Two weeks ago, I was visiting family in Paia. Turns out, they'd never taken the Road to Hana, and wanted to see what all the fuss is about. We planned to spend a day driving and sight-seeing, arrive in Hana for the night, and then get up bright and early to hit Haleakala National Park further on down the road. This is the place the we booked in Hana, and we were seriously glad we did.
First of all, just as promised, we got an amazing view of the beach. It's across the street from the Bay, and at 5:30 or 6 A.M., I walked down to snap some pictures. Straight out of my camera, they looked like postcards. Easily one of the best sunrises I've seen in my life.
As for the place itself, it feels less like a rental property and more like a home. The kitchen was stocked with some basic non-perishable items (extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, bottled water in the fridge, some A1 sauce, etc.) and enough supplies to make a meal yourself (regular and ceramic knives, foil, cookie sheets, I think a few pots, a baster, and a scrub-brush for the sink). We went into town and got steaks and potatoes. Broiled and baked them in the oven without a problem.
There's a good-sized TV in the living room with a good selection of movies (The Mask, Stripes, The Dark Knight Rises, almost surprisingly, The Red Violin...) and a DVD/Blu-Ray player. The couch can fit about three people, and folds into a bed. Obviously not the best bed (more like a cot), but it's an option.
The bedroom has a King-sized bed with comfortable sheets and memory foam. In height, it looks literally king-sized. The thing is massive. There's a smaller TV in an armoire in this room, a nightstand, and some outlets. About as expected.
I was in love with their bathroom, though. Plenty of space, a linen closet (stocked with towels), a nice sink with a clean mirror, and oh my god, the shower. Big enough to fit about three of me (I'm 6'1), wonderfully even water pressure, and it has its own light that makes everything cream-yellow and dreamy. There's a tiny window with a screen in there, just big enough to let in some early-morning air or a late breeze, but high up and small enough that it doesn't feel creepy. Definitely my favorite feature of the place.
There's also a space underneath the stairs going out that has a gate. Inside are some boogie boards and I think one surfboard. Didn't test them out, but it's great that they had them.
After racking my brain, the only problems I can find with the place are that they could use some hypoallergenic pillows (they had down ones), and the sink lacked a garbage disposal. Didn't really expect one. Just something I noticed.
Overall, for the money and the area, I can't imagine a better deal. We only stayed for a night, but from what we saw, it's an excellent spot. If you're doing the Road to Hana, I'd definitely check it out. read more