Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel

Try to understand this. It’s the most fun hostel in Hawaii.
A lot of people (mostly young) coming in and out, every single day.
Young travellers are dirty everywhere you go, as they haven’t Learned yet some basic things in life. But thats why they are taking the adventure.
It won’t be as clean as some other hostels you might been before, but, who cares? just go surf and then share beers at night been completely bliss and blessed about the beauty.
So, if you are looking for a place to sleep quiet to go the next day to do some boring thing, this is not your place. But if you want to meet new people, make friends, listen crazy stories from all over the world, go on fun tours with big groups, this is the place in maui.
I did the monthly rate 3 times. Thats 3 months in this hostel. Is not easy to handle that amount of energy. It’s so dynamic! So much vibe.
Did I mention the free burgers on the friday keg partys? They even toast the bums!
Aloha banana bungalow! if you are a young soul, you should stop reading and thinking and just go and live the experience!

Banana Bungalow is the place you want to be if you have any sort of travel spirit. You WILL meet beautiful, sharing, caring, amazing people. You WILL have a great time staying up late, talking and enjoying adult beverages. You WILL see the whole island for free if you stick around for a week. You WILL want to stay and let Maui be your home. Seriously, don’t miss out and don’t hesitate to reserve a spot. You WON’T regret it.

The whole time I was at this hostel I had a great time with everyone! From tours with Anthony and Kyle to Dan’s welcoming arms, I had a blast. Could not have seen so much of the island without the free tours and friends to show us around. Much love for the banana bungalow.

Maui is one of the most incredible places I’ve visited while travelling. Within that, the Banana Bungalow is one of the best places on the islands. From the moment I was greeted at reception, jet lagged and feeling low after leaving behind close friends, I instantly felt brighter and comfortable. I was shown around, introduced collectively to all the current residents, then made sure I was set up before I was left to sleep and recover. The very next morning, I met some of the staff bright eyed and bushy tailed doing their morning wake up routine outside in the homely courtyard. More hospitality ensued and didn’t stop until the moment I left…2 weeks later (I originally only booked 3days!).
The travellers and staff are some of the most kind, genuine, intelligent and down to earth people I’ve come across. The hostel is built around nature (making it that much more pleasant and Maui-​esque) with a rich diversity of people and a wealth of activities in the very near vicinity. Anything further from reach and you have free tours to take you with the highly enjoyable company of the tour drivers at the time (Dan, Rocky, Catherine and the occasional Ronnie).
All-​in-​all, the Banana Bungalow set a very high benchmark for that Aloha spirit. The only forewarning I have is to be prepared, because leaving this place may become near impossible if your fortunate enough to stay here. Go raibh míle maith agat and Mahalo :)

This hostel is amazing. It was clean, the rooms were very comfortable and safe, and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect stay! The place itself is beautiful, with a character unlike anywhere else I’ve been. You really have to see for yourself, it is full of color and great energy! I also have to mention how incredible the tours were… a tip is all that is needed, and they deserve it! You get to see so many things all over the island with experienced guides who are nice and fun. Thank you Banana Bungalow for an unforgettable experience!

Upon arrival, staff was nice and welcoming — and I met some friendly travelers in my room and across the hall (but probably because they were looking to get laid) — but after this experience, I will not stay at a hostel again (it was just that bad). This place was far from sanitary. I squished a bed bug (and got bed bug bites myself), the sheet underneath another bed sheet had blood stains, and one morning, I found dried vomit inside a toilet (after a drunken frat-​like party there). Also, one of the occupants said that you have to protect your food from getting eaten/​stolen by others. In any case, I just would rather pay a little more for a clean, private space, uninterrupted sleep, and not having to wear my flip/​flops in the shower.

I stayed at Banana Bungalow for the whole week on my recent vacation in Maui. I totally enjoyed my time at this hostel! It super fun and full of awesome people from all around the world. Even though the hostel is not near the beach, they offer free tours everyday of the week! We had a blast exploring the island with our tour guy Dan the Man! If you get a chance, jump in the van with him and you ll have so much fun! Everyone at this hostel was super friendly and accommodating! I totally recommend this place if you are traveling to Maui!

No no no no… Definitely no! Made a reservation for three nights with my boyfriend, we arrived late and were given not a very warm welcome. Everybody was already partying outside, with most of the party attendants looking like they were not staying at this hostel, but rather like uninvited guests or even beggars.
We were given a room between the courtyard — where the party was taking place, the lobby and a corridor, on the ground floor. The room was dirty, and we spent 15 mn finding an electric plug — there was just one in the room and it was looking like it would kill you if you tried using it. Walls were so thin we could hear conversations and music as if they were in the same room, and at midnight they were just starting.
We were already exhausted, so we managed to sleep a few hours, woke up early, had a lot of trouble finding an available shower, let alone a clean one (that was not possible).
Told them we were not staying the two remaining nights, of course we could not be reimbursed.
Ended up in a hotel not far from the hostel, not particularly any good but for an equivalent price (I forgot to mention this hostel is super expensive), at least it was decent: we could sleep and take a proper shower.

Great place for young and no-​high-​maintenance-​required people. Extra stars for free tours: it saves a lot of money!!! The area the hostel is located at is literally dead at night, though during the day time there are plenty of little shops, Asian grocery store, nice organic vegan juice bar and simply awesome coffeehouse. Make sure you visit the little waterfall, it’s a little paradise right off Market street. Also, stop by the Bailey’s Museum if you are looking for something really Hawaiian :) There are 3 buses that can take you pretty anywhere on the island. Staff is really sweet and helpful, people staying in the hostel are cool and weather you are socially-​active or like to be by yourself, it will work out for you.

Love this place! Clean enough! Friendly people and friendly staff. Nate is awesome! He runs a taxi service cheaper than the reg taxi and will take you to the airport when you need to go!

I would definitely come back to this hostel again. Love the staff, and the free tours r amazing. The place is a little dirty, but that’s any hostel. I found the rates to be good and worth the memories that were created in this place.

This place was so much fun! Great daily tours, good kitchen, great common areas and secure dorm rooms for four, or private rooms for one our two.
The staff were fun, the place was full. Only the 4:30am wakeup call by the neighbouring rooster was bothersome.
I will come here again, god willing.

I’m an avid traveler and have stayed at a number of hostels around the world. This hostel was a-​okay in my book. It’s located a little out of the way for the popular touristy spots around Maui. You can easily take one of two buses here which is nice. The hostel is pretty easy to find, located on a corner block off of market.
There’s no age limit to this hostel so you can meet/​see pretty much anyone here. There is a $ 10 key deposit at check in, you can pay for your stay with credit or cash. I stayed in the women’s dorm. It was pretty small, but it did the job. Unfortunately it was located right off of market street so I would wake up to the sound of cars and trucks every morning. The sheets were okay smelling, twin bunk beds were pretty shaky. Killed a cockroach in my room one night. There are 4 private restrooms and a main common restroom. I wish I could say these are kept clean (I mean I would see the staff clean it every day) but still felt really gross. Carpets are gross and I’m sure it’s just guests being dirty. The kitchen was pretty much dirty the times I went in it. Very appreciative of the free pancake breakfast though! Fridges were kept unclean. At least people did their dishes. free jacuzzi? I didn’t even dare, the number of drunk bodies getting in here? Not my thing anymore!
The one things I really liked about the hostel were the free tours. Very well worth it to do them, I enjoyed the Hana tour the best. It’s a free tour and is tip based. Sadly on after one of my tours, most of the van was so drunk that they rushed out to hop in the jacuzzi and didn’t tip the driver.
Lots of Europeans at the hostel, I might add too. Nice to meet people around the world, which is the beauty of hostels.

4 Stars for the facility; 5 Stars for the staff!
I’ve stayed with Banana Bungalow in Maui twice (once Jan. 2013, then Jan. 2015). Both times I’ve had an absolute riot, made a lot of friends and had many wonderful experiences thanks to their fun atmosphere and free tours. For someone like me who doesn’t have a driver’s license, the tours are a god send. I would advise, however, to rent a car or hook up with someone with a car to explore the road to Hana– it’s a long trip with so many things to see and going at your own pace is really worth it. When we ventured off solo to Hana the manager, Azi, was even kind enough to lend us her «prized posession” — her Maui guidebook. Thank you Azi! Both times I’ve been there the staff has been nothing short of great in general. Tip your tour guides accordingly!
My tips: Don’t blow your money eating out. There’s a small store just down the street with a decent selection of canned/​dry foods, some fresh meat, and local fare; the Safeway is a 20 minute walk away. They have a big kitchen with all the cooking utensils you need (though they need a rice cooker!) and three refrigerators. They have a grill on the patio, too. Take advantage of the free pancakes every morning! Buy local fresh fruit and whip up a smoothie– they have a nice blender. Also, the hostel is located just a short walk away from a major highway intersection– if you don’t have a car and you feel like city buses are boring, hitchhike! It’s quite common and safe on the island (though I’d recommend going with at least one buddy).
On to the (very few) negatives: They need a more comprehensive reservation system. When we got there it took about six hours to check in because they had overbooked (we had made reservations a month in advance). It kinda ruined our first day; I specifically booked an early flight so we could get in, shower, and have the whole day to explore, but we ended up kinda waiting around. The hot tub was also out of order most of the time were there, which was a bummer, especially after long hikes (like Iao Valley and Haleakala). However, the facility in general is very clean, the bathrooms/​showers are as clean as you could expect for a large hostel, and the staff is very attentive to problems like toilet paper being out or trash cans being full.
All in all a great place! I can’t wait to come back! Mahalo Banana Bungalow!

It was my first time in Maui and I couldn’t have found a better hostel. If you’re in for the true hostel vibe, look no further. The staff is fantastic, and the guests come from all over the world. The place is clean, the rooms are cozy, and the hostel guided tours are included and well worth it. I can’t wait to return!

So much fun.
I met so many awesome people while staying at the hostel. The tours are a riot. A lot of turnover of guests during the week I was there, so met loads of people from all walks of life. Kind of a circus sometimes. You will be constantly emerged w others while there.
I asked for a girls only room and got it for 2 full days. Then bc they overbooked they put 4 hot Swedish boys in my room, and the next day another hot Swiss boy, too. Jeez… Yay for bedtime… So no complaining from moi.
Try to do the Haleakala and Hana tours if you can. Little beach on sunday was also a really fun time.
Just a headsup, you must be easygoing for this type of experience. It can be intense at times, but super fun.
For the hostel, sometimes there were a lot of chain smokers, so it would be courteous to those who can’t handle so much smoke to allot the smoking to certain areas.

I loved this place. The Haleakala hike and Little Beach were the best! Free pancakes and coffee every morning.
The staff is very friendly. Isaac in particular is awesome! He woke up for a early morning motorcycle ride with me after a late night of the best sushi and karaōke (Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar — AWESOME!!!). .
Hostel has free beer on Fridays, hot tube, pay laundry, pool table, foosball table, a couple outdoor hammocks, full kitchen with multiple fridges but it is only accessible until 10 or 11 pm, a few cats, and a resident dog that likes to join some of tours, a really friendly laid back atmosphere, and a bunch of people at the back table I really liked hanging out with.
The location isn’t the greatest, but between the bus, cheap car rental or not so much cheap motorcycle rental, the free tours (tips are appreciated), and other hostel guests that have extra spots in their rented vehicles, getting around isn’t all that bad.

I enjoy Banana Bungalow. Mind you, I’m a 47 year old professional man, who lives on another island (Kaua’i). I come to Maui for work like once a month, and stay here only a night at a time. Their staff is always friendly and the bunk rooms clean and basic. I love chatting with the travelers, mostly in their 20’s from all around the world. It’s a fun stay. And yes, the location is not the best, but honestly, no hostel that I know of on Maui has better. You want the fancy beach location: you pay $ 250+ per night at a fancy hotel. This is fun, not fancy.
Thanks BB, I’ll see you later!

I just came back from 10 days at this hostel, they are amazing. The tours are ran by volunteer guides that know the island, especially Henry (dude knows so much). I was honestly kind of worried I was going to have that typical American tourist vacation of Maui, (I don’t understand resort life, it’s such a washed out version of its environment, but that’s me) but I got so much out of this trip it is ridiculous! The group that was staying when I was there was for the mostpart in their late twenties to early thirties, I met characters I did not know existed in this world and people I most definitely will stay in contact with for a good long time. There is something to say about taking a 12 mile hike into a volcano with people in your living environment, or learning to surf, or going to your first nude beach party (didn’t get naked but… AH!!). Incredible.
As far as cleanliness, I felt that they are very clean and in fact they were painting all the rooms when we got there, they clean the bathrooms every day, the communal area was clean in the morning which means that the staff picked up after 50 people, for me that was all I needed! The only place that did get funky (which is obvious) is the hot tub, but then again if you try to pack in 10 people in a night, even after a mandatory shower (they make you rinse off before you come in, shower is right next to the hot tub) and NOT expect it to me gross after a few days… well you probably shouldn’t go in! Ha! They have a nice size communal kitchen with refridgerators and some pans and whatnot but hey, if you are traveling on a budget that means the world. Also they have pancake mix out and a griddle, make your own pancakes. Kind of fun!
If you are looking for a clean, very simple room to lay down at night in between making connections and awesome adventures, this is the place for you. If you are looking for a private bathroom, silence, a TV, and fancy? Don’t come here. But honestly after the last 10 days I would go back in a heartbeat. Amazing place.

If you just want to party then this hostel is for you. It has a real frat house atmosphere, complete with beer bong. So if your plan for Maui is to get so drunk every night that you will not notice how filthy and disgusting this place is, then you will fit right in. If on the other hand you are looking for a clean place to stay and a good night’s sleep, then you should probably stay elsewhere.
They do give good tours. A word of advice though, if you want to stay there just to do the tours, keep in mind that they give no refunds after you check in. I booked a few nights and ended up leaving early because it was so nasty. So I would advise people to just book one or two nights to see if they want to stay there or not (good advice for any hostel, but for this one in particular).