I'll plug TUG as well. They have reviews and BBS where a lot of info can be found. It's still worth the $15 for year one and $10 renewal fee just for the information and education. They do have listings for those wanting to do direct exchanges, resale classifieds and much more.
I'll try to sumarize what I've found out for HI and restrict my direct info to the II
DVC listings and will ignore the CC choices. For Maui, I feel the Marriott, One Napili Way and Sands of Kahana are the top choices. I'd add the Westin Kaanapali to that list when it finally opens. I had reservations about the Papakea, KBVC and Schooner, while they may all be 5*, they dont appear to measure up. The Papakea actually has three different timeshares within it and the others are not listed as 5* or Gold Crown. KBVC is a hotel conversion next to SOK. I would not turn any of these down in the right circumstances but would not trade my DVC time for any of the 3 other than a studio for a 2 BR, maybe.
Kauai: The class resorts are Marriott and Hanalei Bay. Lawaii Beach would be good as long as you dont get the coral building but the way they do unit assignments makes it likely you will get that building. Even then, it is a step below the others. Club Intrawest is also interesting. Another resort within a resort. Only has checkin on Sunday so we didnt list it but overall Id say its worth putting on your list. Though Cliffs Club is a good resort, its below my DVC standards and I would not list it in exchange for DVC.
Oahu no timeshares on the DVC list and none worthy of being on the list at present. Once the new Marriott is done, it will be it. The other good resort is the Hilton Rainbow but its RCI, not II, and is the class of Waikiki.
Big Island. KCR is the top II resort. I think the resort thats listed as Resort Interval Ownership Phase II is KCR II.
I did notice some difference from the current exchange list in the new book vs the last one we received. While the Papakea is still listed, its the Kaanapali Keys and not the Sunterra units that are listed. Also, the Sunterra Valley Isle is not listed for Maui.
Thats the DVC list but it is not your entire options. First, you can always do a direct exchange with another owner and frequently do better with more choices and less cost for both parties. Second, you can also look at using an independent exchange company. There is at least one resort on the II list and not on the DVC list that I would list and its the Whaler. Also there are a number of resorts to consider that are not in II. These include the Embassy on Maui and Kauai, the Pahio Shearwater (K), Bay Club (Big Island), possibly Worldmark, Makai Club Cottages, Maui Lei at Maui Hill, and the Hilton on Oahu.
I was able to get 2 one BR units at the Embassy Maui and a 2 BR at the Embassy Kauai. I used DVC for Kauai as a private trade which turned into a rental when the other party offered it to me for cash for much less than Id value my DVC points. I used 2 One BR Aruba units (my trade units) for the Maui weeks. Ill put the teens in one unit and have the other all to ourselves. Since the doors are those slatted type, thatll give more privacy and worth the extra expense.
Two bedroom and 2 baths. Let me know about it when you return
