I’m torn, really. I cannot keep this gem of a space, nor the spectacular (read: adorbs) town where it resides, all to myself. But at the same I want to make sure the perfect ambiance of Mai’s house and Honokaʻa remain in tact.
That said, if you’re reading this, you’ve already clicked on Mai’s BnB so here goes: The whole setup is hostel-like, meaning price-wise (smiley-face with heart eyes) and a bathroom down the hall, though all are private rooms and VERY clean. I’m a teeeeeeeeny bit OCD, so I can *feel* germs. But not here. Comfy beds, as well. Lysol wipes in the bathroom (yeeeee!) + Uncle Jimmy, the manager, and his precious cat, Lucky, ground this historical building better than a bag full of Smoky Quartz and Hematite crystals, while the firefighters next door offer a studly safety-factor to the whole neighborhood.
The town? Ugh, where do I begin. Convenient Plus, a nearby gas station/cafe, serve up true Aloha vibes, with great coffee, scrumptious tuna-fish sandwiches, fruit, and other baubles for whatever you may need during your stay. The main strip showcases the nicest boutiques I’ve seen on the whole island (the ones in Hilo and Kona are all tourist-traps, in my opinion), but the shops here in this luscious oasis are Gwyneth Paltrow approved. That last comment screams my whiteness from the rooftops, I realize, but say what you want, I love it here.
Most importantly, communication with management has been, in a word, top-notch.
PS: Waipi’o Valley, just down the road, is not to be missed. They say the veil is thinnest there. And that should tell you the kind of gorgeous energy surrounding this part of the island. A little slice of heaven. Truly.