II Exchange Pono Kai Resort - Kauai ?

[ACDSNY]

I came home to a message from DVC on my exchange search for Kauai, they have a 2 bedroom at Pono Kai Resort for 12/6 - 12/13/08 available. Has anyone stayed at this resort? I'm trying to decide if I'll accept this or continue with our search for the Marriott's.

My first impression after doing a couple of internet searches is that it's not a fair trade for 270 points. Any comments?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Haven't stayed there, but I have seen it. I'm not sure it's a good trade for DVC. I love the area, but that resort didn't impress me.

 

[tomandrobin]

Well on another Timeshare board, the resort ranks 11th out of 26. Its not gold crown rated, but Resort of International Distinction (second tier). The resort look a little dated and doesn't have a nice pool/water features like the newer resorts. Also, I checked rental prices at another site, you could rent your DVC points and get two 2 bedrooms for the asking rental rates.

Not worth the 270 points!

FYI - I did a Kauai and Maui search on II this morning. Not much there and what is available is for April/May.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I totally agree, Tomandrobin! We actually toured it when we were there a couple years ago, and I didn't even think it was worth the really cheap price we could have gotten it for.

 

[ACDSNY]

Thanks for confirming what I thought. I'll hold out a little longer.

 

[kenny]

270pts? I am new and confused. I thought the II trades were 160pts for 1 week. Where did the 270 come from or what am I missing?

 

[bwvBound]

270pts? I am new and confused. I thought the II trades were 160pts for 1 week. Where did the 270 come from or what am I missing?

The OP is exchanging for a 2BR unit.

 

[tomandrobin]

270pts? I am new and confused. I thought the II trades were 160pts for 1 week. Where did the 270 come from or what am I missing?

160 points is for a one bedroom, at peak times for an exchange.

 

[kenny]

looked at the worng column. Thanks

 

[Dean]

Thanks for confirming what I thought. I'll hold out a little longer.

I assume this was not on your request list and they happened to offer it as an additional option otherwise you'd have been stuck. Keep checking to see if they add the Westin. Otherwise I'd only accept the Marriott's and The Point for Kauai given the DVC points required. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at PK but not for DVC points worth $2-3K.

 

[ACDSNY]

I assume this was not on your request list and they happened to offer it as an additional option otherwise you'd have been stuck. Keep checking to see if they add the Westin. Otherwise I'd only accept the Marriott's and The Point for Kauai given the DVC points required. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at PK but not for DVC points worth $2-3K.

You're right it wasn't on our search, DVC wanted to know if we would except an alternative. I'm keeping an eye out for the Westin and I'll add it once it pops up. I've added Apr & May 2009 to our search too and said we'd accept a 1 or 2 bedroom. My sister and brother-in-law will just be out of luck if the 1 bedroom comes up.

 

[Dean]

You're right it wasn't on our search, DVC wanted to know if we would except an alternative. I'm keeping an eye out for the Westin and I'll add it once it pops up. I've added Apr & May 2009 to our search too and said we'd accept a 1 or 2 bedroom. My sister and brother-in-law will just be out of luck if the 1 bedroom comes up.

I assume your search is officially for a 2 BR unit. If you accept a 1 BR, just make sure it's not for the higher 2 BR points costs.

 

[ccigliano]

If you'd like to stay on Kauai and a 2 bedroom match comes up for Hanalei Bay Resort - take it. It is gold crown and I own there and love the property. The location is better than both the Marriotts on Kauai as it's right in Princeville on Hanalei Bay. It is the most beautiful view I have ever seen and most of the two bedrooms have spectacular views of Bali Hai flowing into the ocean. The 2 bedroom units are spacious and well equipped with everything you'll need. They have master suites with a king size bed, the second bedroom with two queens and a murphy bed in the livingroom. I have even seen a whale and calf swimming in the bay from my balcony. BBQs are available and cleaned daily so I highly recommend picking up some steaks. The grounds are typical Hawaii with plumeria and bouganvilla and the overall tropical feel and the pool is gorgeous. Good Luck.

 

[Dean]

If you'd like to stay on Kauai and a 2 bedroom match comes up for Hanalei Bay Resort - take it. It is gold crown and I own there and love the property. The location is better than both the Marriotts on Kauai as it's right in Princeville on Hanalei Bay. It is the most beautiful view I have ever seen and most of the two bedrooms have spectacular views of Bali Hai flowing into the ocean. The 2 bedroom units are spacious and well equipped with everything you'll need. They have master suites with a king size bed, the second bedroom with two queens and a murphy bed in the livingroom. I have even seen a whale and calf swimming in the bay from my balcony. BBQs are available and cleaned daily so I highly recommend picking up some steaks. The grounds are typical Hawaii with plumeria and bouganvilla and the overall tropical feel and the pool is gorgeous. Good Luck.

Unfortunately the units given to exchangers don't generally meet those standards, esp the 1 BR units. There have been a number of horror stories including DVC members that exchanged to there. The location is good if you prefer the wetter portion of the island, the view totally dependent on the unit you get.

Actually it's not Gold Crown, GC is an RCI rating, my understanding is that HB is only II. And in II, it wasn't 5* the last couple of years. II just redid their classifications (within the last couple weeks) and changed from 5*/standard to a 3 tier system of Premier/Select/Standard. Within the new system it's select. BTW, the resort awards are currently showing up on the DVC II exchange list right now, I expect that will change soon but we'll see.

 

[ACDSNY]

I assume your search is officially for a 2 BR unit. If you accept a 1 BR, just make sure it's not for the higher 2 BR points costs.

My original search was for a 1 BR, then we switched to 2BR and now I told them either one would do. Do I need to call again and verify how many points they would use? I just assumed if a 1 BR matched I'd only be charged 160 points.

 

[Dean]

My original search was for a 1 BR, then we switched to 2BR and now I told them either one would do. Do I need to call again and verify how many points they would use? I just assumed if a 1 BR matched I'd only be charged 160 points.

You will have a better chance of getting a 1 BR. I know if you're searching for a 1 BR and get a 2 BR, you pay the 1 BR points costs. The question your situation brought up, that I honestly do not know the answer for certain, is if you are searching for one thing and take something else that is less points, do you pay the higher costs you were searching for or the lower points what you accepted would be otherwise. My guess is you'd pay the lower costs in that situation but it'd be nice to be sure. Also, searching for one unit type and saying you'll take another is not the same as searching for the other. Your best chance of success is likely to have two searches. Assuming you don't have enough points to match both and you'd get your $95 fee back if you did match both but didn't have enough points, you might consider having both searches going. Remember II isn't simply holding units for DVC members, others are searching too and are likely to get the unit type that is not formally on your search even if it is in your comments.

 

[ACDSNY]

Thanks for the great advise Dean!

 

[tomandrobin]

Wasn't your original request for Kauai?

 

[cybertea201]

In the World Passport Collection Can you have 4 people in the one bedroom?

 

[ACDSNY]

Wasn't your original request for Kauai?

Yes our original request was for Kauai, last month I added the Marriott & Westin on Maui too.