Just got a II match for Maui Ocean Club. Have some questions!

[JoEllen]

I just got a call from MS that we got a match for our December 07 request for Maui, 7 nights at the Marriott Ocean Club. Has anyone stayed there that could give me their opinion of the resort and the location? MS did say there was some renovation going on which concerns me abit. I've got until Wednesday Jan 3 did confirm we want this exchange and I'd like some of your opinions before I call them back. We have a 1 bedroom, 2 bath for the week.

Thank you!

 

[littlestar]

That's awesome that you got a 1 bedroom at the Maui Marriott. There are Marriott owners that can't even get in there. I'd grab it while you can get it. It's on Kaanapali beach - fantastic location. Here's a link to the Marriott website:

http://www.vacationclub.com/resorts/mh/default.jsp

The last time we were on Maui we went over and walked around the Maui Marriott. The pool was awesome. Of course, as good as the pool is, the ocean in front of the resort is even better. Great snorkeling on Kaanapali beach (morning is better before the trade winds pick up).

 

[browniemtb]

If you don't mind me asking...what was the amount of points required for the week? We have to get back to Maui, what an awesome place.....
Brownie

 

[caverill]

We stayed there for 5 nights in Oct 2005.

Wonderful resort!!!!

I believe the resort is still in the process of becoming a timeshare...There was some construction when we were there but nothing that bothered us.

The building, location, staff and everything was wonderful.

We didn't stay on points...We paid cash on a deal they were running.

I would stay there again in a heartbeat. Might have thought about buying but we already owned DVC and Hawaii is pretty far away.

Happy to answer any other questions.

 

[JoEllen]

Thank you for your replies. I was worried that it sounded too good to be true, but your responses make me feel alot better.

Brownie - We were offered Dec 14 - 21 which is low season for 124 points. This works great for us since DD is in high school and that is the start of her break.

Thank you Averill for your kind offer. I'm going to pm you a few questions about activities and restaurants you enjoyed.

 

[Starr W.]

Sounds like you have yourself a deal! I think right before the holidays is considered "low season" in lots of places. I know in that week you can get quite a deal on a cruise(well not DCL).

 

[littlestar]

That's a fantastic deal for 124 Disney points. It looks like the cash rates are about $469 a night. Who says trading out is a bad deal - not this time - ha.

Be sure to pick up a Maui Revealed guide book. The revealed Hawaii guide books are the absolute best for travel to Hawaii. We used our Maui one to find Charles Lindbergh's grave site. We would have never found it without the guide book directions. We also used it to know where to park at when we visited Napili Bay - which is probably one of the most beautiful bays I've ever seen in my life. The web site for the Maui revealed book is:

http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mauaerials.html

You can look at the aerial photos of resorts, but not the actual reviews unless you have the password from one of the guide books. Still, the aerial photos are great themselves just to see how close a resort is to the ocean.

Enjoy your trip if you decide to accept the exchange.

 

[Dean]

That's awesome that you got a 1 bedroom at the Maui Marriott. There are Marriott owners that can't even get in there. I'd grab it while you can get it. It's on Kaanapali beach - fantastic location. Here's a link to the Marriott website:.

Actually for the first 2 weeks of Dec it's easy to get in even for this resort. But if works for anyone it is a great resort and at 124 points a 1 BR is the best value in many ways.

The construction is building new towers, I don't think it'll have much effect on the existing units and common areas. The resort is now totally converted to timeshares. It is a great resort in a great location. I've stayed there in the hotel section a couple of times but not in the timeshare units (actually just prior to the conversion starting). One could likely find out more on TUG if needed. I have an exchange for my daughter for a secondary honeymoon for next Sept.

 

[JoEllen]

Thank you Dean for your input. I always like to hear good things from one of our experts!
Are you planning another wedding? I thought you had just been thru the whole wedding planner process. Thank goodness for DVC to help neutralize those honeymoon expenses!

 

[Dean]

Thank you Dean for your input. I always like to hear good things from one of our experts!
Are you planning another wedding? I thought you had just been thru the whole wedding planner process. Thank goodness for DVC to help neutralize those honeymoon expenses!

Thankfully no. They did a smaller honeymoon at WDW with the plans for a "real" honeymoon for HI for next fall. My daughter was born in HI so she really wants to go back. Interestingly my wife and I were just finalizing our plans for 2008. We have pretty much decided to scrap our original plan of Puerto Vallarta for Winter/Spring 2008 in favor of HI. So I just placed a search for the Hilton on Oahu through RCI and will modify my current Marriott search for a 1 BR minimum at the Maui Marriott and Ko'olina for that time as well. Ultimately I'll plan for 2 weeks, one on Oahu and one in Maui. I'll likely put in an additional request with another Marriott deposit plus a broader search that is not quite as lofty with a different lessor II deposit. Then once I get one week, I'll modify everything else accordingly.

 

[BCV23]

Dean, I'm so glad you were able to get the Ocean Club for your daughter's honeymoon.

JoEllen, congratualations. That does sound like a great deal!

 

[littlestar]

Actually for the first 2 weeks of Dec it's easy to get in even for this resort. But if works for anyone it is a great resort and at 124 points a 1 BR is the best value in many ways.

Thanks for the info about the first 2 weeks of December being easier to get. If we ever plan another trip to Maui, that's good to know.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the info about the first 2 weeks of December being easier to get. If we ever plan another trip to Maui, that's good to know.

May and Sept also. Some other times are easier as well but not as easy as those stated. What many don't realize is that as popular as HI is, only about 50% of the owners at most of the resorts there use their time. They either trade or rent it other times.

 

[byoung]

Have a great Maui vacation.

 

[chris1gill]

We just confirmed our next Maui vacation for december 15th-22nd at the Maui Ocean Club! Maybe I'll use some DVC points to try & get the Ko'Olina for the 22nd-29th...

We walked by it a few weeks ago & all of the new work is being done on the new towers. To me, I thought that it did not look as if it was affecting existing guests to such a terrible degree... We however were staying at the Westin & sure enough they had the bulldozers running RIGHT outside our bedroom door every morning at 7am.... it was crazy!

 

[Dean]

We just confirmed our next Maui vacation for december 15th-22nd at the Maui Ocean Club! Maybe I'll use some DVC points to try & get the Ko'Olina for the 22nd-29th...

We walked by it a few weeks ago & all of the new work is being done on the new towers. To me, I thought that it did not look as if it was affecting existing guests to such a terrible degree... We however were staying at the Westin & sure enough they had the bulldozers running RIGHT outside our bedroom door every morning at 7am.... it was crazy!

Chris if you can ask for the week prior to your Maui stay rather than after, you would have a much better chance of success as the week you would be going for is one of the most requested weeks for Maui and many think the most requested.