Lumeria Maui, Educational Retreat Center

Situated on an unspoiled stretch of Maui’s North Shore, Lumeria is a whole other Hawaii from the mega-resorts and their mai tais. For one, there’s a strong emphasis on wellness. A typical morning starts with a sunrise yoga or meditation session in one of the property’s many fantastically pretty settings, though if all you need is a morning of sleeping in, they aren’t the sort at Lumeria to pass judgment. There’s a full program of wellness activities, from the aforementioned yoga and meditation to water sports to hands-on organic farming lessons in the gardens, and even if you’ve come just to lie in the sun, it’s easy to get swept up in the healthful spirit of things.

The grounds, six acres of gardens and lawns and breezy woods along the coast, all of them perfect illustrations of the word “lush,” seem drunk with sun and clean air — and the feeling is contagious. Guests are encouraged to go barefoot, the better for feeling the grass beneath their feet. Walking through the gardens that supply the farm-to-table restaurant, it’s hard not to sample some fresh-picked produce, warm from sunlight.

The bedrooms, too, are awash in light. Some have French doors opening onto the lawns; all have views of the ocean and nearby islands. The craftsman-style building was built in 1909 (as a home for retired, elderly pineapple executives, it must be said) and refurbished in 2011, fitted with a combination of Balinese and mainland American furniture, plus Japanese architectural touches courtesy of the Japanese craftsmen who constructed the buildings. Needless to say, the materials used were sustainable, right down to the river rock floors in the showers. The hoteliers also consulted with local Kahunas before starting the landscaping process. And for all the gentle new-age touches that have been added, the hotel’s basic appeal is actually quite simple: it does justice to a truly special setting.

How to get there:
Lumeria Maui is a 25-minute drive from Kahului International Airport (OGG).