Lumeria Maui

A haven of peace, comfort and delight. My wife and I spent 4 days there and we will be going back.

This place is fantastic.
We arrived about an hour early for our dinner reservation. This is a chefs tasting menu 3 course and it was 40/​per person. We brought our own wine and although we were early when we were done exploring the wonderful grounds, we sat by the fire pit and had a glass or two.
The dinner was outstanding, small and intimate location. Because we were a couple they did sit us in our own section on the private courtyard, and it was so good to be able to enjoy this amazing meal and service, away from anyone else.
The staff was great and we are going back soon.
Thank you for an amazing experience.
Bogdan

Incredibly profound experience. The grounds are full of serene energy and there are a lot of old souls and healers that work there. I consider myself a spiritually in tune person. A mere 2 nights there helped me achieve a whole new level of connectedness and awareness. Food is also very healthy. It is all locally grown and organic; super tasty

I stayed with a friend at Lumeria Maui in October for three nights. She made the reservations and from the reviews I was quite excited to visit another retreat center.
It was indeed a serene and beautiful environment. The rooms were lovingly appointed. The food varied, breakfast buffet was consistent every day and the evening meal was good & nutritious. Good food! The spa was simple, adequate and the treatments were relaxing.
Overall, I had the feeling of staying in a beautiful ghost town or museum. There was a retreat going on, but they were mostly in a building detached from the main building. The thin walls were expected — it’s a 100 year old historic building made of wood. So it echoes and creaks. I found that had a n old world charm… Made me want a rocking chair on the porch (lanai)!. I liked the peace and quiet, but the empty feeling of the place was, well a bit austere and disconcerting. I think it was the lack of staff on premises. Another reviewer called it a «do it yourself» kind of place. This just surprised me.
The staff that we did interact with, smiled, were helpful, gracious and hospitable, yet underneath appeared pressured & stressed.
For a retreat center environment, I feel the experience starts with the staff and this brings warmth to the environment. Lumeria’s staff seemed ‘spread to thin’ and possibly overworked (?). There was an unhappy vibe. It permeated from housekeeping, front desk, the restaurant /​kitchen and even in the spa. I’ve visited older retreat centers like Esalen, Omega Institute, Mount Madonna and Brietenbush… All are amazing, but what makes them so special is the staff feels like a family, their fulfillment & care of their staff shows in what they give back to retreat guests. By the time I leave these places, I feel like extended family. I love it and I want to return.
Lumeria on the other hand, felt vacuous & empty, like a hotel… a ghost town hotel. Or cold museum. I may try it again in years to come, but for now they have some work to do. Hence my average three star review.
Best wishes Lumeria & good luck in your growth process!

I am conflicted about this review. The rooms and grounds are really beautiful. However, unless you are staying for the yoga getaway experience, I do not recommend this property. There is no air conditioning, and the rooms were still uncomfortably warm after dark. The room finally cooled down around midnight. It was difficult to find staff needed to do things like check in, order juice at breakfast, etc. Seemed like it would be a good place for a meditation vacation, but it’s not a good choice for a business stay unless you have the time and patience to navigate the intricacies of this unique property.

My new husband and I live on Maui, and got married on the north shore. There are no big resorts on the north shore, and I just wanted a nice hotel to have photos of me getting ready in for the wedding, and a beautiful room for us to stay in the night of the wedding. Lumeria by far exceeded any expectations I had.
I had never actually visited the property, but had seen many photos of yoga events held there. I read a few reviews and decided it seemed to be our only option as far as a «resort» to stay at on the north shore.
It was everything we could have ever wanted. First of all, Douglas, the GM helped me with our reservation and I received such incredible service from him. He made sure everything was perfect for our stay, and when it started raining during our set up of the event and I arrived at the hotel soaking wet, frantic and with only 45 minutes to get ready for my wedding, he even gave me some lavender essential oil to help calm down. I guess getting really great customer service is rare these days, and when you experience something really great, you have to share with other people.
Needless to say, I walked in the room for the first time, and it was PERFECT. I clean homes/​vacation rentals on Maui for a living and I tend to be a little anal about cleanliness in hotel rooms, and I was so comfortable. The furniture was beautiful. The bathroom, perfect. I couldn’t have been happier.
In addition to the perfect room, the grounds are also pristine. Made for beautiful photos before the wedding as well.
Walking around the hotel the next morning we felt so important, several staff members congratulating us and asking us all about the wedding. Free (organic) breakfast was included in our stay, and was such a blessing, because as most people say, you don’t really eat during your wedding, so we woke up the next morning starving. The food was delicious, as was the coffee.
After we ate breakfast we walked all around the property admiring it’s beauty. There is a magnificent pool and hot tub, which is quiet and serene. We then found a beautiful area of trees where there are hammocks set up. We laid on the hammocks and drank coffee, looking down the mountain at the ocean view below.
The hotel does not have air-​conditioning and does not need it. Lumeria is located upcountry which naturally is cooler than lower elevated places. The room had a beautiful ceiling fan which was more than enough to move the cool outside air throughout the room. Most residents of Maui do not have air conditioning so if you are really wanting to experience the beauty of Maui, I encourage you to start here.
We live only a few miles from Lumeria, but it was the best get a way we could have ever dreamed of, and we will be returning any chance we get.
If you are looking to really enjoy MAUI, and not be in the hustle and bustle of Kaanapali or Wailea high rise hotels with hundreds of other tourists, this is the place for you.
Even if you are planning to stay in a big resort during your stay on Maui, I ask that you please do yourself a favor and stay at least one night at Lumeria, and experience upcountry Maui.
If you are getting married on Maui, you MUST stay at Lumeria with your new spouse. It is so quiet and private, it was the perfect place for us to rest, unwind, and just be with each other the day after our wedding.
Probably not a place for families. But romantic getaways, honeymoons, r&r, relaxing, falling in love. Lumeria is it.

Lumeria is a gem; I already know that next time I am in Maui, I’m going to stay there again. Such a special place. It was a really nice blend of well-​landscaped and curated gardens with raw natural beauty. My room was situated right in front of the ‘whispering pines’ and with a view toward the ocean; gorgeous. I stayed at Lumeria for an extended time (2 weeks) during a retreat that I was there to work on. I stayed on the property for 7 days straight without leaving and never really even felt an itch to leave. I think it’s because the staff at Lumeria do such a great job at making you feel at home there. There aren’t an excess of rules, and they go so out of their way to help and to facilitate your every need… with a genuine smile. What I found so compelling was that most of the staff seemed genuinely excited to be there everyday. Not just the kind of pleasantries that come along with working in the hospitality industry… it seemed like each of them were truly enthused about working at Lumeria, sharing its grounds, sharing the island, and making us feel totally at home. Also, the food is FANTASTIC. I was lucky enough to have a handful of days off as well … and after each day exploring the island, it always felt nice to return back to the jacuzzi at Lumeria. Looking forward to the next time, Mahalo. :)

Sadly I only spent one night here after spending 5 days on the west side of the island where most vacation seekers are. This was heaven. The grounds are incredible, we enjoyed being outside and walking around. The pool area is very nice as well. We had breakfast before we left and it was delicious and light and included with our stay. After being on the island for a couple days I felt that when we came here we were greeted checked in and left alone which was nice for us. If we ever needed anything we would find a staff member and ask and they were very nice. Also, best bed ever! Like sleeping on a cloud plus aveda toiletries!

Incredibly beautiful, quiet, peaceful setting with gorgeous gardens, beautifully decorated rooms, amazing yoga, and friendly service.

Sadly I have to give 2 stars. There is lots to like about this place, but it does not live up to the hype. It is beautiful, serene and lovely.
The staff was not available and frankly did not seem to care about many of the issues that came up for us.
The food served is terrible, I don’t recommend eating at the restaurant on site $ 40.00 pp. I think they served cauliflower bake and a lentil and quinoa dry side dish accompanied by a main entrée of unintentionally raw shrimp skewers. the only thing that made it palpable is that the grounds are so peaceful and relaxing AND there was NO ONE else there. The main stone and tile hot tub was broken :(this is huge for me as you can see from other reviews I am a hot tub queen. When I mentioned it to the staff she said in an unfriendly was that it was broken and not be fixed during my stay. To me, this sort of faux pas deserves a discount or extra bonus of some sort. The property did have another tub available, but it was a plastic one with all the jets from the 80’s that seemed like there should be a guy in there with a pornstache along with the lit up water features.
The room was nice, but again the walls are paper thin and I could hear everything my neighbors were saying and doing! The person staying next to us was VERY sick the whole time and we could hear it all.
It was HARD to be crabby in such a nice environment… music is piped into the lodge and walls (not your bedroom) all day. I actually liked it, I found it relaxing.
The yoga classes did not take place when they were supposed to. When I asked where the yoga class was the girl replied that the teacher just called and was sick. That was really disappointing and I thought again warranted some sort of reimbursement. When a yoga class did happen it was SUPER advanced and there was no real room for beginners like me. I’m over it.
I can’t honestly say that I experienced better, so I feel dishonest giving 2 stars. The place is amazing, under the stars, quiet (except when you are in your bedroom) relaxing. But it’s expensive and stuff doesn’t work or is not delivered as promised. The staff consists of young girls running around in a self absorbed manner,. A big SMILE does not equal good customer service BTW. We were on our honeymoon, so it was hard to be bummed. We had an adventure, but I am shocked that this place is on the top 20 yoga destinations in the world. The morning meditation with Karin was very relaxing and she was nice.
Agreed this place is more a retreat and one of the reasons I picked this place was the pretty hot tub. It didn’t work the whole time and they didn’t care to fix it.
Lastly, we stayed at a few places during our honeymoon so that made the trip to Lumeria less disappointing.

I was the organizer for a group of 20 women on a retreat at Lumeria. The rooms and grounds at Lumeria are absolutely gorgeous. Christine and Tina responded to every request that I had for them and were great to work with both leading up to the retreat and during the retreat.
As far as amenities. .. .the pool and spa were rarely in use and it was a peaceful place to hang out. My only complaint is that they built a bamboo hedge around the pool area. I had been there when the pool was first installed and one of the things I loved was that you could look out over the landscape to the ocean beyond. There are wonderful hammocks to lay in out in the whispering pines forest and there are great outdoor benches along the walkways with nice padding and pillows that allow for a great place to relax and read a book. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and the decorating at Lumeria is indescribable (in a good way).
Our group was «in session» with our own retreat in the mornings when most of the yoga classes took place so I can’t comment on those classes that are provided to guests of Lumeria.
Bugs. .. . just to let people know, in Upcountry there are lots bugs and Cane Spiders which can be a little disconcerting due to their size although they are harmless. We only had one issue with finding a spider in a room, though, and we were able to shoo it out.
The only negative was the food. We had all but one meal provided by Lumeria. We wanted to have the meals there because it gave more time for people to be together and get to know one another (our participants came from all over the U.S. and one from Australia). We did an exit survey of our participants when they were done with the retreat and the consistent comments we got were that the food was a disappointment. I know Lumeria is more of a health and yoga location and so I believe they work on creating nutritious healthy food for their guests. However, fish every night got a little old. (we had three dinners there and all were fish). Breakfast was marginal. but it was a buffet that is out for two hours so I imagine there is only so much you can do with that.
Overall a great experience and location. I would highly recommend it to individuals and people putting together retreats.

I am not usually the one for «natural healing» and all that spiritual mumbo jumbo. But my stay here has introduced me to a lifestyle I never thought I’d enjoy. Scott, basically the do-​everything guy, is really cool and will help you in any way possible.
There is yoga and really healthy, delicious breakfast every morning. The facility is gourgeous, with flowers, trees and greenery everywhere I turn. By the third day I was walking around barefoot everywhere just because of how immersed I was in the culture. I took a tai chi class the first day of my stay and it was awesome.
This place is great, I wouldn’t recommend bringing your kids though.

A friend and I stayed one night in one of the rooms facing the parking lot. We were the only ones on that side, so it was quiet… not sure how that would be if there are others there.
Yoga class with Skeeter was wonderful. Skeeter is very knowledgeable and her presence is a very calming one. Morning guided meditation with Karin, was a treat… I was in a deeply relaxed space afterwards.
The complimentary breakfast was okay, at best. The fruit — papaya, pineapple, orange, watermelon, were fresh and beautifully presented. Coffee was included. I prefer darker roast. The muffin and bread — mediocre. Yogurt, granola and hard boiled eggs, again, nothing too exciting. But then, it was a continental breakfast… and nice not having to think about breakfast.
Aromatherapy class was interesting. Andrea did a great job covering the highlights of the oils, and the doTerra sales pitch was not over the top. I appreciate that.
The garden is beautifully laid out. I specially enjoy the rock path out back. Multiple giant crystal formations are placed everywhere, inside the lobby and in the grounds… I love them! I felt connected to mother earth when I touched them… and I touch them all! I will have to get one for myself!
The labyrinth was an ingenious addition to the garden. Finding my center by finding the labyrinth’s center is, well, centering… will definitely be back for more of that. I may put one in my yard!
Wonderful place for a retreat. I will come back to get away for a few days, perhaps even bring a group for a retreat here.

Lumeria is not only the most beautiful resort in Maui with gardens that are nothing short of paradise. It is also Maui’s best hidden secret when it comes to dining. Their family style served gourmet dinner is fantastic. The chef chooses the best local ingredients and transforms them into meals that are obviously made with love. The other fun part is that you call ahead to make a reservation and pay by phone which makes the whole evening even more special. No bills, no hassle, just right! The price is even more incredible — 3 course dinner for $ 40! Thank you Lumeria for re-​inventing fine dining in Maui!

The hotel grounds & lobby are gorgeous. The pool is ok — seems like an after thought. The massage & reiki treatments rooms are also not as lux as the price would make it seem. Our service providers were solid & enjoyable, but the facilities are really bit what they should be. The restroom & shower in this area are well below what a 5 star establishment should be. Services were OVERpriced & for that we felt a bit taken. Would go back just for hotel stay & some yoga classes, but that’s it.

Serene, beautiful, and phenomenal service!

I just came back from my second stay at Lumeria in less than a year, so I thought I’d share how things are shaping up at this still relatively new spot.
The grounds are still as beautiful as before, and they’ve added a small but nice pool and hot tub. It’s a good addition, and just watching where people were hanging out, it’s clear that the pool is a winner.
I was excited to hear that they had brought in a GM with hotel experience, but the hospitality side of the experience was mostly the same as on my last visit: there is limited staff presence anywhere except tucked behind their computers at the check-​in counter outside of the hotel proper.
It’s almost entirely a do-​it-​yourself experience inside the gates, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I’d like to believe that they’d be doing themselves and their guests a favor just by adding a single person to their staff whose job it is to proactively look for ways to help.
Where I previously suggested the rooms in the back near the hammocks, I’d now tell you the exact opposite: there’s a family of roosters who live there and they’ll wake you up around 5 or 6 in the morning. It’d be pretty cool if the hotel «managed» that problem.
Some other issues that people have already noted: the walls are indeed thin and you will hear conversations in other rooms. You’ll also have to keep the blinds closed to manage any semblance of privacy. None of these things are deal killers, but they’re worth mentioning, particularly if you end up going at the same time as a big noisy group.
I ultimately think that Lumeria’s sweet spot is as a retreat rather than a hotel. It has a lot to offer, particularly compared to the ugly mega resorts on Maui, but I’m still convinced it could do a whole lot better.

I stayed at Lumeria for a yoga business retreat, with the focus of getting work done. It is the most perfect location for getting away and being secluded. There are no phones or TVs in the rooms, but there is free wifi. The grounds are absolutely beautiful! I loved that there were plenty of outdoor (but shaded) areas where I was able to work but still be surrounded by lush trees and plants. It was so relaxing! The rooms were amazing! I thought I would be disappointed not being near the beach, but I didn’t miss it at all. The town of Paia is only 10 minutes away along with a local beach. I did not take any yoga classes from the staff of Lumeria (The organizer of my retreat taught our classes), but they had nice mats, blocks and straps available so it is not necessary to bring your own.
The staff was super nice and very helpful. The daily breakfast was perfect and I loved the fresh water, flavored differently each day with lemons, limes, oranges, rosemary, etc.
My only con would be lack of food. You have to book your dinner (which was amazing) 24 hours in advanced so planning is required. Also, outside of breakfast there is no food available unless you leave the resort. I wish they had the option of buying healthy snacks, small meals or having fruit available during the day. I was able to ask the kitchen for a muffin if I got really hungry.
I usually don’t like to visit places more than once, but I will be back and hosting a retreat here!

Lumeria is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I’ve ever visited. You can feel the tranquility the minute you step onto the property. The grounds are carefully landscaped with colorful plants and the rooms are exquisitely decorated. It’s a feast for the senses.
Lumeria is about reconnecting to spirit, finding your inner sense of peace again and receiving sustenance for your soul. The beauty and design of the resort fosters this experience and you can tell thought went into every detail.
I stayed for a week with my two sisters and we had an amazing time. We did yoga just about every morning with the inspiring yoga instructor Skeeter. The classes were about yoga, but also about being open to the «Aloha» spirit and remembering what is most important in life. With each passing day I felt more grounded, relaxed and energized.
As peaceful as Lumeria is it’s also possible to work in some adventure. We made arrangements for a day of stand-​up paddle boarding in the ocean as well as a day of zip lining in the national park. There are small towns close to Lumeria where you can visit local art galleries or do some shopping. The Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center is also very close by and you can buy artwork from local Maui artists.
At the center of Lumeria is creator and owner Zorin Balbes, who personifies the spirit of Lumeria (it is his creation after all) with his warm and engaging demeanor. He would greet my sisters and I every day and ask how was our stay? Did we need anything? What were we up to that day? He could easily have been in the background but instead he was actively involved, open to what our experience was and genuinely interested in our feedback. My impression is that customer service is a top priority at Lumeria and that Zorin and his staff want to ensure guests have what they need.
I regenerated completely at Lumeria and left with a renewed sense of clarity, inner peace and an understanding of what I will change in my life going forward. I knew I needed to go on vacation before I went to Lumeria, but I left with such a deep sense of gratitude for all that I gained during my stay. If you’re looking to recalibrate and regenerate, Lumeria is the place to go.

The moment I read about Lumeria I was taken with its description. A design-​forward yoga sanctuary set upon the lush grounds of a former sugarcane plantation in Maui. Modern rooms with river-​rock shower floors. Yoga classes and a light organic breakfast included.
I love the beach, but I have no need to sleep right next to it, so Lumeria’s upcountry location was perfect and an easy drive from Kahului airport and just three miles from the sleepy surf town of Paia.
When we arrived, the grounds were even more spectacular than what I’d seen in photos (I booked many months ahead and devoured anything I could find on Lumeria in the lead up to the trip). We wandered around awhile looking for reception before a pair of guests let us know it’s in a small structure beyond the large lobby.
We were greeted by a staff member who looked puzzled to see us. Once it was sussed out that we’d come to stay, we were checked in and shown to our room but beyond a schedule of yoga classes we were told precious else about Lumeria and what we might expect to discover during our stay there.
As we settled in we noticed hints of Lumeria’s various offerings but had received no detail about them at check-​in, and the binder in the room neglected to provide further color. Was there a restaurant on site, and was it open and if yes, for which meals? Should we take bath towels from the room down to the beach or to the deck chairs spread around the lawn? What made Lumeria and Maui special and what should we not miss? Local knowledge is valuable and I’m sure the staff at Lumeria possess a lot of it. And I think that’s something they should more zealously share with guests.
Resourceful travelers, we turned to Unilocal,Maui Revealed and the many recommendations we’d received from friends before leaving home and began to chart our course. Over the next few days, the friendly and approachable cleaning man told us that the music in the main lobby could be paused in order to play the piano, that they had beach towels at reception and I ventured back up there to inquire about the restaurant. (For the record, dinner’s served nightly at 6:30PM and you need to reserve 24 hours in advance.)
The thing about design, be it good or bad, is that you live it. You don’t just look at it. After eight nights at Lumeria I’m left with the feeling that I could have done with less perfect curation and more engagement and hospitality. The staff are well-​intentioned but feel removed from Lumeria itself (both literally and physically). And I wonder if they’ve ever stayed in the rooms on the property. I suspect if they had they’d realize just how big a difference frosting the glass of the windows that face the wraparound porch would make toward privacy in the guest rooms. It seemed a shame that the options were (a) leave the blinds open and be on display to anyone walking by or (b) have the shades drawn and shut out all that wonderful Maui sunshine.
Fundamentally, I felt like I was at a friends and family soft opening — where plenty of the kinks were still being worked out — but paying rack rates. And I wish somehow I’d known that Lumeria was just getting its bearings so I might not have expected a luxury boutique hotel firing on all cylinders.
I’m a fan, I experienced a lot of joy at Lumeria, most notably: Jennifer Lynn’s yoga classes, playing croquet, feeling the breeze from the hammocks out back, walking the gorgeous grounds in the quiet stillness of early morning and Union yoga with Bryan at sunset on the lawn.
I think Lumeria is going to be absolutely lovely but right now there are still pronounceable growing pains it needs to surmount. Nothing that can’t be overcome but give it a little time if you’re looking for a luxury hideaway with service to match.