This Remote Hawaiian Island Has No Stoplights, No Crowds, and Two Ultra-luxe Hotels

"But if you are lucky enough to spend a few days on this 140-square-mile island, you'll find its appeal is layered-and not always apparent upon first glance. Lanai is rugged, a bit dusty, and shockingly barren in some areas; when driving across the island, you'll pass through the open plains of the Palawai Basin, once home to the largest pineapple plantations in the world."

"You won't find any flashy restaurants or clubs, superyachts, or Disney-esque attractions. There are no stoplights, and there's only one true town, Lanai City. This is a place that encourages you to slow down and breathe deeply. "You can visit here and see the beauty of the island by looking around and going about your day. However, it's deeper than you can see," Shayne Kunimitsu, a Lanai cultural advisor and holoholo guide, tells Travel + Leisure. "What's missed is the stories told, so seek out our history and our roots, then you will truly understand.""

Lanai is a 140-square-mile Hawaiian island characterized by rugged, sometimes barren landscapes, towering Cook pine trees, and open plains formerly home to vast pineapple plantations. The island has very few hotels—only three—with two operated by Four Seasons, and 98 percent of the land is owned by Larry Ellison. Visitors will not find busy nightlife, superyachts, or many amenities; there is one town, Lanai City, no stoplights, and an emphasis on slowing down. Activities include surfing, sailing, hiking, and astronomy, and cultural stories are accessible through local guides and community knowledge.

Read at Travel + Leisure