Exchanging points for Hawaii

[drag n' fly]

We are thinking of exchanging points for a trip to Hawaii. I have checked the RCI listings. Can anyone recommend from experience the better ones?

 

[Anal Annie]

IMO there are no "better ones" any more...at least not on Maui. The Westin and the Marriott were 2 of the better ones offered thru II. But they do not participate with RCI. Which island were you thinking about going to?? Dean will probably have a recommendation.

 

[Dean]

The top choices on the list are the Hilton on Oahu and Kaanapali Beach Club on Maui. There are a couple of good (but not great) choices on both the Big Island and a Kauai. As noted, the Marriott's and Westin's were better than all except maybe the Hilton which is very unlikely to have any availability.

 

[drag n' fly]

Thanks for your suggestions. We will wait until DVC Hawaii opens up to go there.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for your suggestions. We will wait until DVC Hawaii opens up to go there.

IF it does.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

IF it does.

Uh-oh Dean, I'll take the bait! Seriously, what do you mean?

 

[Dean]

Uh-oh Dean, I'll take the bait! Seriously, what do you mean?

I mean that I am not convinced it's a done deal to open as a DVC resort. It probably will but there are still too many variables to count on it, esp with the economic issues on top of all else. Marriott has pushed back their expansion at Ko'Olina as well. We've already seen two formally announced resorts that fell by the wayside with press releases hanging out there. EP was staked out with some of the prelim work done before it was abandoned. I wouldn't hold my breath until you have sales occurring and a points chart with a firm reservation date.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

I mean that I am not convinced it's a done deal to open as a DVC resort. It probably will but there are still too many variables to count on it, esp with the economic issues on top of all else. Marriott has pushed back their expansion at Ko'Olina as well. We've already seen two formally announced resorts that fell by the wayside with press releases hanging out there. EP was staked out with some of the prelim work done before it was abandoned. I wouldn't hold my breath until you have sales occurring and a points chart with a firm reservation date.

Gotcha. I'm hoping for the best but your explanation is certainly logical. Since I'm not thrilled with the looks of the Xchanges in Hawaii through RCI, I sure hope Hawaii DVC happens.

 

[CandyMandy]

Re: Hawaii DVC property.

To add to the ongoing Hawaiian tourism weakness previously mentioned -- which has led to Disney completely stopping the construction of the Hawaii resort - the location Disney found for it isn't prime beach space by any definition. The Ko Olina location (shown below) is dry and windy, not the proptypical lush stereotype people think of when they think Hawaii. Also, as the massive, bulky-looking Marriott in the picture shows, the DVC resort would directly next to it, crowded in with other planned major high-rise resorts. That isn't the Disney MO, they like their Tiffany properties to either be stand-alone on their park sites or (think Vero, HH) lone diamonds unspoiled by nearby clutter.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Re: Hawaii DVC property.

To add to the ongoing Hawaiian tourism weakness previously mentioned -- which has led to Disney completely stopping the construction of the Hawaii resort - the location Disney found for it isn't prime beach space by any definition. The Ko Olina location (shown below) is dry and windy, not the proptypical lush stereotype people think of when they think Hawaii. Also, as the massive, bulky-looking Marriott in the picture shows, the DVC resort would directly next to it, crowded in with other planned major high-rise resorts. That isn't the Disney MO, they like their Tiffany properties to either be stand-alone on their park sites or (think Vero, HH) lone diamonds unspoiled by nearby clutter.

Not sure where you typically vacation in Hawaii, but many Hawaii resorts are on beachs which are adjacent to areas that are dry and windy. On Maui, for example, Kapalua and Kaanapali both fit that description, as does Wailea to a different degree (more dry, less windy). The areas of HI that are green and tropical tend to have a lot of rain, not ideal weather for a vacation many were planning around beach time. Tourist generally prefer resorts with carefully irrigated green landscaping and sunny skies, which can certainly be accomplished at Ko Olina. -- Suzanne

 

[musical2]

Not sure where you typically vacation in Hawaii, but many Hawaii resorts are on beachs which are adjacent to areas that are dry and windy. On Maui, for example, Kapalua and Kaanapali both fit that description, as does Wailea to a different degree (more dry, less windy). The areas of HI that are green and tropical tend to have a lot of rain, not ideal weather for a vacation many were planning around beach time. Tourist generally prefer resorts with carefully irrigated green landscaping and sunny skies, which can certainly be accomplished at Ko Olina. -- Suzanne

I have to agree with SuzanneSLO. I love it at Ko Olina, especially if you want to be on Oahu. We stayed at both the JWMarriott and the Marriott Beach Club at Ko Olina last summer. It was fantastic! It is away from the city (Honolulu), but within easy reach of it. It is easy to get to the rest of Oahu from here also.

 

[Argent]

We have been to Hawaii three times and have always stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village right on Waikiki Beach. The place is absolutly beautiful and I would recommend it to anyone. Only drawback is that it is very expensive but I guess so is everything else in Hawaii.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

To add to the ongoing Hawaiian tourism weakness previously mentioned -- which has led to Disney completely stopping the construction of the Hawaii resort - the location Disney found for it isn't prime beach space by any definition.

CandyMandy,

What is the basis for your statement about "Disney completely stopping the construction of the Hawaii resort" when they had the groundbreaking in November and Disney claims that everything is on track?

See "Ground Breaking and Blessing" at http://www.yesterland.com/disneykoolina4.html

The Ko Olina location (shown below) is dry and windy, not the proptypical lush stereotype people think of when they think Hawaii.

The "proptypical lush stereotype" at resorts in Hawaii is due to landscaping and watering. Almost all resorts are in dry locations where the surrounding area is almost a desert. (Would you really want to stay in a resort on the lush, rainy sides of the islands?)

Also, as the massive, bulky-looking Marriott in the picture shows, the DVC resort would directly next to it, crowded in with other planned major high-rise resorts. That isn't the Disney MO, they like their Tiffany properties to either be stand-alone on their park sites or (think Vero, HH) lone diamonds unspoiled by nearby clutter.

I guess that's one opinion. I disagree.

Even when the Ko Olina Resort development is fully built out, there will be plenty of open space. It will be much less dense than Waikiki. By building within a master-planned resort, Disney will be in a high-quality resort neighborhood, with a beach walk connecting all the properties. Think of it as a "Tiffany property" among "Tiffany properties."

Yes, this is not the same as a Disney resort at WDW, where Disney originally bought over 27 thousand acres. In fact, Ko Olina will be the first off-site resort-DVC combination.

By the way, it appears that CandyMandy has not been to Disneyland in California or to Hilton Head Island. The Disney resorts there are not "lone diamonds unspoiled by nearby clutter."