So everyone knows that Hana is hard to get to, exclusive, special, and expensive but worth it. Staying at the Papalani actually removes the last item of the list, as it is great value, but just as special, and maybe more private and with more personal service than the big, classic competitor up the road. The guest house my family and I stayed in was big, comfortable, fully appointed, classy and beautiful, and convenient. Sybil and her staff became quick friends, and made it tough to leave for our next Hawaiian destination. We didn't notice any bugs, but anyone who complains them shouldn't venture out of the cities anyway. This is Hana rain forest, after all. Papalani was a thoroughly outstanding experience in all aspects.

Pros: 1) Great location, just walking distance from the Venus pool and a short drive from other sites in Hana and Kipahulu. 2) Clean, spacious room. 3) Friendly staff and residents. 4) Competitively priced.

Cons: 1) There were no drapes in the room or bathroom (except for those on the door). If one of your neighbours (there are a few units on the property) is wandering, they can look directly into your sleeping area and washroom. I'm not sure if the other units have the same problem. Similarly, while the outdoor shower is lovely, those walking on the upper deck of the building or in the upper unit can look directly down at you. Disconcerting! 2) Other minor issues - no towel rack in washroom, the air conditioning is not working (though it gets cool at night so it wasn't necessary). A ceiling fan would be nice, as the provided fan is a small floor unit - a bigger fan would be helpful for keeping away mosquitos which are an unavoidable nuisance in Hana. The room has some weird things lying around, like a guitar, a slow cooker, a massage table - it almost feels like you are staying in someone's spare room.

yeah, there are a few bugs and cute geckos because the place is in the rainforest in rural hana. the reviewer who said anyone with no tolerance for a bit of "wildlife" should just not go to hana because they won't like it no matter where they stay hit the nail on the head. papalani is immaculately clean. every possible attempt to keep mosquitoes out has been made. the porch is screened in, repellent candles are provided. i've been bitten on all the hawaiian islands because i like to get out to the pristine, lush, tropical areas...where the bugs live. those inclined to be bitten who don't use repellent will be bitten outside, for sure. i got three bites, somewhere in hana...

this place IS very special. on the practical side: we paid the agreed upon price which was a bargain at around 160.00 per night and stayed the agreed upon nights. the place was so well equipped and big...we could easily live there full time. our "apartment" was "O'Hana. it had a full kitchen, washer and dryer, private grilling area, big porch. aesthetically: the grounds are beautiful. it was quiet, quiet, extra quiet. sooo private, i would pick it for a honeymoon (but i'm not a resort, spa, shopping person). we didn't really enjoy our stay on the resort side of maui very much.

papalani is a short drive outside of hana town, near homoa beach and the seven sacred pools, wai'anapanapa state park...the best of the road to hana. we had two of the best hikes ever at the pools and the state park. every step breathtakingly beautiful. each unique and short enough at around 4 miles, leaving plenty of energy for the beach later: excellent body surfing waves at homoa! exactly, what we came for! sybil was great. she left us alone because we indicated that this is what we wanted. we were 1000% satisfied.

We are a retired couple, but still somewhat adventurous. We hiked the 4 mile trail at nearby O'Heo gulch. We did not surf the 50 foot waves near Hana.We wanted some places "authentic", but didn't want the hard travel or our youhful years. Papalani suited us very well. We had privacy, but with hospitality. We had comfort and amenities without hotel impersonality. ( The hostress' Hawaiian scene paintings were a world removed from Lahaina tourist kitch.) Wish we had stayed longer.
It's not waterfront but excellent beaches nearby, even within walking distance, altho' I think you need a car to see the Hana area.
Yes, we hope to go again, probably in the winter because we don't do heat very well.