I can't believe I get to be the first to review the Hamoa Bay Bungalow. In a way I don't want to…read morereveal this secret hidden heaven in Hana, Maui. At the same time I want to rave about how wonderful this stay was.
A beautiful hidden gem located in Hana. There is an option of staying at the bungalow or at the guest house. We stayed at the bungalow in June for our upcoming 1 year wedding anniversary, the surroundings were breath taking.
A time warp into the jungles of Maui.
The bunglow is better suited for couples, it has one bed, a jetted tub, and the tub is located on the patio. Although there are no privacy windows surrounding the patio, you will feel very comfortable because of how high up you are in the bungalow and the number of tropical foliage surrounding the bungalow. Picture a 600 sq ft tree house for grown ups.
As ironic as this may sound, a five star hotel normally would not have any critters running around, but I give this place a 5 star rating for the taste of serenity that I have not experienced at any other hotel before.
Here in beautiful Hana, you get the true experience of sharing with nature. At night the geckos come out from the rafters of the bungalow and you share the home with the geckos. At night you hear them running across the glass. You also learn survival skills of turning off all lights in the bungalow and leaving on the magic moonlight switch on the patio to lure the bugs and geckos to one side of the home to feed the geckos. If you can live with the geckos and bugs, this is as close to heaven you can get.
Without glass windows on the patio, it is instead covered by netting that allows the sounds of nature to come through, you can hear the ocean waves from coast of Hana Beach at night. In the morning you can hear the birds chirping. The short bursts of pouring Maui rain can also be heard and is a calming sound.
The laundry machine is outdoors. You share with the guest house. The guest house is quite a distance from the bungalow and you do feel like you're alone even if you are on the same lot.
The kitchen is stocked with all the cookingware you may need if you want to cook, dishes, utensils, and dining ware. The bungalow even has a coffee maker, toaster, and stove. In the garden patio, there is a barbecue that you can use. You will have to bring a bag of bbq coals with you unless the previous guest left some behind. The room also comes with a small radio with cd player and some Hawaiian CD's. This might sound cheesy now listening to Hawaiian music in Hawaii, but while you are staying there experiencing the rain, nature, and that feeling of bliss inside you, the Hawaiian music you listen to at the bungalow will be the sounds of serenity you will remember when you're back at your cubicle working the following week.
There are a few cats that roam around the home, they live there, and if you're lucky enough, you'll get a happy greeting from them.
You have to make a private reservation with the owner of this home to stay here. $225 per night plus 11.42% tax, 3 nights minimum reservation. We booked the minimum of 3 nights here to stay in Hana for the beginning of our trip in Maui and the rest of the trip in hotels in Kaanapali resort area, the first 3 nights was the highlight of our Maui trip.
The reservation was a very simple process:
1) Email hamoabay@maui.net or call the owner at (808) 248-7884 asking if the dates you want to visit is available. We booked the trip around being able to stay at the bungalow, we were open to June or September.
2) After setting the available date and reserving, you provide a 50% deposit with the balance due 30 days in advance of the arrival date. You can book with your credit card over the phone.
3) You receive a confirmation receipt by email.
4) After final payment you get your secret directions to finding the hidden gem.
5) Upon arrival you call to tell the owner that you've arrived.
6) You try to cope with your much removed state from the busy life you've escaped from.
7) Day 2, you've succeeded in step 6. Now you explore Hana.
8) Day 3 (if you book only 3 days), you're now sad that you know that this is the last night at the bungalow.
9) Day 4, checking out. You're now sad you have to go and you actually say goodbye to the geckos.
10) Day 5, back at work. You think about booking a trip to Maui again to stay at the bungalow, Go for it!
"This bungalow sure hit the spot. Tropical, remote, and romantic!"