When the Manele Bay Hotel opened in 1991, the luxury hotel
symbolized the little island’s change in focus from pineapple
production to tourism. Fifteen years later, Four Seasons has taken
over management of the hotel, and devotees of the chain will likely
give the island a try. Will the newly branded, 236-room Four
Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay live up to the expectations of
such a discriminating clientele?
Jennifer Hess, sales manager at the Four Seasons Manele Bay,
said that each property in the international chain must meet
certain standards, so the hotel has gone through a $15 million
upgrade lasting almost a year. During Manele Bay’s renovations, the
guestrooms were upgraded with Four Seasons beds and linens,
L’Occitane bath amenities and 40-inch, flat-screen TVs.
The top-to-bottom room refurbishment has resulted in
accommodations with Asian and tropical-inspired decor and subtle
color schemes. As in any Four Seasons’ property, Manele Bay guests
can now customize their room’s mini-bar prior to arrival, call for
room service around the clock and stay connected via high-speed
Internet access.
Just off the lobby, I found the hotel’s new fitness center,
notable for its spectacular ocean views through floor-to-ceiling
windows; a self-contained movement studio with shock-absorbing
custom wood flooring; and air conditioning throughout, a must in
any tropical climate. When I stepped in for a test run on a
treadmill, a congenial employee immediately offered to help
customize my workout, down to the channel I wanted to watch on my
individual 15-inch LCD television with personal headset. The
fitness center was stocked with complimentary water, fresh fruit
and energy drinks, and guests can even borrow T-shirts and shorts
if they forget their own.
Clients traveling with children can request complimentary
in-room amenities for youngsters, like child-size bathrobes,
alphabet bath sponges, babies’ and children’s toiletries and milk
and cookies on arrival. Four Seasons also sweetened the hotel’s
existing children’s program, Pilialoha Keiki Camp, by moving its
headquarters from a single room to a bright, airy space spanning
three guestrooms.
In Hulopoe Court, the hotel’s main restaurant, Four Seasons has
enhanced breakfast by adding an elegant buffet. The Ocean Grill,
serving casual lunches and fresh seafood dinners, has been added
poolside.
Clients who like lazing on the sand can benefit from Four
Seasons’ new beach concierge service. Staff members set up chairs
and umbrellas, and supply ice water, chilled towels, Evian spritzes
and sunglasses.
Meanwhile, Four Seasons had the good sense to preserve the
Manele Bay’s best assets. The front entrance still wows arriving
guests with ocean views across an expansive two-story lobby. The
Hale Ahe Ahe lounge continues to invite sunset and evening
socializing with pool tables, live music and ocean vistas. The
Library has retained a cozy, classy ambience with dark leather
chairs and literary classics. Gardens representing different
Pacific cultures embrace small, private courtyards, and the Manele
Spa lures tired travelers with 11 treatment rooms, outdoor massage
areas and innovative therapies.
Along with the hotel’s structure and the services within, Manele
Bay’s employees went through their own renovation, so to speak.
“We have trained the staff to do things the Four Seasons way,
for consistency between properties,” Hess explained. “That’s the
sort of thing that helps build guest loyalty.”
Clearly, Four Seasons has injected a new dose of luxury into the
Manele Bay, a resort likely to please most any Four Seasons
aficionado.
THE DETAILS
Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay
800-321-4666
www.fourseasons.com/manelebay
Nightly rates start at $395 per double.
A bed-and-breakfast package costs $430 per night. The 4x4 Adventure from $630 lets clients choose one activity per
day (four-night minimum). Couples booking the romance package from $485 get daily buffet
breakfast, a bottle of champagne, aromatherapy oils, floral petal
spray on arrival, two keepsake bathrobes and a music CD
(three-night minimum). |