Polynesian Concierge Dilema (Hawaii/Tahiti)

[Frances999]

I have just read a few threads about how wonderful the Poly concierge is and how that it is worth the extra and a really nice addition to a vacation.

However, the concierge building is Hawaii and we fell in love with Tahiti last Easter. I loved how the LV rooms were literally right on the beach with no paths in the way. The views were amazing. Also, in Tahiti you get larger rooms and guaranteed double sinks in the bathroom.

How much smaller are the rooms in Hawaii? What is your opinion of the Poly concierge service? Was it worth the extra $$$ in your opinion?

I just feel that if we did splurge for LV concierge then we may regret it and wish that we had reserved a regular LV in Tahiti. The LV rooms in Hawaii had a path right in front of them - not very private?

*~~ If only the concierge building was Tahiti ~~*

Thanks for any help with our dilema!!

 

[Pattymouse]

I would also love more input in this. Great question!

 

[goofy4tink]

I have to agree with your love of Tahiti. When we stayed at the Polynesian last summer, I really wanted to stay in Tahiti, but couldn't since it was being used for concierge. So, we stayed in Tokelau, facing Hawaii directly. Got to watch the workmen every day. I'm not sure I would give up staying in Tahiti for concierge service in Hawaii. If you like the idea of the extra food/drink being available, then okay. We make all our own PSs so that's not an issue. I would stay in Tahiti but I'm probably the only person in the world who doesn't care about concierge level.

 

[ducklite]

Well, I haven't been in Tahiti, but I will say the rooms in Hawaii are plenty large. I do'nt think you'll really notice the difference...although I could be wrong. THe double sinks were one thing that we did miss when we were in Hawaii, but I would give up a sink for concierge any day

Also, we wer eon the first floor lagoon view the first time we stayed in Hawaii, and never felt that we didn't have enough privacy. We were on teh third floor the second time, and that was very private, with a lovely balcony.

Anne

 

[splashfamily]

I just booked GV concierge at the Poly. I spoke with 3 different CM regarding my ressies. Each one confirmed that there is a gv room that sleeps 4 and a gv room that sleeps 5. We needed the larger room. When you book ask for the larger room.
Have fun!

 

[JulieWent]

We, too, chose Tahiti LV over concierge for several reasons. We liked the larger, newer rooms. We also wanted to guarantee of a balcony. (Remember, one floor of concierge has no balcony. If I'm going to have a LV, be at the Poly, and be facing MK, I want a balcony so I can enjoy it all!) Also, Tahiti is a completely non-smoking building. That meant something to us. (I know part of the building was used as smoking -optional when it functioned as concierge during the rehab of Hawaii, but by the time we were there it had been non-smoking again for a good long time.) We were very happy with our decision.

On the other hand, being closer to the pool would have been nice. (The food options aren't so important to us.)

Julie

 

[Frances999]

Thanks for your replies everyone. Is there another scheduled Rehab for Hawaii next August It would be great if they transferred concierge over to Tahiti again!

Originally posted by splashfamily
I just booked GV concierge at the Poly. I spoke with 3 different CM regarding my ressies. Each one confirmed that there is a gv room that sleeps 4 and a gv room that sleeps 5. We needed the larger room. When you book ask for the larger room.
Have fun!

I thought that all rooms at the Poly slept five?


I'd be really interested to hear form someone that has had both the Hawaii LV Concierge and Tahiti LV experience

 

[cmcvean]

We were there last January and they had to move us to Tahiti because they were doing electrical stuff, so we had concierge privledges but were in the Tahiti building. It was nice, a little bit of a walk to get stuff, but it really wasnt' that bad.

You may want to ask if you can get a room in Tahiti, but pay for concierge and get privledges..... I don't know, just an idea.....

Anywhere at the Polynesian is going to be wonderful!!!

Christine

 

[Frances999]

Originally posted by cmcvean
You may want to ask if you can get a room in Tahiti, but pay for concierge and get privledges..... I don't know, just an idea.....

That is such a great idea! I can't believe I never thought of that I wonder what the chances are it would be okay? I don't hold high hopes but it's got to be worth a try!

 

[DisneyFans4]

We stayed concierge in Tahiti last year since Hawaii was being renovated. I had the second floor, garden view with a balcony but our room didn't have a double sink. I don't recommend garden view on the first floor only because even though you have a patio and chairs which is nice, but there are so many ducks that they make a mess outside.
Have a good trip!

 

[steveanddonna]

You may want to ask if you can get a room in Tahiti, but pay for concierge and get privledges..... I don't know, just an idea.....

Yes, they usually will honor this request, but they won't guarantee a particular longhouse. You can request Tahiti, but it isn't a sure thing. For this reason, I wouldn't give up concierge on the chance that you would get your room request. Plus, it's so nice to have someone to take care of all the details for you, and to have access to coffee, juice, etc. at any time without running to Captain Cook's. We love running down to the lounge for breakfast without having to be completely ready to go out and start our day. Our May stay was 1st floor LVC, and we didn't feel that it lacked privacy at all.

 

[Tess]

If you were told that there are two different room types in Hawaii--rooms that sleep 4 and rooms that sleep 5, you were misinformed--ALL Hawaii rooms sleep 5. For that matter, I believe that ALL rooms at the Polynesian sleep 5. Technically the CMs were right, you could also sleep 4 there.

Tahiti is a nice building, no question. We were moved there last year when Hawaii was in rehab. Boy, did we miss our Hawaii home and were so happy to be back this year! The beach area privacy is nice, but so is the LV in Hawaii. I'm with ducklite, 3rd floor is definitely better than 1st, but I know others would disagree.

The bathroom area isn't as large in Hawaii as it is in Tahiti. As mentioned however, I don't think all Tahiti rooms have the double vanity either???? I can't be certain on this issue since I've not slept in all of the rooms in Tahiti--the two we've had did have double vanity and larger bathrooms. The single sink vanity is a drawback in Hawaii, but the concierge service certainly outweighs the size of the vanity. We have two teens in our group and the sink area is a bit cramped with all of our toiletries. A bit of organization (we use the glasses for toothbrush holders, comb/brush holders, etc.) and the vanity issues are a nonissue.

It all comes down to what you want out of your vacation--if you would rather have the double vanity, by all means--request Tahiti BUT remember it's only a request and you could end up elsewhere on property. At least in concierge you know where your room will be located and that location is the best at the Polynesian! Also, you will have the further amenities associated with concierge service.

 

[Frances999]

Originally posted by Tess
At least in concierge you know where your room will be located and that location is the best at the Polynesian!

But that's the problem! In my own opinion Hawaii isn't the best location at The Polynesian - Tahiti is. There is no doubt whatsoever that the Tahiti beach is much more tranquil and quiet in comparison to the Hawaii Beach and that is what I feel we would miss miss if we chose Hawaii LV Concierge.

 

[splashfamily]

Tess~ Believe it or not I need to call again to change my ressies for our poly stay. I will check out the info I was given reagarding how many the Poly sleeps. During one of my ressie changes the gv congiere was not available to us because we were five in a room and there was only a room for 4 available. The cm explained that there was no daybed in this room. I was also surprised since like you I thought that all rooms slept 5. I'll get back to you when I call again. ( Ressies must think I am crazy )

 

[Tess]

Since CRO doesn't assign rooms, I don't know why they would even tell you that "the room" didn't have a daybed? I'm baffled by that one? I've never encountered a room in Hawaii without a daybed. Now, at BC or YC, that's another story. . .some have and some don't. For CRO to say there is only a room that sleeps 4 is strange to me? IF and that's a major IF--the information is correct--the rooms at Polynesian are all classified as having the ability to sleep 5--why can't they put in a rollaway? Something fishy in the computers I'd say.

Frances999:

But that's the problem! In my own opinion Hawaii isn't the best location at The Polynesian - Tahiti is.

Even so, the fact remains you may not get Tahiti which is my point on the LV issue. We usually travel in June so the season is busy--I've never found the beach in front of Hawaii overly crowded except in the evening for fireworks and then not terribly so. I know what you mean about Tahiti though--there is no one on that beach ever. . .can you actually hear the music for Wishes down that way--we've never viewed from the Tahiti beach?

 

[lovesdumbo]

Originally posted by Frances999
But that's the problem! In my own opinion Hawaii isn't the best location at The Polynesian - Tahiti is. There is no doubt whatsoever that the Tahiti beach is much more tranquil and quiet in comparison to the Hawaii Beach and that is what I feel we would miss miss if we chose Hawaii LV Concierge.

How will you feel if you don't get Tahiti you'll miss not only Tahiti but the chance to experience concierge. We LOVE the convenience of concierge! Well worth the money. The view is great!

About the vanity-I had read a suggestion here to take an over-the-door canvas shoe holder to put on the bathroom door to store all those things. My kids are too small to have too much but when they're teens that sounds like a great solution to me.

Aren't there some concierge in another building? Mostly suites? But I think they have some single rooms that can be add ons to the suites? Maybe those sleep 4?

 

[Frances999]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

I understand that it would only be a request for Tahiti, however the vast majority of regular LV rooms are situated here and I can't really see there being an issue. If there was, then our stay would be of 7-10 nights so we could always switch if it was not available on check-in day.

It's a really tough decision. Of course I would love to make use of the concierge services and lounge and it would be nice to be able to use the separate check-in. However, Tahiti holds such magical memories for us plus the big factor is how *huge* the rooms are. Does anyone have the exact square footage of Tahiti and Hawaii rooms so I can compare? I remember seeing a room near the volcano pool and boy it sure looked quite a bit smaller than ours from the outside.

I was thinking that if we didn't go concierge at the Poly we could always split our stay and have a few nights at a different resort. Yacht/Beach club has always taken our fancy however I have read reviews saying the concierge here isn't as good as at the other resorts. I guess if we like AKL concierge after our trip in a few weeks that could be a repeat option.

Thanks again for the input everyone, these boards are truly wonderful!

 

[BCV23]

There are concierge rooms that only sleep 4 and as lovesdumbo surmised they are not in Hawaii but in that building right next to the GCH to the west....Tonga I think. I think I've read that all rooms in it are suites except for one room that can be added on to a suite.

 

[Tess]

is the longhouse for concierge suites and I had forgotten about this one room. They do use it if no one has booked a suite. Maybe Frances999, concierge is going to be full for your stay and that one "bedroom" to the suite is all that is left LV anyway. Perhaps your decision is made--sounds as if Tahiti holds your "magical" moments and perhaps that's your answer. I certainly understand that attraction.

As to your comments concerning size of Hawaii vs Tahiti--they are pretty close in size. I believe the bathroom size is where the additional space is to be found in Tahiti rooms. The bathrooms there are considerably larger. As far as the area in the sleeping space, I don't believe there to be any more or less in one over the other. That larger bathroom area does give you a sense of greater space, I'll grant you.