Have you been to Hawaii using DVC????

[TnRobin]

If so, please tell about where you stayed, what season you stayed how may points you used, what size room did you get and what did you think of your accomadations?? (Dang she asks alot of questions)

Hubby decided that we are going to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary next year and I am try to decide if we can do it on points.

Thanks guys

 

[Jenn]

I would love this info too! My hubby also wants to do Hawaii for our 10th, which is in 2003. I'd also love to know how expensive is the airfare?

 

[Boo]

We exchanged through II into the Club Intrawest Resort (aka Pahio Bali Hai) on the north shore of Kauai. It was 263 points for a 2 bedroom, Sunday to Sunday. The resort was exceptional. We found the north shore of Kauai to be much more beautiful and lush than the south which was very brown and dry. Beaches were so spectacular you would think they're fake. There were actually a couple of occassions when we were the ONLY couple on the beach. Tres Romantique!! Feel free to email me, I can send you pictures of the resort.
After doing considerable number crunching, for us it worked out better to do an exchange rather than concierge at at one of the HI hotels.
Mahalo!
Laurie

 

[teri]

We didn't stay there, they were sold out on the type of room we needed, but we did tour and have a lovely breakfast at the Mauna Lani Resort on the Big island of Hawaii. Beautiful, beautiful place. I think, from my perspective, I would choose one of the garden/ocean view rooms, not one of the oceanfront ones... although the view of the ocean is certainly lovely, it would be heavenly to have those incredible gardens and fish ponds outside my balcony.

 

[badeacon]

we used points and stayed at Kapalua Bay Hotel and Mauni Lani this June. 4nights at each. Mauni lani is great probably best resort ever stayed in.Very peaceful and romantic as well as kids loved it.Big island is incredible place.

 

[Terry S]

Any others go to Hawaii?

 

[Peggy Sue]

1998 - used 196 points for an II exchange to Kauai. We stayed at the Cliffs Club .. north shore area. We spent 3 weeks in Hawaii (beginning of May), using our DVC exchange for 6 nights. (we could have stayed 7, but our plans called for moving on)

Cliffs Club is a "nice" resort. Not quite up to DVC standards, but certainly comfortable and clean. We had a one bedroom unit, which included 2 full baths. Unit was designed to accomodate 4 people. It was very sapacious with comfortable furnishings. Biggest draw back for us was no A/C. We found most of the resorts on the north shore do not offer A/C. We also had quite a bit of rain on the north shore, and found ourselves driving over to the south side of the island every day, where there was plenty of sun. The north shore is beautiful...very lush and green, beautiful vistas everywhere, and plentiful beaches.

We visited 4 islands during our trip. Kauai was one of our favorites. However, we've decided on future trips we want to stay on the south side of the island (with A/C!) and probably only for 3-4 days on Kauai, which doesn't work well for a time share exchange that requires weekly stays.

We spent 4 nights on Oahu, 4 on Hawaii and 7 on Mauai. We stayed at the Maui Marriott using our Frequent guest points, which also provided us with a car for 7 nights and our flights to/from Hawaii.

The 3 weeks we spent in Hawaii remains our favorite vacation!

We hope to return to Hawaii in 2002 or 2003. Trying to work out an exchange with a co-worker who has time share in Hawaii with RCI. She would like to take her kids to WDW and stay inside the park. We've limited the time share search to a couple of place on Hawaii and Maui.

I have been checking out airfares on www.orbitz.com, and so far it looks like fares will average about $1200 each from Boston. Another avenue you might try is to go to a travel agent and book a package for ONE night that includes air fare. You can adjust you return dates. My BIL did this and was able to get round trip from Boston to Maui for just under $700. each. I plan to check out the hawaii vacation pacakages to see if I can get a better deal too.

You can check out all the time share resorts by joining TUG. A time share user group. www.tug2.org There is a $15. fee to join, well worth every penny!

May and November are beautiful months to visit Hawaii. Crowds are gone and the weather is beautiful. I've also heard Feb/March are great if you want to see the Whales, although the weather can be iffy that time of the year.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[tss2]

When you trade out for a non-DVC resort do all your points have to be from one year? Or can you bank and borrow for the amount needed? I would like to go to Hawaii in the future (been there in the past before DVC purchase) but only have 150 points. Will I be able to bank and borrow to get the amount needed for a Hawaii trip?

Thanks for the Info!

 

[Dean]

You can bank and borrow as you need to. Though you may want to bank to make sure you make any banking window; I wouldn't borrow unless you actually get the exchange. MS can do that right on the phone when they call you to offer the exchange. There are many 1 BR units and few 2 BR so a studio or 1 BR is the most likely unit available to you for exchange and you would have enough or nearly enough with 1 year for that. It is unlikely a 2 BR would cost you more than 300 points so even then it's likley you'd be ok. Don't forget direct exchanges where the points costs can be even cheaper.