Hawaii-which resort?

[Merilyn]

We are thinking about a trade to Hawaii. We have never been and need lots of help. There are 8 of us and we need the nicest place with the fewest points. I was on Tug yesterday and some of the trades Disney offers sounded rather old and not well kept. Are there any 2 bedroom places on islands with lots to do? Are the concierge Hawaii collections only hotel rooms? At 60 points per night for a hotel room, we would use a lot of points for 8 people. Do the rooms hold 4 people? I am not opposed to hotel rooms but a condo with a kitchen would be nice. Thanks for any help you all can give. We don't want to spend a lot on airfare and then be unhappy with our trade. I forgot to list an air conditioner is a must.

 

[TnRobin]

Yes the concierge collection is just hotel room, but they are some of the best accomadations on the islands. If you go this option, be sure to ask MS about any special. When we were looking last year, there were special for less points than was published and they included spa treatments. The rooms do accomadate 4 people.

As for the II exchanges - I have limited my request with MS to just those 4 resorts that are ranked high with TUG - Both the Marriott resorts, Hanalea Bay Resort and the Kona Coast resorts. I hear the Marriott one don't have a full kitchen, but they are suppose to be very nice. (I am tempted to include the Maui Schooner as the recent reports on it seem to indicate it has been renovated and is now very nice.)

 

[Dean]

TnRobin, the new Marriott resort on Kauai has opened and I'd expect it to be added to the DVC list very soon if it hasn't been already. Call ir email DVC and ask them. It is all 2 BR with full kitchens.

Both of the other Marriott's are a mini kitchen, not that much different that the OKW studios. Hanalei Bay has beautiful views but the 1 BR units there are also mini kitchens and the 1 BR tend not to have very good views. Getting a 2 BR in HI can be almost impossible through II, you'll likely have to get 2 one BR units or rent a condo. Most of the resorts on the II list other than those listed above are below DVC standards and not worth an even exchange. Even KCR is not a good exchange because it is so easy to get by other means much more cheaply.

Other resorts I'd add to the list for Maui would be the Westin if and when it opens, the Embassy and the Whaler. Maui Lei is also a good choice. The Schooner, SOK, Papakea and the like though worth considering, aren't worth an even exchange. For Kauai, add the Shearwater and the Embassy, Lawaii beach is very iffy as is the Cliff's club and some of the other Pahio resorts. For Oahu the new Marriott there should be added soon if it hasn't already and the Hilton is worth considering.

 

[sratay]

We plan on going to Hawaii in a couple of years using our points, but not in the conventional way. Your points will go a lot further and give you more options if you rent out your points and then use the revenue to rent condos on your own. There are literally hundreds of websites and thousands of condos available for Hawaii. The website I use is www.vrbo.com. For example - 250 points you could get around $2500 to use to secure reservations. By doing this on your own you aren't tied down to one week intervals or just a few choices on each island and can even easily get 3 BR condos for the 8 of you. Good luck and let us know how things go.
Steve in Iowa