Krys G.
Yelp
Huelo is located on Maui's rugged north shore, 20 minutes east of the small town of Paia on the road to Hana. Since you're 20 minutes' drive from the nearest town, this place is super-secluded, but offers all of the amenities you could imagine.
The road down to the place is only partially paved (last time we were there in 2003, anyway,) and so you have a very slow, bumpy ride down. We first did it in some kind of crapmobile rental, and whenever we tried to take the road too quickly, residents along the way come out and give you the stink-eye. Not worth busting your axle anyway, so take it slow.
Huelo Point Lookout is just about the last place, down the last driveway on the last road as you make your way off the Hana Highway and down toward the coast. Some of the cottages on the property offer ocean views (the main house, for example,) but for the most part the coast is hidden from view, so if you're looking for beach front, this is not for you.
What we loved about Huelo is that it's much more of a rapidly changing environment than getting a cookie-cutter chain hotel place in Wailea, Kaanapali or in Kapalua. It's a more rugged and unexpected experience with lots of wind, quick, fleeting rainstorms and amazing tranquility and seclusion. No kids in the communal pool yelling all day, no one next door making noise. You literally feel like you're in the middle of nowhere.
Both times we have stayed there, we opted for the Haleakala Cottage, which is basically a studio apartment (free standing, no immediate neighbors) with a full kitchen, patio, its own Jacuzzi and the best part: a FANtastic outdoor shower.
The small office, with 2 sets of washers and dryers plus all the linens you could ever need (including fabulous, huge beach towels) is just around the corner from this cottage, and me being a laundry freak, I was in heaven (guests have free access to the laundry facilities anytime.)
Owners Jeff and Sharyn Stone and their sweet son, Kai, have gone out of their way to provide their guests with privacy and seclusion, without being so absent that you don't feel well taken care of.
The kitchen is stocked with plenty of fresh, whole-bean coffee, and you can also order special treats like additional flowers or chocolates for your arrival (my husband surprised me with this on our honeymoon.)
In all, I think we've spent a total of almost 3 weeks here over our two trips to Hawaii, and I would stay there again in a snap.
The only perceived drawback might be the distance from the place to the nearest sign of civilization, but keep in mind that Maui is only so big, so any place, including Hana or even Wailea on the southern west coast is only 40-60 minutes drive away. And when you're in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, on vacation, what do you have more of than leisure time?
Recommendations:
- Take your watches off when you arrive and put them away someplace. Go with the light and rise when you want, eat when you want, be active when you want and sleep when you want.
- Bring some food in from one of the places in Paia to keep around -- fruit, milk, etc. - daily supplies that will keep you going since you're a good 20 minutes from the grocery store, and driving that road at night can be precarious.
- I'm going to write a review of this as well, but the Paia Fish Market, right on the main corner of town is unbelievably good. I recommend the fish and chips with lots of vinegar and Tabasco. Ugh. I am drooling thinking about it.
- Pack a picnic and head to Hana for the day. Take every opportunity to turn left as you head out and get to the coast for amazing, out-of-the-way waterfalls. Ignore signs for private property if you're particularly adventurous (which we were.)