Sensai Lanai Is So Private, It Feels Worlds Away. It's the Best Hotel to Splurge on in 2026

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of tourists on Hawaii's most secluded island is Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Wellness Resort. In the heart of this property sits a tranquil pond surrounded by tropical greenery reflecting in the still waters.

Whether you want to indulge in the wide array of spa and wellness services or try your hand at something more adventurous—like mountain biking, snorkeling, or sailing—this resort offers something for every kind of traveler. Here's what makes it truly exceptional, and our pick for the best hotel to splurge on in the 2026 Men's Journal Travel Awards.

Why Sensei Lanai Is the Best Splurge Hotel of 2026

Many travelers flock to the islands of Hawaii for a chance to wake up by the beach, but a stay at Sensei Lanai presents another kind of magic. The island of Lanai is also one of the most improbable to visit, with barely 3,000 residents and a tiny fraction of the tourism numbers experienced on Oahu or Maui. Once there, though, it feels like a world of your own. Especially upon arrival at Sensei, which sits at one of the island’s most secluded points in the uplands of Kō’ele. Conceived as a collaboration between the Four Seasons, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, world-leading physician and scientist Dr. David Agus, and Nobu Matsuhisa—the hotel feels more like a wellness retreat.

There are 96 rooms and suites available at the adults-only resort, each with a serene design, but it's what’s outside the rooms that make the property special. The grounds are a veritable botanical garden, with lush native plants and trees. Pathways meander through groves of ferns and orchids, past palm-fringed ponds and sculptures by Victor Botero and Jeff Koons, and lead guests to the koi pond-encircled Nobu restaurant and 10 private hales, where spa treatments take place. Spa treatments are just one part of “The Sensei Way.” Sensei Lanai's wellness program is built on three paths: Move, Nourish, and Rest. Every stay can be structured around them as loosely or as rigorously as guests desire, from a five-night deep dive with a wearable health monitor and a team of exercise physiologists, nutritionists, and mindfulness coaches, to a more relaxed program that can include horseback riding, hiking, golfing, and more. To bring it full circle, guests needing their fill of sand and sun are also able to visit the beach at sister property Four Seasons Resort Lanai. 

Why You Should Trust Me

As a travel journalist with nearly a decade of experience, I’ve stayed at hotels of all kinds, from intimate boutique inns to expansive resorts run by major hotel brands. Along the way, I’ve developed a keen eye for what makes a hotel stand out—and what makes one fall short.