May 8- Sept. 8, 2021
First of all, we agree with all the glowing 5-star ratings for Hale Leialoha. We found this property to be the perfect oasis in this time of covid. We were out in the countryside, yet near the North Shore beaches, Upcountry towns/villages, with wonderful restaurants, shops, and convenient food markets. We loved the nearby forest reserves with miles of beautiful trails. Our own Hog Back (HB) Road even had a small wooded path at the end of the street. Actually, walking up and down HB Rd. provided outstanding views of the ocean in one direction and Mt. Haleakala in the other.
Of the many beaches- nearby and further afield- we enjoyed Baldwin Cove and Mama's. They were protected from the constant trade winds and provided exceptional home bases for TURTLES!! Whether lying around lazily in the sand or frolicking in the waves, they provided endless hours of entertainment and plenty of photo ops!
On a previous visit to Maui, we fell in love with Mama's Fish House and Haliimale General Store, which were only a few minutes drive away. We also enjoyed Kula Bistro, Baked on Maui, and Haiku's Nuka and Colleen's at the Cannery. Our favorite dining venue became Hale Leialoha's comfortable lanai, with outstanding sunset views and pleasant sunrises to greet the day.
Our hosts, Natalie and Dave, could not have been more personable, gracious, helpful and accommodating! They are the epitome of what superhosts should be! We felt very welcomed in the cottage adjacent to their own lovely home and appreciated that they respected our privacy at the same time.
We were close enough to the major tourist spots in Lahaina, Wailea, Kaanapali, and Kapalua, that we could easily visit whenever we wanted. We even took a few overnight "vacations" in Lahaina and Hana. Wherever we went, we were always happy to return "home" to the tranquility of Hale Leialoha. We elected not to do any island hopping while we were here because of the covid restrictions and because there was plenty to do on the "Valley Isle". This provided us with an opportunity for unhurried exploring and repeat visits to favorite sights. We were so close to the Road to Hana that we spread our visits over multiple days, avoiding the busy times.
This is a wonderful cottage in a lovely location with the best hosts that we have ever encountered, and, we have met some wonderful hosts in Tuscany, Ireland, Algarve, Normandy, The Cotswolds, Andalusia, and many spots in the US.