You're very welcome. One thing to point out is that you have two tiers of resorts. With that match you will get KCR essentially guaranteed. If that's acceptable to you then you are all set, if not you may want to reconsider. IF you placed KCR on your list simply because you needed 3, let me know and I'll give you suggestions how to work around this if you want. Good luck and please let the group know back how things go. The one thing that's lacking is direct end point experience. Good luck.
I'm glad this thread popped up because I can add direct end point experience here rather than in a new thread.
The background for my experience is that DW, DD, and I were going to Hawaii anyway this summer as a 20th anniversary trip, regardless of our exchange success. A couple of years ago, I initiated a Hawaii search using exactly the strategy that Dean has outlined in this thread and others. The time frame for my search was anytime from June 1 through the 3rd week of August. The resorts that I listed were the Westin, Marriott, and Sunterra on Maui and, on Kauai, the older Marriott and Sunterra. Our intention was to visit the Big Island for a week because this is our (DW and I) favorite Hawaiian Island and then visit Maui or Kauai for a week. I intiated the search as soon as I was within the 2-year window for our dates. A match for the 1st week of June for the Sunterra Ka'anapli Beach Club was made about 7 and 1/2 months prior to our just concluded trip. Specifically, we traveled to the Big Island for 5/25 - 6/1 and Maui for 6/1 - 6/8.
1st with respect to the Big Island: We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village for a week. I have also stayed at the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort previously and consider the Hilton to be a much nicer property. The advantage of the Marriott is that it is right on A-Bay (i.e., a beach) whereas the Hilton has no real beach. Rather, the Hilton has 2 large pools and a man-made ocean fed lagoon with a man-made beach. The ocean fish come and go as they please in the lagoon so this is Hilton's beach substitute. The Hilton also has a Dolphin lagoon where you can swim with the dolphins for a small (
) fee. We really liked the Hilton and would readily stay there again. I know that many like the Kona Coast I and II resorts, but we would probably not stay at those on future trips unless our focus was golf or other non-beach activities because you'll need to drive to the beach. Moreover, the closest beaches are not the best beaches on the Big Island IMO. IMO, A-Bay as well as Hapuna Beach are two of the nicest beaches on this Island and they are much easier to get to from the Kohala Resorts. YMMV. BTW, the Hilton staff were courteous, efficient, professional, and extremely accommodating when we had to deal with a minor travel glitch.
With respect to the Sunterra on Maui...First, be aware that despite the name, the Sunterra is located north of Ka'anapali Beach. It would be more accurate to describe it as being on North Beach between Kahekili Beach Park and Honokowai Beach Park. We thought it was a nice beach, but if you stay anywhere in this area do not venture into the water without reef shoes because the lava rocks / reefs may do a number on any unprotected feet. Seaweed can also be a problem at some of the beaches in this area but we had no issues with seaweed during our visit. The location of the property is, in general, a good one in the sense that the Ka'anapali Beach Resort area with Whaler's Village shopping, and Lahaina town (shopping and dining) are a quick drive away.
Check-in was quick, efficient, and glitch free. As I expected, we received a mountain view rather than a beach view. The 1-BDR suites are generally well appointed, but be aware that this property does not have full kitchen facilities in that there is no range or oven. The units also do not have washers and dryers. One washer and two dryers are located on every other floor of the property. We didn't have any problems using the washers and dryers on our floor which was a necessity because we didn't bother to do laundry during our week on the Big Island.
Before and after the fact, I consider the Sunterra a fair trade for 160 DVC points. However, she who must be obeyed disagreed ex post. Her last comment at check-out was that this property had the most disgustingly filty carpet she has ever seen in a hotel room (and she has been to most places that I've only read about!) Other factors that some may find relevant: 1) some common areas are in need of painting or cleaning or general TLC; and 2) more significantly in my mind, the pool's plaster has eroded away in a number of places, exposing the underlying gunnite. To me, the latter is indicative of either inattentiveness or unwillingness to do necessary maintenance. I was and still am satisfied with this trade and am glad we stayed there on this trip. The same is true for DW. However, when I asked her whether she would be willing to exchange 160 DVC points for another stay at this Sunterra, her answer was "probably not." I think I probably agree with her too (i.e., glad I did it but probably won't do it again for this particular property). Since Sunterra acquired the Hawaii Embassy properties less than a year ago, I think it remains to be see how committed they will be to the maintenance of these properties.
Bottom line summary: I think the Maui Sunterra is currently a fair value trade, but DW did not think so.
If anyone has questions about this particular property, I'll do my best to answer them.
