Spectacular view of Lanai island seen in the distance (Image: Getty Images)
Mel Gibson, Eddie Murphy, Leonardo Dicaprio and Johnny Depp are just some of the celebrities who splashed out fortunes on their own islands.
But one man you may not have heard of is Larry Ellison, 80, who like the recognisable names above, purchased his own island (Lanai in Hawaii) for a staggering £238million in 2012.
And while he is not a Hollywood icon like the others, he does happen to be the seventh richest man in the world with a jaw-dropping net worth of £158billion. That’s largely thanks to being the chief technology officer of a software company called Oracle.
Below, we look inside the island he bought, a gorgeous location in Hawaii that is frequented by A-listers, but is also accessible to tourists, as long as they have plenty of cash…
Larry Ellison owns the island (Image: Getty)
Lanai Island
Perhaps the lesser-known island in Hawaii, Lanai stretches 140 square miles and Ellison owns 98 percent of it, with the state being in charge of the remainder.
Back in the 1920s, Lanai’s excellent farming industry accounted for 75 percent of the world’s pineapples, which inspired many to still refer to it as Pineapple Island.
It is home to 3,300 residents who enjoy picturesque sandy beaches that are surrounded by beautiful rocky landscapes and pine forests.
Many of the helipads are used by celebs who arrive in private jets and helicopters to enjoy some privacy away from the paparazzi. Over the years, big name arrivals have included Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey.
Sunrise over Menele Bay on the island of Lanai in Hawaii (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Todd-Avery Lenahan, a luxury hotel designer, once said of Lanai: “When you’re in Lanai, it’s very democratising. You can be at the pool and see Mr Ellison reading, and in another chair is an Academy Award winner.”
Tourist visitors
You don’t have to be Tom Cruise to go to Lanai, it can be visited by any Tom, Dick or Harry, and this is where the Four Seasons hotel comes in.
It is the only recognisable hotel brand allowed on the island and they have two bases there called Four Seasons Sensei and Four Seasons Lanai.
Staying there for just one night will set you back almost £1,000 (minimum) and it is designed so that you probably won’t realise you are chilling alongside some big stars.
The Four Seasons Sensei has only been open for six years and it acts as an adult-only wellness retreat. There, guests can avail of stunning pools, a hi-tech spa, a yoga shala and private biomarker sessions.
Hulopoe Beach Park on Lanai Island (Image: Getty)
As for the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, which opened in 2016, the most lavish suites are priced up to £15,000 a night. Ken Scherer, Motion Picture & Television Fund CEO, once said of it: “Seldom is the reality of a resort actually greater than the hype.”
Entertainment executive Jason Heyman also spoke about swimming with his family in front of the hotel. He said: “Suddenly, about 20 dolphins appeared and swam with us for a half-hour. It was wild and amazing, and I’m sure how Hawaii felt in years past.”
Lanai city
Away from the resorts, the ancient banyan trees and the stunning coastline, there are the locals who are based 20 minutes from the beach resort.
Lanai City is home to locals who keep their front doors unlocked (Image: Getty Images)
Here, people keep their doors of their homes, shuttered wooden houses, unlocked, and it has remained largely unchanged since the 1900s.
There is also a community green where some of the 3,000 residents play football on a Saturday or enjoy hula dance classes.
Public transport and traffic lights do not exist and neither do major supermarkets, cinemas or shopping centres. However, there are small shops including a grocery store and a bakery.
People are also free to roam the island because of the lack of fences and popular attractions include the 800-year-old Waia’opae fish pond the Koloiki Ridge Trail. Alternatively e-bikes and jeeps can be hired to see more of the landscape.