In my review, I will address some of the issues I heard mentioned in previous reviews. I want to do this so to define the validity of those reviews (from all sources) Most reviewers are biased to the positive and to the negative. I hope to even the "playing field" so to speak and to make an unbiased and useful. I hope you are, as well as I am, looking for a review that makes sense and helps you, the guest, make an informed choice. I tried to very carefully and thoughtfully make my comments. I am a highly educated individual who has stayed in hostels, who has couch surfed and has resources to stay at high end resorts. I make my choices, not based on financial limitations, but based upon desired environments and experiences. I was very worried about making the significant financial investment to stay here based on the number of negative reviews from many sources about Maui Eco Retreat. I decided that many reviews may not be truly reflective of the nature of remote living nor understand "retreat". The typical ideal of being on Maui means being pampered and existing around tourists and beautiful immaculate lodgings and grounds. I wanted a retreat. I wanted mediation. I wanted peace and I wanted to be very far away from the tourist experience. I felt choosing the Thai Hale would be the right decision for the last ten days of my 28 on Maui. I went in knowing I may be very disappointed. I took the risk. Absolutely, the negativity noted in many reviews clouded my first impression when arriving at the retreat. I saw where the Thai Hale cottage could of been cleaned a little better, where there were noticeable areas in need of repair (I've been told I'm overly critical in these areas). I was appalled at the previous guest who threw beer cans and cigarette packages over the railing and their lack of respect for this land. I picked up what I could reach but wondered why the cleaning crew didn't notice this. Then, I walked down to the mediation temple, I wanted to cry. It was very dirty and in need of TLC. My husband, and I love him for this, stated, then we will go there to meditate, we will use a broom and tidy up ourselves. When we did go back, my first impression was correct. It's not just one day or one week of neglect but a long long time of neglect. This was quite disappointing. I went back frequently to the mediation temple and it remained neglected throughout my 10 night stay. Despite the lack of attention of the mediation temple, we spent a lot of time there, cleaned up some, and elected to find peace there. Peace was there, but really the peace was from within. We made the most of the situation and the outcomes were indescribable. The yoga center was fairly well kept. Yoga was offered every morning outside...