After a Wild Week in Waikiki, Find Serenity on the Western Coast of Maui 

According to many a travel expert, Hawaii is set to be one of the most deeply discounted destinations this year. Look for slashed airfares to Honolulu (Travelzoo.ca is where I like to start surfing) which can easily be timed with cheap, and we’re talking USD$25 cheap, inter-island flights on Hawaiian Airlines.

Stay: Ho'oilo House is absolute nirvana.  This Garden of Eden, nestled in the hills near the town of Lahaina (pronounced La-High-Na) and far from the madding crowd, exceeds every expectation when it comes to atmosphere and service.

The original owners – who built the main house on spec while toggling back and forth to Bali selecting the fittings and furnishings – did not expect Amy and Dan, who were looking to make the move from Chicago to Maui, to turn the property into a unique boutique hotel. Ho’oilo means winter in Hawaiian and was chosen as an homage to their beloved windy city. However, breezy guestrooms (complete with outdoor showers) and the babbling fountains keep my mind on sweet summer days.

Eat: Amy bakes the vegan bread and muffins daily (she’ll even go gluten-free upon request) that are casually served alongside local fruit, cereals and farm fresh boiled eggs from the neighbour. Maui-grown coffee and loose leaf Portsmouth Teas compliment and caffeinate to round out a delightful morning by the pool.

Venturing out for lunch and dinner, I’m always more than pleased with my hosts' recommendations:

Sitting beachfront in Lahaina at Pacific'O one can lunch on Sesame Fish ($15.50); Mama's Fish House, located just beyond the northern surf town of Pa’ia, is the full-on “Hawaiian experience” dinner ($50 per person for three courses) which includes heavenly Macadamia Nut Crab Cakes.

Pa’ai is not to be simply passed by, however. The beach is lovely and the Fish Market Restaurant in town hits the spot for a very casual lunch or dinner. Wear flip flops and be ready to swap stories, or just talk about how delish the Cajun Ahi salad ($15) is, at the picnic tables. After, skip across the street to Ono Gelato Company for a divine array of dairy and non-dairy scoops … It’s all about Seamist in a sugar cone ($6).

Shop: From the hotel, nearby Lahaina is touristy in the boutique sense of the word. I took an afternoon to stroll through the town and was charmed by the local artists displaying unique jewellery and art under the Banyan tree. Rotating groups of artists change things up daily.

Do: Signature Ho’oilo House Spa treatments are brought right to your room’s private lanai. The two-hour Hope Loa Spa Treatment ($205) left me in post-massage euphoria and glowing for hours from the most divine honey facial. Ladies, it’s beyond!

Travel Tip: Renting a vehicle on Maui is a must. A JEEP Wrangler took me all over the island and made it easy to off-road, as well as handle the rugged landscape. Plus, it’s just miles sexier than a mid-size. 

Footprint Check: Amy and Dan are dedicated to preserving the local environment and every effort is made to encourage guests to be green. From the standard reminders to reuse towels and robes, to the organic breakfast and complimentary water bottles that are filled using the water cooler in the foyer. I booked in to in the stunning Honu room and was pleased to find out that, every time this particular room is reserved, a donation is made to Maui’s Pacific Whale Foundation. The property is also pesticide-free. 

EXCLUSIVE offer to WOMAN.ca subscribers:

Ho’oilo House is offering Woman.ca subscribers a rate of $229 (double occupancy, tax not included) per night for the months of April & May 2009. You will need to reference WOMAN.ca at the time of booking.

NOTE: This offer only applies to new reservations and can't be combined with any other special offers.

This rate is not available through the online reservation system for Ho’oilo House.  However, you can use the website, pay a larger deposit, and your rate will be adjusted after receiving your reservation. This does not apply to reservations made through a third party.  

*All prices listed in USD

Ho’oilo House

Lahaina, Maui

1-808-667-6669

www.hooilohouse.com

Sara Graham, Fashion Forward
		About the author:
		When Malcolm Gladwell talks about “connectors,” he’s talking about Sara Graham. This gal-about-town made her mark spending five years in (and out) of publishing as Editor-in-Chief of Canada’s top teen magazines Vervegirl and FUEL. During the out part she created, designed and managed all aspects of Sister Underwear – a collection that was not only embraced by the Canadian fashion network of buyers, media and the public, but enjoyed repeat orders from boutiques located in the U.S. Although no longer deep in the publishing or fashion trenches, Sara remains curious and connected via her insatiable appetite for culture and travel. Sara also continues to produce fashion shoots through Project, her brand management company.