Maui resorts through II

[JR]

We are planning to trade points for a 1 BR on Maui (empty nestors). Would appreciate any suggestions/reviews on the available resorts.
Thanks in advance!

JR

 

[JimFitz]

Search this forum for Dean and Hawaii

 

[OurDogCisco]

We own at Westin Kaanapali and just stayed there two weeks ago. The resort is outstandingly beautiful.. However, a bit crowded in the summer. Especially when trying to go for a pool chair. The service at the resort is top notch better than Disney in my humble opinion! We also stayed one week in Kauai. Personally, Kauai is more beautiful. I was really disappointed with the dry grass in Maui.. Also, as an exchanger you would definitely get a bad view. So, if you do accept this resort do understand they have bad views. They are building a new timeshare resort next door so, you could have a view of the contruction (estimated completion in 2007). Also, they have garden views which can be of parking lots and the highway. We had a great view but we are owners and owners get preference here. But other than that I thought the resort was outstanding. The beach out front had a great snorkel reef. Plus, there was shuttle service between the Villas and Westin & the Sherton Hotels. The Villas are located a little northwest of the Kaanapali beach area with all the hotels. So, a shuttle is available to visit Whaler's village which has some shopping and restuarants. And, they cancelled stay and play at one resort for the pools. So, no pool hopping. GL...

In Kauai, I've stayed at the Cliff's Resort (definitely not 5 star but okay) and Marriott Waiohai. I'll have more pictures of that resort by the end of this week.

Here are some pictures:

http://community.webshots.com/album/417987148ihlBFI

Tina

 

[winniesgirl]

This past Oct (2004) we traded for a 1 Bdr at the Marriott Maui Ocean Club on Kaanapali Beach. We had a beautiful room that was very large and spotless, we had what was considered a mtn view but we could also see the ocean. The Marriott treated us as if we were one of their owners. I would highly recommend them. I have a request in for a second stay there and also for the Westin for October 2006.

 

[Dean]

Personally I would list the Marriott, Embassy and Westin only. You may want to consider a studio as your chances will be better. Make sure you ask a full 1 year out. You might also want to talk to San Francisco Exchange which gets a lot of Embassy deposits and Trading Places which gets a lot of HI deposits as well. There are certainly other resorts to consider but not on the DVC list such as the Whaler. And many I'd stay at though I wouldn't give up the points it would cost through DVC. You might also look at a direct exchange with a member at one of the resorts. TUG at tug2.net is a great place to look for direct exchanges.

You could also rent out your points and go for a rental or hotel special. If you have a search going, you might want to get a cancelable cash reservation somewhere as a backup and go ahead and look into air fare. That's esp true if you plan to use FF miles.

 

[debbie in Seattle]

Good luck! I tried for the Marriott and after 2 years out and a no go, gave up. We go to Maui each year and thought I'd try and exchange. Ha!!!!

 

[Dean]

Good luck! I tried for the Marriott and after 2 years out and a no go, gave up. We go to Maui each year and thought I'd try and exchange. Ha!!!!

Debbie, what time of year and unit size were you requesting? How flexible were you in terms of number of weeks?

 

[OurDogCisco]

Personally I would list the Marriott, Embassy and Westin only. You may want to consider a studio as your chances will be better.

You could definitely survive in a Westin Studio. It is huge and comes with it's own washer and dryer in the unit. Plus, you could easily make light dinner meals in the unit. There is a 2 burner stoves as well as a mini-dishwasher and mini refrigerator. The bathroom is huge. Check out my pictures. The only thing it is lacking is a balcony but you could alway sit out on the beach or near the pool.

Just thought I throw that in.

Tina

 

[Rick-Toronto]

JR

Overall, I would echo and agree with Dean's comments on Westin, Embassy and Marriott being the three that I would trade for on Maui. We are owners at Marriott Maui and actually just returned. I can't say enough good things about the property, however, it is hard to get in even for owners during the summer, but can be "had" during non peak times if you request a year in advance and are flexible with the unit size and timeframe. Summer is virtually impossible -the week we were there - July 23rd-30th, there were only 13 exchangers that were staying at the property and they were all Marriott owners from another property. Marriott has a 21 day priority period for Marriott owners who want to exchange in. To give you some perspective, there were over 2000 requests from Marriott owners for the month of July who wanted an exchange into the property. I was told that number really drops off after the August timeframe.

We have also stayed at the Embassy Resort Maui - it is a very nice resort and I would not hesitate to stay there again. In our most recent visit to Maui, we toured the Westin Maui and it is also a beautiful property, however, I also suspect it is similar to the Marriott in terms of trying to exchange into.

Good luck with your exchange

Rick

 

[pjshaff]

Tina,

Just looked at your pictures, the resort is beautiful. How long did you stay there?

 

[Muushka]

We looking to visit there in 2007. When is it not crowded? What time of year is advisable. We don't have kiddos so school vacations are not a factor.

Thanks!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Tina,

Just looked at your pictures, the resort is beautiful. How long did you stay there?

One week there and then, a week on Kauai.

 

[OurDogCisco]

We looking to visit there in 2007. When is it not crowded? What time of year is advisable. We don't have kiddos so school vacations are not a factor.

Thanks!

Definitely don't go during holidays and summer vacations. I've never been winter time but that I heard can be just as crowded. I've been in April, June, July, October, & November. I felt Kauai was a lot less crowded than Maui in July.

Tina

 

[sagwanamu]

I am planning to trade to Maui for Nov/Dec of 2008, and I need two 2-bdrooms. How early should I put the request in?

 

[Muushka]

Definitely don't go during holidays and summer vacations. I've never been winter time but that I heard can be just as crowded. I've been in April, June, July, October, & November. I felt Kauai was a lot less crowded than Maui in July.

Tina

Thank you Tina. Very helpful.

 

[Dean]

I am planning to trade to Maui for Nov/Dec of 2008, and I need two 2-bdrooms. How early should I put the request in?

Unfortunately no amount of lead time is going to help you. The chances of getting one 2 BR are slim, 2 for the same week and same resort are dramatically unlikely. You would have to have 2 requests and you might get one and not 2. NO way to link the requests to get two or nothing. Your best bet by far in this case would be renting out your points then paying cash for a condo or timeshare. Another option would be a direct exchange with someone who owns two weeks.

However, early December will be much more likely for success than November or later Dec.

 

[debbie in Seattle]

Debbie, what time of year and unit size were you requesting? How flexible were you in terms of number of weeks]

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I was looking at November or early January right after the holidays-one of the lowest seasons they offer-but no good. No dates requested-just a general search-still no luck.

 

[Dean]

I was looking at November or early January right after the holidays-one of the lowest seasons they offer-but no good. No dates requested-just a general search-still no luck.

Those times are not that low. Low season is Sept to later in Oct plus early Dec. Otherwise the demand is pretty steady for the entire year with blips up and down here and there. And even the low season is not that low other than the first two weeks of Dec.

 

[Muushka]

Those times are not that low. Low season is Sept to later in Oct plus early Dec. Otherwise the demand is pretty steady for the entire year with blips up and down here and there. And even the low season is not that low other than the first two weeks of Dec.

Doesn't that state realize that we always go to WDW the first 2 weeks of Dec?

Sheeesh

 

[skibum]

Try a search for "Maui" on the DVC Rent/Trade Board.