Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Ho'oilo House: A Bed & Breakfast To Remember


When the Ho'oilo House opened in September 2003 the proprietors, Dan and Amy along with their partners Kathy and Jay, knew that they wanted to provide a different experience for their guests.  There are other bed and breakfasts on Maui, but the Ho'oilo House has set itself apart from the rest.

The house is located about five minutes south from the town of Lahaina on Maui.  From the first moment we arrived we knew we were going to have a special stay.  We were greeted by Dan, who welcomed us, and showed us around the property.

The house itself is special.  Built and furnished from materials imported from Bali, the house consists of six rooms, all with their own person full bath (complete with outdoor shower), and private lanai.  Each room has its own special view, ranging from the gardens, to the mountains, and the ocean.  Our room, the Akala Manu room, had a partial ocean view from the lanai, which we enjoyed immensely.


Though they are often fully booked, you will not feel crowded at the Ho'oilo House.  Often, the only time you will see another guest is at breakfast.  The morning we were there, the expanded continental breakfast consisted of vegan strawberry coconut muffins (muffins flavors vary daily), toast, fresh fruit salad, hard boiled, farm fresh eggs, cereal, juice, tea, and coffee.

Every last detail has been thought of.  You can book in-room spa services, or arrange for a private chef to serve you dinner on your lanai.   Coffee and tea are always available, as well as an assortment of beach supplies, including beach towels, mats, coolers, boogie boards, hats, etc..  You can even arrange a wedding package for your stay, which includes a guest room for three nights, arrangements for a beach wedding, an on-site coordinator, an officiant, transportation to and from the wedding, a private dinner for two on your lanai, and much more!

The attention to detail doesn't stop there.  Dan and Amy, who run the B&B on a daily basis, have also taken special care to make the Ho'oilo House as "green" as possible.  Some of the fruit served at breakfast is grown on the property.  They provide complimentary, take home, reusable water bottles for all guests.  They also provide wonderfully luxurious line of eco-friendly line of toiletries called "Zero" from Gilchrist & Soame, which feature food-grade, naturally derived USP glycerin; natural conditioning agents from the honey and Brassica plant; and soybean and cottonseed oil, instead of petrochemicals.

To continue their mission of being stewards to the environment, the Ho'oilo House has installed an Enphase enlighten solar array.  The system, which provides 90 to 100% of their electrical needs, was installed, unobtrusively, at the bottom of the property, at the end of 2010, and went into service at the beginning of 2011.  Guests are invited (if so inclined), to track usage real time.

All of the effort that has been put into making the Ho'oilo House as special as it is seems effortless.  Each guest will feel pampered and special.  Staying at the Ho'oilo House is like being on your own private island; quiet, serene, and completely relaxing.  I can tell you that it was the perfect way for us to end our stay on Maui!

Reservations

Ho'oilo House
808-667-6669 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time

2 comments: