The Library at Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort

At Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, guests fuel their passions and connect with their intentions through enriching classes, island adventures, spa treatments, private wellness consultations and nutritious foods. The Sensei Way philosophy focuses on three paths – move, nourish and rest. Movement is how we interact with our environment, nourishment provides energy, and rest is how we recover and grow. These three paths help one familiarize and maintain a conversation with both body and mind. To support nourishment of the mind, guests Sensei Lanai can avail themselves of a unique amenity at The Library, featuring a bespoke book collection.

The Resort partnered with the Ultimate Library, founded by book expert Philip Blackwell. The small but dedicated team of frequent travellers and passionate bibliophiles understand that reading is an integral part of enhancing one’s daily lives, whether its fiction, biographies, or beautiful coffee table books.

Libraries are viewed as quiet and cosy spaces, but books can also entertain, inform and lead to discovery. The collection, comprised of more than 700 titles, is designed to enhance a sense of place along with supporting additional themes such as purpose (business, global trends), perspective (history, biography, nature and environment), style (the arts, food and wine), a sense of adventure (books to stretch the mind, creativity, travel) and escape (mainly fiction genres) ensuring guests can find favourites or discover writers they’ve never before encountered.

In Lanai, guests can read about Hawaiian history, stories of the Pacific, paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) adventures and surfing to experience a connection with the islands. Science fans will find books on nature, ocean life, psychology and with a nod to the Lanai Observatory, a number of books centred on astronomy and space. The arts are represented with biographies on figures such as Billie Holliday and Diana Vreeland as well as topics ranging from art collecting to music appreciation to Hollywood. Business, economics, sustainability, language and technology are but a few variations of subjects to inspire the mind, while Japanese tea ceremonies, cocktail culture, oenology and Jim Harrison’s A Really Big Lunch round out the culinary section. Fiction ranges from Ali Smith, John Grisham and Toni Morrison to George Saunders, Raymond Chandler and Penny Vincenzi, among others. And of course, titles on wellness, health, nature and exercise are on the shelves.

Philip Blackwell, CEO of the Ultimate Library says, “I believe that books should not only compliment the interior decor and look good but also inform, educate and inspire. We call it intelligent luxury.”

Located off the Great Hall, the Library also offers board games, chess boards, shuffleboard and pool along with comfy chairs to relax, or guests can borrow a book and find a quiet space by the reflection pool, on a guest room balcony or lanai or a spot surrounded by lush greenery on the Resort’s 24 acres (9.7 hectares).