Polynesian concierge rooms - size ?

[Sharper]

I have stayed at Poly twice, approx. 10 years ago. We stayed concierge first, then standard. Second trip I particularly noticed that our room was smaller (and even hallways noticeably more narrow) in the "standard" longhouse. I looked at Tikiman's great site and it seems to indicate that after rehab in late 80's that concierge rooms in Hawaii are same size as standard rooms? Anyone know if this is true? I realize that we are paying more for concierge services, but also had been expecting a bit more in the area of space. (Lately we've stayed at the home away from home resorts and I don't want this trip to the Poly to seem negative due to cramped quarters.) Thanks.

 

[BCV23]

I thought I'd try to help a little before this slips off the first page but I think you have us all confused. As far as I know concierge has been in Hawaii since they moved the concierge lounge out of the GCH. The rooms in Hawaii are the same size they've always been...409 sq ft I think. The rooms in the newer buildings...Tokelau, Tahiti, and Rapa Nui are larger....440 I think. The hallways in those buildings are quite a bit wider, too. But the rooms in Hawaii are quite spacious.

On another post you asked about castle view. All lagoon views face the castle although some are a little obstructed by trees. We were in 1508 this month. It was the first time that we had lagoon view in many years. I loved the view. The castle view was unobstructed but there is a pretty hedge that blocks the view of the sidewalk and beach. Gave the room a more private feel. I think Tikiman likes 1505 which probably doesn't have this hedge in front. Have you read his site? It's really amazing.

 

[Sharper]

For us, the value of LV concierge is based on an unobstructed view of the castle (trees being in the way would definitely not qualify as LV to me). My second question came from my experience in the very early 90's when we stayed concierge our longhouse and room was more spacious, then reading now it seems if you stay LV concierge you are in Hawaii and rooms are not larger than regular, and actually smaller than non-LV concierge. Was hoping that I misunderstood. If there are rooms which have a particularly good view of the castle then I would request one of those, or if there are some with trees blocking the view then I would most definitely request not to be placed in them. Not sure about your comment about concierge being moved from GCH? When we stayed there concierge WAS in the GCH so I expect some of this relates to a time and circumstances for which current posters can't really add anything. I will be disappointed if our LV concierge room is smaller than some other concierge rooms which cost less and if no bigger than standard rooms, and to be honest might attempt to move. It is not worth the extra money for a smaller room and possibly no view. Tikiman's site is great, but again it does not specifically address my couple of questions, probably because I somehow manage to ask the unusual ones! Thanks!

 

[jel0511]

I guess to answer your questions, the rooms in the Hawaii building, which house ALL concierge rooms are the same size as all the other rooms at the Poly, with the exception of the suites in the Tonga longhouse. Some of the rooms in the Hawaii and other lagoon view rooms do have some trees obstructing the view, as well as the Hawaii longhouse not having balconies on the second floor. The Hawaii longhouse, along with the non-concierge longhouse of Tahati have the best views of the castle. What you get when staying in the Hawai building is a secure building, only concierge guests can enter the building using their room key, the use of the concierge desks in the building, and the concierge lounge for snacks, drinks and continental breakfast. I know what you mean, by getting used to the home away from home resorts, we own DVC and really love the size of the rooms, but we still love the Poly and come back once a year usually and deal with the "small" rooms.

 

[Sharper]

I have a very special place in my heart for the Polynesian. My family is only familiar with the home away from home resorts -- oldest daughter barely remembers Poly, younger son and DH have never stayed there. I just don't want to get there and have DH ask me why in the world we paid extra money for a small room and a view of trees! Even at 400+ square feet the rooms will seem spacious in comparison to other hotel rooms, though, but the castle view is a must. I guess I could make my room request that we have a clear view of the castle, but until yesterday I assumed lagoon view took care of that and the cm's would say "DUH!" when reading my request.

 

[Tikiman]

The concierge rooms (other than the suites) have always been the same size as all the standard rooms in the original longhouses. The only change to the Hawaii longhouse was the addition of the lounge to the end of the building. THe newer longhouses Tokelau (1978) Tahiti and Rapa Nui (1985) have bigger hallways and slightly larger rooms. This has never changed. THe Polynesian rooms are larger than most resort standard rooms.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Sharper]

Originally posted by Tikiman
The concierge rooms (other than the suites) have always been the same size as all the standard rooms in the original longhouses. ...............this has never changed.

Aloha

Steve

Sorry, but that is incorrect. I am absolutely positive that when we stayed concierge the first time (I believe our room was in what is now Tahiti) that everything was "bigger" than when stayed a year later (I believe that trip was in what is now Rarotonga) Perhaps the confusion is that Tahiti was used as concierge then and now it is not?? Makes sense that bigger rooms with water view in Tahiti would be concierge, particularly since concierge lounge was then in GCH.

 

[BCV23]

The Polynesian holds a special place in our hearts as well as it does for many people on these boards. Our children have grown up vacationing there so we have so many wonderful memories associated with it. Although I'm a pretty recent member on these boards we're long time fans of the Poly. Our first stay was in 1983. We enjoyed our 27th vacation there earlier this month and have a March-
April trip booked as well. There are many long time Poly fans here.

Tkiman is right. The concierge rooms have never been larger than standard rooms. Other than suites all rooms at the Poly are standard. Notice they don't even use the classification "standard." It's just gardenview or lagoon view, concierge or not. There are two sizes of standard rooms as we've tried to explain....slightly smaller in the older buildings. You had a regular lagoon view in a newer building with concierge lounge access. No one will have a larger concierge room than you unless they're in a suite.

It is a hotel though and if you want the room to spread out that you've grown accustomed to in the DVC rooms perhaps you'll be happier at those. You could also request unobstructed view but we're talking palm trees here not massive oaks. Would the Tiki torches obstruct the view for you?

If you want Tahiti perhaps you can go next summer if that fits your plans. Concierge will be there then as they refurbish Hawaii.
They might even let you pay concierge rates and stay in Tahiti at aother times but then you'd miss the convenience of the lounge in the same building. I know when we inquired about accessible rooms in Hawaii we were told there were none but we could stay in one in Rapa Nui, pay concierge rate and have access to the lounge. We've not done that because we don't think it'd be convenient.

Hope you have a great trip whatever you decide.

 

[Sharper]

Not sure about this nitpicking. When we stayed concierge (it was not called that then, it was called King Kamehameha level) our room was a bit larger and the hallway in our longhouse noticeably wider. It just seemed roomier overall.
Tikiman has already indicated that Tahiti is somewhat larger and that was where we stayed that first time. Our next visit was in another longhouse with somewhat smaller proportions. Not sure of the insistence that all concierge type rooms have ALWAYS been and are precisely the same size when that is just not the case. Different longhouses have been utilized throughout the years and all are NOT exactly the same, as Tikiman has indicated (besides my first-hand experience.) You may call it a slight difference in size, but it was noticeable to us on those visits.

 

[BCV23]

I don't think anyone said that that all rooms are the same size. They're not...two sizes...old buildings and new. Currently all Concierge rooms are the same size as they're all in the same building. Having stayed in both I agree with your last description...the rooms are "somewhat bigger" in the new buildings and the halls are noticeably wider. The newer buildings also have a small lounge area which we've enjoyed over the years. Slightly smaller, somewhat bigger??? Don't know who's nitpicking? We were just trying to answer your questions???

 

[Threehearts]

Hi Sharper,
I would just add that you should not count on your unobstructed view request. We stayed Poly LV Conc. three times last year and on the last visit requested third floor, unobstructed view. On our arrival, concierge was full and we were in a first floor, partially obstructed view. Sure, I was disappointed but realized that our number was just up for that visit and we were not promised anything by faxing in a request. A little note- The Conc. CMs told us that everyone is so saavy now that almost every guest is having a birthday or an anniversary or sending in ROOM requests etc.. We love the Poly and it sounds like you have enjoyed your visits as well. We don't go for the luxury, we stay there for the proximity and concierge lounge.
Threehearts

 

[Sharper]

BCV, but you most definitely DID say that the rooms were the same size. For instance: "The concierge rooms have never been larger than standard rooms." However, I am not going to rehash all of that.

Three hearts -- Thanks for the heads up. I am paying extra for a lagoon view so I do expect a lagoon view. If they put me in a room with serious obstruction then I will most definitely request an appropriate reduction in the room's cost. It isn't that huge a deal (I am sure that we can find somewhere to see the fireworks, etc.) but since I am paying an additional sum strictly for a particular view then if I don't get that view I should not be expected to pay the higher sum. I wish that I could just switch my reservations at this point to garden view concierge and not even worry about the view, but don't think that is possible with my discount, etc. Regardless, I am sure we'll manage to have a good time

 

[BCV23]

If you want a gardenview I bet you'd be able to switch to that...it might take more than one call but there are always cancellations. Why not give it a try?

All rooms are standard rooms at the Poly...I don't think you get that. In my first post I addressed the two different sizes of standard rooms.Other than that they just vary by view and concierge.

Was your question ever answered????

 

[Tikiman]

Sharper,

I have no intension of making this an argument about where the concierge was 10 years ago. I do not know everything that ever happened at the Polynesian. I do know that 10 years ago Tahiti was not even called Tahiti. I stayed in it back when it was called Moorea and it was not concierge. I am checking on weather the concierge rooms were ever in another longhouse. It could be but it would not make much sense to me since the concierge (that was called King Kamehameha level) was originally in Hawaii (than called Tonga) when the resort opened. I would be surprised if they would move it out of Hawaii and than back after a few years. The only thing I could think is around that time they were constructing the lounge at the end of Hawaii longhouse and they may have temporarily moved the concierge over to Tahiti. I will let you know what I find out.

Aloha

Steve

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I thought (many) years ago concierge rooms could be in any building, and you'd use the concierge lounge in the Great Ceremonial House? Tikiman, do you happen to know anything out that? I'm not sure if I'm correct or not, I just vaguely remember reading that.

 

[luckytso]

Tikiman,

I cannot find a picture of the GV concierge room. Do you have them somewhere?

Also, do you think it will be better to stay on the 2nd floor GV concierge room so that it is easier to get to the lounge since we have young children? Or do you think the first floor is better?

Thanks so much.

 

[Tikiman]

Cali,

I am trying to find out the info but I have never heard of the concierge bfing in any room and I have talked with many that have been part of the concierge staff since before the lounge was in Hawaii. I would be just as interested to know and when I find out I will post it.


luckytso,

Are you looking for an inside the room picture or a picture of the rooms on the GV side of Hawaii? My web page showes some views of the garden view side.

I don't think being on the 2nd floor is that much better for the lounge my self but maybe others have an opinion.

Aloha

Steve

 

[luckytso]

Tikiman,

I am looking for an inside view. We requested a room w/2 queen bed and a day bed. Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[Sharper]

Originally posted by Tikiman
Sharper,

I have no intension of making this an argument about where the concierge was 10 years ago. I do not know everything that ever happened at the Polynesian. I do know that 10 years ago Tahiti was not even called Tahiti. I stayed in it back when it was called Moorea and it was not concierge. I am checking on weather the concierge rooms were ever in another longhouse. It could be but it would not make much sense to me since the concierge (that was called King Kamehameha level) was originally in Hawaii (than called Tonga) when the resort opened. I would be surprised if they would move it out of Hawaii and than back after a few years. The only thing I could think is around that time they were constructing the lounge at the end of Hawaii longhouse and they may have temporarily moved the concierge over to Tahiti. I will let you know what I find out.

Aloha

Steve

Steve, you obviously are very informed about recent Poly, but I think that if you ask the right people you will find that you have a few things to learn about the old Poly. I referred to the Tahiti longhouse as the current name, because that seemed more clear. I am perfectly aware that it was NOT called Tahiti then. I also believe that if you ask you will find that I am correct that the concierge (King Kamehameha--did you know that term before I used it earlier? I had almost forgotten it) lounge WAS in the Great Ceremonial House. I know that I stayed in what is now Tahiti, it was somewhat larger than the standard longhouse we stayed in a few months later, and the concierge lounge was in GCH. ( All I wanted was clarification about the current concierge set up but I think in return I will educate a bit about the former situation )

 

[BCV23]

Tikiman...I always thought the same as Cali. I do know that we were in Hawaii...then known as Tonga I think... in 1983 and we were not concierge. We were on the Golden Key plan...what a wonderful plan that was. In fact the room in the GCH that later became the King H... was a character breakfast and buffet dinner then. Very low key compared to character meals these days .

luckytso...all the rooms in Hawaii have two queens and a daybed as do all the rooms in the entire resort...other than suites.