Although all of the islands are cracking down on unpermitted vacation rentals and adding regulations on new ones, there is no dwindling supply of vacation homes, bed and breakfasts and unique retreats for visitors to stay.
A recent search for accommodations on Maui on the Airbnb site resulted in over 1,000 options. These are now being vetted monthly by Airbnb and Maui County, so the likelihood of coming across an unpermitted property are low.
Here are a few that would no doubt add to a memorable vacation experience for clients.
(We asked the properties whether they pay advisors commissions and heard back from most that they do not, so if the property is a perfect match for a client, your compensation may be in fees.)
Single travelers and couples may gravitate toward the Garden Gingerbread House in Makawao. A remodeled studio cottage with kitchenette, it has a queen bed and enough room for two guests. The owner says the cottage was previously owned by a big-wave surfer who used it as a party destination.
“The owner told us that both Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix partied here, and Jimi spent the night in 1970 when he was on Maui filming ‘Rainbow Bridge,'” said Eve Hogan, the current owner.
“What I love most is watching our guests discover ‘real Hawaii.’ While everyone is familiar with the beautiful beaches of Hawaii, most visitors do not get to experience the lush, green forest and the peaceful, quiet living of ‘Upcountry Maui,'” Hogan continued.
“The stars at night are spectacular, the fruit growing right out the back door is delicious, the birds singing, the wind through the trees, the rainbows — it is full immersion into the deep beauty of Maui.”
Hogan said there is a five-bedroom log house next door that’s also available as a vacation rental, also built by that surfer. All guests are able to wander freely along the walking paths and into the meditative gardens of a 10,000-square-foot greenhouse on the property.
Garden Gingerbread House is willing to work with agents if they book directly with the property. They can do so by contacting Hogan at SacredMauiRetreats.com.
For a romantic and luxurious stay, the six-bedroom Ho’oilo House Bed and Breakfast is located near Lahaina and Kaanapali. The ornately designed rooms offer a king or queen bed, and continental breakfast is served each morning. In South Maui, the Maui Dolphin House is a large four-bedroom, private home for occasions that require enough space for eight. Gated and quiet, it has a full kitchen, swimming pool and large backyard.
To book, visit hooilohouse.com.
The Paia Inn is located right in the heart of the beach town of Paia on Maui’s north shore, with boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants and art galleries all around.
There’s a lot of charm to the inn’s exterior. It’s in a historical building, but the interior is modern and Bali-inspired with large windows and French doors. On-site is Vana Paia, a restaurant on an outdoor patio that serves sushi, tapas and cocktails.
Getting a room at the Paia Inn also means guests won’t have to worry about parking, which is included for free, allowing plenty of time to stroll through town or go to the beach just steps away.
Visit paiainn.com for more info or to book.
A glamping experience for the thrifty traveler, Camp Olowalu offers “tentalows,” or large tents built around a wooden structure, fronting Maui’s Olowalu Beach. Inside, there are two twin beds, linens, a cooler, a safe and a private open-air shower. Shared common areas include bathrooms, picnic benches and BBQ grills, and there is WiFi available. Larger tentalows, cabins and regular campsites are also on offer.
Go to campolowalu.com to book.
Visitors looking for retreats will find quite a few on Maui. An educational retreat, Lumeria Maui, encompasses 5.6 acres in upcountry Maui and offers classes in yoga, movement and healing therapies. There are 24 rooms for overnight lodging, featuring king or queen beds, large lanais (patios) and an unlimited enrollment in classes.
Guests will find many other amenities, too, including a saline pool and Jacuzzi, an on-site restaurant and a wellness spa with a large menu of many different types of massages. Lumeria pays agent commissions.
Go to lumeriamaui.com to book.
Visitors who prefer to be off the beaten path will appreciate the Maui Eco Retreat near Haiku, which has multiple rooms and a bamboo house, called the Bamboo Eco Hale. Staying here also means guests will have exclusive access to a trail that leads to a hidden waterfall. Guests can take a short hike to the top of the falls or spend half a day on an adventure to the bottom pool.
The owner, Kutira Decosterd, bought the property in 1988 when “the land was just a piece of jungle,” she said. “I created a place for sustainability in accordance with nature. I was the first one who started to build with bamboo because I really believe it is an amazing lumber.”
The Bamboo Eco Hale, referred to as the honeymoon cottage, has a private kitchen, skylight, outdoor shower and washer and dryer. “We are a small place. We love to host people who really have a sense of being a responsible traveler,” Decosterd said.
Learn more at mauiecoretreat.com.