Anyone Tried Hawaii on DVC

[scottb8888]

My flamily is thinking about visiting Hawaii for the first time. I see that I can find two places on the Concierge Collection and several on Interval International. Any suggestions here. I sure need to help.

Thanks

 

[TravelingJen24]

We tried to see what was available in Hawaii through II and was told that only one was available in Oct of 2008. It was definitely not one of the resorts that we would choose. Therefore, the only option is to bank the points with them and hope that something comes up for the time that you want to go. I am not that patient, so I would suggest using the concierge collection. It is costly but immediate gratification is great. Good luck.

 

[scottb8888]

That's what I was thinking

 

[TinkerHokie]

We stayed at Kapalua Bay (not on CC anymore) for 3 nights and Mauna Lani for 5 nights in 2000. We absolutely loved it! Mauna Lani was our favorite...open air, no walls in lobby with beautiful fish pools everywhere.

We went down to the Hilton or Hyatt (I think), which wasn't very far away...to swim with the dolphins, and we visited the volcano. We also did the haleakula bike ride down a volcano on Maui. I highly recommend it, and the best tip we got was NOT to book with a group, but instead, just rent your bikes and and the trip by van up to the top. Then, you're on your own coming down, but you can go at your own pace without worrying about being too close to the person in front of you or having someone too close on your rear. My husband and i had 11 and 14 year old daughters at the time, and everyone did fine.

 

[WDWLVR]

My DH won a certificate for an II trade out that had to be used by next October. We had planned to go to Oahu next March so put it a request at the Marriott Ko Onlina for either a studio or one bedroom for one week and gave them a 6 week period to look in. I was thrilled when we got a call less than 3 weeks later with a studio for late February.

The resort looks beautiful and the only downside is that there is construction going on around the resort.

I would say with out experience the best thing is to be flexible.

 

[aclov]

Yes, we traded out about 3 or 4 years ago into The Kahana Sands on Maui. We had requested a 2 bedroom since another couple went with us and ended up with a 3 bedroom but couldn't find anyone else to go. We weren't charged points for a 3 bedroom only for the 2 bedroom.

It was a for a week and it was too short!

 

[aclov]

My DH won a certificate for an II trade out that had to be used by next October. We had planned to go to Oahu next March so put it a request at the Marriott Ko Onlina for either a studio or one bedroom for one week and gave them a 6 week period to look in. I was thrilled when we got a call less than 3 weeks later with a studio for late February.

The resort looks beautiful and the only downside is that there is construction going on around the resort.

I would say with out experience the best thing is to be flexible.

Ko Olina is beautiful, we went in Jan 2005 when Marriott was first introducing the resort and they had an excellent deal being offered. We were lucky enough to get an invitation. We went to Oahu and the Big Island. I wish I were there now!

 

[Dean]

Yes, we traded out about 3 or 4 years ago into The Kahana Sands on Maui. We had requested a 2 bedroom since another couple went with us and ended up with a 3 bedroom but couldn't find anyone else to go. We weren't charged points for a 3 bedroom only for the 2 bedroom.

It was a for a week and it was too short!

On an ongoing request you only pay for what you were searching for even if you get a larger unit.

For the OP, the only resorts I'd personally consider FOR A DVC EXCHANGE are Maui (Marriott, Westin, Embassy now Sunterra). Kauai (Marriott's, Embassy now Sunterra, possibly Hanalei Bay, Oahu (Marriott), Big Island - Kona Coast though one can get KCR must cheaper and easily otherwise. Even for the Sunterra resorts and Hanalei Bay, there is a pretty large drop off from DVC. There are other resorts worth staying at but not worth giving up the number of points required to trade DVC or not on the DVC II exchange list.

I've just gone through this process again, the last one was in 2001 for a 2002 trip. I got a Marriott studio using a Marriott studio. I was offered a 1 BR at the Embassy (Sunterra) but declined it for several reasons including the start date didn't work as well and I was hoping to be able to use my Marriott studio which did end up working. Also, 2 BR are pretty unusual, likely better trying for a 1 BR then for a second unit later for the same exact dates. The extra exchange fee is well worth it in that situation given there are few 2 BR and even getting a 1 BR is very difficult most of the year.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Listen to Dean on this one! He is very experienced. We have only exchanged DVC once, and that was to KCR on the Big Island. Do NOT try to do Hawaii on just one week though. It is too long a flight for that (unless you live on the west coast). We don't ever go to Hawaii for less than 2-3 weeks. We like to spend a night on Oahu before heading out to an outer island. I reccomend Big Island, Kauai, and Maui in that order. If you are set on doing a week's exchange, you might actually be better off doing that through something like Timeshare Users Group or Redweek. You will likely get closer to what you want that way and less stress than waiting for an exchange from II. Keep your options open and don't get too specific about what you request if you go through DVC/II. Add on days at Oahu begining and end in regular hotels, since that will likely be less cost. We usually get a short airline package to get the airfare cheaper and get the few nights in Oahu in the process. Then we make our own itinerary for outer islands via timeshare exchanges if possible.

 

[zellda]

We did Mauna Lani October 2006 for five nights. Absolutely beautiful! Great atmosphere. We got a great deal (we thought), unadvertised special on points (called Mauna Lani Experience) included accomodations, daily buffet breakfast for 2 (wonderful, the charge for breakfast is $26 per person) and $50 per day room credit, plus snorkel equipment no charge. We absolutely loved the Big Island and would not hesitate to go back to Mauna Lani.

 

[manning]

Yes, we traded out about 3 or 4 years ago into The Kahana Sands on Maui. We had requested a 2 bedroom since another couple went with us and ended up with a 3 bedroom but couldn't find anyone else to go. We weren't charged points for a 3 bedroom only for the 2 bedroom.

It was a for a week and it was too short!

Are you thinking of Sand of Kahana? The restaurant there is Kahana Sands.

If so, How was it? We stayed there in 1989 and thinking of doing it again.

 

[phyllisnnj]

FYI... there's a DVC member offering a week at the Westin Ka'anapali, Maui on the Rental Board

see http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1301595

 

[travelbug]

We did Mauna Lani October 2006 for five nights. Absolutely beautiful! Great atmosphere...... We absolutely loved the Big Island and would not hesitate to go back to Mauna Lani.

I also did the Mauna Lani back in '02, taking some family members along for a special occasion. Our experience was the same as zellda's. We absolutely loved the Mauna Lani! I would go back there anytime (although the points needed for there have sure gone up since I went, so that will make a return trip pretty tough).

 

[RLevy29]

We stayed at the Sands of Kahana last summer and were happy with it. There is no air conditioning, but you really didn't need it.

 

[Connor' Dad]

We did Mauna Lani October 2006 for five nights. Absolutely beautiful! Great atmosphere. We got a great deal (we thought), unadvertised special on points (called Mauna Lani Experience) included accomodations, daily buffet breakfast for 2 (wonderful, the charge for breakfast is $26 per person) and $50 per day room credit, plus snorkel equipment no charge. We absolutely loved the Big Island and would not hesitate to go back to Mauna Lani.

Is this the same Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows on the CC?