North Shore Lookout Maui — Hotel in Maui

I've never written a review for anything on here but had to make an exception for North Shore Lookout because I have never felt more relaxed and at peace anywhere else on vacation. TL;DR: If you're planning a trip to Maui and you want to truly relax in the most peaceful setting and have the best hosts, then you should book a room here.

Longer version: My wife and I were planning a trip to Maui for a friend's wedding. I was excited to stay at an A+ property I found on Airbnb that was double the cost of North Shore Lookout, but she nixed that idea pretty quickly in the interest of saving money. Not gonna lie, I was pretty bummed at first. But any sour feelings I had toward staying at the "lesser" place went out the door the first morning we woke up here. It was calm and quiet with a light breeze in the air, and we could sit and see for miles across the island with the property's beautiful landscape in the foreground. It felt like time slowed down and we somehow morphed inside of a postcard.

The Maui upcountry is really the place to be. It's much more relaxed and has a slower pace than other parts of the island. The landscape in the surrounding area is beautiful, rolling hills, farmland, forests, and 180-degree views of the west part of the island. The location is also great logistically speaking. At North Shore Lookout you're 5 minutes from Makawao town, 15 minutes from Paia town/Hana hwy, and 20 minutes from the airport. Our room was clean and comfortable, it had everything we needed to feel at home (but let's be real, you're in Maui and you should be outside). We especially enjoyed the hammock and patio that came with our room. As stated above, the grounds are beautiful, the common areas in particular. We are typically pretty active people on vacation, but I think I could've spent our entire trip sitting by the pool and been completely happy with that. And since there are only a handful of rooms on the property, the pool is generally pretty quiet. We only had to share with another party one time in the five days we were there.

Finally, the couple who runs the property, Josh and Shannan, are wonderful people. They are super kind, easy to talk to, and they put a lot of effort into making sure everyone has a great stay. You can tell they've poured a ton of hard work into running everything, and it was great to be able to support a smaller family-run business instead of throwing money at a hotel chain. They're the hosts we all want but don't deserve.

One night during our trip, we found ourselves walking along one of the beach paths next to some of the resorts you may have seen on Instagram. Every hotel's infinity pool was filled to the brim with people, it was loud, kids were running around everywhere while their parents sipped on $10 cocktails that cost $25, plenty of Karen's complaining to resort staff, and each place just generally felt crowded and chaotic. Later that evening, we drove back to North Shore Lookout, cracked open some champagne, and had the pool to ourselves as we watched the sky darken across the island and the stars come into focus. Time started to slow down again. It was quiet, peaceful, and we felt completely at ease. If that is the kind of experience you want, close all of the other browser tabs you currently have open because this...

We enjoyed a wonderful 3 days/2 nights stay at North Shore Lookout. If you want peace and quiet then this is definitely the place to consider. It is a winding twisty drive past fields and forests to get there. There is a coded mechanized gate guarding access to the grounds. You then ease past a paddock to get to the main building of the B&B. An open veranda invites you through from the parking lot to a magnificent view looking over the pool, lush landscaping and beyond down the long eastern flank of Mount Haleakala to the shoreline and the town of Kahului (weather-permitting, of course).||There was nobody there that we could see when we arrived but check in was simple; we picked up our welcome bag labeled with our name written on a fresh leaf (likely plucked from the garden). Keys, snacks and towels were part of the package.||Our room was large, bright and clean. It naturally features Hawaiian motifs but also a lot of marine or maritime decor. The bathroom was large, water flow was strong. A kitchenette has a tall bar table dividing it from the seating area. There was a small porch with glass/metal patio furniture. Another welcome package of a stuffed woven-grass basket awaited us on the wood coffee table, including a small bottle of sparking wine and a French pineapple. ||The bed was equally large and comfy. We slept well; the nights were very quiet.||I should note that we had one completely clear night and the lack of any nearby light pollution made for fantastic night sky viewing. The sight of the panoply of stars almost rivaled that we had on the peak of Haleakala. It should be noted that the reason there is so little light pollution nearby is not just that the residences are relatively dispersed but that there are also no street lights; this made nighttime driving a little more challenging. ||Breakfast was a relaxed affair. The host too our drink orders which included caffeinated beverages as well as fruit juices or smoothies. The breakfast food was fixed but different each morning. It made for a relaxing start to the day. The staff were very friendly and informative.||We explored the grounds a little and took time to relax for awhile in the pool. We could hear birds in the trees and shrubs and occasionally see them flit around. We were only able to definitely identify the warbling white-eye and the Chinese hwamei / Melodious laughingthrush. The latter was busy feeding on fruit that had fallen near the main veranda.||As has been mentioned there was relatively quick access to Haleakala National Park from here. We explored the nearby town, Makawao and hiked the eponymous forest preserve. We also visited Maui Wine and revisited Paia and Ho’okipa Beach. ||We had stayed in Kihei by the beach and along bustling S. Kihei road. Most everything we needed was a short drive away and the beach just a short stroll from our unit. North Shore Lookout was totally the opposite in location and ambience and made for a...

Short version: this is the BEST accommodation in Maui for couples

Long version: I was so excited when I came across North Shore Lookout. I took my girlfriend to Maui for a surprise and I wanted something more intimate, unique, special, quiet, and authentic than a resort or hotel. North Shore Lookout went beyond our expectations and we would give it 6 stars out of 5 if that were possible. The upcountry is beautiful, serene, and truly relaxing. North Shore Lookout builds on this atmosphere and creates paradise within paradise. The property is incredibly well-designed and adorned with gorgeous plants and decor. The pool/jacuzzi are luxurious. The natural life creates the perfect ambience. There are many comfy chairs and beautiful view's throughout the property. The design is a perfect harmony between a modern accommodation and an authentic Hawaiian residence. The low number of rooms and patrons per room means everyone's stay is tranquil and intimate. It looks as good or better in person as it does in the photos (and the website is stunning). The welcome bag and welcome package show how much the owners care about patrons. The room is stocked with beach gear (chairs, umbrella, towels, cooler), which was a massive boon for our adventures. The staff are simultaneously incredibly helpful and hands-off so you can feel autonomous during the stay. The rooms are stunning and so comfy. They each have a unique aspect, which adds to the fun. The breakfasts by Josh were phenomenal. Different dish every day, made with pristine ingredients, expert skill, and delightful presentation. My girlfriend and I both loved foods that we normally don't like. For example: I hate cheese, but the Brie on the charcuterie board was so light that it tasted great. The location is great with a hire car: we explored the whole island with ease. Maui may have great accommodation options, but North Shore Lookout is on an entirely different level. It's a diamond among diamonds. Worth every penny. We're so lucky to have stayed with them and will go back every time we visit Maui. The cookie-cutter ultra-expensive resorts will never compete with the experience we had at North Shore Lookout. The people who designed and run it clearly have passion and talent when it comes to providing a characterful and comfortable stay. It's a peaceful and enrapturing oasis straight out of a fantasy novel. This place is a...