Kaanapali Beach Club, Embassy Suites

[DisnutDave]

DW and I just received a call telling us that an exchange is available on Maui at the Embassy Suites Kaanapali Beach Club for next March. Our first time in Maui we stayed at Kapalua Bay, and loved it. At the time, we toured the Westin and Marriott properties at Kaanapali, but did not take a good look at the Embassy. We found some info about it online, and it looks very nice. We did a search here on the boards, thinking there would be a lot of feedback (hi Dean) but found almost nothing. Does anyone have any comments about it?

 

[littlestar]

We stayed at the Mahana which is two doors down from the Embassy. Embassy had a very nice swimming pool with a slide. The color of the Embassy is pink (at least it was the last time we saw it two years ago) and it has a water fall coming down one side of the building. We had breakfast at the Embassy one morning and it was okay - not great, but pretty good.

I don't know about the rooms, though. I didn't get to see a room. Here's a link on trip advisor about it:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...a_anapali_Beach_Club-Lahaina_Maui_Hawaii.html

 

[Dean]

We stayed there in two 1 BR units in 2002 or 2003. It is no longer an embassy property. Pretty typical Embassy 1 BR units with a King bed and a pull out. Very few 2 BR units but there are a few. There is a mini kitchen. The resort is nice enough but certainly not on par with the Marriott and Westin. But if it works and is a good week, it may be worth the 1 BR fee of 144-160 points. I turned it down for Feb 2008 if that gives you an idea of my opinion.

 

[flexsmom]

I was there in 1992 and enjoyed it quite a lot - but since that's 15 years ago, don't rely on me for a quality report! The beach area was a bit rocky, so we spent most of our time at the pool. The room was a typical Embassy room with one bedroom, a living room and a kitchenette. Breakfast was very good, and I think we tended to eat most our dinners off property - a sunset dinner cruise, the seafood buffet at the Westin (awesome crab legs!), and an amazing seafood place called Eric's that I have heard has since closed.

Anyhow - for 160 points, if the quality hasn't diminished, I'd say it would be a good exchange.

 

[DisnutDave]

Thanks, all. We did indeed get the 1 BR 160 point rate, so it sounds like we might want to give it a try. Our main worry if we turn it down is that we won't be able to get into the Westin or Marriott. With our submitted time frame of February through October '08, studio or 1 BR, do you think we have a good chance?

 

[Dean]

Thanks, all. We did indeed get the 1 BR 160 point rate, so it sounds like we might want to give it a try. Our main worry if we turn it down is that we won't be able to get into the Westin or Marriott. With our submitted time frame of February through October '08, studio or 1 BR, do you think we have a good chance?

Unless you are willing to accept a studio, I think your fears are well founded. Plus it appears Westin has already deposited many of their weeks for that time and Marriott has already deposited many of their weeks for Jan-March of that time. We go the Westin through II back in Jan for 27 Jan-3 Feb, 08. Got the Marriott for a studio trading another Marriott studio for Sep, 07 back last summer. We've had our exchange in for a 1 BR on Oahu for the Marriott for a consecutive week to match for Jan or Feb 08 since last summer using another Marriott 1 BR and so far no luck. I'm comfortable I could have gotten a studio at Ko Olina but wouldn't give up a 1 BR for a studio. For whale watching time I'd take the Sunterra resort if it were I given your specifics.

 

[DisnutDave]

Thanks, again, Dean. We, like many others I'm sure, appreciate your wisdom!

Things seem to be lining up to make this a good choice. Our frequent flier miles will be able to be used in this time frame, and the resort seems more than adequate. At the very least, we will be there, in paradise, on points with free airfare. And we figure that since we will probably try to exchange to Maui many other times in the future, we ought to see if the KBC is a valid choice for us.

 

[littlestar]

If you don't already own one, try to pick up a copy of "Maui Revealed." The revealed Hawaii books are the best guide books on the islands I've ever owned. The book is only about $15.00 or $16.00 and worth every penny.

 

[Dean]

Thanks, again, Dean. We, like many others I'm sure, appreciate your wisdom!

Things seem to be lining up to make this a good choice. Our frequent flier miles will be able to be used in this time frame, and the resort seems more than adequate. At the very least, we will be there, in paradise, on points with free airfare. And we figure that since we will probably try to exchange to Maui many other times in the future, we ought to see if the KBC is a valid choice for us.

As I hinted above, we have 2 trips planned. One for my daughter with a studio at the Maui Marriott for Sept and air directly to Maui and out of Oahu using FF miles. They will have 3 nights on Oahu and will do priceline for those days and possibly for the car for Maui as well. They will likely not do a car for Oahu due to parking issues in Waikiki and a good bus system.

For Jan/Feb we have a hotel room at the Marriott hotel in Waikiki for 7 days followed by a 1 BR at the Westin on Maui. Then FF miles first class tickets in and out of HNL. Could have flown out of Maui but the flight was too late/long so felt the extra inter-island was worth it for the direct flight with better timing since I'll have to work the next day. We still have a request in for a 1 BR at Ko Olina and can cancel the hotel reservation up until a few days before. Once I reserve my trading Marriott in May, I'll deposit the studio and also open up to a studio at Ko Olina but would not accept a studio for the 1 BR.

Don't forget there are other exchange companies that get a lot of HI including San Francisco Exchange, Trading Places Intl, Trading Places Maui (separate company) and HTSE. Platinum Interchange gets some as well. Many HI owners also do private exchanges but many want a full week in the same size unit at DVC during peak times so a direct exchange can be more points in some cases. But it can give you the chance to get a better unit assignment or guarantee our view type, exchange availability and unit size.

If you don't already own one, try to pick up a copy of "Maui Revealed." The revealed Hawaii books are the best guide books on the islands I've ever owned. The book is only about $15.00 or $16.00 and worth every penny.

While not yet formally announced, it's likely the 4th ed of the Maui Revealed book should come out sometime this year. I just emailed them a few days ago to ask if they knew when/if but haven't yet heard back. We're hoping to wait and get the newer edition for Maui and Oahu (just published in Feb) for out daughter to use in Sept and for us in Jan/Feb.

 

[DisnutDave]

Thanks Littlestar and Dean. We bought an earlier edition of Maui Revealed before our last trip to Maui, and you are right, it's a great source of information. DW is looking into other exchange possibilities, thanks for the info. We are rookies in the exchange process, this is all good education for us!

Mahalo, Dave and Helga