In the whirlwind of modern-day living, where the digital and real worlds collide, it can often feel as if life is saturated with an endless to-do list. The relentless pursuit of productivity can leave us feeling drained, as we juggle the demands of work, personal relationships and the quest for self-improvement. It’s a dizzying pace that can make tranquility seem like a distant dream.
Amidst the chaos, imagine a place that can help remedy these daily trials and tribulations. Introducing Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. Nestled among the tall Cook pines and peaceful banyan trees on the idyllic Hawaiian island of Lanai, the adults-only Sensei resort emerges as a true sanctuary of wellness and rejuvenation. Here, the clamor of the outside world fades into a symphony of harmony and relaxation, where personalized wellness programs, guided by health experts, promise to replenish the spirit and recalibrate life’s balance.
Founded by Larry Ellison, the tech pioneer behind Oracle, and Dr. David Agus, a globally recognized physician and scientist, Sensei is the manifestation of their shared vision: to help people live longer, healthier lives. Their inspiration, the Sensei Way, combines cutting-edge technology with preventive health science into a philosophy of three guiding pillars: Move, Nourish and Rest.
Sensei isn’t just a getaway; it’s a journey back to your best self, a reclamation of peace in the relentless tide of modern-day life as a serene retreat designed to dissolve stressors while equipping you with the tools to confidently manage life’s curveballs.
A Tailored Experience
Sensei’s Guided Wellness Experience is a masterclass in personalization. Even before landing on the island, the journey begins with a virtual consultation up to 60 days prior with a Sensei pre-arrival specialist. During this initial interaction, guests have the opportunity to outline their preferences and objectives and complete a pre-arrival questionnaire. This preparatory step is critical as it informs the Sensei team in the customization of each guest’s itinerary. The program’s personalized nature is further enhanced by the use of proprietary health technology, ensuring that the experience of each guest is tailored to their individuality.
On the Island
The essence of the Guided Wellness Experience is an inward journey. A three-night minimum stay is required to reap the benefits from the depth of programming, although you can stay for as long as you’d like to fulfill your wellness goals. When you first arrive on the island, you meet your dedicated Sensei Guide for an orientation session. Considering the pre-arrival questionnaire you previously filled out and your curated itinerary, you will delve deep into your lifestyle habits and wellbeing goals with your Guide by assessing physical markers and pinpointing areas within the three pillars of the Sensei Way that may need support.
The experience includes two private sessions of your choosing, with options ranging from fitness and nutrition to yoga, mindset and meditation, alongside priority booking of daily complimentary small-group classes; however, it’s completely up to you how much you’d like to engage.
Merging physical activity, relaxation and self-reflection, daily classes can include:
- An open-air sunset meditation on the yoga deck surrounded by the lush garden grounds that are dotted with monumental sculptures by renowned artists, such as Fernando Botero, Jaume Plensa, Balthasar Lobo, Robert Indiana and more.
- A stimulating morning hike to Koloiki Ridge with breathtaking panoramic views of the neighboring Maui and Moloka’i islands.
- A restful group sound bath session where you are enveloped by the soothing vibrations of gongs and surrounded by nature.
- A variety of fitness activities—from personalized training and aerobic conditioning to morning meditation and yoga—all designed to rejuvenate both mind and body.
- Forest bathing, which offers a sensory connection with nature as a quiet, meditative practice that encourages relaxation through a deep engagement with the environment.
Even more, enjoy two 90-minute spa treatments that blend ancient and contemporary healing practices in a private spa hale. Meaning “house” or “home” in Hawaiian, each 1,000-square-foot hale is a haven that provides a space for the ultimate relaxation and comes equipped with an Ofuru tub, infrared sauna, outdoor pools and more. A thermographic body scan is one unique treatment that creates a visual map to identify physical asymmetries, muscle tightness and areas of pain that are then targeted through custom massage and bodywork.
Rounding out your stay, reconvene with your Sensei Guide for a final meeting to review your learnings and reflect on your progress. Your Guide will craft a curated “Guide to Growth” plan so you can continue your wellness journey with “snack-sized” actions and intentions of movement, nourishment and relaxation of the Sensei Way, ensuring the tranquility of the island stays with you long after you return home.
Accommodations & Dining
Sensei’s partnership with the Four Seasons offers guests a five-star luxury stay in spacious, light-filled rooms, each with its own private balcony, along with the impeccable attention to detail and best-in-class service that Four Seasons is known for. Fuel up with delicious and nutritious fare at the onsite Sensei by Nobu, a collaboration with world-renowned Japanese Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, where all-day meals are served either inside or outside of a glass pavilion that overlooks a peaceful pond brimming with colorful koi. Seasonal and fresh have renewed meaning here, as most ingredients are harvested just minutes away at Sensei Farms, Sensei’s on-island sustainable farm.
Beyond the Retreat
While Sensei’s Guided Wellness Experience itself is transformative, the island offers an abundance of enriching opportunities. Guests can avail of daily complimentary shuttle transport to Sensei’s sister property, Four Seasons Resort Lanai, which grants direct access to the breathtaking Hulopoe Beach. Golf on the edge of oceanside cliffs, traverse the island on horseback or on a mountain bike, explore the ocean by sailing or snorkeling, learn about native culture through tours with local guides, visit over 650 rescue cats at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary and so much more.
From Phoenix to Paradise
In the aftermath of the recent Maui fires, tourism to Hawaii is crucial for the islands’s economic and social recovery. It’s now easier than ever to escape to a Hawaiian getaway from Phoenix. Direct flights are available from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Oahu. Upon landing, the resort will coordinate a welcoming guide to meet and transport you to a luxury shuttle bound for the semi-private Lanai Air terminal. A short 30-minute chartered flight later, you’ll find yourself on the tranquil uplands at Sensei Lanai.
Rates for the Sensei Lanai Guided Wellness Experience begin at $1,585 per night for a single reservation or $2,090 per night for a double booking. Learn more and book your stay at www.sensei.com/retreats/lanai.
Photos courtesy Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort/Robb Aaron Gordon
