The 3-Star The Beach Village at Molokai Ranch might not be for those who like luxurious pampering in an elegant resort, but for those who would like to experience a true Hawaiian vacation and sleep in what is billed as a tentalow, then this might be the ideal place for you. Quite a few steps up from camping under the stars, The Beach Village is considered an eco-adventure resort where you can go horseback riding, mountain biking, sports shooting, try some archery (fees for all) or just loll about on your hammock watching the clouds drift by (totally free).
The Beach Village fronts the double crescent white sand Kaupoa Beach and features 40 two-bedroom canvas tentalows on platform decks spread throughout the palm trees and grass along the beach. They come complete with lounge chairs, deck seating, covered picnic table and an open-air bathroom with shower, sink and toilet as well as Sea Kelp bath amenities. Amenities for the tentalows include ceiling fans, bathrobes, citronella candles, flashlights, an ice chest with assorted beverages, daily housekeeping, in-room strong box and bath and beach towels.
The Village is totally eco-friendly with solar energy providing hot running water, ceiling fans, lights in the evening and an environmentally friendly composting toilet. Basically you can wake up in the morning and wander down to the beach barefooted, check out any tide pools, wander up to the open-air oceanfront Kaupoa Pavilion for a buffet-style breakfast with entree's cooked to order (set price) and then settle down in your hammock for some relaxation, or you could catch the shuttle up to the Village's sister property, The Lodge at Molokai Ranch and sign on for some more strenuous activities, such as mountain biking or perhaps spending the day on the beautifully designed golf course Kaluakoi.
While you can eat all three meals a day in the Kaupoa Pavilion for set prices (your child under 12 eats free when dining with a paying adult), you can always drive up or shuttle up to The Lodge where there is more formal dining, including the Maunaloa Room or the more casual Paniolo Lounge. Besides dining at The Lodge, you can also use their heated swimming pool, fitness center, library, the billiards room and spa. Back at The Beach Village, you can play horseshoes, beach volleyball, croquet, play Hawaiian games and join in on some crafts and activities, enjoy a campfire or do some stargazing - because of the eco-friendly lighting, there is little light pollution and you'll see more stars than you could imagine were in the sky.
There is also a camp host or hostess desk where you are greeted upon arrival and who can provide activity information, chairs and snorkel equipment for a perfect day at the beach. There is no television, but who needs a television when you are beach front at an eco-friendly upscale camping resort on an island paradise like Molokai?