Just back from Hawaii Exchange

[Boo]

These were DVC points well exchanged!!! We had a 2br for 263 in gorgeous Princeville Kauai (north side). I'm not quite sure of the logistics, but DVC called the exchange Club Intrawest, but the resort name is actually Pahio at Bali Hai (in case you want to check it out on tug). Club Intrawest must lease some of the availability. The grounds were beautifully landscaped with waterfalls. The pool was the best part with waterfalls (even better than Poly!). The hot tub complete with waterfall also had a sand bottom. And the kiddie pool was an extension of the main pool separated by a man made "reef" and it too had a sand bottom. I wish I could attach pix because it really was something! Very accomodating staff- we called for some baking pans and they went out and bought them! There wasn't an ocean view because we were set too far back on the cliffs, but to be honest- we didn't miss it because the mountain view was so beautiful. We could see Bali Hai from South Pacific and numerous waterfalls running of the mountains. There was no a/c but it wasn't needed at all- the floor plans allow for the breezes all day. I would highly recommend this to anyone considering a Hawaii/ Kauai exchange. We drove past the Cliffs resort and they did not look nearly as nice. They were the first match offered from MS that we turned down. In short, Very comfortable rooms, well equipped kitchen, outstanding views of both resort and natural landscaping. Anyone going to Kauai MUST do the helicopter ride- Inter Islands that has no doors and lands at a waterfall for lunch. Unbelievable!!!

Mahalo!
Laurie

 

[Tomskatt]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!! Now that's living!! How many nights did 263 buy you?! Oh I wanna go!!!!!!!!

Kathy

 

[Boo]

sorry, should have mentioned that we stayed for a week- Sunday to Sunday.

 

[prncssjas]

Your trip sounds dreamy!! Glad you had a wonderful time. Welcome back!

 

[Andrea T]

Thanks for the info you posted...Hawaii is on our "To Go" list! Glad your exchange was wonderful!

 

[Denine]

Sounds positively wonderful!!

 

[Lisa P.]

Thank you for posting your experience, Boo! Here's a link to a related thread for anyone interested in a vacation at this resort next summer. This resort is one of those showing current availability for an RCI exchange for July 2002. Guests at Pahio resorts located near one another are permitted access to the pools at their sister resorts. A DVC'er would need to act quickly to get a great deal (just 200 DVC points) if you are seriously interested, since the Pahio resorts bulk spacebank a year ahead and when they are gone, they're gone.

DIS thread: Kauai July 2002 for 200 DVC points?

Lisa P. potter@a-o.com

 

[TnRobin]

Boo,

Thanks for the great information. We are planning on exchanging for hawaii in a few years.

If you have your pictures on a website, I can help you make a link or even display a few here on this thread. I would so love to see the resort

 

[ng6ny]

Here's a link http://www.pahio.com/pahio.htm to the resorts which has more pictures and floorplan. Select the Bali Hai resort. Ran across a 2 bdrm resale for every even year, and now the dilemma is whether to wait for BCV and buy extra points or this resale.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for posting! We have an exchange planned to the big island of Hawaii in April. We got a week in an expanded 1 bedroom for 160 points. We have been to Hawaii many times before, but this will be the first time as a DVC exchange.

 

[thepoohbear]

Aloha! We just got back from Hawaii too but our request for an exchange didn't work out. We wanted our anniversary and very specific things so I guess we were just asking for too much. Kauai is the most beautiful island and a well-kept secret I think. I was afraid to take that helicopter trip though! Maybe next time. Anyway, so glad you had a wonderful trip.
Mahalo

 

[deerh]

Sounds great! Hawaii is on our "to do" list as well!!!!!
deerh

 

[Dean]

Note: Intrawest only does Sun-Sun if anyone is thinking of exchanging there.

 

[Lisa P.]

I wonder, Dean, if Intrawest only has a certain building or something, then. We have a 2-BR week booked there for July 4th check-in (a Thursday), through RCI. Seemed like a good day for either adding a few days on another island before/after or getting a midweek airfare deal.

 

[BillPA]

Diane,
What is an expanded 1 BR? We're looking to go with another couple (4 adults), would the expanded 1 BR be set up for that? Where are you staying on the Big Island? Did it take long to get the swap? I assume it was with II. Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[badeacon]

We also exchanged to hawaii in june and stayed at Mauni lani on hawaii and kapalua bay on maui. Mauni lani was fantastic and Kapalua was nice but it seemed they identified us as DVC and treated as 2nd class citizens. tried to make us stay in handicapped room which had less closet space and smaller corner room and no tub. took some doing to get to change rooms and then bottom floor room with no view. At Mauni lani they treated us great and couldn't do enough for you but at Kapalua bay at the desk i was identified as DVC and like they were doing me a favor. I hope disney looks into this.

 

[babylisa4]

We go in two weeks for an exchange at Kapalua. I'm afraid I'm going to be disappointed. I plan to write member services right away concerning your issue at the hotel? Can you provide any other things I should know about Kapalua? Good places to eat etc. Beach activities etc. What all is right by the hotel to do? Our room is supposed to have two double beds but we'd like to get a rollaway. Is there enough space in the room? Is there a frig? I'd be interested in any info. Thanks

 

[badeacon]

In spite of my comments Kapalua Bay is a beautiful property and you should have a great time. I think we were comparing it to Mauni Lani. rooms are large enough for rollaway bed if available. We had 2A&2C in 2 double beds. no refrig just mini bar. Snorkeling is great onsite but rent snorkel gear off site much cheaper. The food in hawaii is very expensive as i spent a lot more than i anticipated. We did Old Lahaina Luau one night very good. we ate at Plantation house Resturant which is a great one if you like good seafood and wine. My wife and i played golf one day. also did horseback riding for 21/2 hrs went from clouds in west maui mountains to beach only bad thing was this took 1 hr to drive to .you definitely need car on Maui.

 

[thepoohbear]

Hi. We also did the Old Lahaina Luau and enjoyed it very much. It is expensive though and there are cheaper ones but I don't know how good they are. This was the most expensive one we've been too but everyone agreed it was worth it. We also took a snorkel trip with The Pacific Whale Foundation. This was fantastic. Everyone voted this our best day of the whole trip. But if anyone gets seasick, bring some kind of motion sickness remedy. I used the patch (prescription) and it worked great. If you want to book activities ahead of time, I booked through a guy named Kevin Ditamore at Activity Warehouse. I tried some other activity brokers too and things did not work out very well with them. He was really helpful and if there are things you really have your heart set on doing, you should book before you leave home. You can also stop in to see him once you get there and he can book things then too. You can also call the places direct but if you are unsure, we found him to be very honest about the various choices. Let me know if you want his phone number, Email address, etc. By the way, I don't actually "know" this guy, I just had a good experience with him and bad experiences that could have really messed up my vacation with two others. If you are going to spend all that money to go to Hawaii, you don't want that kind of hassle.
As far as renting a car, I think it's a good idea. There is lots to see on Maui and if you want to see it all it would be cheaper to rent a car than to take a bunch of tours from place to place.
Also, I agree with renting snorkel stuff off-sight. They also have ABC stores all over that sell it pretty cheap if you want to look into that. If you are just going once on a snorkel trip, though, they provide the equipment for you.
I feel like I've given you WAY more information than you really wanted to I'll stop here but if you have more questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

 

[Dean]

Lisa, I think there are three different timeshares in that property. I don't know the checkin of the other 2. We're at HH for 2 weeks so might take me a few days to get back to this thread.