The Retreat / overlooking Maliko Gulch, Makawao, Maui, Hawaii
In 1868, there were two grass houses on the peninsula overlooking Maliko Gulch. In 1928, there was a wood house on that very spot. In 1985, when Sydney and Maurice Smith bought their spectacular 26-acre property, it was, in Sydney’s words, “a teardown.” Until she and her father took a closer look. “My father surmised it had probably been built by Japanese artisans because there were no nails or screws. It was put together completely with wooden pegs.”
Although she decided right then to save it, it would be decades before she had the time to transform it into the vision she had. For two solid years, every single day, Sydney worked alone. Her artist/designer hand is imprinted on every square inch of the 750-square foot cottage now known as The Maliko Retreat. And it is a vacation experience unique on Maui.
It has a king bedroom, a queen bed-loft, a comfy living room, a big, bright bathroom, a wraparound deck off the living room and another off the loft, a barbecue, a closetful of everything you could possibly need for a day at the beach, Wi-Fi, and a fully-equipped kitchen. The property encompasses a five-acre coffee farm – there’s a bag of beans waiting for guests on their arrival and there is no better coffee to be had on Maui – and dozens of fruit trees: avocado, mango, banana, citrus, liliko‘i (passion fruit), and papaya. Guests can pick their own papaya for breakfast every day from a tree just a couple of steps outside the door.
Sydney traded in her work as a professional graphic designer for agricultural advocacy a number of years ago and a stay at The Retreat comes with a horticultural tour. And she’s extremely knowledgeable about the cultural sites on the property and will happily take you on a tour of those, too.
Situated 1450 feet up Mt. Haleakalā, the views from every window and deck of The Retreat are spectacular. It is completely private but not isolated. The pretty little town of Makawao with its combination of chic shopping and local eats is five minutes away. The nearest beach is a short 15-minute drive.
There’s plenty of Hawaiiana in the house — pieces salvaged from grand homes, refurbished garage sale and thrift store finds, even side-of-the-road rescues, unrecognizable after Sydney gets a hold of them. A stunning leaded-glass door from a plantation manager’s house leads to the bedroom. An old school desk serves as a bedside table. A refinished birdcage is now a ceiling-mounted light fixture. A casement, stained glass window from Sanford Dole’s house along with original louver windows. There’s a clawfoot bathtub with a date stamp of 1929.
You’ll love this place! Daily rate ranges from $450 to $550. Trust me, that’s a steal for this experience.
Book The Retreat through Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/300353?source_impression_id=p3_1707427661_cq8BtfwStpbOCgeh.
PS You’ll always be welcomed in Hawaii. But please remember Maui has only just embarked on the long path to recovery after last August’s devastating wildfires. Perhaps think about taking a little time during your vacation to help: https://www.mauinuistrong.info/resource-categories/donate-services