Maui Ocean Breezes

If you are thirsty when you arrive at Maui Ocean Breezes, don’t worry. If the owner is around, he will quickly pick a fresh coconut from the gardens and crack it open for you. This is a great example of two characteristics of this tiny guest house: personal attention and a love for the beautiful nature of the island.

This property is indeed in Maui, and there are great ocean breezes -- but it offers so much more than the name suggests. Its small, intimate setting feels miles away from the big, commercial resorts and cookie-cutter condo properties on other parts of the island, and it is -- it’s situated in the tiny town of Haiku along the famous, twisting Hana Highway. This small bed-and-breakfast has just four rooms, including the main house, two apartments, and a separate cottage.

Also special are the personal artistic touches that Anjali, the owner, has hand-crafted around the property. Anjali is not a professional artist by trade, but she might as well be, as the beautiful home and gardens she has created is a true work of art. The house and cottage are surrounded by beautiful grass lawns in every direction, punctuated in corners with little shrines consisting of small statues and carvings, glass figurines of birds and butterflies, and other natural elements like seashells collected nearby. There are wind chimes, little lily ponds, ceramic fish, frogs hanging from branches, and owls perched above the shrubbery. 

One shrine features palm tree roots and volcanic rocks dedicated to Hina, the goddess of Maui. The om symbol and little pieces of blue sea glass are repeated themes. One thing's for sure, it’s a labor of love, and the love of the beautiful land here fills the place with a positive energy. The atmosphere makes you truly feel like you are staying with friends -- quirky, eccentric friends, perhaps, but some of the warmest and kindest around.

Maui Ocean Breezes is located along the famous Road to Hana, a 52-mile long twisting, turning course that traces Maui’s north shore. Along the Hana Highway, guests pass through rainforests and stunning vistas, and there are many places to stop to hike to a waterfall or splash in a stream. The guest house is located in a remote area just past mile marker 15, in the tiny town of Haiku. It’s down a very quiet, residential road with only a few other houses close by. Everything needs to be reached by car from here; there’s nothing in walking distance. Ho'okipa Beach Park, the closest beach, is about a 13-minute drive away, as is the little surfer town of Paia, full of  quaint shops and restaurants. The airport is about a 25-minute drive.

The four unique units include the main house, a stand-alone cottage, an apartment, and the smallest, the studio. The cottage has two bedrooms, including a king, a queen and a futon in the living room. The apartment and the studio can be rented together to create a two-bedroom unit. In each unit, the walls are hand-painted with original artwork by owner Anjali, depicting blue and silver wave-like swirls and flowing patterns, which contribute to the quirky, artistic vibe. The apartment and the cottage both feature a full kitchen with all the basics. The studio has a small kitchenette with a full-sized fridge, a two-burner cooktop, toaster oven, and a microwave. Each unit has its own lanai with a small barbecue grill. The cottage features the romantic addition of a private outdoor soaking bathtub for two on the lanai. (If a hot tub is a priority, note that the cottages at nearby Huelo Point Lookout all have them.)

The main house includes one bedroom, a spacious living room, dining room, kitchen and one full bath. There is a daybed in the media room for another sleeping space. The vaulted ceilings give an airy feel to the space and the light-filled living room has big picture windows that wrap all the way around, to show off the amazing views of the coast and lush green farmlands that surround the property. The kitchen counter island is topped with one solid piece of beautiful local wood, and the dining table is the same. The house is decorated with ocean-themed items, such as fish- and seashell-shaped wood carvings, mixed with interesting pieces the owner’s have collected from their travels, including buddha statues that add a touch of zen. The living area is decorated in warm, earth tones, such as taupe and soft greens. The bedroom and bathroom are bolder, featuring bright ocean blues, and the bathroom has a jetted tub. There are nice lanais in the front and back of the house.

A small saltwater pool features a handmade waterfall on one side, decorated with ceramic tiles, statues, and colorful glass mosaic pieces. The small pool is more than ample for this intimate property which will have no more than a dozen guests at a time. There are lounge chairs, an outdoor shower, and a gazebo for shade. In a far corner of the property, a small bungalow is tucked away, with glass doors facing out toward the sea. Inside, is a small room with a skylight, wood floors, yoga mats, and meditation music. This Meditation Hut is peaceful space with awesome ocean view, open for anyone to use.

As an eco-friendly measure, to help with trimming the grass, and perhaps just for the fun of it, the owners have two baby goats that they keep on the property. These adorable, furry fellows might let you pet them if they are in a good mood. The gardens are abundant with fruit trees, including avocado, mangos, lemons, and limes, and the owners are happy to cut open a fresh coconut for you if you’re thirsty. Though the property is simple, it maximizes on the natural beauty of its location, with room to roam on the gorgeous green fields surrounded by farmland, and lovely views down to the bright blue ocean.