Breezy Kaunakakai Retreat with Community Pool!

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about this place? The name doesn’t lie – there’s actually a breeze here that feels different from the rest of Kaunakakai. I mean, the whole town gets those trade winds, but somehow this spot catches them just right, especially around the pool area where you’ll probably end up spending most of your afternoons.

The retreat itself is pretty straightforward – it’s not trying to be something fancy, which honestly works in its favor. Three stars sounds about right, though I’d argue the location bumps it up a notch. You’re close enough to walk into town for groceries at Misaki’s or grab some of those incredible malasadas at Kanemitsu Bakery (get there early, trust me), but far enough out that you won’t hear the delivery trucks rumbling down Ala Malama Street at dawn. The community pool is actually the real selling point here – it’s one of those simple rectangular deals, nothing Instagram-worthy, but the water stays surprisingly clean and it’s never crowded. I spent most evenings there just floating around, watching the sunset paint those mountains behind town in all sorts of ridiculous colors.

What I really appreciated was how the place feels authentically Molokai, if that makes sense. There’s no pretense here, no fake tropical decorating trying too hard. The rooms are clean and functional – good AC (you’ll want it), decent water pressure, and windows that actually open when you want that natural cooling. Parking’s easy, which might not sound like a big deal until you’ve tried finding a spot during one of the island’s festivals. The other guests I met were mostly folks who’d been coming to Molokai for years, the kind of travelers who know to pack their own snorkel gear and aren’t expecting room service. Check-in was refreshingly simple too – none of that resort rigmarole, just straightforward island hospitality.

Here’s the thing about staying here: you’re really staying in the heart of what makes Molokai special. This isn’t the Hawaii you see in commercials, and this retreat gets that. From here, you can actually walk to the wharf where the supply barge comes in (weirdly fascinating to watch), and you’re perfectly positioned for day trips out to Halawa Valley or up to the sea cliffs. The trade-off is that you won’t have a concierge or fancy toiletries – but honestly, you didn’t come to Molokai for that stuff anyway. The pool stays lit until about 10 PM, and there’s something really peaceful about those late swims under the stars, with just the sound of palm fronds rustling and maybe some music drifting over from town. It’s the kind of place that grows on you, especially if you’re looking for that authentic, unhurried Molokai experience without breaking the bank.

Rooms

• Apartment with extra-large double bed, 1 extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults

Reviews

• Yvienne from United States (10/10)

  I liked it was spacious, the kitchen was clean. View was amazing.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities