NeoPatrick
I am planning a week in March. Could you give me the name of the condo that offered that special week rate? Thanks.
Marion2

Here's the link:
www.aaoceanfront.com/hale_Kai_okihei.html

But I see it's showing $160 a night by the week in March instead of the $100 I'm paying in October.

It does look beautiful and I am sure that you love it there. Besides the cost, it doesn't have the dates I need. Thanks for the info.

A new update on the Hideaway Studio in Hana. I replied to the email from Tom, the supposed owner who said they weren't taking reservations this far ahead. The email bounced back "undeliverable". I then went to their website and sent an email which goes to [email protected]. It also comes back as undeliverable. I have since seen the same Hideaway listed on another website and have sent a request to them. Maybe there is a change in ownership?

Sorry that didn't work, marion. I had read it is very popular, which is why I booked so far in advance of my October stay. Even then my first choice of apartment was not available.

I'd still like to spend two nights in Hana, I think, and then drive back to spend my last night in Hawaii eating at Mama's and staying at a "generic" motel near the airport if none of the nicer B&B's or Mama's Inn won't allow a single night -- which they might last minute, since it will be a Tuesday night, not a weekend. The Maui Seaside Hotel very near the airport and only $98 looks fine for a single night arriving after dinner at Mamas. I'd rather be spending that extra $100 on the dinner than on a nicer B&B or Inn for just one quick night.

My husband has been staying at the Maui Seaside for decades. He normally goes 3 or 4 times a year, usually for a few nights each. It is a good budget choice, especially if you don't care to be on a beach or have a view! Clean, straightforward, and friendly employees.

The only thing to beware of is the sports teams. Local groups come from other islands and can sometimes be noisy. Ask for a quiet room away from the congregating spots.

Thank you for that information on Seaside Hotel.

Meanwhile I heard back from the other agency for the Hideaway and other Hana rentals, saying they "no longer deal with them".

Hi Patrick,
I have links to many places in Hana, but am hesitate to post them as they are more than what it appears you want to spend. Would you like me post them for you anyway? I hope you find something.

Patrick-

I completely get your worry about sitting in a cottage alone with a bowl of soup while you are supposed to be having this blissed out vacation experience.

There was a thread about Hana a year or so ago in which I weighed in that it isn't as amazing as people say. The drive is pretty, but I wouldn't want to spend more than an afternoon in Hana. After three visits, to me it seems a bit depressing. The sand is dark, the water is dark, there isn't much in the town. Just my opinion- maybe I don't get it.

I do love the north shore of Maui and if it were me, I would base in Paia for the last few days.

Paia is a charming town with a bit of a hippy vibe. If you are on your own it would be perfect. Easy to be on your own, but lots of options for being solo, yet not lonely.

The bar at the Paia Flatbread Company is a friendly, laid-back place to get a scruptious gourmet pizza and a lychee martini.

There are many cafes and eating options, all friendly, in my experience. Moco Loco for brunch at the cafe (can't remember the name) will set you up for the day- yum.

Mana Foods is a wonderful organic market with incredible prepared foods and ingredients. Nagata Market has fresh fish come in almost every afternoon- cut your own tuna into sashimi and have it on your balcony with a beer.

Spend an evening seeing live music at Charley's. We've met cool people every time we went there (but we did see a bar fight once- at lunch!!)

Take a stroll to the little beach and hang out.

Take an easy drive up to Makawao to see the paniolo country and have lunch.

When we stay in Paia we rent the Maui by the Sea cottage. http://mauibythesea.com/ It might be a little out of your price range, but the owners are delightful people and the view from the balcony is so worth it! The cottage is very comfortable and not depressing in the least- eat your solitary dinner watching the wind ripple over the ocean and you won't feel lonely.

Paia is a short drive to the airport. We actually check in and check our bags early, then drive back to Paia for lunch, then drop off the rental car and head for the terminal.

Mama's is wonderful if you love really fresh fish in gourmet preparations in a beautiful tropical setting. As the cheapo that I am, I would rather save the money to pay a little more for a great cottage or room with a view and eat cheaper food.

Have a wonderful trip, whatever you decide. I am always amazed when I talk to people who visit Maui haw many different Maui's there are- so we can all find what we are looking for in our tropical fantasies.

iamq, I guess I'm now putting a cap at $200, but willing to go that if a place is really unique and not depressing. I'm spoiled by all my travels in Europe where I find such great, quaint places for around $100 a night -- and they don't add $20 or $30 taxes on top of that. Yet I keep finding places and look on Trip Advisor at horror stories so many times for nearly every place in Hana. I think I'm good at reading between the lines on a lot of reviews, but when half a dozen or more people all talk about the filth, mold, etc., it's kind of hard to ignore.

Hana Hale Inn has a garden suite at $160 a night (before taxes) that looks nice on line, but then I read nearly all agreeing horror stories about the mold, mildew, ants, bugs, and general dirt. Can't really take that.

Hana-Kai Maui Resort has one smaller unit but with a nice lanai/balcony that looks quite good -- $185 a night before taxes. I've emailed them to be sure.

Bamboo Inn also has a "downstairs" unit that looks very nice, also at $185 before taxes. Most reviews seem pretty good, other than the discussion of noise from the unit above.

But anything above those in price, I'd really not be interested in.

Blue Swimmer, funny, but I guess I'm a bit the opposite. Staying by myself I don't really see the need to splurge on the place to stay -- although I don't want a dump. Major space to roam and luxury are really not important at all to me. Yet, I don't mind so much splurging on a really excellent meal. When I think back over all my travels, splurge meals bring a bigger smile to my face than splurge accommodations for the most part.

If the Hana Kai is available, that is what I would suggest. They are sort of standard condo-style units, but the location is good. They are located right on Hana Bay and are within walking distance of the Hotel for drinks, food and evening entertainment and an overall peaceful environment.

. If you like to walk, there are several strolls that you can take from this location.

Good. That certainly looked the best of the lot and it appeared to be close to "town" and the hotel. They only have one room that shows that price -- partial ocean view, but looks pretty nice. That's certainly all I need.
It's the one at the bottom of this page:
www.hanakaimaui.com/rooms.html

Now, I hope I hear from them. I'm sort of back to thinking I might stay in Hana three nights, then do the drive to OGG on Wed. morning. If I leave by 8, that gives me 4 hours to do the trip to OGG, which they say could be done in 1:45 to 2.

I've found enough activities in Hana, waterfall hikes, the lava tube, the near by park, etc., that I think I could easily keep busy for two full days there.

OK, that was quick. Hana Kai does have the room available for either the two or the three nights and with a 10% senior discount -- it would be $166.50 or about $185 a night INCLUDING the taxes.

So now I have to decide if I want to leave around noon on Tuesday and take a leisure drive back to stay near the airport that night (and probably eat at Mama's for dinner), or if I should stay the third night in Hana and drive in the morning to the airport. I'd like to sleep in since I'll be doing the flight back to Florida (but with a short overnight at LAX), which I could easily do if staying at the Seaside near OGG, so I think I'm favoring just the two nights in Hana, plus the full morning on Tuesday. Make up my mind for me.

Neo, just saw this. Glad you are staying at least part of the time in Hana. It is so beautiful and a nice way to end your trip. I think you'd be able to make it in plenty of time to the airport but I guess it depends on how late sleeping in means to you.

If you have an overnight in LA, let me know. Maybe we can grab a drink somewhere. Do you have a place to stay there?

I'd stay the three nights in Hana. Having two full days there will be perfect, and as cat says, it will be a good way to end your trip to the islands.

Have never been to Hana but my son and his family drove to Hana. They knew nothing of the road or the drive to Hana. They had to turn around and go back to get gas - they were afraid they would run out of gas before they got to Hana.

Be sure to leave for Hana with a full tank of gas.

As a matter of fact, the third night there is $20 less as they will void the usual $20 "service" fee if I stay three nights instead of 2. I guess I shouldn't worry about the "pressure" of getting to the airport at noon from Hana.

Cat, my AA flight from OGG at 2 PM gets into LAX at 10:15 PM, and my flight out to DFW then Ft. Myers departs at 8 AM, so I'm seeing this to be a Priceline bid on an airport hotel to sleep for the night. I'll be flying first class so will have had dinner on the plane anyway and think I'll just be looking to sleep -- although it occurs to me that with the time change it will seem early -- so again, no reason to have to sleep in the morning before I leave Maui. Even AA couldn't tell me if I'll be able to check my luggage through to Ft. Myers when I leave Maui, or if I'll have to claim and recheck it at LAX!

But I'll be in LA for a full week on my way out to Hawaii (Sept. 2 to 9 over Labor Day weekend) so definitely we can get together then. Or during my week there the first week of July.

Oh perfect! Either time (Sept. or July) works for me. Or both! Where are you staying? We'll definitely have to grab cocktails. Maybe even a GTG if you like!

If you have grown accustomed to the television for the news or background sound, the lack of one may or may not make you feel isolated. Not sure if they have wifi either.

Yes, they do have wifi, but they say it may not work in ALL rooms, but will work in the 'lounge'area. Trust me, I can do without TV -- but without my laptop? Hmmmm, I'll have to think about that.

Cat, I'm looking at an apartment in West Hollywood, sort of between the Pacific Design Center and Cedars Sinai Hospital. An old college friend invites me to stay with him way over in Woodland Hills, but I'd prefer not to. It's enough of a chore just to go over there for dinner one night -- although he's a good friend. What part of LA are you in?

There are at least two gas stations in Hana.

Have a great trip Patrick.