Just Called MS re: Hawaii for 6/30 - am I crazy?

[uromac]

Hi Everyone - or Aloha!

I hope this is the right place to post this so here goes...to make a long story short - we're a family of four and for our kids graduation (ds HS and dd Middle School) we were planning to go on a cruise (Pride of America), but now are weighing the cost vs. travel expenses on just staying on one island (Maui?) and perhaps flying to another instead. I just called MS and put in a request for either the Westin, Marriott and Embassy on Maui (yes I know they're the most difficult to get ) for the week of 6/30. I know we probably won't get it through DVC so now I'm thinking TUG boards - that I've read about. How do you go about using those boards - do most of you do an exchange, rent out right, or put a "wanted to rent" ad. I realize we will have to become members of TUG in order to participate - are there any pitfalls, warning signs (too low a price, no postings other postings on TUG, etc..no member feedback?, etc..) Also any other websites we should look into ... Redweek, etc?.

I know there is some one named Dean out on the boards from my research on message threads on Hawaii searches who seems to be knowledgeable here on these boards - are you out there ? Or is anyone else out there who might know anything about doing this now that I've got the DVC thing down pretty well!

Thanks and Mahalo!

Melissa

 

[jekjones1558]

Dean is usually very generous with his wealth of info and hopefully he will post soon.
We love Hawaii and have considered a cruise but we would not like going back to a ship when staying on the gorgeous islands is so wonderful. However, if you just want a sample of several islands for a future stay on land, maybe a cruise would be fine.
If the exchange does not work out, here is a site from which we rented directly from owners:
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii
We were greatly pleased with the units we rented and they were much cheaper than staying in hotels. We also did not have to give up our treasured points. If the exchange does not work out, you could even rent out your points to get cash towards a direct rental.
Good luck. I hope to go back to Hawaii next year. It, along with WDW, are the two most magical places on earth. How wonderful to be giving such a special graduation gift!

 

[Anal Annie]

Aloha!
We're new to DVC so I have no advice about the trading thing but we LOVE Hawaii and that was one reason we bought DVC - our plan is to go every 5 years (have been 4 times now) and just went this past summer - so next time will be 2011. We have always island hopped before - but next time we plan to trade out for a week on Maui. We will start on it early 'cuz will want either the Marriott or the Westin (unless they add something else to choose from before then). I have stayed at the Marriott before...I don't think there's a bad view in the place - but that's been a long time ago. Good luck - hope you get it all worked out!
Aloha!

 

[byoung]

Wish you luck!

 

[barndweller]

I don't know if I can post a link here so I will just advise you to google TUG or Timeshare Users Group for the site. You are free to read the posts & classifieds without joining. If you want to post an ad for a direct trade or a rental wanted you must join ($15) or pay an ad fee ($?) It's a great site to learn about timesharing including DVC. Redweek is another good rental source but that one also costs about $15. I have rented from members at TUG and from Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO) another good source of private rentals. Or post a trade here on DIS on the rent/trade board. Many of us are Hawaii timeshare owners who are not DVC owners and would be interested in a trade. There was a Tugger named Denise who posted a want to trade ad a week ago or so who owns in Hawaii.

Hope this helps

 

[tomandrobin]

Good Luck for your request!!

 

[Dean]

Hi Everyone - or Aloha!

I hope this is the right place to post this so here goes...to make a long story short - we're a family of four and for our kids graduation (ds HS and dd Middle School) we were planning to go on a cruise (Pride of America), but now are weighing the cost vs. travel expenses on just staying on one island (Maui?) and perhaps flying to another instead. I just called MS and put in a request for either the Westin, Marriott and Embassy on Maui (yes I know they're the most difficult to get ) for the week of 6/30. I know we probably won't get it through DVC so now I'm thinking TUG boards - that I've read about. How do you go about using those boards - do most of you do an exchange, rent out right, or put a "wanted to rent" ad. I realize we will have to become members of TUG in order to participate - are there any pitfalls, warning signs (too low a price, no postings other postings on TUG, etc..no member feedback?, etc..) Also any other websites we should look into ... Redweek, etc?.

I know there is some one named Dean out on the boards from my research on message threads on Hawaii searches who seems to be knowledgeable here on these boards - are you out there ? Or is anyone else out there who might know anything about doing this now that I've got the DVC thing down pretty well!

Thanks and Mahalo!

Melissa

There are actually many options. When I set my sights on a high demand destination like HI, I try to give myself as many outs as I can. For a DVC member that would include a DVC exchange, direct exchange such as on TUG or redweeks, renting my points and renting the HI options and using independent exchange companies to trade outside the traditional exchange options. I generally run a daily II search for DVC resorts followed by HI resorts. I don't recall seeing anything for mid summer in the last year when I did that. Of course deposits go to existing requests first so they wouldn't necessarily show up on line.

For this summer I'd say your only real option of those you noted would be a 1 BR at the former Embassy. But it never hurts to ask to put in the request. If you do find anything it's likely to be inside the 60 day window and for HI, frequently within 1-2 weeks of arrival. Trading Places HI, Trading Places Int and San Francisco Exchange all get a fair amount of inventory at the former Embassy.

We are actually going next Jan/Feb and I got a Westin 1 BR through II. Now I'm searching both II and RCI for an Oahu week either before or after.

 

[disneydenisel]

I agree with Dean, have a lot of options. If an exchange doesn't come through, rentals are easy to come by.

In addition to the TUG Classifieds and redweek, I also would try craigslist for the SF Bay Area (lots of Maui owners live in CA or Hawaii. It's free to look and easy to search for Marriott, Westin, etc. There are SO many places on Maui to rent. Before we purchased at the Westin there, we used to rent condos that were reasonable and comfortable. Also, take a look at myresortnetwork. You will find many of the same units advertised there, on TUG, and on redweek (I know this because I am always looking for rentals, just for fun). I've been most successful finding rentals on craigslist!

Good luck!

 

[uromac]

Aloha -

Thanks everyone for your suggestions - I'm going to check out all those websites now! BTW, between the Marriott and the Westin on Maui which one would you choose and why - also 1 bedroom or studio, oceanview, oceanfront, or standard if you were renting? How do you know a reputable rental person - I trust the DIS board people and how do you determine a 'good' person to deal with on such a big risk? Thanks again!

Mahalo!

Melissa

 

[shellbelle1971]

Another vote in favor of myresortnetwork.com.

Also, I'd choose the Westin for the Heavenly Beds!

 

[hidisney]

I know that this is a little OT, but if you are interested in cheap interisland airfares, go to iflygo.com. They are the sister airlines (or whatever you call them) of Mesa Air. Just thought I'd let you know, in case you didn't already.

 

[tomandrobin]

Aloha -

Thanks everyone for your suggestions - I'm going to check out all those websites now! BTW, between the Marriott and the Westin on Maui which one would you choose and why - also 1 bedroom or studio, oceanview, oceanfront, or standard if you were renting? How do you know a reputable rental person - I trust the DIS board people and how do you determine a 'good' person to deal with on such a big risk? Thanks again!

Mahalo!

Melissa

Which ever one you can get first!

Actually my choice would be Westin OF (but unlilely to get). But I own in the Starwood system so my opinion is tainted. From what I know, they are both nice resorts. Westing is purpose built, I think the Marriott is a mix of conversion and new, but I am not sure. Either way I think you won't be disappointed, unless you get a highway or construction view.

 

[kem330]

We just came back from Maui. We have done the Marriott tour twice. They are now building a new tower that opens in July so you may have a chance to get in there. It is purpose built vs the rest of the resort which was converted from hotel rooms and does not have W/D or full kitchen. We stayed at the condos, Kaanapali Alii right next door. You can rent them from classicresorts.com or maui beachfront rentals. Marriott is also offering preview stays at the Alii so if you could snag one of those, you'd save a bit but are required to do the tour. The Alii rooms are very spacious and its less crowded than the Marriott, however the pool area is small and has no special features like the Marriott or Hyatt.

The Westin is up the road in Honokowai and the beach is not as nice as Kaanapali's in my opinion. Your kids would love the walk along Kaanapali, there is lots of action, Whalers Village, etc.

Remember Summer is high season in Hawaii so it might be easier to rent than exchange. A studio for 4 is like Disney, bed and pull out, so it depends how cozy you like to be. The Marriott Waiohai in Kauai is also a nice property but it is more laid back there. Aloha is competing with GO! we got interisland flights for $39 each way.
We go to Hawaii every year, so if you have any more questions just email me
kem330@aol.com

 

[Dean]

We just came back from Maui. We have done the Marriott tour twice. They are now building a new tower that opens in July so you may have a chance to get in there.

Unfortunately that won't work as that portion of the property will have a separate II code and that code itself must be added to the DVC list for a member to exchange. I just saw this in action with another member who wanted to exchange to Westin Kierland but since all the units showing up that would have worked were in the new section, DVC didn't show any availability even though there was a fair amount online with II. And that's true even though the resort would likely have assigned them to the old section had they been matches.

 

[dumbo71]

We just came back from Maui. We have done the Marriott tour twice.

Out of curiosity what is Marriott Maui ocean club going for these days per week?

 

[kem330]

Too many prices and variables to list, but the jist is floating weeks 2 BR ocean front is $66,000, fees $1647, $61,000 ocean view. BUT there are only 10 floating Ocean front 2 bedrooms so you better be on the ball if you want one at peak season. All the 3 bedrooms are fixed week oceanfront and run from 57,200 for week 48 floor, 2 to $117,000, week 52, floor 12. Fixed 2 BR ocean front are 43,500 - 95,000, Many of the weeks/units are sold out.

 

[tguy47]

Dean,

May I ask, how many DVC points does it take to exchange for a studio or 1BR at the Westin on Maui for next Feb?

Thanks

"We are actually going next Jan/Feb and I got a Westin 1 BR through II. Now I'm searching both II and RCI for an Oahu week either before or after."

 

[Dean]

Dean,

May I ask, how many DVC points does it take to exchange for a studio or 1BR at the Westin on Maui for next Feb?

Thanks

"We are actually going next Jan/Feb and I got a Westin 1 BR through II. Now I'm searching both II and RCI for an Oahu week either before or after."

That will all be high season or 134 for a studio and 160 for a 1 BR. I am actually not looking with DVC but with other II options plus RCI options, I cancelled my DVC request. And my Westin match was using a Bluegreen II deposit. Given the changes in the DVC exchange system a few years ago, I think it's tough to justify a studio exchange for 106-134 points. Under the old system it would have generally been 98-109 points for this exchange for high season and as low as 55 for low season.

Getting that exchange will be difficult. I feel very fortunate I got this exchange because it was a huge jump up in demand and resort quality from what I gave up. It appears Westin did what they call a bulk spacebank and this is possibly the reason I matched. That's where they throw a bunch of weeks into the system all at once. When that happens, it does two things. It tends to saturate the pending requests and it lowers the demand rating for the location & resort, temporarily in this case. I see the same thing searching II for DVC. When there are a number of weeks at a given resort, a given unit I have may pull that resort but not other DVC resorts even if weeks are available. In this case you've missed the bulk spacebank and thus a large percentage of the weeks that will be available this year are already gone. Just one more reason I've preached to search early, preferably a year or more out.

My other HI match also highlights some of the exchange issues. I deposited my Branson Marriott lockoff as a 1 BR and a studio separately. I then put in a request for HI for Sept for my daughter. I elected to search with the studio for any unit at acceptable resorts even for some mid level resorts that don't have studios that I've recommended DVC members not exchange to simply due to the cost and value of the exchange. In this case it would have return a reasonable value. I elected not to just list Marriott’s only on that exchange even though the exchange cost was higher listing non Marriott’s. If I had only listed Marriott’s it would have saved me money in that the exchange fee would have been less but I felt the increased chances of success justified the extra cost. For the remaining 1 BR Marriott deposit, I have only listed Marriott options partly because there are no other comparable resort on Oahu in II.

 

[tguy47]

Thanks for the reply. 160 pts/ week for next Feb 2008 seems like a good deal since rack rate is quoted as $800 night at the Westin kaanapali Ocean Resort villas. I've never done a timeshare exchange before. Can I...
1. just call member services and ask for this exchange.
2. Put a ad on TUG, (I've seen several Westin ads but not looking for DVC).
3. Does the Westin have an owner's group, or message board where you can propose a trade directly? (I noticed at least 1 Disboards user is an owner)

I'm not sure I'm savvy enough to do more than that. Even if it's low chance of success, I'm willing to give it a try.

thanks again

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the reply. 160 pts/ week for next Feb 2008 seems like a good deal since rack rate is quoted as $800 night at the Westin kaanapali Ocean Resort villas. I've never done a timeshare exchange before. Can I...
1. just call member services and ask for this exchange.
2. Put a ad on TUG, (I've seen several Westin ads but not looking for DVC).
3. Does the Westin have an owner's group, or message board where you can propose a trade directly? (I noticed at least 1 Disboards user is an owner)

I'm not sure I'm savvy enough to do more than that. Even if it's low chance of success, I'm willing to give it a try.

thanks again

It is a good deal for the Marriott or Westin if you can get it though it's unlikely you will. If you want to use FF miles, that may be an issue unto itself. For your #2 & 2 above, the answer is you can do all those as well as post exchange options in other places that also allow it. Outside those above, I don't know of a yahoo type group where you can list this type of trade info specific for Westin. You can do so on the DVCrent list as well as on DIS.

One way to hedge your bets in this situation is to plan the trip and make a cancelable hotel or condo reservations. That way you know you have a trip and can plan all else then if the exchange comes through late, you can still accept it.