What to expect: Opened in 1947, this 66-acre coastal resort was fully renovated in 2002. Isolated on the eastern side of Maui's Haleakala mountain, it's accessed by a three-hour drive on a winding, two-lane coast highway, with one-lane bridges over waterfalls. The hotel is set in a working ranch, and horses graze on a bluff overlooking Hana Bay. Honeymooners, eco-adventurers, and vacationing businesspeople come for Hawaiian history, culture, and entertainment, and the many on-site recreational and spa services.

Insider tip: By starting the day on the remote southeast coast, hotel guests can beat west-coast tourist traffic to attractions such as Blue Pool; Pi'ilanihale Heiau; Wai'anapanapa State Park; and nearby white-, black-, and red-sand beaches. Hana and surrounding areas can be seen from a mountaintop memorial to Hana Ranch founder Paul Fagan; the front desk has keys.