The long trip to Hawaii inevitably brings on jet lag, but a 5 a.m. soak in a huge whirlpool tub, followed by a sunrise walk along a series of gorgeous saltwater lagoons overlooking the Pacific Ocean, feels wonderful. I was privileged to discover this antidote to jet lag at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina, on the island of Oahu, when I visited with a group of ICPA planners prior to ICPA's annual meeting on Maui in November.

A half-hour ride from Honolulu International Airport, the 387-room resort is located on the island's sunny western shore — accessible to the attractions of Waikiki but light-years removed from the hustle and bustle. It's a hidden gem quickly being discovered by insurance and financial planners looking for luxury, convenience, and enough meeting space to accommodate large groups. The hotel allows buyouts as well — usually two or three a year, says general manager Chris Tatum. Along with ample meeting space (see sidebar, left), amenities include spacious guest rooms with cushioned teak furnishings and stunning marble bathrooms, a 35,000-square-foot spa, and a Ted Robinson — designed championship golf course next door.

Our group also experienced a photo safari to two off-the-beaten-path locales, arranged by MC&A destination management company and led by photographer Jessica Radovich. Set against a backdrop of tall cliffs, the bucolic Valley of the Temples is a multicultural burial ground dotted with shrines, including a replica of the 900-year-old Buddhist Byodo-In Temple in Japan. After exploring this compelling site, we drove to one of Oahu's best-kept secrets, Kailua Beach, for a picnic lunch. For those of us who had been there, done that, in Waikiki, the photo safari was an eye-opener to another face of the island.