Hawaii

[spedtcr]

Anyone been to Hawaii with their points? Anyone trade w/o DVC help?

 

[Dean]

We went for 2 weeks in 2002. Ended up with 2 one BR units at the Embassy Maui and a 2 BR at the Embassy on Kauai. The Maui units were both received through San Francisco Exchange (an independent exchange company). The Kauai unit was a direct exchange for DVC points (168) but was then offered as a rental for $900 so I took that option.

Direct exchanges can be the best option for many reasons. Good luck.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We did our Hawaii exchange directly through DVC. It was very fast and very easy, and we loved the Kona Coast II resort on the Big Island. We requested any size unit that would acommodate 4 people on any island 2 years out, and got our exchange of a 1 bedroom 2 bath unit in just 5 days. That gave us plenty of time to search for airfare etc. It cost us only 160 points!

 

[TnRobin]

We have a trade planned for next summer with a Hilton Grand Vacation Club member. We are getting a 2BR at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Wiakiki Beach in exchange for a 1BR at BWV. I have friends stay at this resort and it was highly recommended to me.

Robin

 

[WolfpackFan]

Has anyone heard if the new Marriott resort on Oahu will be a trade possibility? I thought I read here a while back that it might be offered. I wonder if any progress has been made on it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you have never been to Hawaii before, be sure you know what you want to see and which islands you want to visit. We have been to Hawaii several times, so when we did our DVC exchange, we knew we wanted either Kauai, Hawaii, or Maui. We usually start and end our trips on Oahu (Honolulu/Waikiki), so we knew we didn't want a whole week there. If this is a first trip, I would recommend a few days on Oahu to aclimate and see the historic sights there, and maybe the Polynesian Cultural Center etc. Then I would choose the one other island you are most anxious to see, and spend your week exchange there.

We did two exchanges, so 1 week on the Big Island of Hawaii from our DVC, and 1 week on Kauai on our friend's gold Crown resort exchange.

We really like the Big Island of Hawaii, but Maui and Kauai are a very close second for us, with no real preference. If you are golfers, Maui has an edge. Kaui and Hawaii are the most laid back and relaxing, and Maui has the best of both worlds and is a little more upscale. Oahu is really a big city and not so relaxing, but has lots to do. If you want to see volcanos, you have to hit Hawaii. Some like to take day trips to the outer islands, but that is a hectic day with flights etc.

 

[jcanary]

and what the family is like. We went two years ago and I had two teenage daughters and Oahu was for them. They loved a week there and would not think of any other island. My girls loved the beach, did surfing lessons, etc. I did not exchange but found someone on some of the rental websites, do a search and you will found a number of them, We stayed at the Imperial of Waikiki. I knew I wanted to be near the beach. It was nice, not Great, but it was close to the action of downtown where the girls could walk themselves, there was an ABC store downstairs and we were like 100 feet from the beach. We were in a 1 bedroom on the 24th floor and it was great. With my family likes, I would spend the week at Oahu and then maybe three days in one of the other islands. This is what I mean by knowing what your family or traveling companions like. We are not big on tours, my DH and I went on the tours on Maui and Oahu when we were there in 1990 and my daughters would want the beach and action and would not enjoy the tours. Good luck planning but make sure you check the web for rentals. We met a very nice couple that we rented from and we actually got to meet them when we stopped in Calif. on our way home. We are from the east coast.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The great thing about planning a Hawaii trip is that there is a TON of information out there! It is one of the easier places to learn lots about before you go. If you are willing to do a little research, you will be able to decide the best destination for you. I just wanted to discourage day trips, because we found them way to hectic to be useful. By the time you fly to another island and then try to tour and fly back, you really don't get a good chance to see things.

Jcanary is right about preferences differing. Just like DVC, we all have different expectations when we travel. The good thing is, that Hawaii has the most accessible information around! The trouble is trying to wade through it all!
BTW, if you opt for shorter trips on the outer islands, there are some really GREAT B&B's to stay in!

 

[OKW Gram]

I just sent my son and his bride to Maui for a week at the Kapalua Bay Resort. The deal was 7 nights for the price of 6 and it included a breakfast buffet with the room.

I just picked them up at the airport the other day and they said they had a wonderful time. The resort was beautiful. He said he wished he were a golfer just because the course was so beautiful. They has a partial ocean view from their room and both thought the accommodations were beautiful although pricey

I wound up spending almost 300 points to send them there but it's a once in a lifetime gift. Using the Concierge collection allowed them to schedule their nights on their time frame (they got married on a Saturday and left for Hawaii Monday morning). I'm pretty sure if they did an exchange they would have had checkin either Friday or Saturday and that just wouldn't have worked for them.

They did say that they heard some people talking about the price of rooms and it seems that they are more reasonable (at least right now) that what we pay points wise. But that's a given in the Concierge and I couldn't have done this for them if I were to have to come up with the cash right now.

Anyway, the honeymoon was a success and they loved Maui (just hated to have to come back to reality!).

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm pretty sure if they did an exchange they would have had checkin either Friday or Saturday and that just wouldn't have worked for them.

Actually, an exchange can go any dates you want. We did ours Thursday to Thursday on both resorts.

 

[NCRedding]

We're planning a trip to Hawaii, not using points. Can someone point me to some websites for research?? Thanks in advance.

 

[Dean]

I'd expect both new Marriott's be added to the list but when is a mystery. Call DVC, it's possible they already have, if not, ask them to.

 

[Disney-Kim]

When I called last week DVC had nothing open for 2004 or 2005 but we could be on a waitlist and they would call. I have not waitlisted yet because we are not sure that is where we are going now.

 

[jkh43]

I would reccomend that anyone who would like to visit Hawaii rent a unit from other owners. One of the best places to do this is at the TUG (Timeshare User Group) website at www.tug2.net

Look under the classifieds in the "rental" section for Hawaii and you will see tons of great units that you can rent for between $500-$1200 for a week. I am new to DVC (not a member) but it seems to me that using points to trade is the worst thing to do with the points. For example, if you had 160 points, you could rent them for $10 each and then rent a very nice condo/resort in Hawaii and come out $600-$1000 ahead.

If you are willing to travel on short notice, even better deals can be found. Look at the "Last minute rental" section of the Tug BBS and you will see some incredible deals, for Hawaii and everywhere else in the world.

Hope this can help someone. We have been to Hawaii (Kauai) twice and stayed at amazing places and both time paid under $1000/couple total for airfare and accomodations.

Feel free to email or PM me with any questions.

 

[TnRobin]

We used the TUG also to hook up with the people for our trip. While I respect JKH opinion on renting and then paying cash. I like not having to deal with the stress of renting out the points. I am happy in the fact that our 2BR at the Hilton would have cost us over $500 a night (based on a special rate from Hilton.com). That is about $4500 just for the room. My 1Br at BWV is just 270 points.

JKH is right that I could have probably rented it from an owner for cash for less than the $4500 Hilton rate (like we do with the DVC resorts), but I don't want to deal with the hassle.

 

[travelbug]

I used points last year to stay 8 nights at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island. Had a fabulous time, and would love to go back.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Originally posted by travelbug
I used points last year to stay 8 nights at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island. Had a fabulous time, and would love to go back.

Travelbug - Could you talk a little bit about the location of the Mauna Lani and what is close to it? What is there in the area to do and see? The Mauna Lani is our first choice if we don't do an II exchange.