Designated the Garden Isle, Kauai has long been the go-to destination for honeymooning couples and intrepid adventure-seekers. Its lush foliage and breathtaking white-sand beaches set the stage for the ultimate getaway. It's no surprise then that the island has served as the spectacular setting for numerous films and television productions, such as South Pacific, Gilligan's Island, Fantasy Island, The Thorn Birds, Jurassic Park, and more. Capitalizing on the celebrated scenery is the popular Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa (Koloa, HI), which is built into a hillside overlooking Keoneloa Bay. True paradise is found, however, with a visit to Anara Spa, a 14,000-square-foot facility that incorporates a host of Hawaiian healing traditions.

The open-air relaxation hale in the Lokahi Garden features teak floors and a bamboo ceiling.

Although the spa first opened in 1991, it underwent a renovation late last year to give it a needed revamp. Going beyond a mere makeover, the update included the addition of 25,000 square feet, much of which is used to accommodate the spa's main attraction, the Lokahi Garden. Intended for spa-goers experiencing any of Anara's Journeys, Escapes, or couples' treatments, the garden's four thatched-roof hales—two for singles and two for couples—each features a private open-air lava rock shower and a steam grotto. An additional hale is used for couples wanting to enjoy alfresco pedicures. Two soaking tubs are also on-hand for guests experiencing a bath service.

Thatched-roof treatment hales, meandering stone paths, and lush foliage make the Lokahi Garden a virtual Shangri-La.

Drawing on the restorative power of nature, the garden was named with that thought in mind. In Hawaiian, lokahi translates to harmony. According to spa director Jessica Shea, it was chosen because it refers to the spa and its guests being in harmony with nature. The same thought to detail was given in the naming of the treatment hales, which sport Hawaiian names for various indigenous plants, such as Ko for sugarcane and Ki for ti leaves. The spa also features 10 indoor treatment rooms, which include their own private gardens, and a Vichy room.

Honeymooners often take advantage of the spa's two couples' hales.

Honoring Hawaiian culture, the menu features a variety of treatments that blend traditional healing practices with natural island botanicals. "We wanted to create services that took inspiration from the three major elements of traditional Hawaiian healing—herbal medicine (la'au), massage (lomi), and spiritual practice (ho-oponopono)—and their historic purpose to treat the mind, body, and spirit as one, developing a profound sense of balance," says Shea. "With this as our menu's foundation, we then sought to infuse every service with the natural, tropical elements that support our relationship with the island and bring a little decadence to the treatments."