Hawaii resorts

[Dean]

Saw several of the HI (Maui and Kauai) properties both in II and RCI this past 2 weeks. All would be acceptable that I have seen though only a few would be worthy of an even DVC trade. I haven't seen a one I'd not stay in but the value varies depending on resort and location. My top ones are as I've posted earlier and include Hanalei Bay, Marriott's, Embassy's, the new Westin, Whaler. Specific to the DVC list, I would probably not trade for Schooner, Sands of Kahaha, Lawai Beach as an even exchange, Papakea or Intrawest. One Napili is in between. It is small, out of the way and more appropriate for just relaxing. I wouldn't do it with children unless they're sedate and older. They do mostly trade through SFX and Trading Places. It's a small family run resort of 3 BR/2BA units with almost no amenties. They have a small pool and will even store boxes for you till next trip if you own there. I talked to the Manager (son of developer) and was impressed. I didn't ask him but I bet he'd even send out the info on his email list for members if someone wanted to look for a direct exchange.

 

[manning]

Dean, have you stayed at Sands of Kahana lately? We stayed there in 1989 in a two bedroom right on the ocean. We liked it.

Has it changed a lot from then? Was thinking of staying there again, but not on points.

 

[Dean]

I didn't stay there but did walk through and talk to a few people. While I would definitely consider staying there, it's not on my A list and I would not do a one for one exchange using DVC or any other top trader. I put it in the same category as Papakea and Valley Isle. Apparently the developer is really using the reserve to fund new projects and maint has really gone down. I own a resort in Aruba which is 5* but on the lower end of 5*. A member at that resort stayed at SOK as an exchange and felt they really traded down. That surprised me because the resort in Aruba is good but not top notch so it really must have slipped. Looking at what I could see there was a lot of rust though still a pretty good place if you can get in at the right cost.

 

[manning]

Thanks Dean. Looks like I'll have to give it another thought about staying there. Don't like the idea about how the developer is using the reserve funds. Isn't that illegal?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by manning
Thanks Dean. Looks like I'll have to give it another thought about staying there. Don't like the idea about how the developer is using the reserve funds. Isn't that illegal?

It's what I heard, whether it's true or not is unknown to me. Certainly the exterior upkeep would support that there are problems and it seems some of the owners are unhappy. I liked the area if you don't mind being a little ways out but would not consider it any where near an even trade for DVC. IF you can get it much cheaper, don't count it out.

 

[chris1gill]

Just wanted to say WELCOME BACK Dean!! How was your stay on both islands & travel to & fro?

 

[Dean]

Thanks Chris, had a great trip. No real problems at all and great weather. Not much rain either. We drove through a number of timeshare and saw a couple in detail (the Embassy's, Hanalei Bay, One Napili Way and Alii Kai. I really like it when they just have an open house and you can walk in and look at the unit and resort. Toured the Embassy's where we stayed on each island. Also toured Hanalei Bay mostly because we wanted to see the resort and drive up to the north shore of Kauai anyway. Of the 3 tours, total about 3 hours (30 min, 50 min and 100 minutes). I usually love seeing new resorts and this trip was no exception but my wife generally hates the tour thing but she was the one that suggested doing the third one. I think it was that $100 Hile Hattie's incentive that got her, LOL.

 

[chris1gill]

Hey Dean,

Good to hear, what kind of view did you have at the Embassy? Just curious, what kind of incentive did they give you for the two embassy tours? What kind of activitities/Luau's/Helicopter rides did you do? Looks like we'll definitely be going back, but right now the date is up in the air... Our next 18 months of trips are currently up in the air, literally LOL... just depends on flight sales & the like... I hate to have our next DVC trip depending on our next Hawaii trip... I'm trying to currently work something out!

Do you know if there are any good exchanges out there right now for the last two weeks of February? Either Studio or 1 bedroom? We went last February, it was nice, a bit cool & windy, but still okay... we weren't able to book that flight until January however... Maybe also looking at the last two weeks of April?

I have to do some more research LOL... Any availability through SFO? Thanks!!

 

[Dean]

Chris, in Maui, we got a view of the Star Market and the Mountains. That was OK as the important things to us were non smoking and the 2 rooms close, both of which we got. On Kauai, we got a "garden view unit". They have ocean front, ocean view, partial ocean view and garden view. Frankly, it was more of a partial ocean view in my book. We loved the unit and really like the resort on Kauai much better than Maui.

As for exchanges and SFX, I haven't done any research. I wuoldn't be surprised though as apparently the islands are still suffering somewhat with less air travel.

We did 2 Luaus, drove to Hana (went all the way around), drove up Haleakala. No boat or helicopter tours. We all tend to get motion sick plus my wife has a fear of helicopters. It really wasn't important to us anyway, so it was not loss.