Estimate points for Hawaii

[cheyita]

We have just begun discussing using exchange for Hawaii in the future. I tried accessing the II points chart on the DVC site, but it wouldn't come up for me. I realize it varies on room size, time of year, etc., but can someone give me a rough estimate of how many points it takes to get a week in Maui or Kauai? A 2br-size room? In either spring or summer?

I don't know whether to expect 200, 400, 600, 800 pts! I have no clue.

Thanks!!

 

[kweaver]

I was able to get the .pdf file to load for me...

2br units through the World Passport Collection (for 2004) are:

207 Low Season
252 Mid Season
270 High Season

 

[cheyita]

Thanks for the quick response. I'll try the website again. That was really exciting news as far as points go. I was worried it would be much more!

 

[Dean]

The 2004 chart is VERY image intensive. I think it took me maybe a full 1.5 to 2 minutes to download it with a higher level DSL. If you click the 2003 points, it is a much smaller file and will download more easily as a PDF file. If you still can't get it, email me and I'll send it to you. You will need acrobat reader or a program that will read pdf files.

 

[kweaver]

Originally posted by Dean
The 2004 chart is VERY image intensive. I think it took me maybe a full 1.5 to 2 minutes to download it with a higher level DSL.

I'll agree with that, Dean. I couldn't believe it was a 1 page file when it finally finished downloading. We have DSL as well and although I didn't time it, I'd say it was well over 1 minute.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Let us know how easy it is, or is not, to book the exchange. I'd love to know. I think 270-points for a 2-bedroom for a week is super reasonable.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Doug Wolfe
Let us know how easy it is, or is not, to book the exchange. I'd love to know. I think 270-points for a 2-bedroom for a week is super reasonable.

Even for a unit you could easily rent for $1200 for a week much of the year? As is the case at a number of resorts on the DVC exchange list.

 

[cheyita]

Dean - that's interesting additional info. Since DVC rooms run more than that, I assumed these resorts would also - particularly with Hawaii's high cost of living.

But for me, I think I'd rather use the money I already spent for vacations instead of putting out additional money. Maybe - unless we're splitting the unit with another family. Hmmm....

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Dean... Your point is well taken on considering costs. I would have to do the math before any exchange. That is why I would use cash instead of points for a Disney cruise.

I always get two-bedroom accomodations for my growing family of five. $1,200 would be great, but the rooms would have to be super nice. I would rather spend extra $$$$ or points for the extra room & comfort. I would not just grab a $1,200 deal just for the sake of a bargin.

But again, your point is well taken.

 

[chunkygal]

Be careful--- while staying in Maui 2 years ago we decided to check out the exchange properties---

This is only my oppinion and you may want tohers--- they are not Disney standards at many. The Sands of Kahana at the time was dated and in my opinion worn looking. I have stayed at the hotes in the concerierge and may of them are very nice. The Marriott is of course nice.

Check it out with others who have gone.

 

[cheyita]

Yep, I would love to hear actual accounts of people's stays. I've been checking out as many on the web as possible, and some looked nice but didn't offer 2BRs. Some offered 2BRs but didn't look like what I was looking for. The Marriotts looked very nice and spacious, and would definitely be worth a trade to me, because the rental price isn't quite the $1,200 Dean suggested we could find at other resorts.

 

[gchiker]

I know that this is not exactly the size unit you are looking for, but I just booked a 1 bedroom unit at the Maui Schooner for Feb 2005 (President's week) for 160 points.

 

[Dean]

2 BR units are scarce through II for HI. The resorts I'd say are reasonable to trade 160 or 270 DVC points for are all Marriott's, Westin, Embassy's and maybe Hanalei Bay. The gray area group include SOK, ONW, Lawaii Beach, KCR. The ones on the list below stardard from what I know would include the Schooner and Cliff's Club. I forget the other resort on the list for Maui but it is a sister resort to SOK and it looked to be about the same quality. There are several components that make up the "value". These include the resort quality, time of year and location including the island. One should ALWAYS compare the real info on a specific situation to make a final decision. Getting anything in HI from Xmas to Easter will be tough. Other times, many options will be easier and cheaper.

I think many people just assume that because it's on the DVC list makes something a comparable exchange. Nothing could be farther from the truth. They fall into the trap of thinking in terms of DVC and WDW rather than thinking in timeshare terms or condo terms. This too is a BIG mistake.

 

[chunkygal]

I'd love to hear if anyone has ever actually booked an exchange to marriott. We own marriott vacation club and they are supposed to give "first dibs" to other MVC owners. The girl at reservations said she thought this was rare, much less outside MVC. WE traded our Orlando for a Hawaii MVC so we could go every other year. MVC will give us two weeks anywhere else if we give up our week in Hawaii. All said, DVC is a much better value than MVC, but the properties in Hawaii are lacking, except the concierge--- but there you're only getting a hotel room.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by chunkygal
I'd love to hear if anyone has ever actually booked an exchange to marriott. We own marriott vacation club and they are supposed to give "first dibs" to other MVC owners. The girl at reservations said she thought this was rare, much less outside MVC. WE traded our Orlando for a Hawaii MVC so we could go every other year. MVC will give us two weeks anywhere else if we give up our week in Hawaii. All said, DVC is a much better value than MVC, but the properties in Hawaii are lacking, except the concierge--- but there you're only getting a hotel room.

I have but ended up not being able to go. The Marriott internal exchange priority is a big of a misnomer. There are other factors including exchange power and resort quality differences. If you're under the impression they always offer the exchagne to Marriott members if requested rather than letting them go out to II in general, you are sadly mistaken. I've also seen a number of units come up though it's frequently studio and 1 BR units either short time of off time. 2 BR units are rarely available.

 

[barb45]

We got an exchange for Sands of Kahana 2 bedroom in November for 252 points. Not exactly what we wanted - we wanted Marriott but MS said Marriott's are very hard to get. Then I noticed on the web site that the Marriott's that I was looking at didn't seem to have kitchens - which is a big deal. So we are going with the Sands of Kahana - I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I have read some bad reviews here and now I'm afraid it won't be up to par.

 

[chunkygal]

I hope it is good and I'd love to hear, We checked it out and it was not Disney quality, But you know--- it's hawaii and being toghether and having fun are important, not just the resort.
DQ

 

[Dean]

I have toured the property and just peaked in one room. I think it's below DVC's level and the are is not quite as good as the Marriott or Westin, but not bad. It's actually in between Kaanapali and and Napili, maybe a couple of miles beyond the Westin. The location is not bad and the biggest knock is likely the NO AC. I wouldn't turn it down if one is set on going and the unit fits the needs otherwise.

Marriott does have mini kitchens but this is not generally a problem as what they have is very functional for most things. I think Werner has pictures of the kitchens there.

 

[dvc_john]

According to II, Hawaii is supposed to be red (high season) all year long.
Will be staying at Marriott Ocean Club in Maui this Oct in a 1br 2ba (but not using DVC points - using MarriottRewards points).
Like Dean said, it will have a mini kitchen.
Also staying at Hilton HGVC in Waikiki, but this resort is not available thru II.

 

[rocketriter]

According to II, Hawaii is supposed to be red (high season) all year long.

I'm not sure about that. We're spending a week in a 1-bedroom at Kona Coast II next March for 144 points, which is less that the high-season 160 points.