
Gym
House car
Outdoor pool
Restaurants
Spa
Tennis
