I stayed here with my boyfriend a couple of weeks ago, and I can't say enough positive things about Kula View.

I wanted to stay here based on the Trip Advisor reviews, but had a hard time finding a website for the owner. In desperation, I used the contact information on www.kula.us even though I didn't think that site was related to the property. I was answered promptly by Susan herself, who said that she had availability for 2 of the dates we needed. It meant splitting our Maui trip into two parts, but I'm so glad we got the chance to stay at Kula View, even for only two nights.

Susan makes you feel welcome like a favourite aunt would. She insisted on sending me updated photos of the place to make sure I was still happy with my choice, because it has been redecorated since the photos posted here were taken. The room looks far more lovely now than it does in the photos here – it has hardwood floors and the décor is more Polynesian in style, with lovely Hawaiian quilts. I will post the pictures she sent me as part of this review. (I would post my own, but they are almost identical and were taken mostly at night so you wouldn't get a sense of the view).

The great thing about the room is that it is basically a self-sufficient studio apartment. It has a private entrance (see photos) and feels beautifully isolated. Birds chirp in the morning as the windows on all sides let the sunlight trickle in to wake you from your sound slumber. There are all the comforts of a B&B, coupled with the privacy you would expect from a self-catering apartment.

The day we arrived, we were doing the Road to Hana so we were out of cellphone range and couldn't contact Susan until 7pm. We were very apologetic because we had estimated our arrival at 2pm and were still far from Kula, but she chuckled and said "Well, you were just having too much fun!" All the other positive reviews were right about how thorough she is – she thinks of everything. There were so many charming extra touches, from blankets to rain jackets, it really did feel like a home away from home.

Sadly for us, we made a mistake in accounting for the time of our departing flight, so we missed the chance to see the sunrise at Haleakala crater. This was a shame because it was part of the inspiration behind choosing Kula as a destination, and I've heard it's a wonderful sight.

...But the welcome we received from Susan and the comforts we found at Kula View more than made up for our blunder. She is a natural hostess; a person who genuinely loves her island and wants to share it with guests. She has a lovely attitude, and it shows in both the room and the welcome. We feel lucky to have been given a small taste of Kula life, and would definitely recommend this place to other Maui visitors.

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One general tip: Think ahead when it comes to getting dinner in and around Kula. Most places seem to close very early, and other are below-par cafeteria-style diners. Get on Trip Advisor or Yelp to find a decent option before hitting the road - I went to bed hungry one night!