Penny’s Place Inn Paradise

Penny’s Place is the right B&B in the wrong town. In my opinion. My mother and I spent a week with Penny (stay 6 nights get the 7^th free!) on our first trip to Hawaii. Since it was our first time, we didn’t know what parts of Maui would be overrun with tourists and what places might still radiate local flavour.
Unfortunately, Lahaina — which until its sugar mill closed I think was still very much an authentic, working community — is these days one of the latter. The banyan tree is impressive, the surf school superb and the food at Aloha Mixed Plate delicious and affordable, but beyond that I really didn’t feel compelled to spend much time on the town’s strip — with its Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Hard Rock Café, etc.
Penny’s, on the other hand, was a complete contrast to most of the rest of the town. Comfortable and real. The rooms were tastefully decorated and oh-​so-​clean. Breakfast always centred on delicious fresh tropical fruit and a tasty baked good (the cinnamon buns were to die for).
Penny has thought of everything — there are beach towels, bamboo mats, beach chairs and even beach bags available for guests to borrow. When guests forget bottles of moisturizer and shampoo, she puts them in a closet for future guests to benefit from. There’s a kitchen where you can store picnic supplies, and ice chests so you can keep them cool on the road. There’s a DVD library and a outside on the peaceful lanai, a bookshelf with reading material available for trading.
In short, I loved coming home to Penny’s, but was never thrilled to wake up in Lahaina. I feel like her hospitality would have fit in a lot better in one of the less touristy towns of central Maui — Makawao, Paia or Ha’iku.
Penny herself is delightful, though certainly not a pushover. She has a lengthy list of rules and pet peeves, none of them unreasonable, but which might be off-​putting to people who think vacations are an opportunity do whatever you want without considering those around you. As long as you are a respectful person interested in an authentic experience and the chance to learn about Maui from a charming and interesting person who lives and loves it there, I highly recommned Penny’s. I wish I could say the same for Lahaina.