Psssst … wanna know a secret? The Mauian is one of the best options for a laid-back, low-key Hawaii getaway.

Although the 44-room hotel was one of the first to be built on the shores of Napili Bay, it has remained pretty much under the radar. Those in the know, some of whom have been returning for more than 30 years, are just fine with that, pointing out that the Mauian’s appeal has as much to do with what it doesn’t have as what it does have.

For starters, to preserve the peaceful ambience, there are no phones, stereos or TVs in the rooms. Neither does the hotel have a spa, a restaurant or a business center.

So what does the Mauian offer? A relaxing escape that recalls simple, innocent times, which is becoming increasingly hard to find in an age of extravagant, sensory-overload megaresorts.

Three unpretentious two-story buildings and a profusion of flowers and greenery surround a wide lawn. The design provides plenty of space to roam yet allows guests to feel they’re part of an intimate community. The highlight of a stay might be a game of shuffleboard, a barbecue supper by the pool or watching the sun set behind Molokai.

Kep Aluli and his partner, Yoshiho Ogami, constructed the Mauian in 1959 on 2 prime acres bordering Napili Beach. Relishing the beauty and seclusion of the coastal area, which was otherwise largely undeveloped, Aluli also built a beachfront house as a retreat for his family. His daughter, Yuklin Aluli, an Oahu attorney, remembers spending weekends, holidays and summers there when she was growing up.

"We used to fly from Oahu to Maui on a small plane and land on a sugar plantation road where Kaanapali Resort is now," she recalled. "I grazed my two horses among macadamia nut trees that were on the Mauian’s grounds. I loved bodysurfing and going fishing with my dad in Napili Bay, collecting shells on the beach and exploring the hills of the West Maui Mountains on horseback with friends."

Whenever extra hands were needed, Yuklin manned the Mauian’s front desk, helped the housekeeping staff clean rooms, and stocked shelves and rung up purchases in the small on-site store. "I was around 10 years old at the time," she said. "As a reward, my dad let me run a tab for drinks and snacks at Honolua Store 2 miles up the road. I rode one of my horses there every day and would often treat my friends to Creamsicles and sushi."

Nane Aluli, Yuklin’s cousin, has been the Mauian’s general manager since 2000. Even though the property was sold to a mainland entrepreneur in 2003, he continues to be guided by a philosophy based on the Hawaiian values of aloha and hookipa (hospitality).

Guests gather in the Ohana Room for continental breakfast, to borrow books free of charge and to watch TV (if they absolutely can’t miss their favorite shows). Games and DVDs can be rented for just $1 per day, and the beach, the most popular draw, is just steps from every room.

The Mauian has been refreshed and renovated multiple times over the years. Its 38 studio accommodations have fully equipped kitchens, including cookware, dishes, utensils, stainless steel appliances, glass-ceramic stovetops and a convection oven. All rooms are furnished with comfortable Tempur-Pedic beds; guests in beachfront and oceanview units can be lulled to sleep by the soothing songs of the sea.

Oregon residents Scott MacCluer and his wife, Kathy, have stayed at the Mauian once or twice a year ever since their daughter-in-law discovered it in 2010 and arranged a family reunion there.

"We know the staff by name," MacCluer said. "They’re awesome. If time permits, Eladio, one of the gardeners, will tell you about the trees and flowers in the landscaping — what they are, what they’re used for and Hawaiian legends about them. On our last trip he made a bouquet of colorful gingers for Kathy."

The couple enjoys grilling fresh fish by the pool and lap swimming in Napili Bay. "Imagine seeing fish and turtles while you’re swimming," MacCluer said. "And pau hana time is special. Folks gather at the edge of the bay to talk story and watch the best show in Hawaii: sunset. We’ve met interesting people from all over the world there."

Hailing from Long Beach, Calif., Sig Gergens, his wife and his daughter (both named Helga) have been vacationing at the Mauian every year since 1990.

"It’s casual and modest like a beach house, which may not be for everyone, but for us it’s like coming home each time we visit," Gergens said. "We’ve become close friends with other guests, and the staff always makes our stays memorable. They’re all part of our ‘Mauian family’ and are among the many reasons we keep coming back."

The Gergens have celebrated numerous occasions at the hotel, most notably their 40th, 45th, 50th and 55th wedding anniversaries in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010. They’ll be there in May to mark two anniversaries — 60 years of marriage and 25 years of wonderful vacations at the hotel.

"For years we didn’t tell anyone about the Mauian because we didn’t want more people coming to our quiet hideaway," Gergens said. "We still think of it as our little piece of heaven in Hawaii, and we’d like to keep it that way. So please don’t print a story about it. Help us keep our secret."

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.