Lahaina Oceanfront Estate

I don't get why people call this place shabby. It's old, but clearly well cared for, and it's beautiful, full of charm, with a gorgeous view, private pool, and private beach. The owners and staff are all darlings. One of the coolest places I've ever stayed.

A really solid base for exploring northwest Maui, with a great location and views. The house is fully equipped with a kitchen and grill, so I'd recommend staying in for a sunset dinner on the back patio. It's about 15 minutes by car from Kapalua Bay and 20 minutes from downtown Lahaina.

The property is gorgeous, and the spacious house worked for several families. The pool and hot tub were great, though using the hot tub may mean cold showers. The beach isn't swimmable because of the coral reef and rocky shoreline. The house itself had a serious safety issue: several of us stepped on broken glass left behind by previous guests during the first two days. We swept and washed the floors, but with two crawling babies, it was a hazard. We rented the entire estate for eight nights and asked for a late afternoon checkout for one family with three small kids and a grueling flight schedule that night. The owner offered it for an extra $200. Tacky and greedy. For a $2,400-a-night home, the kitchen furnishings felt more like a run-down lake cabin. The pans were warped and scratched, the knives were dull and damaged, and the range dials had no numbers or markings, so cooking was an adventure.

The views are heavenly, and the house itself is absolutely gorgeous. It felt like staying in paradise.