We recently returned from a wonderful 2 weeks in Hawaii thanks to our DVC points. I will try to keep this to a summary but feel free to e mail me with any questions you may have.
We left on June 19th for Maui. Thanks to the Rent and Trade board, I was able to exchange our points to a fellow member that also owns at the Westin Kaanapali Villas. The resort is lovely and we had a one bedroom villa. This was perfect for our family. We, (me, DH and DS), normally stay in a one bedroom and this resort had a set up very similar to Disney villas. Full kitchen, well equipted, living room with sleeper sofa, bedroom with king size "heavenly bed" and great bathroom. There was that same floor plan that has the 2 entrance bathroom and the shutters from the bedroom to the bathroom, in front of the jacuzzzi. The bathroom was tremendous and the huge "heavenly" shower was larger than my 1/2 bath at home! The balcony (lanai) was very large. We had a 2nd floor, ocean view villa. The pool area was very nice, although not spectacular. The pool had a slide that my son (age 11) enjoyed. There were enough chaise lounges to go around, many with umbrellas and pool cabanas for rent. The beach was steps away...very convenient, and had canopied chaises for rent at $35 per day, discounted for additional days. The beach was narrow, but the sand perfect for castle building, and the snorkeling excellent. You can rent snorkel equiptment at the pool desk. Towels were plentiful. Bar service at the pool a bit slow, but yum, what a lava flow! There were gas grills to use and tables near that area. We did not use them but many families did. It's a nice way to save on eating out without really eating in. The concierge desk was very helpful when we needed their services. The atrium lobby was beautiful and in that area was a grocery/sundry/gift shop and the kids club. As a guest/owner you have access to the facilities of the other Westin, the Sheraton or Kapalua. A shuttle was provided to the other Westin or Sheraton. This was very convenient for the evenings we wanted to be down by Whalers Village (I think that's the name of the shopping/restaurant complex), but didn't want to take the car. I liked the location of the resort a lot because it's quite seperated from that strip of all the other hotels. Less people, more relaxing. There is still construction going on here. The building we were in opened in the fall. Building 2 is under consruction followed by building 3. After it's all completed, I think the pool area will be over crowded. I don't know if another pool is planned. An amenity I LOVED about the resort was the facilities they had for guests that had to check out but had late flights. There were facilities to check luggage, a lounge and showers! What a great way to get the most out of that last day! The resort had one restaurant/pool grill. Limited menu but fine for breakfast, poolside lunch or occasional dinner. I hope I didn't leave anything out. It was a great trade for us and I'm glad we have the rent/trade board to help us make some trade contacts.
As far as activities: We did the sunrise at Haleakala, drove the road to Hana, the luau at the Marriott, a sunset catamaran trip, the Maui Ocean Center, explored the Iao Valley, star tours at the Hyatt (star gazing from the roof). dinners & shopping at Lahaina, watched the surfers and made time for lots of beach and pool.
For week two we used the Concierge Collection and stayed at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island. We booked 5 nights and got one night free. I saw this resort featured on the travel channel and thought it was spectacular but worried it was a bit hoity toity for us. I believe a past poster expressed this sentiment, but found it was not an issue. Same for us. It was very upscale and had a more laid back, sophisticated atmosphere, but at the same time, we never felt like we didn't belong here. We pulled up to valet parking and a greeter that presented us each with a lai . We were seated at a desk for check in and served chilled juice. We had a mountain view room to conserve points but if I did it over I'd splurge for the ocean front. The room itself was large. There were 2 double beds (would have preferred queen), a seating area, a closet that held a mini fridge, and coffee machine (coffee, sugar and creamer refilled daily), plenty of closet space and a big bathroom. It had a shower and also a tub with shower, large double vanity and seperate toilet closet. There was a ironing board and and iron in the room. I always find that convenient. The t.v. was equipted with nintendo and pay for view movies. Maid service twice daily, sheets changed daily. Chocolates and flowers on the pillows in the evening. The atrium lobby and grounds simply spectacular. Traditional Hawaiian music/dance in the evenings. Fish ponds inside and out were lovely. A few times a week they had a fish feeding tour which we all enjoyed, as well as an historic fish pond tour that I found very interesting, but DH and DS passed on. Bikes are available to rent. The pool area was simple but very pretty. There was a seperate hot tub for kids/families that had lower temps. I thought that was a great idea! When you went down to the beach an attendant would greet you and escort you to a set of canopied chaises which he would cover up with towels for you. What a nice luxury and although there was no charge, we tipped generously for the way they spoiled us. Mid morning they would come by with frozen grapes...how refreshing! And when the sun was high in the sky, they came by with cold towels! There was free rental of snorkel equiptment, a big box of sand toys for the kids. Oh how I loved this place!!! There were 4 or 5 different restaurants...very pricey in my opinion, so we didn't always eat in them. But the Canoe House was delicious. I would stay here again if we return to the Big Island. Not the place to go if your looking for a busy, high energy resort but if your looking for relaxation and pampering this is the place. I have read in travel mags that the spa is top notch but I did not try it. It's a romantic resort and think it's perfect for a honeymoon or special anniversary.
Activities: All day hike at Volcanoes National Park (saw the Lava flowing into the sea....WOW), helicopter tour of waterfalls and volcano, day in Hilo, evening in Kona, explored petroglyph areas, Place of Refuge, and lots of time at the lovely beach in my canopy chair munching on frozen grapes.
Sorry this got rather long....thanks for reading!
Andrea
We left on June 19th for Maui. Thanks to the Rent and Trade board, I was able to exchange our points to a fellow member that also owns at the Westin Kaanapali Villas. The resort is lovely and we had a one bedroom villa. This was perfect for our family. We, (me, DH and DS), normally stay in a one bedroom and this resort had a set up very similar to Disney villas. Full kitchen, well equipted, living room with sleeper sofa, bedroom with king size "heavenly bed" and great bathroom. There was that same floor plan that has the 2 entrance bathroom and the shutters from the bedroom to the bathroom, in front of the jacuzzzi. The bathroom was tremendous and the huge "heavenly" shower was larger than my 1/2 bath at home! The balcony (lanai) was very large. We had a 2nd floor, ocean view villa. The pool area was very nice, although not spectacular. The pool had a slide that my son (age 11) enjoyed. There were enough chaise lounges to go around, many with umbrellas and pool cabanas for rent. The beach was steps away...very convenient, and had canopied chaises for rent at $35 per day, discounted for additional days. The beach was narrow, but the sand perfect for castle building, and the snorkeling excellent. You can rent snorkel equiptment at the pool desk. Towels were plentiful. Bar service at the pool a bit slow, but yum, what a lava flow! There were gas grills to use and tables near that area. We did not use them but many families did. It's a nice way to save on eating out without really eating in. The concierge desk was very helpful when we needed their services. The atrium lobby was beautiful and in that area was a grocery/sundry/gift shop and the kids club. As a guest/owner you have access to the facilities of the other Westin, the Sheraton or Kapalua. A shuttle was provided to the other Westin or Sheraton. This was very convenient for the evenings we wanted to be down by Whalers Village (I think that's the name of the shopping/restaurant complex), but didn't want to take the car. I liked the location of the resort a lot because it's quite seperated from that strip of all the other hotels. Less people, more relaxing. There is still construction going on here. The building we were in opened in the fall. Building 2 is under consruction followed by building 3. After it's all completed, I think the pool area will be over crowded. I don't know if another pool is planned. An amenity I LOVED about the resort was the facilities they had for guests that had to check out but had late flights. There were facilities to check luggage, a lounge and showers! What a great way to get the most out of that last day! The resort had one restaurant/pool grill. Limited menu but fine for breakfast, poolside lunch or occasional dinner. I hope I didn't leave anything out. It was a great trade for us and I'm glad we have the rent/trade board to help us make some trade contacts.
As far as activities: We did the sunrise at Haleakala, drove the road to Hana, the luau at the Marriott, a sunset catamaran trip, the Maui Ocean Center, explored the Iao Valley, star tours at the Hyatt (star gazing from the roof). dinners & shopping at Lahaina, watched the surfers and made time for lots of beach and pool.
For week two we used the Concierge Collection and stayed at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island. We booked 5 nights and got one night free. I saw this resort featured on the travel channel and thought it was spectacular but worried it was a bit hoity toity for us. I believe a past poster expressed this sentiment, but found it was not an issue. Same for us. It was very upscale and had a more laid back, sophisticated atmosphere, but at the same time, we never felt like we didn't belong here. We pulled up to valet parking and a greeter that presented us each with a lai . We were seated at a desk for check in and served chilled juice. We had a mountain view room to conserve points but if I did it over I'd splurge for the ocean front. The room itself was large. There were 2 double beds (would have preferred queen), a seating area, a closet that held a mini fridge, and coffee machine (coffee, sugar and creamer refilled daily), plenty of closet space and a big bathroom. It had a shower and also a tub with shower, large double vanity and seperate toilet closet. There was a ironing board and and iron in the room. I always find that convenient. The t.v. was equipted with nintendo and pay for view movies. Maid service twice daily, sheets changed daily. Chocolates and flowers on the pillows in the evening. The atrium lobby and grounds simply spectacular. Traditional Hawaiian music/dance in the evenings. Fish ponds inside and out were lovely. A few times a week they had a fish feeding tour which we all enjoyed, as well as an historic fish pond tour that I found very interesting, but DH and DS passed on. Bikes are available to rent. The pool area was simple but very pretty. There was a seperate hot tub for kids/families that had lower temps. I thought that was a great idea! When you went down to the beach an attendant would greet you and escort you to a set of canopied chaises which he would cover up with towels for you. What a nice luxury and although there was no charge, we tipped generously for the way they spoiled us. Mid morning they would come by with frozen grapes...how refreshing! And when the sun was high in the sky, they came by with cold towels! There was free rental of snorkel equiptment, a big box of sand toys for the kids. Oh how I loved this place!!! There were 4 or 5 different restaurants...very pricey in my opinion, so we didn't always eat in them. But the Canoe House was delicious. I would stay here again if we return to the Big Island. Not the place to go if your looking for a busy, high energy resort but if your looking for relaxation and pampering this is the place. I have read in travel mags that the spa is top notch but I did not try it. It's a romantic resort and think it's perfect for a honeymoon or special anniversary.
Activities: All day hike at Volcanoes National Park (saw the Lava flowing into the sea....WOW), helicopter tour of waterfalls and volcano, day in Hilo, evening in Kona, explored petroglyph areas, Place of Refuge, and lots of time at the lovely beach in my canopy chair munching on frozen grapes.
Sorry this got rather long....thanks for reading!
Andrea
