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I had the opportunity to explore this fascinating retreat earlier this year, flying from San Diego to Honolulu on Oahu, and then boarding Lanai Air for the short hop to the island. (It is also accessible by both air and boat from the islands of Maui and Hawai'i.) After touching down, it was a quick ride along a two-lane highway lined with distinctive Norfolk pines to the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, a luxurious oceanfront sanctuary surrounded by a lush tropical landscape overlooking Hulopoe Bay. e resort has earned the prestigious Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond awards for its hospitality, amenities, and myriad activities. At the entrance, I was captivated by Overcoming Adversity, a monumental sculpture by British contemporary artist Damien Hirst. e bronze, which weighs more than 68,000 pounds, depicts the challenges faced by early Polynesians on their 2,000- mile migration to Hawaii. Hirst was inspired by this amazing feat of discovery and settlement. Resort staff welcomed me with a traditional lei in the impressive, wood-paneled lobby. e public spaces feature modern furniture, tropical plants, and Hawaiian artifacts such as a 19th-century koa wood outrigger canoe, all set against views of the sea and sky. Guests can choose from a variety of dining options, all overlooking the beach and bay, including the acclaimed Nobu Lanai by renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Nancy Silverton's Osteria Mozza Lanai, the poolside Malibu Farm, and e Break for all- day dining. Views at the Manele Golf Course is named for the sweeping vistas at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course. I especially enjoyed Nobu, helmed by its talented and personable Executive Chef Christopher "Tex" Texeira, an Oahu native, who has been with the restaurant for 14 years. I savored round after round of small plates including my favorite, Black Cod Miso, as well as Kauai shrimp, sushi, sashimi, and more. e resort's weekly calendar is packed with activities beginning with a morning meditation and beach yoga. e resort also offers tennis, pickleball, Pilates, cardio, circuit training, and classes that include restorative aerial yoga in silk hammocks. ere's a target range for archery, pistol and clay shooting, and Adventure Park offering ziplines, challenge courses, guided e-bike tours, and hikes. Guests can also learn about Hawaiian crafts and culture in daily workshops and demonstrations including hula, lei making, and lauhala weaving, plaiting dried leaves of the hala or pandanus tree to make baskets, hats, and mats. Days often end with meditation beneath a canopy of stars in the Lanai Gardens. At Hawanawana Spa ("to whisper" in Hawaiian), I opted for a relaxing steam followed by a soothing massage. Caroline Joseph, the spa's wellness practitioner, oversees an array of monthly spa experiences, structured wellness programs, and movement classes designed to help guests realize their potential, gain new perspectives, and foster holistic healing. e resort even has an onsite Lanai Observatory where groups take turns peering through a telescope, scanning the night sky for celestial wonders. It was a bit cloudy when I visited, but the experience was fascinating, nonetheless. I learned how early Hawaiians used the stars to help navigate their ocean travels. detour destinations << ABOVE The Manele Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, offers sweeping views of the sea and shore RIGHT Overcoming Adversity, Damien Hirst, 2024, bronze, 360x360x360 in. OPPOSITE TOP TO BOTTOM A glorious sunrise over Lanai's Hulopoe Bay; Four Seasons Resort Lanai's beautiful suites offer bay and garden vistas; Pristine waters in the protected Hulopoe Bay are popular with scuba divers and snorkelers; Sumptuous suites offer dazzling coastal views OVERCOMING ADVERSITY: PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROBB AARON GORDON © DAMIEN HIRST AND SCIENCE LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, DACS/ARTIMAGE 2026 ranchandcoast.com 60 MAY 2026 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE