The Experience at Koele Golf Course

Island of Lanai, Hawaii
Part 3

by Ed Stone

Activities abound at The Lodge at Koele. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding, hiking, croquet, tennis, massages, and swimming. And, yes, there is plenty of golf. By the way, there is a putt putt course on real grass and it is most challenging. If you only want to try your hand at the game and don't want to pay the full rates, there is a nine-hole golf course just outside the front door you can play for FREE. Yes, free. This course's greens and fairways are not what The Experience at Koele is, but it is still golf and free. The Lodge has an incredible game room worth visiting with a wide selection of stimulating board games. A relaxing and inviting Library is also available for anyone wanting to read from an enviable collection. Un-crowded beaches are nearby waiting to be explored or enjoy the restorative silence of the lodge which is punctuated by some of the most beautiful Hawaiian music heard. Each evening, during my stay, the outstanding group "Polihua" (Darren Lopez and Claude Huerta) was performing traditional Hawaiian music in the impressive Northwest style lobby.

Adding to the physical activities and the musical harmony is the "Visiting Artists Program," now in its 12th year, at the Castle & Cooke Resorts. These are complimentary culinary arts programs by world-renowned chefs for the guests and residents of Lanai. Joining the resort's Executive Chefs, Bradley Czajka of the Lodge at Koele and Mark Tsuchiyama of the Manele Bay Hotel, are four impressive guest chefs, each paired with a select winery, who will take over the island for four special weekends of food, wine and fun. To check out this entire schedule go to the "Visiting Artists Programs" on the website.

Guests staying at the Lodge have delicious and delightful choices for dining…The Formal Dining Room (jackets requested), the Terrace Restaurant, The Clubhouse, and literally, anywhere on the grounds. You can order a specially prepared gourmet picnic or meal delivered to your favorite serene spot, which might be on the hill by the orchid house, by the waterfall, or just past the reflection pool. The wine list is substantial, and the menus are diverse and will satisfy and surpass your cravings. Ranked number one by Zagat's Restaurant guide for Hawaii and the Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Award, you can select such items as island seafood, poultry and game as well as local fruits, herbs and vegetables.

Two airlines currently serve Lanai with more than 100 scheduled flights weekly. Most popular is the 45-minute, $25.00 ferry that runs between Manele Harbor, Lanai and Lahaina Harbor, Maui. The company operating this service is Expeditions, 808-661-3756 or www.go-lanai.com. The Lodge and Hotel provide transportation to and from the Lanai Airport or the Manele Harbor. There is a charge, but it is very reasonable.

Click on selected photos for expanded view.

CONTACTS:

For more information, reservations and rates on The Experience at Koele or The Lodge at Koele:
www.islandoflanai.com
The Lodge at Koele
P.O. Box 630310
Lanai City, HI 96763
Reservations: 800-321-4600

For information on the Islands of Hawaii:
www.gohawaii.com
Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau
2270 Kalakaua Avenue
Suite 801
Honolulu, HI USA 96815
Phone: 800-464-2924

Images copryrighted CGA