What our Guests Say

“The delightful Island Sands unit #605”
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Wow, what a great stay we had at Island Sands unit #605. The unit is beautifully decorated, well stocked with everything you could need and very clean. We spent a good portion of our time sitting out on the lanai enjoying the spectacular ocean views. There is something special about starting your day with a nice cup of coffee and breathing in the refreshingly clean ocean air while you sit on your lanai gazing out at the incredible ocean. And, to end your day sitting on the lanai with a cocktail watching the sunset is even better! Nikta Houston, who owns and manages the property, is a gem among gems. It was so nice to have a manager that lives locally. Any questions or needs that we had were met promptly and with a smile. Nikta is very helpful with suggestions for anything that you might want to explore on the island. Being a resident of Maui, she has seen and done just about everything. She is epitome of “Aloha” and the island way of life. Because Maalaea is so centrally located, it is the perfect location to see everything on the island. Nikta and her amazing condo have won us over and we will be back again and again. Thank you for all of your hospitality, Nikta!!!!

Paige V
Las Vegas, Nevada

“Island Sands #605 feels like home and Nikta is ‘da best’!
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We absolutely love Nikta’s beautiful 2BD/2BA unit at Island Sands and we cannot wait to go back. There is access to a great little beach right behind the building and most days we were the only ones on it. We fished right off the beach and caught enough papio and lai for two nights dinners, which we BBQd down stairs by the pool. The view is terrific from the lanai and we could watch the sunset from the bed in the master bedroom. There is a washer/dryer and full kitchen. Just stop at the grocery on the way in and you are set! We cooked many of our own meals (which saved lots of money) and with the washer/dryer, you hardly have to bring any clothes at all. Nikta has setup the unit beautifully and it is spotless when you arrive. You can see lots of pictures at her website uniktavacations.com
In the evening just open up the back bedroom windows and the lanai screen door and a breeze blows right through. Terrific!

We would recommend Island Sands #605 whole-heartedly. It feels like home the minute you walk in and working with Nikta is effortless. She also has a 1BD/1BA unit in the building next door, Ma’alaea Banyans #219. We’ve stayed there twice. It’s perfect for a couple and the view toward SE Maui and Molokini is incredible. We love Nikta and Ma’alaea!

Island Sands and Ma’alaea Banyans are located near Ma’alaea Harbor, away from the busy tourist areas yet accessible to everything. Kihei is just a few miles away (that’s where we went for groceries), Lahaina and Ka’anipali are to the west, and we took highway 30 several times over to Wailuku and Happy Valley. We like Ma’alaea because it feels like you’re in the center of everything but away from the crowds. We watched the dive boats leaving for Molokini right from Ma’alaea Harbor and we walked to the Maui Aquarium. BONUS: right at the end of Hauoli Street is a beautiful sandy beach. I couldn’t find it in the guide books either, so it is almost private. Sometimes Ma’alaea can get windy, but because of the way the buildings are situated they act as big windblocks and we were never bothered by it. We sat out on the lanai everyday. This was our most relaxing vacation ever!

Mahalo Nikta! Hope we get to stay with you again soon!

Room Tip: Contact Nikta Houston at uniktavacations.com
That’s all we do!
David Iriguchi
Carmichael, California,

“Wow! Love Maui, Love Island Sands, Love Nikta”
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This is our second trip back to the Island Sands in Maalaea, and I promise we will come back again. We discovered Nikta Houston a few years ago and she introduced us to Maalaea. We had previuosly stayed ay the posh resorts in Wailea and Kaanapali, but we have now fallen in love with this less crowded, great beach and beautiful harbor town. I don’t know what is better our host Nikta or our accomidations in Island Sands condo #605. Nikta made us feel like VIP’s. We went to Maui this time to get married and Nikta ensured that our family was well taken care of going above and beyond what any concierge at a resort could/would do. Nikta made us feel like a part of her family. Our condo was beautiful, think understated elegance meets Tommy Bahama. Upon arrival we felt like we were in our own Maui home, it has a wonderful warm feel. Anything that you would want at home Nikta has provided in the condo. We spent every morning on the lanai having coffee over looking the ocean watching the “Freight Train” surf and most evenings with a glass of wine reminiscing about our adventures on the island that day. If you are looking for a very relaxing, stress free, beautiful island vacation this is a great place to stay!

MitchTrabucoCanyon
Trabuco Canyon

“Week in Paradise”

Reserving this unit was effortless. Nikta always responded in a timely manner and went above and beyond our expectations. The complex was well cared for and quiet. The unit itself was large, clean and well appointed. It had everything we needed as well as items to take out and about (beach chairs, coolers, maps, beach towels, etc). This unit is very close to the airport, various excursions and lots of shopping in Lahaina. Nikta offered a great concierge bonus while we were there – offering suggestions and contacts for restaurants, events, excursions, etc. I cannot conclude without mentioning that we had a lovely welcome basket and card waiting upon our arrival. Nikta made sure that our stay was nothing less than perfect.

ready2go_11
Katy, Texas

“The best Birthday ever”
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Thank You Nikta!!!! I had the Best birthday ever! What better way to turn 55 than on the beaches of Maui. We stayed at Niktas condo at the Island Sand in Ma’alaea Harbor in Nov. and OMG!!!!! could not have asked for a better place!
The condo is sooooo beautiful. She has spared no expence to make this the perfect tropical getaway.
When we got there she had a beautiful gift basket to greet us. Never have I had that; and I have stayed in Maui alot. The two bedroom condo was layed out beautifully. The bedrooms are at different ends of the condo so you each have privicy. It was sooo clean, she takes wonderful care of her condo, and it makes you feel very special.
Now let’s don’t forget the location. Right on the water, I ran everyday on the beach. WOW!
Waking up to the sound of the water breaking on the shore was just heaven. I did not want to go home. As a metter of fact our frineds stayed on for an extra coulple of days at the condo.
I can’t wait to go back to Paradise and stay at Nikta’s condo at the Island Sand, in Ma’alaea Harbor. Thank You Nikta for sharing your beautiful home with us.
Yvonne and George

“BEST VACATION CONDO EVER!”
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We stayed at Island Sands Resort #605 which can be found at UNIKTAVACATIONS.COM This two bedroom condo is beautiful and has everything you could want and more! We go to Maui a lot and this is the condo for us. Great ocean views and a good breeze… you will never need AC as you just open the windows and let the breeze in. We were greeted with a gift basket from Hawaii… coffee and biscotti, Maui chips, chocolates and lots of fresh fruit. This condo is so well equipped that you will feel at home. Love the location of this condo near the harbor and only 10 miles from the airport. This makes a great central location for touring around the island and for activities on the water. There is a 3 mile beach for walking and swimming which we did every morning early LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE!

Room Tip: 605 from talking to people at the pool is the best rental unit
Jppeterson506
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Amazing Views!

This was our first visit to Maui and we stayed in unit 219. The unit was clean and had everything you needed including items you might need for a day at the beach (cooler, umbrella, beach chairs). The owner Nikta has thought of everything to make you feel welcome with vases of fresh flowers & a basket with coffee, fresh fruit, banana bread and other treats that we really appreciated as we arrived late at night. We enjoyed watching the whales from the lanai and the view was spectacular! Maui Ocean Center is a short walk and Beach Bums Restaurant has good food and live music. Maalaea is quiet and the area is central to everything else on the island. We enjoyed different activities and sightseeing during the day and returned to Maalaea Banyans for a quiet, relaxing evening.

Djones1
Alberta

Maalaea Banyans #219 is PERFECT!
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We visited Maui for our first time from November 16 to December 14th WOW! It has been an unbelievably amazing vacation. We researched condo rentals on Maui and eventually settled on Unit 219, Maalaea Banyans owned by the most accommodating host…Nikta Houston. The unit is only about 20 minutes from the Kahului Airport (OGG) and is centrally located on the island of Maui. The unit has recently been remodelled and has state of the art appliances..sub-zero fridge, drawer microwave, glass top stove with convection oven, 2 dishwashers, washer & dryer. Beautiful rattan furniture.

Best points:
View whales right from the lanai (balcony)
Trade winds make sleeping at night so comfortable (no need for the air conditioner)
View from lanai is spectacular
Comfortable queen bed
Modern bathroom
Everything you need is here (i.e. everything for the beach…cooler, umbrella, chairs, beach towels, thermal mugs, ice paks, snorkel gear, boogie board, sun bathing mats).
Fully stocked kitchen (spices, every dish, glass, pot, pan, utensil you will need)
More linens than you will use in 2 months
Little extras: fresh fruit, chocolates, coffee beans (and a grinder) when you arrive plus a welcome note from Nikta.
Just when you think Nikta may have forgotten something (large vase for Hawaiian bouquet) you look in another cupboard and there it is. She hasn`t forgotten anything. Her attentiion to detail is unsurpassed. And then, just in case something is missing, Nikta calls to see if there is anything else she can do for you. Nikta is a walking book of knowledge on the island of Maui and imparts her knowledge freely. Don`t miss the `Swap Meet`at the Maui College grounds every Saturday. Great prices on fresh fruit and vegetables. Beautiful jewellery, wood carvings, etc.
Anyway, I`ve gone on and on…but truly, if you choose to stay at Unit 219 at Maalaea Banyans owned by Nikta Houston, you will have the best time with no disappointments. (Did I mention the weather is perfect..mid 80`s during the day and low 70`s in the night and virtually no rain for the entire month).
Note:
You should visit `Mama`s Fish House` in Pa`ia, exceptional view, service and food. We love the beach at Makena..wide, long beach with crystal clear water.

Nikta Houston, thank you so much for having us stay in your condo unit 219. It was perfect. You know and live customer service. Thanks again.
Valerie & Krenar
Ontario, Canada

Our Second Home
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My wife and I just finished about our 25th trip to the Islands and our stay in Maalaea Banyans #219 was, again, “perfect. Owner Nikta Houston is possibly the best person that you will ever deal with and her skill in making your vacation a memorable experience is unquestioned. Her unit is like a second home to us and it is maintained and decorated to perfection. You will be looking out, over perfectly manicured grounds, at a gorgeous water view, complete with whale activity, sea turtles, and sunrises which I think are the best on the island (see two of my favorite pictures on this website). Managers Patti and Rorie Day do a great job and have always been helpful and happy to assist on any questions which you might have. Sugar Beach walks are a daily event for us and cannot be found very many places on the island. Nitka will always go the extra mile for you—-what a wonderful five weeks we had with them.
Roger and Barbara
Spokane Washington

Oasis in an Oasis
As if Maui and all of Hawaii isn’t beautiful enough, unit #219 at the Ma’alaea Banyons is the icing on the cake. It’s pure Hawaii when you step in the door. As others have said, the view of the Pacific Ocean is magnificent and the whales are right out in front of you. This one bedroom unit has every upgrade you can imagine and the owner, Nikta Houston, makes sure you’re beyond comfortable, she even purchased a crockpot for our use when we only asked if she had one! Did I fail to mention the goodies on the kitchen counter upon your arrival? This owner has thought of EVERYTHING and goes out of her way to make sure you love Maui as much as she does. More icing on this cake? Make sure you have the opportunity to meet Nikta, one of Maui’s treasures for sure!
Alta and Jake Jacoby
Woodland Park, Colorado

A most wonderful place to stay on Maui

This condominium at Maalaea Banyans is the perfect place for my holiday when I travel yearly to Maui. First: the location: it is very quiet, with cane fields behind and the magnificent ocean directly in front. For me this is a real plus, allowing me to listen to the music of the waves and songs of the birds. I love to sit on the lanai and enjoy tropical fruits. Nikta Houston, the owner, always has a fresh basket to welcome her guests. She is also a wealth of friendly information and help – from where to buy more of that local produce, to timely events, contacts for arranging activities, etc. She checks in with me several times during my stay; as a woman traveling alone, this really adds to my feeling of security. A short 5-minute walk brings you to the end of the street & Sugar Beach. Often while walking in the morning, I have it practically to myself (one of my favorite pastimes; and the best time to walk. The condo is also quite centrally located on the island, so one can easily be in lots of different kinds of terrains and environments – of which Maui has so many varieties! Town or country, art/entertainment or natural beauty – all within a relatively short drive. This is great if you like to explore a place, as I do. The unit itself is beautifully decorated and completely equipped for all that one needs: great appliances in tasteful built-in bamboo cabinets. Lovely sage-green linens and towels, which complement the calming color scheme of the whole condo – even the soaps are high-quality & organic! I cannot recommend Maalaea Banyans #219, or its proprietor, Nikta Houston, highly enough. It’s a lovely place, conveniently located, and Nikta is always delightful to deal with, start to finish. Lastly, for what one receives, I believe the price is quite reasonable as well.
Hilltopgirl, Watsonville, Calif.