We had a wonderful time! So much of this experience is unique and immersive, but remember that it is definitely an experience and not your stereotypical bnb stay.
Hawaiian Sanctuary focuses on cultivating a community and your stay here is almost like a temporary invitation into that community. Everybody is very inviting, and the events you can access during your stay (like yoga, classes, and dances) involve guests, members of the local community, and employees of the Sanctuary. The vegan breakfast you have the option of purchasing is communal, so is the lunch.
We stayed in a cabin, as opposed to the Lodge. And it was nice for my husband and I to have that bit of privacy. The cabin is open-air and bright. At night, it fills with the sounds of the birds in the Sanctuary. It’s furnished with the essentials (bed, lamps, desk, small dresser). The bed was very comfortable. No attached bathroom, so we used the nearby bath house and outdoor showers.
For the price, the amenities are excellent. Spa was amazing, but didn’t work the first day we tried it, and somebody else cut into our reserved time. Reservations are made via a whiteboard system that I recommend checking out as soon as you arrive. Yoga was also excellent, long & thoughtful! A continental breakfast at the Elixir Bar is included with the stay. Homemade granola, fresh coconut milk, and French press coffee (all delicious).
Our biggest hang up was with communication and messaging. There are different signs and schedules posted that conflict with each other. There are two different breakfasts running, and it is not clear which one is included. That confusion created an awkward situation for us and the chef. The welcome packet has a map, but the map is hard to read and missing vital pieces of information. It also has information that conflicts with the packet on the back of the door and with the website/bnb description. The front desk isn’t staffed when it says it’s staffed. When we arrived, we had no clue where to go. What I will say about this is that calling the provided number did usually resolve the questions we had.
Despite the slight adjustment to expectations that we had to undergo, I do recommend staying here if you’re into the down-to-earth community experience. It’s stunning, the cabin was comfortable, and we had a really refreshing time.