Anyone used pts to stay in Hawaii?

[Dgentrysim]

I have gotten such a load of good information and really nice e-mails. Thanks so much! I'm going to call Member Services this morning and put our name in the pot....we've decided to go for Oahu and The Big Island (for all those that were plugging Maui, I would love going there but there's so many places we want to go to in Oahu.......maybe Maui next time.......! I'll try and get back to answer some of the e-mails later (after our vacation at DVC Hilton Head Resort....WAHOO!!! July 3 - 8). Just wanted to let everyone know how helpful and nice the people are on the DIS forum! I have really enjoyed reading about other peoples experiences and suggestions! Hope eveyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July!!! Thans DizneyNutz for the web links from the Big Kahuna.....really helpful!

 

[dianeschlicht]

You are smart to only do two islands for a first trip. Oahu is a must for the first time traveler to Hawaii, and we find the Big Island of Hawaii to be our favorite. Plan t put lots of miles on your rental there!

 

[TnRobin]

Last year we did a private trade with owners at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club on Waikiki, Oahu. It was a beautiful resort and the location was the best in Waikiki in my opinion.

We had a two bedroom. It was very spacious and well maintained. I will be glad to send you pictures of the accomodations if you like. The only downside to the HGVC at HHV is the studios are very small. So as long as you stay in either a 1BR or 2BR you will do just fine.

Robin

 

[edith76]

shelly3girls - the condos at Hilton Hawaiian Village run in the 300's for a 1 bedroom and 500's for a 2 bedroom. Probably more if you are thinking about holiday time in December. You can book the condos on the Hilton website - but not this far out. The location is great.

 

[shelly3girls]

Thank you for the info on HHV to everyone who has replied. We are thinking now of trying to get an exchange but that seems almost impossible.
TnRobin - How did you go about finding a private exchange?

 

[TnRobin]

We used the Timeshare User Group or TUG for short at www.tug2.net. We posted an advertisement looking for an exchange. You can be as specific as you want in what you are willing to trade for.

Keep in mind when you go outside of DVC for the trade there are always risks involved. Make sure you are comfortable with your trading partner and get EVERYTHING in writing. There are quiet a few examples of contracts for trades out there.

BTW we have seen the DVC/II Exchange in Oahu - Marriott Ko Olina. While is is a 20 minute drive to Wakiki, it is beautiful. Actually some would probably think its distance from Waikiki is a plus. The resort is across the street from the Paradise Cove Luau. We attended this luau (they provide transportation from any Waikiki resort) It was great.

Robin

 

[dianeschlicht]

Robin, Ko olina is one of the highest rated resorts in the islands. It is a great place, and I like the location. It is beyond Diamondhead, so it is in a less city like setting.

 

[Dean]

I have gotten such a load of good information and really nice e-mails. Thanks so much! I'm going to call Member Services this morning and put our name in the pot....we've decided to go for Oahu and The Big Island (for all those that were plugging Maui, I would love going there but there's so many places we want to go to in Oahu.......maybe Maui next time.......! I'll try and get back to answer some of the e-mails later (after our vacation at DVC Hilton Head Resort....WAHOO!!! July 3 - 8). Just wanted to let everyone know how helpful and nice the people are on the DIS forum! I have really enjoyed reading about other peoples experiences and suggestions! Hope eveyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July!!! Thans DizneyNutz for the web links from the Big Kahuna.....really helpful!

Just realize that KCR is not a good trade value for most situations though it is a very nice property.

Robin, Ko olina is one of the highest rated resorts in the islands. It is a great place, and I like the location. It is beyond Diamondhead, so it is in a less city like setting.

Actually it's the other way from Diamond head, out near the Waianae coast and just at the end of H1 and past Barbers Point. With traffic, it really is a ways out from basically everything. For a first time visitor, I'd stay in the Waikiki area. The Rainbow Hilton is great. The military hotel there is also a great choice for those that qualify.

 

[melanieewr]

We actually own an oceanfront condo in Ko'Olina and have done a private trade with another DVC member and that worked very well.

Also...Marriott at Ko'Olina is adding on to the location. It has been very popular and the Ko'Olina Resort is growing...FAST! Plans are in the works to start building a massive teaching aquarium and more residences and most likely Ritz Carlton will be building a hotel.

 

[Poohstar]

I am interested for a week stay in Maui during summer of 2006 at either the Marriots Maui Ocean Club or Westin Kaanapali ecean resort villas. I would appreciate any information for these resorts or timeshare exchange of them.

 

[Dgentrysim]

I've already put in through Member Services for a 2 bedroom at either the Marriott Ko Olina" or the Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach. I'm hoping I'll get the Ko Olina'. Member Services said that it has a Excellent Rating that DVC gives to other non-DVC resorts (average, above-average, and excellent). I wanted to know, is the Ko Olina' on the beach? Looking at the pictures, it looks like it is. Also, has anyone stayed at either place?

 

[grumpysimmons]

Hi-
Just one more thought. Dean has mentioned the "Rainbow Hilton". This is the same resort as the Hilton Hawaiian Village. There are five towers there. It is right on Waikiki beach. Two of the towers are timeshare. The other three are hotel rooms. I hope this is helpful.

 

[TnRobin]

Yes the Rainbow Hilton is the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Timeshare units are located in the Lagoon Tower (Where we stayed) and the Kalia Tower. The Lagoon tower is closest to the beach and has the best views. The Kalia Tower is the newest condo renovation and located at the city side of the resort.

As for it being on the beach. That is an understatement. We walked the beach. Other hotels on Waikiki Beach had a small strip of beach. It was maybe 10 - 15 feet deep. The Hilton Beach is about 25 to 30 feet deep. In addition it is level.

I agree with Dean that this is an awesome place for a first time visit to Oahu. We are planning to include it in our second visit to Oahu.

And like Dean said, Ko Olina is located on the far west side of the island.

 

[DISNEYWORLDBORN2SHOP]

This thread couldn't have appeared at a better time for me. Two weeks ago my boss announced our annual company sales meeting will be at the Kahala Mandarin in Oahu. The meeting is 3/8-3/11 and we are being encouraged to extend our stay at our own expense. DH and I have pretty much decided to move on to Maui after the meeting. Now, do we find an affordable hotel or use our points?

I bought the books Oahu Revealed and Maui Revealed per Dean's advice. There looks like so many things we will want to do. We will be very limited with the number of days we can stay as DH works full time and goes to school at night. Will I be wasting my points if we will be spending all of our time sightseeing and not utilizing the resort?

 

[Dean]

This thread couldn't have appeared at a better time for me. Two weeks ago my boss announced our annual company sales meeting will be at the Kahala Mandarin in Oahu. The meeting is 3/8-3/11 and we are being encouraged to extend our stay at our own expense. DH and I have pretty much decided to move on to Maui after the meeting. Now, do we find an affordable hotel or use our points?

I bought the books Oahu Revealed and Maui Revealed per Dean's advice. There looks like so many things we will want to do. We will be very limited with the number of days we can stay as DH works full time and goes to school at night. Will I be wasting my points if we will be spending all of our time sightseeing and not utilizing the resort?

If you're only looking at a few days and not planning on much room time; I'd go with a hotel that fits your location and price needs. Maybe you have reward points you can use somewhere?