Iao Valley Inn was the first non-Kihei location my wife and I have ever stayed (in 10+ trips to…read moreMaui over the last 35 years); and we were very grateful we made the change. While technically in Wailuku, you'd never know it; and this central location was ideal for sightseeing around the island.  The grounds were beautiful.  The sounds of the jungle (especially of the nearby stream) were a wonderful way to wake up in the morning as well as to de-stress throughout the day.    Tamara and Bob were very wonderful and attentive hosts.  Kahu (their German Shepherd) was a loving protector of the guests.  The comfy bed and clawfoot bathtub were lovely accents of the Orchid room (the multiple mini-refrigerators were also quite helpful); and having the lanai for dining and taking-in the ambience was a major plus. We highly recommend staying here, and would easily do so again should we plan another trip to this incredible island.

Hmmm. Thought of not reviewing this place because it was such a find. My wife and I are from…read moreHonolulu and we had a wedding to attend on Maui, so we decide to make it a short relaxing vacation as well. And Relaxing and soothing it was! Iao Valley Inn is run by a couple (Tamara and Bob) who also live and maintain this luscious, green oasis of a property. It's located right outside of Wailuku just as you enter Iao Valley Road. Once on property you could never tell the main town(s) of Wailuku and Kahului is very near. The property is also located near the banks of the Iao Valley stream and its flowing sound is so refreshing and soothing - there is even a waterfall to boot! There are 3 rentals: 2 rooms adjacently attached to the main house and 1 cottage with a detached enclosed Gazebo with a bed away from the main house. We opted for reserving the Cottage and boy were we impressed. If you go to their website the video is every bit accurate as you see it. We've attached some photos as well. As you can see the Cottage is a 1 bed (King Size) with a small living room, full kitchen (including a dishwasher!), full bathroom (just a large shower no tub), the entry has a covered patio area with a glass table for enjoying the outside without worrying about rain. A quiet split system A/C unit is available in the main cottage, as well as two ceiling fans. This A/C and fan setup is great - since you can experience the natural atmosphere without the A/C running - the windows are screened to keep the bugs out and the ceiling fan keeps the natural air moving if you like. The first couple of days were a bit humid so we ran the A/C - but the other days we let the natural air and sounds into the cottage (very, very 'ohmmmm') - if you are into Yoga or just meditating - this is a bomb of a place to practice those disciplines (I did some light Yoga and it was very stimulating). No traffic noise, just the running stream water, birds, wind and bit of rain. If you like 'action' this is NOT the place. The detached gazebo is nice: double bed with an armoire for clothing, lights, artwork, lots of windows (screened) and a nice entry deck. But I think they should at least install a ceiling fan to make it bearable in the humidity. It has no bathroom so if you stay there, you need to walk across the yard to the main cottage bathroom - which as an exterior door for that purpose. Other amenities include a nice light breakfast for the first day (Orange juice, papaya, passion fruit, banana bread, water and Keurig coffee setup), Washer/drier with detergents, beach gear (boogie boards, umbrella, fins). Lots of bathroom towels, Cable TV + WIFI, Alexa and even a BBQ Grill! We were so impressed we are thinking to return again just for the experience of staying put and enjoying all the amenities esp BBQing and enjoying the outdoor area. Thank you Tamara & Bob - We'll be back!

Stayed here for 1 night for business. It is located literally right next to Maui airport, less than…read morea 3 minute drive away. I had an excellent stay here and would be happy to stay again next time I visit. Pros: Location - right next to airport. There are other restaurants, grocery stores, etc. within the vicinity but you'll need to drive. Friendly staff - even the cleaning staff greets you in the morning. Front desk staff was quick and efficient. Spacious, clean gym. Smith machine and pullup bar, heavy dumbbells (over 70#), Kettle bells, etc. Clean room and comfortable bed Free upgrade - my room was upgraded due to status (Gold) which was a nice touch. Cons: No free breakfast but they do have a small restaurant on-site offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, alcohol, coffee, snacks, etc. You can hear some planes so bring earplugs. You may also hear roosters in the early morning, but that is part of the experience. Embrace the island life.

I had always wanted to visit Maui, and because I rarely travel, this trip was especially meaningful…read moreto me. Unfortunately, my experience at this hotel was extremely disappointing. From the moment I arrived, I did not feel welcome. I was not greeted at check-in, and the front desk staff were unfriendly. Early in my stay, I was asked to leave an empty restaurant seating area while eating takeout because it was reserved for restaurant guests, even though no one was using it. The day after I arrived, the Maui wildfires began, and the hotel filled with displaced residents. When my flight was delayed, I asked if the hotel could extend my stay by one night as a courtesy because no other rooms were available due to the emergency, but my request was denied. On my third day, I tested positive for COVID. Because I was traveling alone, I expected at least some support, but after the hotel stopped housekeeping services due to my diagnosis, I received very little assistance while I was sick and could not go anywhere. I was also charged for parking, which was not clearly disclosed in advance. After the fires, the parking lot was full, and despite paying for parking, I had to spend a long time searching for a space. When I called for help, I was told there was nothing the hotel could do and that I should park a mile away near houses and walk back. I understand that the wildfires created an unprecedented situation and that many challenges were beyond the hotel's control. However, the lack of empathy, flexibility, and basic customer service throughout my stay was deeply disappointing. During a crisis, I expected more compassion.

always a pleasure staying here friendly staff clean rooms…read moreawesome vibe convenience shops near by restaurant at the hotel very comfortable and relaxing

The staff were friendly and helpful at check-in and check-out. The central part of the property…read moreadjacent to the lobby and pool appeared quite nice and well maintained. A nice feature is the ability to walk through pool area onto the narrow beach. The hotel is near the harbor, so the quality of the water is uncertain. The primary reason for the three star rating is the poor maintenance of the annex building where our room was. The exterior of the annex clearly needs improvement. Our room had lots chipped paint and wood finishes. The bathroom door was missing some of its painted veneer. The bathroom had been repainted but there were paint splashes on the mirror wood trim. The bathroom ventilation did not work. The curved shower curtain rod over the tub was loose on the wall and bending slightly toward the floor, as if someone had tried to do chin ups on it. The end of the shower curtain kept sliding down the curved curtain rod and away from the wall, which made it impossible to not get water on the floor. The air conditioner cycled on and off in a very annoying fashion. The compressor came on and ramped up to speed and the fan would blow for 30 to 60 seconds and then it shut down only to repeat the process in another five minutes or so. We probably should have set the fan to a continuous setting, but it honestly didn't occur to us. There was no daily maid service during our 2-night stay unless we requested it. All in all, our stay was fine, but not great.

I don't have high expectations when it comes to lodging and I have stayed at other guesthouses and…read morehostels in the past. It was a last-minute effort to find a decent hostel in Maui after deciding that I didn't need a regular hotel. Customer service was alright for the most part. I had a small private room that was located in one of the common areas on the second level. There were some ants in the shared bathroom next to the common area, but I didn't make too big a deal of it. Though at the same time, I paid quite a bit of money so therefore you would think the conditions would be a little more acceptable. Funishings were not too bad overall. A queen-sized bed with a TV (even though it didn't seem to work or I couldn't get it to turn on), and a fan. There are DVDs for rent as well, but that's not what I was here for. I can't say that I would stay here again, however. I researched other hostels that have potentially better rates and amenities.

Can I give 0 stars?…read more The place has decorating ides that were nice but thrown together by a high school boy on a budget. That being said it was only $70 for a room! My wife who grew up in poor up in a third world country said she thought it was too dirty. At first I thought she was being over dramatic but then while I was undressing for bed an eight inch long thick centipede came crawling across the floor. Then as I was talking about it with my wife I saw a tiny little ant on her face! I wish I could leave now, but I paid already and every other place is $300! At least I have my camping equipment with me. I will try and post pictures. I posted pictures of the bugs ceiling and window. Yelp showed a place two blocks away for five dollars less and it had four stars

Enjoyed our stay. Comfortable rooms, great location, friendly staff. Beautiful pool and outdoor…read moreseating with BBQ.

I honestly Loved this spot it's not super touristy We needed to stay somewhere super last minute…read moreone evening and Maureen helped me and my cousin Tatyana get checked in right away she was super nice & helpful the place is clean & affordable lots of shops and food to walk to just minutes away.

I feel like I got catfished with this hotel. Online the pictures look so great, then you show up…read moreand it's nothing like it. Pool was down during my visit, and the beach right there is a no swim zone because of all the rocks. The hotel looks old and smells old. The hallways are stuffy and the restaurant food (dinner menu) is terrible.

There's a lot of considerations when it comes to Maui! A majority of hotels are pricy, and I think…read morefor a "budget" hotel it gets the job done. Setting: Right on the beachside, it's a 12 minute walk from Foodland and a shopping mall. The pool was cold, but it was clean and there were other patrons utilizing it as well. Service: The ladies who checked us in and out were fast, kind, and efficient. We also rented a board game to play. Room: Our room itself was clean, properly stocked with towels and toiletries. The mini fridge and beds were all clean.

The volunteers at Banana Bungalow were amazing. They were kind, welcoming, and genuinely friendly…read more They created the only positive part of my stay, and I truly wish them all the best on their future travels. I hope our paths cross again someday. My 5-star rating is for the volunteers, not necessarily for the business itself. In all honesty, if it weren't for the volunteers, I would not have stayed even one night. I would have felt more comfortable sleeping in my rental car than staying here. Their kindness, friendliness, and effort were the reason I chose to remain. Unfortunately, I also witnessed some very concerning behavior from a staff member named Iven. During my stay, I saw him kick a female staff member hard enough that the impact could be heard, and I also witnessed him headbutt a male staff member who was not doing anything to provoke him. In addition, he pushed me in the head. This behavior was completely inappropriate and unacceptable. Kicking, headbutting, and physically pushing people creates an unsafe environment and should not be tolerated. As for the hostel itself, there were several issues. I found and had to kill a cockroach in my room. When I arrived, there were no blankets on the bed. After asking for one, I was given a blanket intended for a twin-size bed even though I was sleeping on a full-size bed. The business also seems unnecessarily cheap when it comes to basic guest accommodations. Providing properly sized bedding and maintaining clean, pest-free rooms should be standard, not something guests have to request or worry about. The volunteers deserve recognition for their kindness and hard work, but the behavior I witnessed and the condition of the accommodations leave a lot of room for improvement. Management should invest more in both the safety of guests and staff and the overall quality of the facility.

Banana Bungalow is hands down the coolest, most fun party hostel on the island. This was my first…read moreever hostel experience, and I honestly couldn't have picked a better place. From the moment I arrived, the energy was incredible. I met so many fun people from all over the world, and every day turned into some kind of spontaneous adventure. Between the organized tours and all the random "side quests" with people I met there, it felt like something exciting was always happening. What really makes this place special though is the staff. They genuinely create such a welcoming, social atmosphere and make everyone feel included. Huge shoutout to Emily, Toby, and Kate, who were especially amazing and made my stay unforgettable--but honestly the entire team contributes to the magic here. Whether you're traveling solo or with friends, it's the kind of place where you instantly meet people and end up making memories you didn't even plan for. For my first hostel stay, Banana Bungalow set the bar incredibly high, and I can confidently say I'll be coming back the next time I'm on the island. If you're looking for good vibes, great people, and a truly unique travel experience, this is the spot. Oh and theres lots of kitties to support you during your stay as well... my favorite kitty was lloyd he especially warmed my heart and deserves a raise!!!