Nalu Kai Lodge

This lodge was a dream. I couldn't imagine staying anywhere else on the island.

The location in Paia was perfect - tucked right beside a coffee shop and behind a strip of cute boutiques and shops. It's a short 15-minute drive from the airport and conveniently located in walking distance of the beaches and not far off Road to Hana. It was my first time traveling to Maui and a friend who has lived there for 5 years recommended Paia. It was very safe and secure. We adventured during most of the day, but we drove through later one afternoon and the area was hopping!

Nalu Kai Lodge - it's not your typical place to stay. I went there with my boyfriend. It was quaint, romantic, safe, comfortable, and unbelievably clean.

To put things into perspective on a cleanliness standpoint, I travel every other week for work and my routine is to check for bugs, Clorox wipe any surface I touch, and wear shower shoes (I am a germaphob and have stayed in 5-star hotels to your typical Marriott or Marriott Courtyard - you'd be shocked at just how disgusting hotels are no matter their rank). This is the first place I stayed where I haven't worn shower shoes in years. It was just that clean.

The sheets were fresh and the bed was cozy. The temperature was ideal - we went during rainy season in January and the fan with the windows open made for the perfect temperature. It was almost magical the way the rain sounded on the roof. It was better than my sleep and meditation app - and it was au natural!

The stone floor of the shower room felt amazing under my feet and the room came with fresh beach towels and a refrigerator. I read reviews about parking - they have enough spots for guests, there is plentiful street parking at night, and there is free beach parking a block away. Be aware - the bathroom is separated from the room by a curtain. If you are a private person and need added privacy to use the bathroom, I recommend sending your significant other/travel buddy outside to enjoy the lounge area, to the coffee shop adjoined to the lodge, or to go look at the shops.

They also have an outdoor shower by the fountain outside, a hammock, picnic tables, a tiki bar, and many outlets for charging. If you run into the staff, they are extraordinary. I particularly enjoyed Suzy (Susan?)'s company. We talked one afternoon and she was a lovely person.

My only regret about my stay is that I only stayed two nights. I spent the other nights in different parts of the island in Airbnb's, inns, etc. My boyfriend and I tried to book additional nights at Nalu Kai even though we had reservations elsewhere, but they were booked. We loved it that much. It was just that special.

Spark Notes Recap -
Cleanliness: 10/10
Location: 10/10
Safety: 10/10

Recs: Paia Coffee Shop (connected to hotel - great coffee, get a DREAM bar, food looked awesome), Kuau Store (drive down the road - great place to grab snacks, smoothies, poke), Hana Picnic Lunch Company (great ice cream), and Flatbread Pizza (get the pork and pineapple! Ask for pineapple vinaigrette).

So cute this place! Stayed here on a work trip and I was pleased with everything. I was just here by myself so the room accommodates me perfectly. Fridge was clean, bathroom was super clean and they even had the fans and lights going prior to my check in. I got to check in 5 hours EARLY which was fantastic!! They had a parking pass on the bed for me as well as a detailed parking diagram. Two Mac but chocolates waiting for me too! My name was on the dry erase board prior to arrival and my room was super easy to find. The back area is SO CUTE I wish I could have stayed longer!!

So... we didn't actually stay here -- only saw their adorable outdoor area. But i CAN speak to the character of the people running the space. We missed our flight out and ended up in Paia for the day until the next flight with ALL of our luggage.. 3 rolling bags really hindered what we could do.

We stumbled upon Nalu Kai and called to see if we could pay them to leave our luggage. We were exhausted... They said of course, but we won't charge you! Locked our bags up for us so we could explore the town.... genuine kindness goes along way for me! Next time to Maui we will definitely stay here.

Thank you Nalu Kai for helping out a couple of travelers with no expectations.. YOU ROCK!

The place was a dump, It deserves a zero star and definite doesn't deserve even being listed. We stayed over new years and unfortunately, I was not even able to find an alternate accommodation at that time of the year, so I was forced to stay here
2. Not a private bath- A half curtain separates the room, so eat, shit and sleep in same room. No exhaust in the bathroom too, so enjoy the smell.
3. Cant close the windows, so you can hear people fart on the road as well.
4. Roach infested- it is a health hazard! I am not sure if this place is ever inspected!!!
5. Trash isn't even picked.
6. Room is not cleaned for at least 7 days.
7. Stinky beds and sheets-pillows were stained and smelled of pee
8. Boutique hotel-No, it was horrible, the curtains had cobwebs and dust everywhere!!
FYI: READ ALL THE FINE PRINT, with EXTRA CAUTION.
Do not waste your money and end up being disappointed with the stay. I'd recommend to either stay in a tent or sleep in your car over this.

The Nalu Kai was great for us. We didn't want the big resort experience -- let alone the cost -- and the Nalu Kai worked beautifully. For a price much, much lower than that of the resorts, we got a little attached cottage with a functional little kitchen, a bedroom, a nicely styled little bathroom (shower, no tub), and a tiny shaded balcony we called our lanai. Everything was clean and functional, and when there was a plumbing problem, they fixed it right away.

Paia is a nice little town with sort of a Santa Cruz vibe, if you've been out that way. It's near the airport, and well situated for a drive to Haleakala or out to Hana.

The only fly in the poi was noise. The rules urge guests to be quiet late at night, but the rooms are next to a common area, and while I can't blame anyone for spending a warm evening outdoors, there were a couple of times where it was a little noisy even after nine at night. It was low key, cheerful noise, not rowdy, menacing noise, and not super loud, but it was noise just the same. Not a huge problem, and we'd go back for sure, but you should know.

Overall, liked it A LOT.

I really enjoyed my stay at the Nalu Kai Lodge! We were on Maui during high season and were searching for a last minute place to stay that wasn't $400 a night! Nalu Kai was such a cute hotel and was totally affordable! We paid about $190 after taxes and all that. Our room was small but really cute and had everything we needed. It was very clean and you could open the windows at night and listen to the ocean waves. The courtyard is really nice and the BEST breakfast spot is just next door. Parking was a little difficult because the road is a little narrow but it wasn't too bad. They also have laundry on site. If you are looking for an affordable place to stay on the north shore this is your spot. We have stayed here three times now and absolutely LOVE it!

Booked this place last minute & couldn't have lucked out more! After spending 8 days at one of the 5 star box resorts for a work trip this was the perfect contrast. Character, charm, & the best night of sleep of our entire vacation! The grounds are very Balinese & the hostess sweet & calm. Our room was simple but very clean, and again the most comfortable night of our entire vacation. Paia is a great little town and Nalu Kai Lodge is the perfect stop. Highly recommend & will stay again.

My friend and I booked into Nalu Kai Lodge yesterday after checking out a room. The lodge is so cute and cozy with a cool beachy vib. Every staff member we've incountered has been amazing and super sweet. We love how relaxed the place is and how flexible they were with our checkin, which was super helpful since we arrived early. We love it and decided to stay an extra night.

Biggest Roach in the room that ive ever seen... well, maybe not as big as the flying dudes we saw in Ecuador. Also, bathroom filled with small ants. Bed was like sleeping on burlap sacks. Located directly next to a very loud cafe that starts in the early AM.

If you can look past all this (we did) the price is right--why not.

I liked this little place a lot. I love the downtown location, i liked the set up in the rooms, i liked the whole place a lot.

I was never wokedn up or bothered by the noise of downtown even on the weekends.

Though, do know that when they say quiet, the mean QUIET. There are certain hours that you are not allowed to basically make any noise what so ever. We got a little note on our door from the manger guy one day saying we had to keep it down. Not a problem we didnt mind and we were probably alittle to loud since we were celebrating a birthday earlier that night.

I do have to say though that the morning we were leaving the managers girlfriend had a group of girls arrive at about 730 am(this is quiet time) and they were hoot n hollering and cheering their coffee cups and laughing and a whole lot louder than we were the whole time, but hey...Guess you can do that when you are dating the manager.

Anyways. I would stay here again for sure and would recommend it.