Jennifer & Kutira
Dolphin room, walk to ocean, waterfall, amazing!
Haiku/Huelo, HI, United States
$158/night
Summary
DOLPHIN ROOM: The Maui Eco Retreat is named “The greenest Spot on Maui”. We are a PERMITTED facility, located on the North Shore where people seek tranquility and want to escape the touristy hustle and bustle. If you are a nature lover, enjoy hiking and adventure, seek authenticity in travel and would like to experience an alternative, green and natural lifestyle, we are happy to host you! We created this amazing place for the traveler like you! This might be just what you've been looking for!
Space
*** CHRISTMAS SEASON (12/15/18 - 01/06/19): 7-night minimum stay ONLY (shorter requests WILL be declined) Welcome to our sustainable paradise at Maui Eco Retreat, located where the sun is rising. A place “Where your Vacation Becomes a Transformation!” Whether you're seeking sanctuary, writing the next chapter of your life, or simply on vacation, or honey moon gateway. Come explore elegant green living at Maui's magical premier eco retreat. At Maui Eco Retreat You'll Enjoy: Being directly next to the ocean Beautiful hiking trails Waterfall lagoons Romantic setting Only 15 minutes from town Sunrise views Yoga and meditation classes Our Dolphin Room, located on the first floor of the Opua House with a shared bathroom. A sliding glass door opens to a stunning Brazilian pepper tree, with views of the lotus pond and ocean. Named after the legendary dolphin scientist Dr. John C. Lilly, who loved spending time here, the room features some of his books and even the spirit of the
Description
DOLPHIN ROOM: The Maui Eco Retreat is named “The greenest Spot on Maui”. We are a PERMITTED facility, located on the North Shore where people seek tranquility and want to escape the touristy hustle and bustle. If you are a nature lover, enjoy hiking and adventure, seek authenticity in travel and would like to experience an alternative, green and natural lifestyle, we are happy to host you! We created this amazing place for the traveler like you! This might be just what you've been looking for! *** CHRISTMAS SEASON (12/15/18 - 01/06/19): 7-night minimum stay ONLY (shorter requests WILL be declined) Welcome to our sustainable paradise at Maui Eco Retreat, located where the sun is rising. A place “Where your Vacation Becomes a Transformation!” Whether you're seeking sanctuary, writing the next chapter of your life, or simply on vacation, or honey moon gateway. Come explore elegant green living at Maui's magical premier eco retreat. At Maui Eco Retreat You'll Enjoy: Being directl
Neighborhood Overview
We are located in the Valley of the white Owl, the Pueo. We have two old Hawaiian churches. We have a really beautiful guestbook in each room that shares more about the history of this place and the valley we are located in.
Notes
We offer YOGA Monday through Friday mornings with a suggested $10 donation direct to the teacher. We also offer qi gong, shamanic night teaching once a week, meditation, personal coaching, onsite lomi-lomi massage, as well as other special events and activities. If you would like to get married on Maui, Kutira is a licensed wedding officiant by the State of Hawaii and would love to support you in for this special event.
Transit
It is essential to rent a car. It is the easiest way to navigate and see our small island. Our local bus system is very limited and does not pick up guests with luggage and we are not on their bus route.
Access
We have full WIFI access in the main house and all the guest rooms for your internet needs.
Property Details
Property Type
04 GuestsRoom Type
rooom_typeBed Type
Real BedMinimum Nights
3Maximum Nights
1125Cancellation Policy
strict_14_with_grace_periodAccommodates
2Bedrooms
1Beds
1Bathrooms
2
Ameneties
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Internet -
Wifi
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Kitchen
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Free parking on premises
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Smoke detector
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Fire extinguisher
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Essentials
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Hangers
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Hair dryer
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Iron
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Laptop friendly workspace
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translation missing: en.hosting_amenity_50
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Private entrance
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Hot water
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Host greets you
Rules
IMPORTANT INFORMATION please take your time and read. TAXES DUE UPON CHECK-IN: We have a legal Bed & Breakfast permit by the County of Maui, therefore the Transient State Tax and General Excise Tax of 14.42% is mandatory and due upon arrival in CASH. This tax is not collected by AirBnB. LATE ARRIVALS: Our normal check-in time is between 3pm-6pm. There is an additional $45 charge for late arrivals after 6 pm and $65 after 10 pm till 11 pm. No check-in after 11 pm! PLEASE make sure you have informed us of your arrival time at least 48 hours ahead. HOUSE RULES: No smoking indoors. Quiet time after 10 pm. Put your own dishes away after each use and leave shared kitchen beautiful and clean for our other guests. We are off-the-grid and practice sustainable living, so we encourage our guests to conserve electricity and water. We only use biodegradable cleaning products and our entire land and gardens are organic. We only provide in-house towels. We rent beach towels 2 for $5 or 1 for $3
48 Reviews
The location is really wonderful. In the middle of wonderful nature and with breathtaking ocean views. We enjoyed our week in the retreat very much!
Jun 27, 2019The host was very welcoming, and the location and whole feel of the retreat center was perfect. We really enjoyed ourselves, and would definitely consider returning!
Jun 27, 2019A fantastic place of spirituality and peace with a big nature around //Very clean and comfortable rooms //The hosts are very friendly and helpful //Lots of privacy in the rooms outside the main house //Functional kitchen has everything you need, can be a little crowded if there are groups around //Super nice garden with lots of nature all around (forest, pools, sea, open air shower, yoga and meditation temple, etc.) //Great area (Highlights: Hana Highway (take the walks to the secluded waterfalls, surfing @ Kamoa Beach, cliff walk and Red Sand Beach @ Hana Bay, Haleakala Creater Road, etc.) Very recommended!
Jun 27, 2019The place is excellent, a beautiful house, very quite, with a very large garden. Kutira is also very nice, show us around the house, and the facility which we can use during the stay. We'd love to come back next time when we are at Maui again. Jie Chen
Jul 27, 2019Raphael greeted us with an overview of the property. We really enjoyed the waterfalls and swimming area nearby. We stayed in the Dolphin Room. The room itself was sweet and cozy.
Jun 27, 2019My girlfriend and I recently stayed at the retreat and we had an amazing experience! We were upgraded for free to a larger room (the dolphin room) with a view of the ocean and the sunrise in the morning. The grounds of the retreat were really beautiful and well maintained it felt like we were isolated in beautiful gardens in the middle of the rainforest. I would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Maui. If you stay here make sure to visit their waterfalls and natural pools. It was the only waterfalls and swimming pools that we had to ourselves on the whole trip!!! I will try too book here again on my next trip to Maui. 5 stars all week long thanks guys for a really memorable experience!
Jun 27, 2019The Eco Retreat is a very unique place, and we really enjoyed our stay. The Dolphin Room was exactly as pictured, and was perfect for the two of us. The grounds of the retreat are really amazing—we spent two of our four days just hiking and exploring the grounds. We loved taking the trail down to the private waterfall and natural pool (which empties via a 100+ foot waterfall!), and hiking the breathtaking trail down to the coastline. We actually hiked up the stream to the bottom of the tall waterfall, which had a beautiful, secluded pool at its base. These were absolute highlights of our trip that we'll never forget. William, the Retreat's concierge, for lack of a better term, was extremely helpful and friendly. He introduced us to everything the grounds had to offer, checked in with us periodically, and even helped safeguard some items we left behind after our stay. We never met Kutira; but her husband, Raphael, was a ubiquitous presence on the grounds, always doing some job or another in the proud upkeep of his home, and genuinely concerned with the well-being of his guests. The retreat's approach to green living also had a clear impact on our experience. It may sound silly, but when you're instructed to conserve water and electricity, or to save food compost for the chickens, you begin to realize how much you typically waste, and you begin to take pleasure in conservation. Even four days of living under these constraints have changed my behavior in ways that I hope will become permanent. Other highlights: the outdoor shower, the sizable kitchen with separate and labeled shelves and fridge space for each guest, the numerous spots to sit and enjoy breakfast, the charming hand-drawn map of the grounds. Until next time!
Jun 27, 2019Alyson and Kutira have clearly devoted their lives and fortune to creating a beautiful, peaceful, and almost hidden garden sanctuary. Their considerable efforts to live in harmony with the environment will forever separate them from their much larger corporate competitors. If you prefer sterile, air conditioned comfort over sleeping with fragrant night breezes under breathtaking starlight vistas, this resort is not for you. If 20-minute hot showers and all-you-can-eat buffets are your idea of a perfect vacation, you're not likely to appreciate this deliberately minimalist eco-resort. But, if descending a challenging rope trail to a pristine rocky coastline or swimming in a spring-fed pool perched atop a 150-foot waterfall appeals to your inner child, you may have found what you're searching for. This rare, return-to-nature experience is literally and figuratively "off the beaten path." I highly recommend you consider this lovely piece of old-Maui paradise.
Jun 27, 2019I had a wonderful stay here while traveling for work, it was a relaxing place to kick back and let the mind go. I recommend this place for anyone that is wanting to get away from the busy towns and have the great outdoors Maui has to offer. The views from this place were amazing and that alone bring a piece of mind and the ability to relax. There was so much to do around the property I wish I could have stayed longer. Thank you so much for the peaceful stay!
Jun 27, 2019What I love about this place is property - waterfall, ponds, trails and views. You can easily relax in front looking at the ocean. There is no private bathroom, however there is nice one outside which is fun. Place has many amenities and you would probably find anything you need. Room is just basic with garden view. At checkin we were provided with maps and all the information about area nearby, especially Mana food shop was bulls eye.
Jun 27, 2019This place is fantastic, the best accommodations we've found on Maui. If you're thinking about staying here, do it. 1) It's impeccably clean. Like eat-off-the-floors clean. That's rare on the mainland, much less way out in the jungle. 2) The property is stunningly beautiful, with mature trees, landscaping that's sympathetic to the environment and neat architecture. 3) It captures the beauty and feel of Maui's jungle side, without being as remote or hard-to-reach as Hana. And there's no properties like this out in Hana, at all. 4) Fun/pretty hiking trails throughout the property and in the surrounding area. You could spend a few days just exploring and hanging out on the property's waterfalls, swimming holes and ocean access. 5) There's good snorkeling, spearfishing and ocean swimming. You'll want to go to Little Beach in Wailea or Hana Bay for the whole reef thing, but there's neat rocks and plenty of life under the water right here. If you're a strong, adventurous swimmer, head out to the "temple" rock you'll see a couple hundred yards away and explore the caves. 6) Great kitchen. If you're doing Maui right, you're not dining out. All the tools you need to cook great dinners are right here. Just stop at Mana Foods in Paia on your way for groceries. We'll be back!
Jun 27, 2019This place is amazing and so peaceful I wish I would have stayed longer. Beautiful !!! I love being surrounded by the tropical forest. Rhanks Raphael and Kutira for all you've done in this property and have it shared to your guest. Magic place !
Jul 27, 2019Such a beautiful place, I would absolutely return again in a heartbeat!! Exactly like the pictures, which is hard to believe, but it really is true. The trails on the property are fantastic- if you are a hiker, these trails are great. You can practically rappel down a dirt cliff to the ocean- so much fun and really beautiful, I loved it!!
Jun 27, 2019We had a wonderful time in the Maui Eco retreat. The place is nestled on a mountain top, accessible only via dirt road through a lush tropical jungle. The experience itself of finding the property and exploring the grounds, trails, and various meditation spaces on the property was quite special. The house had lovingly curated artworks from the East. There was a house that was imported from Indonesia on the hilltop and a music/meditation room that was also nice. From this perspective, I felt like I've been granted access to all the things that Raphel and Kutira have cultivated and treasured throughout their lives and I'm very grateful to have experienced it. While we hiked and explored the grounds, a friendly parrot, stopped by and followed us from tree to tree and we loved the two dogs, Dawa and Mochi. The trail through the lagoon and waterfall was breathtaking and one of the highlights of our trip. We met a few of the other guests who were all easy to talk to and gave us some insider tips on Maui. Raphael was very accommodating and helped give us insider information on the nearby town, Haiku, as well as a thorough survey of the property. He was nice and left us to ourselves most of the time. There are some cons to this stay which include: The Wi-Fi on the property is spotty and weak. This made it hard to travel plan since all of my research was through the internet. Unlike other AirBnb stays, this definitely veers more on the businessy side rather than the friendly home-like feel. Instead of providing coffee and minimal breakfast, they charge you cash for eggs from their chicken farm. We arrived late from our flight and they had a $65 dollar "late arrival surcharge". This is a bit of an unprecented practice in my years of AirBnB use. I appreciated the eco-friendliness of the place, but not having lights turned on at night on the main hallways and walkway seems a bit overbearing.
Jun 27, 2019Our one week stay at the retreat was fabulous! It was the perfect setting for a relaxed and magical experience. We enjoyed meeting the other guests and made some very synchronistic connections in this space. Every structure was intricately and intentionally adorned with beautiful art pieces and sacred objects. The energy of the property is truly special. Thank you, Kutira and Raphael. You have created an enchanting space to share.
Jun 27, 2019Bei unserer Ankunft hat uns Raphael sehr herzlich empfangen. Wir wurden sehr gut über alles was wichtig war informiert. Zudem erhielten wir eibe selbstangefertigte Landkarte mit empfohlenen sehenswürdigkeiten, shops und Resraurants.
Jun 27, 2019Absolutely gorgeous sacred place in nature. Statues, plants and beauty everywhere... I enjoyed hiking down to the beach and the waterfall. Meditating in the music temple. Using the outside shower in the middle of the night with the feeling of nature, darkness and wind was a magical experience. I experienced that the other people staying there were very friendly as well. All in all I'd warmly recommend Maui Eco Resort. The only minus was that it was rainy and cloudy pretty much the whole time (5 days) that we stayed there. This might be a question of season, but to get really sunny weather we had to go down to Kihei. And the wifi is slow, so don't come here if you plan to spend your days running an online business. :) Raphael was very friendly and helpful. And yes, the house was very clean and fresh, with volunteers taking very good care of the space.
Jun 27, 2019A beautiful vast space, so much to explore. We would definitely stay again and will make sure to check out some of the other rentals on the property.
Jun 27, 2019Just came home from 3 nights in the Dolphin Room at the Maui Eco Retreat and already anticipating my next trip back. First of all, the retreat grounds are unimaginably beautiful, the best of which was the short hike to what felt like our own personal waterfall (despite the fact that we were greeted with a naked couple already getting it on on the rocks - guess they thought they were alone as well!) We didn't get the chance to meet Kutira and Raphael, but got a few pets with their adorable dog, and of course interfaced with the friendly staff, all of whom made us feel very welcome. Do yourself a favor and stay at this magical place.
Jun 27, 2019Absolutely gorgeous place! The attention to detail in every corner of this house is impressive. We both agree that our favorite moment in Maui is the view of the ocean peninsula (?) on the hike down to the beach. Many thanks for a splendid experience
Jun 27, 2019What a breathtaking experience! The Maui Eco Retreat was perfect and exactly what we where looking for. We currently live in Honolulu and wanted a true off the grid mini vacation. The Eco Retreat feels very isolated, yet its only a couple minutes drive to the nearest town. From the drive to the home to unlocking all the wonderful trails, it was an adventure behind every corner. We met Raphael when we arrived and he was very accommodating and provided us with all the information we needed for our stay. The whole property was clean, from our room to the bathroom to the kitchen, you could tell staff members and guests alike were very Eco conscious which we enjoyed. We saw so many unique places to stay here on the property that we look forward to coming back and sharing this peaceful sanctuary again and again.
Jun 27, 2019We had a wonderful time staying at the Eco Retreat. The dolphin room was simple and cozy with everything one would need. The hosts were very accommodating and we had a very relaxing stay. Would highly recommend for anyone looking to experience a peaceful and sustainable escape from stresses of the default world.
Jun 27, 2019Che dire è stato un soggiorno molto particolare. Tutto sommato non male. Piccolo consiglio: non leggete nemmeno la descrizione per come arrivarci, è troppo incasinata e mette ansia. Ad un certo punto sul hana hwy girate a sinistra (venendo da paia) su una semplice stradina con qualche buco qua e là che va percorsa sempre dritto e ci siete. Va benissimo (Hidden by Airbnb) maps per arrivare. In questo posto ci sono mille regole del tipo: risparmia energia solare, risparmia acqua, paga 5$ per un mango o un cocco, 1$ per un uovo.... Dicono di essere un posto ecologico ma la cucina è piena di plastica e non ci sono spezie basi. Lo spazio per il cibo è limitato considerando che il prossimo supermercato sta a 25 min di macchina. Tutto questo essere BIO mi sembrava solo un modo per far risparmiare l'host in energia e acqua. La parte positiva è stata il silenzio, la bellezza della natura e la gente che c'era in casa! Per aventurieri la strada da fare lungo il fiume fino alla cascata è uno spasso! Non ho visto nessuna lezione di Yoga e chi ha prenotato è rimasto delluso perchè i proprietari non hanno dato lezione senza un preavviso. Secondo me le info al riguardo erano scarse. Io avevo chiesto ma mi è stato detto che c'è una lista dove iscriversi. Mai vista la lista. Consiglierei il posto alle copie in viaggio o a chi vuole stare per conto proprio. Mi è piaciuto ma mi ha lasciato un po perplesso. Comunque a chi piace un mood dovrebbe fare un salto, ne vale la pena solo per la natura!!! Aloah
Jun 27, 2019Beautiful place, wonderful vibe
Jun 27, 2019The eco retreat was an experience. We met Raphael upon arrival and he took the time to inform us about our stay, although Kutrina kind of ignored us when she saw us with an awkward "hi". The grounds are lovely as long as you like untamed nature. The hike to the waterfall and down to the beach were fun and adventurous, but not for the timid. This is a no frills place and expect to pay extra for any add-ons like yoga, eggs, toiletries and beach towels, which adds a little stress to the mindfulness experience. Our room (dolphin room) was clean and the pictures portrayed it accurately, including the ocean view off in the distance. However, the meditation cottage wasn't that clean. This place is essentially in the middle of nowhere, which we enjoyed. The spirituality that you might expect doesn't really play through. You'll see it from some of the reviews and it bears mentioning, this place is not for everyone so be sure it will work for you. We had a couple staying in the room next to us and they were so dissatisfied that they left after one night. There was also a rather nasty review in the guest book in the room we were staying in about our hosts. Also, be aware that the upstairs bathroom looks right over the sink of the downstairs bathroom via a skylight. Overall, we enjoyed the eco retreat, but it is in need of some TLC.
Jun 27, 2019Very cool location. It's really remote, which we loved, but isn't for everyone. We thought the grounds were fascinating, and the hike to the water and to the base of the falls, although at times a little technical, was one of our favorites from our trip. The owners are a bit out there, even for us, but they really are pure love people, and are a part of the island as much as it's a part of them. The farm fresh eggs from their chickens are really tasty;) but go to Nuka (owner recommendation nearby) for one of the best Japanese meals (at $50 a head with LOTS of food and drinks) you could ask for...and we live in LA/NYC. All in all, great non-resort option for Maui. And resorts suck anyway, do stay here:)
Jun 27, 2019Quiet place with 20-30 mins drive to eating options.
Jun 27, 2019It was an unique experience. Missing the island of Maui already. Mahalo and aloooha!!
Jun 27, 2019Raphael and Kutira's place is in a lovely secluded location, 20 mins away from some excellent restaurants and perched on cliffs over the ocean. The property is large and beautiful, but really needs care. Many of the plants need trimming and the property looks like it needs some love. For $200 a night, I had higher expectations of what the place would be like in terms of service and amenities. The dolphin room was alright, but the bed was a super uncomfortable old squeaky spring mattress. The kitchen was lovely but they do not provide any basics for cooking (salt, pepper, spices, cooking oil). You have to buy all basics yourself. They are MILITANT about using the lights and electricity. Kutira is aloof, not friendly. I said hi to her once and instead she cut me off to ask if a light was on (a motion-activated light). She also left me a voicemail on the day of our checkout telling us to vacate our room and if they couldn't get it there would there "would be a problem". We were in the kitchen cooking chatting with the volunteers, had removed all of our belongings so the volunteers could clean - she could have just walked over and checked but instead left a rude voicemail. Raphael is another story. He is creepy. He hit on my friend telling her she seemed "like a really sensual person" based on her handwriting, also asked her age and said you look great for your age. Told us he used to take Jimi Hendrix's "leftovers" in the 60s. It's not the 60s anymore and hitting on young girls when they're on vacation is not a relaxing environment. Paying $1000 for 4 nights means we shouldn't have to be subjected to an old creep's hormones. Most of the volunteers who work there seems disgruntled and are also not friendly. The house isn't all that clean -- the shower has mold in it. Overall, we had such high hopes for the rate and how beautiful it looked in photos, but in person it was a bit dated and unclean and the Aloha vibes were definitely off. This is the first negative review of an Airbnb in the 4 years I've been using. Sad to write but people should know if they're going to spend so much money.
Jun 27, 2019We wanted to get away from big resort culture and loved the really unique and special natural setting. The waterfall and hike down to the ocean are both spectacular. Add in the opportunity to cook in a shared kitchen (which afforded some nice interaction with other guests), yoga every morning, and just lovely energy and team on site. Perfect place to relax and soak in Maui. We also could drive easily to Haleakala Crater and back to Paia and Hana was only 1.5-2 hours away. We definitely recommend this place and look forward to returning.
Jun 27, 2019Das Maui Eco Retreat hat eine wunderbare Lage, über eine kleine Dirtroad erreichbar, mitten in der tropischen Fülle, Bambus, Palmen...dazu wunderbare Indonesisch-balinesische Tempel...Götterstatuen, Kraftplätze...Dieser wunderbare Ort regt - inspiriert durch Kutiras und Raffaels künstlerisch-spirituelles Schaffen und Wirken - an zu eigener Kontemplation, Kreativität, Yoga, Energiearbeit...Zudem führt dieser abgelegene Paradies-Ort wunderbare Menschen zusammen und ermöglichte uns so einen unvergesslichen Aufenthalt. Ganz herzlichen Dank Euch, Kutira und Raffael, für diese so bewegende Zeit,......vielleicht kann ich ja mal wieder kommen...für länger Alles Liebe, Ariane
Jun 27, 2019Please read before booking. I will give the most honest review that I can. My husband and I travelled with my brother and his girlfriend to Maui. We flew in from Oahu and this was going to be the first time that we shared a house and rented a private room. When booking, the pictures looked great and we were all very excited to stay in the 'jungle' in a more remote part of Maui. We checked in a bit early, at about 1, and met Raphael. We were sure to be on time for check in, because they have a "late fee" because they have to hire an employee to check in after hours, which turns out to be Raphael, the owner. The whole check in seemed a bit odd. We were charged a Maui tax, and they only accepted cash. We have never been charged tax in all of our stays. After we signed our papers, he showed us the house and property. It was definitely a beautiful piece of land, nicely groomed, and beautiful views of the ocean. They had a hiking trail which lead to the ocean, as well as a waterfall and lagoon nearby. We are all adventurous and were very happy to visit the waterfall/ocean. Our room on the other hand, was extremely outdated, and the bed was rock hard. We didn't get much sleep because of how uncomfortable the bed was. In addition, I found blood on the sheets near the mattress, and the bed did not have a mattress protector, which was strange considering this place is in the jungle, and bugs are everywhere. The location and ambiance was great. At night, you can hear a feint sound of the ocean hitting rocks, and the palms swaying in the wind. The only thing strange about the night was seeing Raphael roam the house at late hours. He lived in a house adjacent to ours, yet he had some of his food in the kitchen, and we would see him roaming around in a zombie-like state. It was definitely strange, and I felt a little uncomfortable. As stated above, this was our first time renting a house with other people. All 6 rooms shared the same indoor shower, which was not very sanitary at all. The kitchen/hallways were very clean though. The kitchen was well equipped, and guests had to wash/clean all of their own dishes, and be sure to clean up after themselves, which was fine with us. Overall, we would not be staying here again. We feel that we overpaid for the room that we received, but that was not the issue. The issue for us was the fact that the bed was extremely uncomfortable, and we just did not like sharing a house and shower with 6 other rooms. If you are very spiritual and enjoy a house with 6 rooms and 1 shower, then you may find this place more enjoyable. In addition, as said above, this is definitely...
Jun 27, 2019I appreciate the amount of work that's gone into making this place a true retreat!
Jun 27, 2019Excellent home base for exploring the road to Hana area.
Jun 27, 2019When we just arrived, Raphael was coming to us and guided us around the area. He is such a awesome guy and all the volunteers were also so lovely. The place is like not from earth, it is more like from heaven. Waterfalls, nice wooden buildings. Yoga room, allover fantastic. I will come back for Sure
Jun 27, 2019Perfect place for vacation in Maui - amazing and absolutely unique! For sure we will come back again! And I can fully recommend for someone who wish to discover real Maui!
Jun 27, 2019This is a very special, secluded and spiritual place. It is as close to nature as you can get. If you need some some quiet time in the jungle at the edge of the cliff with a secluded waterfall, where you can swim, this place is for you. The amenities are great. There's a modern, spotless kitchen, clean bathroom, additional outdoor shower and a yoga and meditation room. Really fantastic!!!
Jun 27, 2019My favorite thing about this place was the property itself- a gorgeous piece of land, something between tropical jungle and a Southeast Asian monastery. A short but steep hike down a cliffside trail brings you to the ocean. No beach but lots of big rocks to sit on and contemplate. Then if you hike up the nearby stream for a bit (we weren't able to find the trail so we were jumping on rocks and wading), you arrive at the bottom of a breathtaking 150 ft waterfall. It's not a tourist location, even off the beaten track for people who stay at the retreat, and we were all alone. It was one of the most memorable activities during our whole stay! As to the people there, Raphael and Kutira run an eco-lifestyle program that hosts a handful of volunteers. They help run the Airbnb and were nice and helpful. The only host I met was Raphael, who was pleasant and even shared some tips on meditation when I asked. Some other reviewers mentioned feeling uncomfortable with the people there. I can see how it might get unsettling with the volunteers/hosts going about the house, especially late at night, but in my experience they were harmless and just doing their own thing. Generally they have that sort of peaceful, spiritual, earth-loving vibe, which even if you're not into, make them pleasant to be around. The biggest thing to consider about this place is probably its location on the island. You're definitely not getting a resort-style experience and it feels like you're retreating into a secret jungle paradise after a day of Maui adventures. To get there from Paia, the nearest town, it's a 20 minute drive on a curvy (but easy) highway then a strip of dirt road. For the dirt road, most people had Jeeps or 4WD's, but we were able to get by in a small compact rental - just be prepared for bit of a turbulent entrance/exit. Paia was also the closest beach. The more popular beaches, like the ones near Kihei, were maybe a 30-40 minute drive away. One thing we learned was that there are something like 14 microclimates on Maui. We were there at the start of March and the Airbnb was mostly cloudy and windy with a bit of rain, although still warm. It wasn't a big deal since we could just drive to Kihei and the sun would bust out and we'd get our hot dry Hawaiian beach weather. Just be prepared to be driving around a good amount to get to places!
Jun 27, 2019I had an amazing time at this super cool retreat. If your looking to feel the spirit of this beautiful island. This is a great place to do it. Location is prime as well. Enjoy!!!
Jun 27, 2019Pros- natural landscape is incredible. Secluded, private, beautiful. Unique setting with a multitude of spiritual goddesses, sacred spaces and alters. Cons- cleanliness- bugs/pests. A couple of the temples had lots of gecko/mice feces. I understand it’s in nature, but they need to be better maintained. Our room had a few geckos show themselves at night, but otherwise seemed clean. Although they claimed it had never happened before, there were hundreds of ants crawling in the compost, trailed up the wall into the window frame, which got into our dried cereal in the cupboard (which was our mistake). There were also several ants in the indoor bathroom. Male host. Inappropriate. He tucked $20 in my cleavage for our lost food due to ants. He acknowledged the inappropriateness of doing this later- but come on... really!?! He came across as rude and arrogant at times with us and other guests. Made me feel uncomfortable as a female.
Jun 27, 2019Der Weg zu Paula ist ein Abenteuer. Bei Regen empfiehlt sich ein 4x4 zu mieten. Die Begrüssung war sehr freundlich und Offenherzig. Das Zimmer sehr sauber und mit viel Liebe eingerichtet. Überall auf dem Gelände hat es kleine Erholungsnischen und Platz für Ruhe, Meditation, Yoga und Unterhaltung. Ein Highlight; der eigene Wasserfall! <3 (Der Weg ist zwar Steil, aber feel the feed!) Irgenwie ist es ein Kraftort dort. Wir sind sehr zur Ruhe gekommen und obwohl wir oft unterwegs waren, sind wir dort in die Tiefe unseres Herzens gekommen. Vielen lieben Dank für die Zeit. Wir kommen wieder und können es von Herzen weiter empfehlen! Danke für alles...
Jun 27, 2019Beautiful, quiet spot in a great part of the island. Take a yoga class, walk the trails, and enjoy!
Jun 27, 2019It was okay to stay there. The kitchen had a lot of ants. The garden was verry pretty but the house was run-down.
Jun 27, 2019Very beautiful! We had such an amazing morning watching the sunrise, walking the grounds, visiting the chickens and the ocean view, admiring the different buildings and landscaping, and then returning to a breakfast from the eggs of the chickens we just visited. And that was just the first two hours! The pools at the top of the waterfall were one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. We did the whole road to Hana and nothing was as perfect, and we certainly had no others all to ourselves! The trail to the ocean and up to the bottom of the waterfall was an adventure! Our hosts were so nice with lots of suggestions and stories, and our fellow travelers there were fun to visit with. When I booked I saw all kinds of glowing reviews, and then a few that brought up the negatives. I felt compelled to reply but could not, but I can here! :) 1) Yes, the road is a little rough and it takes a few extra minutes. I highly recommend slowing down and enjoying the chickens (we noticed one with four little chicks on the side), the beautiful trees, flowers, etc. 2) Yes, once the sunset is over the mosquitos did appear. There are fewer when the trade winds blow but the hurricane disrupted them. So, if it’s not windy, retire inside and close the screens. 3) The trail to the upper pools above the waterfall is a bit steep but secured with ropes to hold on to. That said, you should bring some level of fitness and agility. And “feel your feet” :) 4) The trail to the ocean is an adventure that is well worth it but take it seriously, bring water and pay attention to your route and the way back. The first bit is the scariest so that’s a good litmus test. All in all, highly recommended!
Jun 27, 2019Wonderful and peaceful place.
Jun 27, 2019We loved spending the last 5 days of our honeymoon here! The property is absolutely amazing. There are so many small details all over the property and the house we stayed in, you just have to soak it all in! We loved the ocean trail/water fall hikes. If you are a little older or have injuries I would not suggest it. I slipped a few times but it was worth it :) The location is about 15-20 drive from Paia but we enjoyed being a little more remote. Grab some groceries on your way (especially breakfast food). We enjoyed making our own breakfast then being out and about all day. Thanks for the great stay and probably one of the more unique Airbnbs I’ve ever stayed in. It’s not for everyone but it was exactly what we wanted!
Jun 27, 2019Such a great experience and a beautiful place with breath taking views! A little hiccup in the beginning due to our rental car being lower than expected and not sufficient for the road to the air bnb but that was fixed with a quick swap for a Jeep and then everything was good! Great communication and such a cool story behind the place! Would definitely recommend it!
Jun 27, 2019Beautiful facility, but on the rainy side of the island, far from the many beautiful and sunny beaches Maui offers. We were here for one week in January-February and it was grey, cloudy, rainy, windy and super muddy pretty much the whole time. We drove many days about one hour to get to South Maui, where it was sunny and gorgeous. If you are looking for time in the sun and on beaches, this is not the best place to stay.
Jun 27, 2019