Heavenly HANA on Maui! One of the most gorgeous spots on earth and a sublime hotel....
The road to Hana is a famous and gorgeous twisty, terrifying, 15 mph road with phenomenal views of cliffs and beaches and flowers and trees you've never seen before. Literally these stretches of road and nature look fake or like a movie set they are so stupendous. Before the road starts snaking, we passed through the adorable, boho town of Paia where we stopped and picked up picnic box lunches at Hana Bay Picnic Co (808 579-8686 - 111 A. Hana Highway). In retrospect we would have loved to have stayed in this cute, authentic feeling town for a night or two (it's about 20 minutes from the airport) instead of Wailea. Oh well, next time!
After several hours (about three) on the Hana Highway passing charming roadside stands selling coconuts, Thai food, banana bread, amongst other delights, we pulled into Hana Farms to have our box lunches and some of their homemade ice cream-- delicious mint cacao ice cream made from fresh mint and cacao (of the chocolate family) from their garden, and the macadamia nut toffee brittle ice cream. We also picked up a loaf of their award winning banana bread to take with us- yum!
On a sugar high we pulled into Hana and the Hotel Hana-Maui. We weren't sure what to expect upon arriving at reception-- we weren't smack on a beach as far as we could tell and the reception area looked a little dated.... Everyone was extremely friendly - and all local- most of the staff at the hotel was born and raised in Hana. As we prepared for the tipping we had grown accustomed to at the Four Seasons, we asked to break a $20 for change and were told that the Hotel is a "non-tipping property." You are not allowed to tip except for food and beverages! Frankly a relief to not have to carry around wads of cash and know that the cheery service was authentic and not otherwise motivated.
Patrick, the effusive bellman who has worked at the hotel for 30 years, loaded us and our bags onto a stretch golf cart and gave us a tour of the stunning property, with water on both sides as it turns out-- en route to our room. We booked a Sea Cottage which we would highly recommend. The Sea Cottages are all located on one side of the property with staggering views and the way they are laid out is perfect. The "Wellness Pool" adjacent to the stunning yoga studio is one of the most fabulous pools we've ever seen.
We were delighted by our Sea Cottage with its high beamed ceilings, hard wood floors, bamboo furniture, wet bar, huge porch and large bathroom-- all with stupendous views. We also loved that the mini bar is stocked daily with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and that a bowl of local banana bread (we ate a lot of banana bread in Hana!), macadamia nut cookies, fruit and Maui chips were also provided as a welcome treat (for everyone). The coffee in the room is local Hana coffee which we enjoyed each morning. The Hotel Hana feels like a celebration of Hana -- showcasing all of the fruits of the area from literal fruit, to food, to coffee, to the decor. This is luxury for us.
After marveling at how much we loved the hotel, we set out on a hike up to Fagan's Cross and a look around on foot. There was nobody around-- heaven-- as we hiked up the mountain behind the hotel. Only egrets, cows and other wildlife enjoying the verdant pastures and rolling hills. We really felt the positive energy that is rumored to bless this area.
We also checked out the tiny town of Hana which has a restaurant- Hana Ranch that we were heading to that night for dinner and live music, two general stores, a post office, and two little shops selling locally made jewelry, soaps and the like. We loved feeling like we were mixing with the locals, part of the town. Even if we did get teased for asking if they sold chilled white wine....
After chilled white wine (we chilled it ourselves) on our porch in our robes watching the sun set, we headed to Hana Ranch, escorted by an adorable black cat with bright green eyes who adopted us for our stay- we named him Flash. We sat outside and enjoyed coconut shrimp and ahi poke before the live surfer band that sounded like Sublime took the stage. It was a perfect night at a low key restaurant that embraced the local vibe and was full of mostly locals with a hand full of tourists.
The next morning we woke up at dawn and had fresh banana bread and Hana coffee on our porch watching the sunrise over the Pacific. Feeling inspired we went to complimentary morning yoga in the beautiful open studio perched on a hill maximizing the ocean view. What a spot to do yoga!!
A full breakfast (fruit, local fresh squeezed juices, an entree and coffee) is included in the room rate-- we love our breakfasts- especially when they are delicious and free! The day lay ahead and there was so much we wanted to see and do. We digested by the quiet, magnificent pool -- free of wrestling for chairs, hoards of people -- you can pick whichever vacant chair you like-- and there are plenty, take a towel from the stack placed in a pool hut and relax. If you do want to order food or drinks to the pool, there is a phone with a menu and they'll bring it right to you.
We ordered picnic lunches of the local grilled fish, pineapple and cookies to be delivered to us at Hamoa Beach-- about a five minute drive from the hotel. Restrooms, towels, snorkeling equipment, boogie boards and chairs are provided. We passed a lovely little beach we would have explored the next day if we'd had another day-- lots of breathtaking spots. There is some great surfing as well although it was too windy when we were there.
After relaxing at the pool and beach, we were ready to explore and really wanted to see the famous Waimoko Falls. A half hour drive from the hotel, the two hour hike (roundtrip) takes you through a fantastic bamboo forest, over bridges and then to the 400 foot falls!
We were starving and exhausted after the hike and were blown away when we returned to our Cottage to find the most elaborate cheese plate and a bottle of champagne accompanied by a hand written two page birthday card for Lucy, compliments of the Hotel!! So thoughtful and above and beyond. And we could have catered a party for 20 with that cheese plate! Thank you Hotel Hana Maui! We took our champagne and enjoyed it in the hot tub while the sun set sounding like broken records as we kept exclaiming how much we loved Hana and never wanted to go....
Alas, after a sumptuous (nobody said this was a slimming getaway!!) dinner at the Hotel Hana restaurant, Ka'uiki, and a divine red wine -- Chappellet Cabernet from Napa (the Chappellet's used to have a house in Hana), we fell into bed and had to leave the next day. But we left completely rejuvenated, inspired and relaxed. And planning our return visit.