Great place to get away from it all. Literally. Must be fine with bugs and off the grid living. Minimal WiFi and cell reception and no TV. Don't leave any food out. Even if it's sealed. The ants will find it. We put everything in the fridge or hanging baskets. There are paths to waterfalls and the ocean although you would have to be in decent shape to get to the ocean. It's treacherous and very very steep. We woke up everyday to watch the sunrise. Although you can't watch the sunrise from this side but it's still very beautiful. Kutira is very gracious and such a great host. They keep this place immaculate. I noticed the details like everything is dusted and clean. I love that they compost, recycle and feed their chickens with scraps. I love that there is no TV and we really enjoyed the sounds of the tropics. Me and two friends stayed at the Thai Houli place for 6 days and it was very comfortable. Be warned though, there is no AC and the geckos come out at night. For any sort of trails in the area, you must have hiking shoes or something with traction. No flip flops. You will regret it. The volunteers here are friendly and come from all over. There are great amenities that will cost extra. Like the yoga ($10) and Thursday evening Sound Baths ($25), Beach Towels ($3), coconut keifer ($13) So be sure to bring cash for tips and extras. read more

Maui Eco Retreat - The outside of the Thai Houli - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Haiku, Hawaii

Save your money. You are not allowed to use electricity. You will be overly approached by their hosts (woofers). They don't care if you're naked in the hut. The curtains are sheer. The room was dirty. There is no privacy in the bathroom. There is a curfew of 10 pm. My husband and I needed a quiet break from life to help our marriage and create harmony in our souls - the opposite happened at this place. Worst of all, these people advertised to have people vacation at their campground when the fires hit Maui. They did not open their doors to locals to give them a place to stay. They encouraged travelers to come vacation - even after Ed Sniffen, Hawaii's director of transportation strongly discouraged travel due to needing airlines and roads cleared to help aid people in need. I would give 0 stars if I could. read more

For those looking to relax, reconnect with yourself, be in nature away from tourist crowds, and have a smaller carbon footprint while traveling, Maui Eco Retreat is a great choice. My boyfriend and I had the most amazing week there. It is secluded in the lush jungle with gorgeous views of the ocean. We only rented a car for a few days due to the rental car shortage, but our favorite days were actually the ones where we were without a car and just exploring the property and nearby trails to the ocean and to a waterfall. Everywhere I looked I was enchanted by something new, whether it was a tropical plant I'd never seen before or an ornate statue. The trail to the ocean is steep and you hold on to a rope to get down. We are in our 30s and semi in shape, and went slow and had no issues. However, thinking about bringing our parents there, we would be a little nervous about them doing this trail. Those with mobility issues may prefer to drive to a different trail/beach. Once we got to the bottom we had the beautiful rocky shore to ourselves for hours and it was one of our best days ever. We stayed in the main house in the lotus room and had no issues with wifi or cell service while at the house. Other areas of the property have spotty service. The yoga studio has a stunning view, and I enjoyed stretching and meditating there. As other reviews noted, we are in the jungle and sometimes a cute tiny gecko found it's way into our bathroom. It was no big deal for us. If you decide to visit, wishing you a great trip! read more

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If you are looking to getaway and connect with yourself and with nature this is the place to do so. There are so many hidden gems around here if you take the time to explore. My husband,myself and our 2 year old traveled here for our intimate wedding ceremony, just the 3 of us. Kutira and Raphael performed the perfect ceremony for us. It was not generic or cliche , it was heart felt, and honestly everything we ever wanted in a ceremony. She even had one of the lovely women there help with our son during the ceremony. She was so sweet & so helpful. Gabe and Andrea cooked us the most delicious meals we had while on island. Fresh & Farm to Table. You can tell their food was made with so much love. It was a such a pleasure connecting with them. The stay itself was lovely. You are about a 30 min drive from any stores or beach & i recommend a car with 4WD to get there. read more

This place is absolutely lovely! It's peaceful, with the nearby ocean visible from most of the property, which is full of a wide variety of tropical plants and art. Guests in the main house share a kitchen if they wish to cook, and there are tables and benches in charming nooks outside as well as a larger dining table in the all glass addition that faces the ocean. Everyone we've ever met there is kind, friendly, and down to earth. We loved drinking coffee outside listening to the waves crash as the sun rose over the ocean. Some days we stayed on the property and others we drove to nearby sights. There is no more beautiful, peaceful place if nature is your thing! read more

My partner and I stayed at the bamboo temple for 6 nights. It was one of the most beautiful spaces we have stayed in. The view (from the bed) is amazing. The property is well cared for and beautiful. The outdoor shower is wonderful. If you have children or want a place with 24 hour room service and a pool, this is not the space for you. If you want to have lots of space of your own to reconnect with your self and your love, I can't think of a better vacation spot. read more

I was very worried about making the significant financial investment to stay here based on the number of negative reviews throughout internet about Maui Eco Retreat. I decided that many reviews may not be truly reflective of the nature of remote living nor understand "retreat". The typical ideal of being on Maui means being pampered and existing around tourists and beautiful immaculate lodgings and grounds. I wanted a retreat. I wanted mediation. I wanted peace and I wanted to be very far away from the tourist experience. I felt choosing the Thai Hale would be the right decision for the last ten days of my 28 on Maui. I went in knowing I may be very disappointed. I took the risk. Absolutely, the negativity noted in many reviews clouded my first impression when arriving at the retreat. I saw where the Thai Hale cottage could of been cleaned a little better, where there were noticeable areas in need of repair (I've been told I'm overly critical in these areas). I was appalled at the previous guest who threw beer cans and cigarette packages over the railing and their lack of respect for this land. I picked up what I could reach but wondered why the cleaning crew didn't notice this. I, then, walked down to the mediation center, I wanted to cry. It was very dirty and in need of TLC. My husband, and I love him for this, stated, then we will go there to meditate, we will use a broom and tidy up ourselves. When we did go back, my first impression was correct. It's not just one day or one week of neglect but a long long time of neglect. This was quite disappointing. I went back frequently to the mediation temple and it remained neglected throughout my 10 night stay. Despite the lack of attention of the mediation temple, we spent a lot of time there, cleaned up some, and elected to find peace there. Peace was there, but really the peace was from within. We made the most of the situation and the outcomes were indescribable. The yoga center was beautiful and fairly well kept. Yoga was offered every morning outside for $10 suggested donation. I elected to do yoga and mediation on my own. It's nice to have the option. Shamanic night was interesting and I recommend attending. It's a $25 donation. The trails were muddy, but that is to be expected. Bug spray may or may by be needed depending on the wind. The views are tremendous. Take time to walk the grounds. It's peaceful. I especially enjoyed the trip down to the pools and waterfall. Well worth the trip. Wear good shoes. I'm thankful for the ropes because it would of been too difficult otherwise with the slick muddy ground. The pool and waterfall are like many on Maui, but not at all like the over visited and overcrowded tourists areas (Twin falls, Seven Sacred Pools) because most likely you'll be alone and able to take time to just BE. A gift. I do know that taking care of a land where the rain has been falling non-stop (at least our last 18 days before arriving to the retreat) is a a daunting task. There was mention of a recent hurricane, and honestly, I had been on the island almost three weeks prior to my time at Maui Eco Retreat. There were rains on this side of the island and high winds, but hurricane, no, and I'm pretty aware of the conditions since I was only staying only three miles up the road. Know that the grounds have not been cared for as in the pictures presented with the listings. There are a myriad of reasons for this, the weather, lack of help, etc. The care that was shown of the lands in the past (as shown in the listing photos) is lacking currently and some of the comments in all the reviews (from many sites-trip advisor, yelp and airbnb) are correct. Things may change in the future. There have been and are spectacular possibilities here. Please, take some time and read about the journey the owners have taken to arrive at this place and their vision. It it matches yours, stay. Know ahead of time the limitations I have presented here. If you need to be plugged in, stay away because the opportunity is limited. To note, we work remotely so wifi was needed and we carefully researched this ahead of time. There was wifi up at the main building (the yellow house) enough to suit our needs for working. Otherwise, it was pleasant to be able to walk away from the main house and be away from the connectivity which is too common for our culture. The shower in the Thai Hale was enjoyable. The temperature perfect, the breeze enhancing. When it rained, oh when it rained! What a joy to shower in the rain! The cool rain coming down and the warm water from the shower made this an unique experience. The bed was generally comfortable. True, the fitted sheets were not capable of staying in place, yet it did not distract from a solid night sleep. The kitchen was a full kitchen with coffee pot (bring own filters), gas range and oven and full size fridge. This allowed us to stay in and never eat out. Much appreciated. There was not a microwave, which was exp read more

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This place, despite being an eco-reteat all about raising consciousness, has some very rigid, controlling negative energy. I had to wait awhile to write this review, b/c I was so disenchanted and disappointed with how I was treated, while I stayed there. I didn't even know where to begin and frankly didn't feel like dealing with Kutira's potential wrath. The owners are two people who are very spiritual, yet very aggressive, rigid and judgmental (who still have a lot of inner work to do.) The dolphin room I stayed in was lovely- I loved the dolphin theme and that I could see a bit of the ocean from my room. But I also felt very 'watched.' And eco-retreat, or not, 'generic, predictable cookie-cutter, Applebees' experience or not, no guest at any retreat or hotel should ever feel like their every move is being scrutinized and judged by the owners. I had the unfortunate luck of checking in just as the hurricane hit Maui in the fall. The humidity was off the charts. I asked for a fan, which they did accommodate, but there after Rafael was keeping track of everytime I had it on. He even went so far as to try and embarrass me during a group class, by announcing that I was the girl who was leaving lights on at night. I wasn't 'leaving lights on.' I was falling all over myself making sure to turn lights off, when I wasn't using them, but I'm a night owl and I was on VACATION: I was awake and needed lights to cook and see and walk around!!! Staying at an eco-retreat shouldnt be 'life control.' I wasnt a woofer, I was there on vacation, visiting a woofer friend who was staying there. I paid $900 for the days I spent there- I should be able to use lights and a fan, if I need to, without being chastised in front of the other woofers. The Opua house is gorgeous- it has a modern kitchen and a lovely area to sit. Wifi too. It is however, lacking a couch or recliner for guests to really relax in. And the dolphin room (while it does have a big, round chair) it wasn't the kind of chair that I could could comfortably recline in, due to back and neck injuries I have. What they don't tell you is that you, as a paying guest, will be sharing the bathroom with all of the woofers, and sometimes they take over the kitchen too, instead of using their own. Sometimes it felt very serene and quiet, other times it felt very tense and overrun with woofers and Kutira bossing them around. The last night I was there, the woofers were all talking about how Rafael was screaming and scolding someone for using a coffee pot that required electricity. I understand they want to teach about eco-sustainability, but they need to chill out a bit, and remember they are supposed to be modelling compassion and love too. They also need to remember they are in a vacation destination and charging vacation rental prices. Guests aren't woofers and shouldn't be treated as such. My intuitive feeling on it is that Kutira and Rafael, at some level, resent having to host paying guests, but they do it so they can continue to keep the eco-retreat afloat. So they tolerate having guests...barely. Woofers deserve to be treated with respect and care too. Most of the woofer quarters were abyssmal. The screen doors were falling off, the screens were ripped and they were getting eaten up by mosquitos. I also observed one of the owners hitting on, and propositioning some of the woofers, including myself. This person went so far as to suggest that one woofer should take a bath with them, while their partner was away. Shady! It is true the surroundings are lovely- great views! But so is every view in Maui! The island is exquisite. As another woofer, and review stated, don't let the buddha statues and palm trees fool you. There is a definite negative energy at this place and I felt compelled to do a few clearings during my time there, and once I went home. There is a beautiful waterfall there, that many woofers enjoyed swimming in while there. It's very secluded and often they bathed nude there- it seemed very therapeutic for many there. Unfortunately, with all the rain, I didn't feel safe hiking down to it, as everything was very slippery and I'd already hurt my knee on another waterfall hike. I wasn't able to afford to stay there the entire length of my stay. The last 5 days of my trip I went to stay at a buddhist retreat read more

One of the raddest places I've ever stayed (and I've been to some pretty sweet places). The house/property was gorgeous, the staff was so friendly, and the energy was unlike anything I have ever experienced! I recommend staying in the main house so you can meet other like minded people along your travels. My boyfriend and I met and made new lifelong friends here. Explore the land, jump in the waterfall, and soak in everything this sacred land has to offer. Maui Eco Retreat made our trip! read more

Maui Eco Retreat - Tibetan room. The smallest room in the house, but it is cozy, and check out what we got to wake up to each morning - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Haiku, Hawaii

This took a lot of contemplating to write this review but after really thinking on it I decided to write the most honest review I possibly could. This review is coming from a past WWOOFer. I live on this beautiful land for 3 months. Upon arriving to Kutira and Raphaels land (Fred and Claudia, their real names) I was shown my room. A small little loft area attached to the guest house with a tiny futon mattress. I was excited to be in Maui and was very happy to stay in the space. When you arrive as a WWOOFer you are given the next day to rest and get grounded on the land.. that was a Friday then given weekends off.. Well my first day everyone was busy at work so I wasn't given any type of tour or introduction... not yet meeting the owners of the land.. I then woke up Saturday to another wwoofer saying the owner (Kutira) was requesting that I help with the work that day... Saturday... ok no problem! lets just jump right in. I began my work with barely a hello from Kutira... I brushed it off As I continued with my time there I started to question all the promises and accommodation I was told we would have. Yoga, meditation classes DAILY, music classes, raw food classes and gardening. We did 2 raw food classes the 3 months I was there... Yoga class 2 times that another wwoofer organized and had to ask to use the space and zero meditation classes. I heard Kutira yelling at the office worker and often talking down to other wwoofers. In my time there 4 people came and went. When she heard 2 lumberjacks were leaving our work days began to get intense and she informed me she wanted to get her worth out of them. About two months into the program she decided that we were only aloud to do permaculture and gardening 2.5 hours A WEEK. (a half day every week) This is a place advertised as a farm for WWOOFers to come work... no farm work... at all.... Also when guests arrived at Kahua they are charged extra fees that are not listed on the website. BE WARNED! This review is to simply explain the intension and integrity of this place and its owners. Don't let the beautiful land and deity statues fool you!!!!!!!!!! read more

Location is gorgeous but there's love missing here. There's a lot of spiritual and hippy signage and symbolism here but as guests my wife and I felt like we were there to gain money from rather than be helped or supported. They literally charge for the use of a beach towel, a massive cleaning fee despite not cleaning at all during our stay, and bizarrely despite charging nearly 200/night want to be paid in cash. Owners did not come across as friendly and aren't around nor seemingly their staff. There's no compassion, generosity here - more like "spiritual capitalism". Rooms are ok but not anything special in the sense that they are on beautiful land but set up with cheap materials without in many cases window shades that work and full of mosquitoes. We will go somewhere else next time. Fortunately everything else we experienced about Maui was better than this place. read more

In response to the negative review posted above, I think I know what the problem is that people are having, and I understand why there are some negative reviews floating around the net on this place. A lot of people expect a certain kind of experience when they travel because they do not know any better. They want a generic and predictable experience because that's what we're spoon-fed. There's a reason why Apple-Bee's is a mega-chain while the local organic food restaurant down your street is struggling to stay alive. It's the same reason why Lynne R. feels compelled to blast this amazing place despite being one of the most unique and interesting accommodations on the island. This retreat has a couple detached huts with spectacular views of the water from up high on the cliffs above the south-east shore. Sitting in your cabin, staring at the moon over the water with nothing in front of you but cliff and jungle is truly an amazing event, as is sitting in the glass-walled music hut overlooking the bay. The main house has shared kitchen and living accommodations wherein adults with social skills can get to know each other and discuss the island (this has been a major turn off for some people who obviously like to spend their vacation isolated from any humans who aren't employed to serve them). If you are a traveler who anticipates being checked-in by some obsequious clerk then this will seem like a weird experience. If you are used to some developing-nation migrant worker being paid peanuts to replace your towels every day then this will be a weird experience. If you aren't comfortable with the resort owner telling you about the spiritual vibrations coming off the local geological marvels then this will be a weird experience for you. If showering in the nude in your private outdoor shower turns you off then this will be an adjustment. But that's exactly what makes it interesting and fun. So basically don't be a drip. Avoid the soulless and lame hotels on the Kaanapali strip mall and stay at this very bizarre and fun and unique location tucked into the Maui jungle. It's a shame that this review contains so much negative energy, but that's only because the sole other review is so negative and I felt the need to combat it. Seriously, if you want to come home with some great photos and stories stay here. If you want to come home with nothing more interesting to tell people than a description of the great mai-tai the resort served then you know where to go. read more

There used to be a number of bad reviews of this location both here and on tripadvisor, and it seems they've all been taken down. I had to wait a few months before I wrote this because I was too irritated with the experience. I don't even want to go into details, please just know though the surroundings are beautiful the management here has no idea what they're doing, and I found them not even remotely warm. Save your money and find somewhere else. Just don't do it. read more

Eco paradise! The Mandala Temple was perhaps the most beautiful place that we have ever stayed. The founders and all the staff are amazing and are dedicated to environmentally sustainable practices. The location in Maui was perfect for all of our day trips. They offer yoga classes every weekday morning overlooking the ocean. We look forward to visiting again next year!! read more

Maui Eco Retreat feels like heaven on earth. Off the grid, secluded and perfect for reconnecting with nature. An alternative to the hectic activity of the beach resorts. You can sink deeply into the Hawaiian vibe and get infused with the Aloha spirit. Meditative and quiet, but easy access to towns and beaches. read more

Amazing retreat, with a private waterfall and all of the amenities one could wish for. It is imperative to attend the shamanic nights and experience vulnerability and higher level communication. This spot did wonders for removing my attachment to technology and taught that there are more interesting ways to communicate :) read more

This isn't the kind of place you go if you're interested in a 5 star resort with Olympic sized swimming pools and gift shops. This is the definition of peaceful. You come here and really learn a lot about yourself and the land. In my opinion this is the nicest place on the island. I'm not a fan of the over crowded touristy side - this place really brings you closer to earth. The land is beautiful, there are scenic views everywhere you turn! Trails down to the ocean for those up to an adventure. One of the most beautiful places to truly be secluded from all of the madness in the world. I really can't say enough about my stay here! read more

Maui retreat is the perfect place to forget about the busy world out there, relax, go inside, meditate or go swimming in the natural pool above the water fall or in the ocean, sit under the bamboo for breakfast, get your own coconut, watch the stunning sunsets.... The views are breath taking .... Watch, enjoy and breathe health and well-being into your body and soul. The hosts Kutira and Rafael have created a very unusual and beautiful place, a harmonious mixture of Balinese style buildings combined with artwork from Hawaii, Tibet and Bhutan. My husband and I stayed for one week and enjoyed every day of it, and we will come back for sure! read more

Absolutely breath taking place!!! The property alone is a piece of art, with views to die for! There is hiking trails to the ocean, trails to a double pool waterfall that you can swim in, a music temple to do yoga in plus yoga classes offered in the morning and other classes such as mediation offered. You will not be disappointed! Our stay was amazing. We stayed in a bamboo hut with a ocean view which was nestled in the jungle. The house had a full kitchen, upstairs loft, outdoor shower in the rain forest, a wrap around lanai with full couches to nap on, fresh farm eggs from the chickens on the property. The hosts were wonderful, Kutira is so sweet, she got my husbands favorite beer on request from my father in law as a surprise, and her puppies are so sweet; they reminded us of ours back home. This experience was amazing and for the price it was well worth it, you would not get this unique experience at a fancy resort. read more

What a gift to find this place! Silence, pure nature and an amazing view of the pacific and this all from the moment you open your eyes in the morning! As a European film director I usually need more than a week to get over the stress after directing a movie. But here, in the bamboo temple, after 3 days already I felt refreshed like after a 14-day vacation. Even now, during my second stay, I feel deeply rejuvenated after a short time. But it is not only the marvelous view of the ocean that makes this place so special. It is the care and love the owners give to details and their land. Here you cannot find plastic flying around, you cannot smell pesticide that his used against the weeds, and even you will not find any of them. Here everything is done in a way that is sustainable and healthy for the nature and humans. This is the reason why this place has such a nurturing and healing energy. I wish there would be more retreat places like the Maui Retreat who provide what they promise to find the recovery from stress, which makes us all sick and insensitive. Thank to Kutira and her Land. Judith Kennel read more