Exchanging with Interval International

[HarrietSLP]

Not a problem, glad to help. One thing to think about for Marriott points for HI in general is this. Sometimes one can use points for the timeshares there. There is also a sampler package where one can stay in multiple resorts over a full week. KCR is a very nice resort from what I've heard. When we live on Oahu and planned a weekend, we kept saying we'd go to the Big Island. But we enjoyed Maui so much that we'd always end up going there except for one trip to Kauai. And in our several trips back, still haven't made there. Just know KCR doesn't have a beach from what I'm told. There are a couple of members here that have stayed at that resort on an II exchange, always a plus. As you're learning, a resort can certainly make or break a stay based on small things like units assignments and the like.

In addition to your comments, I think the final deciding factor for me was all the bad reviews on Tripadvisor, Furthermore the author of Kauai Revealed had removed his previous gem rating because of problems associated with the front desk and had some humourous catty comments about the 8 "well-maintained" kitty cats that had made HBR their permanent residence. There were reports of scummy pools too. My husband told DVC all of this when he called and hopefully they'll check into it further. It is in a picture perfect location and it's a shame that not all units are maintained with equal quality.


Btw...I hope I didn't discourage DVCers from exchanging into the Marriott Ko'Olina Resort. The resort itself is fantastic with it's beautiful lagoons and they would have a wonderful experience there. It's just that if I were going to buy a Marriott timeshare I don't think I would invest $30,000 to $80,000 here. I hated the area to the north of it up to Makaha plus the heavy traffic to/fro Honolulu/airport to the resort. I wish Disney had something on the North Shore as this was my favorite part of Oahu. However, if we decide to buy a Marriott timeshare then it will be in Maui,

One thing for sure....I'll never give up my ownership at OKW and Vero. We've been members 10 years now and have NEVER regretted joining DVC. We travel other places but still always look forward to "coming back to our Disney homes"

 

[Dean]

Btw...I hope I didn't discourage DVCers from exchanging into the Marriott Ko'Olina Resort. The resort itself is fantastic with it's beautiful lagoons and they would have a wonderful experience there. It's just that if I were going to buy a Marriott timeshare I don't think I would invest $30,000 to $80,000 here. I hated the area to the north of it up to Makaha plus the heavy traffic to/fro Honolulu/airport to the resort. I wish Disney had something on the North Shore as this was my favorite part of Oahu. However, if we decide to buy a Marriott timeshare then it will be in Maui,"

I know things could have changed from when we lived on the Island (83-86) but the Waianae coast was all a pretty rough area and considered not a safe place for Haoles (like honkeys) or most anyone that was not "local".

 

[littlestar]

Our room at Hanalei Bay was full of roaches when we stayed last April (2005). We booked a studio through Expedia (I haven't booked a room through Expedia since). I made it until 4:00 a.m. our first night, but I had to draw a line when the roaches started getting in the bed with us. You've heard of sleeping with one eye open? I gave up and called the Sheraton with my Starwood membership card and moved over to Sheraton at Poipu - which was great.

I've heard some rooms at Hanalei are wonderful, but unfortunately, we didn't get one of those. We had room 2109 at Hanalei Bay. There were even roaches running through the cabinets across the dishes in the kitchen. And these weren't palmetto bugs. These were small to medium roaches and a lot of them. If we hadn't moved to Sheraton, I would have slept in the rental car in the parking lot rather than in that roach-infested room at Hanalei Bay.

 

[HarrietSLP]

I know things could have changed from when we lived on the Island (83-86) but the Waianae coast was all a pretty rough area and considered not a safe place for Haoles (like honkeys) or most anyone that was not "local".

The area is still "rough" with the exception being the Marriott resort area. My husband and I drove all the way up the Wai'anae coast till the road ended. I checked out the Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach since it is also on the II exchange list through DVC. Although it is built right on top of Papaoneone Beach with great ocean views I still wouldn't want to stay there because of the remoteness of the area and the rough crowd hanging out in their broken down live-in cars nearby. Also....it's a long ride from there back to Waikiki and the accessible highways leading to the North Shore. We stayed at the Marriott in Waiikiki in a great corner deluxe oceanview room. For those interested .....the highlights of our trip were snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, having our own personal tour guide for the day at The Polynesian Cultural Center, visiting the Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri, and Bowfin; hiking Diamond head; Atlantis submarine and boat ride; and exploring the various beaches on the island. My favorite beach was Kailua Beach on the Windwardn side which we had practically to ourselves early one morning. While in Waikiki my favorite place to eat was Duke's Canoe Club breakfast buffet and loved walking the street/beach from the Hilton Hawaiian Village back to our hotel. If I were to return to Waikiki, my hotel of choice would be the Sheraton Mona Surfrider. I loved the pool area/view of Diamond Head from that location plus the true Hawaiian atmosphere and ambience of the place.

 

[HarrietSLP]

Our room at Hanalei Bay was full of roaches when we stayed last April (2005). We booked a studio through Expedia (I haven't booked a room through Expedia since). I made it until 4:00 a.m. our first night, but I had to draw a line when the roaches started getting in the bed with us. You've heard of sleeping with one eye open? I gave up and called the Sheraton with my Starwood membership card and moved over to Sheraton at Poipu - which was great.

I've heard some rooms at Hanalei are wonderful, but unfortunately, we didn't get one of those. We had room 2109 at Hanalei Bay. There were even roaches running through the cabinets across the dishes in the kitchen. And these weren't palmetto bugs. These were small to medium roaches and a lot of them. If we hadn't moved to Sheraton, I would have slept in the rental car in the parking lot rather than in that roach-infested room at Hanalei Bay.

Littlestar....I read about your experience and there's no excuse IMO for a supposedly 5 Star resort having such a horrendous problem. It also seems from my research that the front desk is less than helpful or concerned unless you are an individual owner of a condo there. Btw.....I had a bad experience booking a hotel room through either Expedia or Travelocity ( can't remember now) but it was for a room at the Royal Sonesta in New Orleans. When I saw the smallness and location of our room I actually shed tears and hubby upgraded to a better room. After that....I've never taken advantage of any of those special rate offers from Expedia or Travelocity.