Across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, these island destinations prove that the most transformative journeys begin where land meets sea.
Sometimes the best way to reset and refresh is to leave the desert behind and follow the horizon to water. From a wellness sanctuary perched above Kaua‘i’s legendary Hanalei Bay to a historic palace overlooking Madeira’s Atlantic coastline and a sustainability-driven island retreat in the Maldives, these escapes invite travelers to truly slow down and savor the journey.
Pacific Ocean: Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i
Stay: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Getting There: Fly direct from Phoenix Sky Harbor to Līhu‘e Airport. The resort is then about a 50-minute drive.
Kaua‘i’s North Shore feels like a dreamscape—emerald mountains wrapped in mist, waterfalls spilling through jungle valleys and Hanalei Bay stretching out in a perfect crescent of sand. Home to Mount Waiʻaleʻale, one of the wettest places on Earth, the island’s lush interior shapes everything from its rivers to its rainforests. Perched high above Hanalei Bay—one of Hawai‘i’s most iconic and photographed landscapes—1 Hotel Hanalei Bay blends seamlessly into the setting, creating a wellness-focused retreat where nature quietly leads the experience.
Organic materials, reclaimed wood and breezy open-air spaces define the resort’s indoor-outdoor aesthetic, while guest rooms frame sweeping views of the Pacific or the surrounding mountains. The setting alone feels restorative, but wellness here goes much deeper. An expansive spa and fitness center anchors the property, alongside contrast therapy circuits, ocean-facing movement classes and cultural programming rooted in Hawaiian tradition.
At the heart of the experience are the resort’s immersive multi-day Wellness Retreats, designed around the island’s elemental rhythms. Honua (Earth) emphasizes outdoor adventure and both physical and mental strength training in nature. Ahi (Fire) focuses on vitality and metabolic optimization. Wai (Water) suggests a slower reset through mindfulness and movement, while Makani (Wind) allows guests to customize their own retreat with personalized therapies and coaching.
Beyond the resort, Kaua‘i invites exploration. The Sunset Cart Tour at Princeville Makai Golf Club offers a golden-hour ride along oceanfront cliffs, with opportunities to spot native flora and fauna along the way. The Food and Farm Tour at Waipā Foundation provides a deeper look at traditional Hawaiian agriculture, culminating in a four-course lunch crafted largely from ingredients grown on-site.
Back at the resort, evenings unfold at Welina Terrace, where craft cocktails and fiery Pacific sunsets feel like the perfect end to a day on the Garden Isle.
Atlantic Ocean: Madeira, Portugal
Stay: Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel
Getting There: Fly from Phoenix to Newark, New Jersey, or London, then continue with a short flight to Madeira’s Funchal Airport.
Floating in the Atlantic nearly 350 miles from Morocco, Madeira has long captivated travelers with its dramatic cliffs, botanical gardens and year-round springlike climate.
High above the harbor of the capital city, Funchal, sits Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel—the island’s most iconic address since 1891. The pastel-pink palace is equal parts historic landmark and seaside retreat, surrounded by lush subtropical gardens that tumble toward the ocean.
Rooms and suites embrace classic European elegance, including antique furnishings, crisp linens and balconies overlooking the endless horizon. But the real magic happens on the hotel’s sweeping terraces. Here, afternoon tea is served much as it has been for generations, with silver teapots, delicate pastries and panoramic ocean views.
Beyond the hotel, Madeira is made for exploring. The island’s levada trails wind through misty forests and along volcanic ridges, revealing wide-open coastal views at every turn. In Funchal, markets overflow with tropical fruit, cable cars climb to hillside gardens and historic wine lodges pour the island’s signature Madeira vintages.
On charming Madeira, embrace the romance of refined European travel: candlelit dinners, ocean breezes and the Atlantic glinting below the cliffs.
belmond.com/hotels/europe/portugal/madeira/belmond-reids-palace
Indian Ocean: Maldives
Stay: Gili Lankanfushi
Getting There: Multiple routes are available from major U.S. airports. One of the most direct options from Phoenix is to fly to London, with onward service to Malé. Another option is to fly from Phoenix to Dallas, then through Doha to Malé. From Malé, it’s just a 20-minute speedboat ride to the island.
In the Maldives, coral atolls scatter across the Indian Ocean, glowing against impossibly turquoise water. At Gili Lankanfushi, that surreal setting is paired with a philosophy of barefoot luxury, where shoes are optional and the ocean is always just steps away.
Set on a private island, wooden jetties stretch across the lagoon to 45 overwater villas built from sustainably sourced materials. The villas feature recycled teak, open-air living spaces and glass floor panels that reveal the colorful marine life moving below. Every villa comes with a dedicated “Mr./Ms. Friday” butler, making it easy to slip into the unhurried rhythm of island time.
Sustainability isn’t just a talking point here; it’s part of the experience. Guests can join the resident marine biologist for a Coral Lines session, attaching coral fragments to ropes that are then placed in the water to help regenerate the reef. The coral is monitored throughout the year, giving travelers the chance to follow its growth virtually before it is transplanted onto the house reef, supporting the vibrant biodiversity the Maldives is known for.
Days naturally revolve around the water. Snorkel straight from your villa to spot reef sharks, rays and schools of tropical fish, or head farther out for diving, watersports and yacht excursions across the atolls. For relaxation above the waves, the Overwater Meera Spa offers treatments in glass-floored rooms suspended above the lagoon, along with a steam room, sauna and open-air relaxation spaces.
Dining is just as intentional. Executive Chef Hari Govindaraj’s plant-forward menus draw from the island’s organic garden, with vegan tastings and cooking classes that highlight what’s grown on-site. At By the Sea, Japanese-fusion dishes are served with sweeping ocean views, while the underground wine cellar—stocked with more than 500 labels—hosts intimate tastings paired with cheese or chocolate. The main restaurant, Kashiveli, transforms for dinner with a rotating selection of global themes, from Maldivian flavors to Mediterranean influences and beyond.
As the sun sets, the lagoon turns gold and the water settles into a gentle rhythm. Gili Lankanfushi becomes the very definition of an effortless island escape.
Photos courtesy respective resorts.
