Vacation Rentals by Owner

Paradise!

Guest: Dan (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 04/22/12 Review Submitted: 05/09/12

I wasn't sure what to expect before arriving, but our stay at Sam and Mercury's place added so much to our Hawaii experience! The room itself was great...a glass corner of the house looking toward the ocean from two angles, a large deck with an outdoor kitchenette and table, and a huge lucious garden complete with outdoor tub and shower, a huge mango tree with a tree swing, and nice lounge chairs in the garden. Sam and Mecury are super friendly and helpful, and they let us have our privacy during our stay. The location of the property was also an advantage...about 30 minutes away from Hana, and only 1 mile from the 7 Pools. This gave us the feel of being away from throngs of tourists and a sense of the true culture of Hawaii. The photos shown are accurate, but don't give you the full feel of the views and property...they are amazing! Everything was extremely clean and well thought out. We would absolutely recommend this property...you will be pleased!!! Just remember to pick up groceries in Hana, as there are no stores on this end of the island.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Sanctuary

Guest: kstar (Seattle, WA )
Date of Stay: 04/22/12 Review Submitted: 05/09/12

What an amazing enchanting place. We didn't know what to expect as we drove along a narrow winding road from the tourist resorts. I was more than pleased with our stay. The hiking, beaches, and waterfalls were all within a stones throw. I recommend this place for anyone looking for a unique experience while in Maui.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Serenity and boundless beauty...

Guest: Terry (Oakland, Ca.)
Date of Stay: 11/29/11 Review Submitted: 12/12/11

Saiadhi met us when we drove up to the beautiful, tranquil property from the country road that took us there. We stayed only two days and we wished we had booked more! Incredible peace and serenity on 4 acres of lovely manicured and decorated land. The ponds with the lotus blossoms were particularly pretty although there isn't anywhere to look be it in the distance or on the property that isn't just plain specatacular. We saw the volcanoes on the Big Island from our lanai.The quiet is just incredible. I slept 10 hours one night which just blows my mind. I haven't slept even 8 hours for decades so that was a highlight of my visit. We left the property wanting to stay more. Going back to 'the world' was a let down. Next time we will book this property for a week and leave the rest of the island to the tourists. Do yourself a big favor and book this property now.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Slice of Heaven

Guest: Char & Huu (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 02/22/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

If you are looking for peace and quiet and beauty on the Hana coast, look no further. Beautiful site, lovely accommodation, and gracious hostesses. You are off the grid and that's a good thing. Loved waking up to the chirping birds, light wind rustling through the trees and fantastic ocean views out two huge windows, all without leaving the bed. Recommend without reservation (room reservations are required, though) and would return in a heartbeat.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

More than met expectation

Guest: Wavelady (Pacific Northwest)
Date of Stay: 01/11/11 Review Submitted: 05/27/11

Our stay at Ala Aina was spectacular! This was our first time to Maui and we stayed 4 nights here at the beginning of our trip... Sam and Mercury were FABULOUS hostesses - the fresh fruit, the flowers, the beautiful gardens, outdoor shower/tub, the vistas, a tropical playground and so very relaxing! We happened to be there in the "rainy" season and experienced terrific thunder/lightening/rain storms - but so enjoyed the outdoor kitchen and deck area - just enough cover to make it all work! And the warm breezes all night - the entire stay was a dream. We were so grateful for Sam and Mercury's unobtrusive attention to all the details and their warm hospitality that made our stay so special.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Tropical paradise that allows you to "get away from it all"

Guest: Pete (Bloomsburg, PA)
Date of Stay: 01/04/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/11

The bed and breakfast was comfortable with an outdoor kitchen on a deck from which both sunrise and sunset could be observed. The only noise that one could hear was the ocean and the only light that could be seen at night were the moon and stars. It was a great place to relax after a day of hiking, snorkeling or just lying on the nearby beaches. The outdoor kitchen was very easy to use with a small refrigerator and a propane stove. We cooked our breakfast and dinner everyday while enjoying the sunrise and sunset. The 4 acre + property was well maintained with fruit trees and coconuts; we were able to pick fresh passion fruit every day. It had both and indoor and outdoor shower that worked extremely well. The proprietors give you all the space you want, but if you have questions they were very friendly and helpful. You would hardly notice that they were there. If you want a place to get away from it all, this is the place. We recommend you get groceries before you leave for Hana because the two small general stores in Hana are very expensive. You can get fresh fruits and vegetables from local stands along the road very easily.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Hawaiian Style Tropical Paridise

Guest: Jim (Monterey Bay Area - California)
Date of Stay: 09/19/10 Review Submitted: 10/03/10

My wife and I loved our stay at "Ala"aina Ocean Vista - the room was beautiful, very airy with hardwood floors, lots of wood with some Koa trim. Real Hawaiian style. We were greeted by the owner and a beautiful rainbow. We especially liked the large bed next to the windows with great view of the gardens and ocean. Lot's of trees, flowers and fruit on the property. The place is well kept, clean and very quiet. The kitchen is on the open deck, It was fun cooking and eating on the deck with an ocean view on two sides. The room had a huge shower - we also enjoyed the outdoor tub. This is by far the best place we have stayed in Hana, we will definitely be back.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent start to our honeymoon

Guest: row22-8 (Ottawa, Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/06/10 Review Submitted: 07/25/10

We stayed here for 2 nights to kick-off our honeymoon. The room was very nice with huge windows and great ocean breezes. The best part is the outdoor cooking and eating area on the deck, with stunning ocean views -- the deck is partially covered by a roof, just in case a tropical shower blows though during dinner. There was a two-burner stove, perfect for making meals for two -- just make sure to pick up groceries in Kahului before you hit the highway -- don't worry too much about fruit though, they provided us with an amazing fruit basket when we arrived. Sam and Mercury took great care of us and provided super-helpful info when we checked-in about activities in the area, including the Wailuku Falls, Seven Sacred Pools, and Alelele Falls. And though they were always nearby, we always felt like we had our privacy. The location is ideal for exploring the Kipahulu area, right off the main road, about 30 minutes past Hana, and about 10 minutes past the Seven Sacred Pools. The road itself is breathtaking, the scenery does not stop at Hana. In terms of value, the price is a bit steep, but overall still a pretty good deal, especially when you factor in making our own meals and drinking your own wine and beer on the deck. Finally, in terms of sleep quality, the bed isn't really the greatest. But if you leave the windows open at night (they have screens), the nightly rainstorms made for great sleeping... as long as you aren't afraid of a gecko or two ;) Overall, we loved our stay, we'd stay again, and we'd highly recommend Ala'AIna, especially for couples that just want to enjoy being together in a very beautiful and peaceful setting.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Heaven & Paradise in 1 place

Guest: Peggy & Wade (San Clemente, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/02/10 Review Submitted: 06/14/10

We were only able to stay 2 nights as we were meeting friends in Kaanapali. There is so much to see & do here. Relaxation & peace hits you immediately when you arrive. Sitting on the lanai sipping a cold drink while taking in the beauty around you is wonderful. The grounds are beautiful along with all the birds chirping the ocean vistas in sight. Sam & Mercury are wonderful hosts. We have already recommended the B&B to our friends, showing them all the pictures of the property & surroundings areas. We will be back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/31/09 Review Submitted: 07/30/09

The Mother-Daughter team do a great job at hospitality in their "Piece of Paradise". We enjoyed two of our dinners on the lanai watching the sunset. One dinner we ate off of the bamboo tray on our bed because of the rainfall. As the evenings progressed, we would sit at the table and read, eat tropical fruit from the property then crawl into the king size bed and watch the geckos crawl up the outside of the windows. The croaking frogs and light rainfall lulled us to sleep several nights. We enjoyed coconut milk, mangoes and bananas from the beautifully manicured grounds (a former banana plantation). Once we were greeted and shown around, we were given complete privacy, unless we sought them out with a question. I bought a nice costume jewelry necklace from Mercury's collection of handmade jewelry. We appreciated all of the plumerias and other exotic flowers used to decorate our room. We would recommend Ala Aina Ocean Vista, especially for honeymooners; lots of privacy and beautiful scenery. The only sounds we heard were the mooing of nearby cows occasionally, birds trilling, the wind in the mango trees and the frogs at night. Ahhhhh, lovely! This is the exact opposite of Kaanapali's hustle and bustle. it's remote, quiet & relaxing. If you want to rejuvenate and enjoy nature, this is the place to stay!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 09/04/08 Review Submitted: 09/03/08

I was encouraged by friends from New York, who now live in Maui, and are "in the know", that if I went to Hana, the only place to stay was at The Ala'aina, if I wanted an authentic experience of "Old Hawaii". If I really wanted to get away from "it all", this was the address. I found this spot to be completely charming, comfortable, secluded, and magical, all that they had enthusiastically promised me. I felt genuinely welcomed by both of my hostesses, who offered friendly advice to my inquiries, and showed true concern regarding my comfort, and satisfaction. I was particularly fond of my fully equipped outdoor kitchen, and table, a cupboard filled with Maui Organic coffee, and a fridge filled with croissant and sliced mangoes--yum! Although the indoor bathroom was well appointed with an oversized glass cubed shower, I most enjoyed showering out of doors, in the solar heated shower, or bathing in the wonderful outdoor tub, amidst a sweet garden, and watering the flowers with my used bath water, by pulling the plug at bathtimes end. I believe that most energy was garnered through solar power, so I can truly say that I lived "Off the Grid", in luxury for a few special days. The ocean views were magnificent, and the proximity of my sweet-sweet cottage to other sites of interest in Hana, were extra bonuses.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/05/08 Review Submitted: 08/04/08

I really needed to get away from it all. A pal of mine had just returned from Maui and told me about Hana located on the far remote side of the island. It is a 2 1/2 hour leisurely drive from the airport side. I did some web browsing and located Ala-aina. The photographs and tone of the website just appealed to me. I emailed for open dates and followed up with a telephone reservation, as I like to speak with a person before committing to a reservation. It was an easy process. The hotel, it is more of a bed and breakfast, is located with great vistas. Sam, the owner and host is easy going and is there if you need her, but other-wise allows you all the privacy you want. The meals served are fresh and simple and filling. What I loved about this location is that it allowed me get away from it all. No phones, e-mails, car congestion or urban annoyances. This is how the non tourist people live and enjoy the island. I whiled my time by reading, walking and swimming. It was just what I wanted and needed. It allowed me to get balanced again. This is a place I shall definitely return to truly get away from it all.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/31/08

This was one of our best ever, and most unique, vacation experience. We didn't know what to expect as we drove from the airport along a narrow winding road from the tourist resorts to the sparsely populated Seven Pools area of Maui. This road is windy, but my wife, who has been known to get car sick, was prepared with a bottle of pure peppermint essential oil which she put on the sole of her feet, and had a wonderful time, as we drove deeper and deeper into the jungle past waterfalls and ocean vistas. We were glad we brought supplies as this place is along way from anywhere. Which is part of its charm, surrounded by banana, avocado, papaya, mango and other exotic fruits and flowers. Within walking distance of the Seven Pools. We were there early before the daytime tourists and hiked up to the one of the largest waterfalls on the island without meeting another person. Later we were told of a trail down to some hidden pools where we spent the day swimming and sun bathing. A true Nature Lover's Paradise. Though there are several places to stay in the town of Hana, Ala'aina Ocean Vista is the only place to stay near the Seven Pools which is 45 min. past Hana. Our host at this Bed and Breakfast were two lovely ladies who treated us royally. We will definitely go back. Next time I think we will fly to Honolulu and then catch the smaller plane to Hana, have a rent a car waiting, and then drive to what can only be described as the womb of the island

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/22/08 Review Submitted: 07/21/08

After spending an exhausting first week in a lovely hotel in Makena, the Hana highway unfolded as our yellow brick road through magic to an equally enchanting abode in Kipahulu. The artistry of the vegetation and sculptures that abound at Ala'Aina clearly reflect the appreciation and love that the proprietors, Sam and Mercury, have and give to their special place on Mother Maui. It is no small task to keep these grounds manicured in the lush tropical arena. The sounds and smells that lulled us through our first night orchestrated the entire week we were there. The ocean surf, soft winds and early morning rains accompanied by various songbirds and, of course, the lily pond toads, caressed our ears while so many magnificent flowers enticed our noses and eyes. Our cozy room was decked out with gorgeous local woods and had full wall windows enabling us to slumber under the stars at night and awake to magnificent mountain and ocean views. We were provided with more homegrown, tree ripened tropical fruits than we could possibly ingest. While honoring our privacy, Sam and Mercury were available to direct us to magical pools, waterfalls and ocean shore, as well as the national park and bamboo forest. We got back into our car only once to visit Hana and Red Sands beach because walking everywhere else was such an adventurous treat. This romantic hideaway enabled us to truly experience the serenity of natural Hawaii. No white washed tourist vacation had here. A true respite for the soul. We are eternally grateful to have shared this nest.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/15/08 Review Submitted: 07/14/08

What an unique sanctuary! What an impact your retreat has had on our heartsand our souls. This was a perfect way to end our 20th anniversary celebration. Our dream and goal is to find a special place like 'ala'aina to tuck away so that someday we can retire and live our lives out in paradise. There are so many little details and artistic touches wherever you look. We have commented that other places we have stayed could improve in some ways, but there was nothing that could be done to improve this Shangri La. Fresh flowers from the garden, fresh fruit, lotus pond, naked showers and bathtub looking at the ocean while the sun went down were greatly appreciated. We were so inspired by the ocean views everywhere you look. It was exciting to view the Big Island through the clouds. We would gladly pay double to have the opportunity to experience this once again. We will encourage everyone we know traveling to Maui to have this unique experience.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 02/09/08 Review Submitted: 02/08/08

I love, love, love this bed and breakfast. The care that went into this beautiful home gave me the true Hawaii experience. My room was so beautiful. I've never seen a hotel this elegant. The owner's Sam and her daughter Mercury are charming and so helpful. I felt right at home. They guided me to magical waterfalls in walking distance, and I went to sacred pools and walked early in the morning through the bamboo forest that is a walking distance away and swam and buried myself in the sand. It was the best vacation ever! I love this place and will return every year. I feel as if I've been to an expensive spa and the price was very reasonable. I"m grateful I found this hotel and suggest that anyone who needs a break from civilization comes and renews their spirit.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 01/27/08 Review Submitted: 01/26/08

So why go to Hana, Maui, Hawaii? Is it for the poolside experience? The Breakfast? The complete lack of creatures? Well if thats why you go, then stay away from this amazing place. But, if you can get past the fact that you are off the grid, in the boonies, with very simple accomodations - THEN you can learn to enjoy why the East side of Maui is so amazing. Yes, there are geckos. Yes, there are no chairs in the room. Yes, the view from every window in the room is better than any resort hotel I have personally ever stayed at. Stunning sunsets. Two Ocean Views for both the sunrise and sunset (reflecting off the snowy mountains of Hawaii for our visit). So - for those of you into the hotel scene - please stay away. But for those of you looking for an off-the-grid spectacular experience, in a simple but perfectly appointed locale, then call the owners now, because you are going to have to compete with me for a reservation next December when we go back.

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