I arrived at the Four Seasons Sensei Lanai expecting the usual high-end resort experience: lavish spa treatments, fine dining and jaw-dropping
views. What I didn’t expect was to leave the island with a newfound love for something as simple as deep breathing — and a wellness experience that felt tailor-made for me.
The brainchild of teech mogul Larry Ellison and wellness expert Dr. David Agus, Sensei Lanai is an entirely different kind of retreat. It’s a place where you not only indulge in five-star amenities but also pause, reflect and reconnect with yourself in ways you didn’t even realize you needed.
Photos by Alex Farnum
Weeks prior to my arrival, an intriguing questionnaire landed in my inbox. Far from the usual mundane inquiries, it posed thought-provoking questions and even included a follow-up phone call orientation. “Are you open to challenging yourself with new types of movement?” it asked, and “What does rest look like to you?” I realized this wasn’t going to be just another vacation — it was shaping up to be an experience custom-designed for my personal growth and rejuvenation.
Nestled 1,600 feet above sea level, the Hawaiian resort has 96 rooms, each one a serene oasis surrounded by lush gardens and striking bronze Botero sculptures. The design is stunning yet understated, with pathways that wind through tropical greenery, koi ponds and towering pines. Lanai, a short ferry or flight from Oahu, feels like its own little world — one that practically forces you to slow down and breathe deeply.
Shortly after I arrived, I met my Sensei Guide, Lydia. She acted as my wellness concierge, whose sole job is to help guests make the most of their time. Lydia introduced me to the Sensei Method — a holistic approach to wellness built around three core pillars: movement, nourishment and rest. The beauty of the Sensei method is that it adapts to you.
For me, this meant days filled with private yoga sessions designed to deepen my practice, and working with the same instructor to allow precise tracking of my progress. While yoga was my personal focus, guests can explore everything from guided hikes to tai chi.
One standout session was the recovery class led by Edwardo Williams, a former professional athlete who now serves as the resort’s senior fitness specialist. His expertise in using foam rollers and massage balls genuinely opened my eyes to the impor tance of proper recovery techniques.
At Sensei, there’s a movement modality for every interest — or no movement at all if you’d rather focus on relaxation. Want to try meditation in a quiet garden? Go for it. And if you’re just here for the food, you’ll be blown away by the meals at Sensei by Nobu.
Speaking of food, wellness retreats often come with a catch: healthy, but small-portioned meals that feel like a chore to eat. Not here. The culinary team at Sensei by Nobu takes everything you love about fine dining and fuses it with nourishing ingredients that leave you feeling satisfied. Each dish is an artful combination of island-fresh ingredients with a gourmet twist — from the local fish to the most vibrant salads you’ve ever seen. The best meal I had was the vegan omakase, a five-course meal serving dishes like roasted local eggplant with Lilikoi miso and a tofu hot pot with buckwheat soba noodles and mushroom dashi broth. I’ll admit it came with a steep price tag ($100 per person), but well worth the indulgence.
And when it comes to indulgence, the spa treatments here are also a must. Rather than being confined to one central spa facility, they take place in individual, private hales (meaning “house” in Hawaiian), each equipped with oversized treatment tables, plunge pools, Japanese ofuro bathtubs, infrared saunas, steam showers and outdoor showers. After your treatment, you’ll have at least 30 minutes to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, accompanied by tea (and a fruit plate with longer treatments). Whether you choose a massage, facial or another unique option like the body wraps, the experience is bucket-list worthy.
But here’s the twist — as much as I enjoyed the bespoke yoga classes, the meals crafted by world-class chefs and soaking in Japanese-inspired hot springs, what really made the biggest impact on me was something much simpler: deep breathing. Lydia introduced me to the practice on day one, walking me through a series of slow, rhythmic breaths. I’d done pranayama before, but there was something about practicing it in the tranquil surroundings of Sensei Lanai that made it feel different, more impactful.
I was even connected to a biofeedback monitor that tracked my physiological responses in real-time, revealing which breathing techniques were most effective at calming my nervous system. Deep breathing became my anchor throughout my stay, grounding me in the present moment and quieting my mind after days filled with movement and discovery. It was a re minder that no matter how luxurious your surroundings are, true peace comes from within — and you can find it anywhere, as long as you remember to breathe.
What makes Sensei Lanai so special is that it’s not just a retreat for yogis, spa-goers or wellness junkies; it’s for anyone seeking persona transformation. The resort’s approach allows you to craft your own experience — whether that’s pushing your limits in private fitness sessions, indulging in restorative spa treatments or, like me, finding stillness in the simple practice of breathing.
Lydia followed up with me a few weeks after my trip to check in, remind ing me to stay connected to the practices I’d learned. She fulfilled her role — now it was time to fulfill mine.