Soliciting HI II exchange experiences...

[AreWeThereYet]

OK. So we have decided that we want to go to Hawaii next summer for sure now. What I need to know is which of the II resorts has any of you traded for, and would you recommend it to a fellow DVC'er. Also, what were some of the best memories you have from your trip.

How long did it take for your exchange to come through? How far in advance did you make the request.

Basically, any and all information is requested and welcome.

Thanks and wish us luck for an exchange (we currently have a request in for Maui Ocean Club and Kauai Beach Club).

Have a great Disney day!!

 

[Dean]

Those are the only two current options I'd consider appropriate other than possibly KCR. Call DVC and ask if they've added the new Marriotts on Kauai and on Oahu as well as the Westin on Maui. You may want to consider Hanalei Bay though it is a little below DVC, especially the 1 BR units. You should not even think about a 2 BR unit. As I've said before, look for direct exchanges and contact the independents like San Francisco Exchange and Trading Places. Through those options I'd add the Whaler, Embassy's, Bay Club, Maui Hill, several of the Pahio resorts and the Hilton to your potential list. Expect things to come through about 2-6 months before your travel dates.

Due to air fare, you may be better off looking for air fare and once you lock it in, narrowing your request. Some of the other resorts are worth staying at just not a fair and equitable trade using DVC. You may want to consider a lessor resort for less points if you can do so privately. Good luck.

 

[TnRobin]

We are also wanting to go Summer 2004

I am currently on the waitlist for the ones you requested and the Hanalea Bay and Kona Coast Resort as Dean suggested. I am considering adding the Maui Schooner to my list. They have recently renovated and the recent reports on the TUG are that it is really nice.

Although, I have been approached by a Hilton Grand Vacation Club member for a trade at Hilton Hawaiian Village on Wikiki Beach in Oahu. This resort is also rated very high on the TUG. Just not sure what I think about a "direct" trade outside the DVC system, but I am definitely considering it. They are offering me a 2BR in exchange for a 1BR. That is the same price I would pay if I went through DVC.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

So how do you decide? If you've never been there but want to have a truly spectacular experience how do you know which island to choose. We have friends who swear by Maui, and we have others who swear by Kauai. We are taking our two dd's who will be at least 14 and 12 by then - which island has the most to offer for girls their ages?

So many questions, so many options.

Again, any information is welcome.

Thanks,

AWTY

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by AreWeThereYet
So how do you decide? If you've never been there but want to have a truly spectacular experience how do you know which island to choose. We have friends who swear by Maui, and we have others who swear by Kauai. We are taking our two dd's who will be at least 14 and 12 by then - which island has the most to offer for girls their ages?

So many questions, so many options.

Again, any information is welcome.

Thanks,

AWTY

You have to go then see what you like. No two people like exactly the same thing.

 

[TnRobin]

I bought the book called "Dummies Guide to Hawaii" I love it. In it it has a point system. You look at each chart and pick the ones that appeal to you. It rates each island for each attribute. Add up the points from the attributes you like.

The attributes are like - The Beach, Golfing, Shopping, Sightseeing, Surfing, Relaxing at the Resort, On the Go. I found it really helpful.

We don't like a lot of down time, but do like sightseeing, shopping, etc. so it looks like Oahu or Hawaii would be good for us.

 

[DanG]

The Westin Maui TS opens for reservations September 27, 2003. The units look beautiful.

There is a lot of pent up demand for owner units and SVO trades, particularly in the summer, so i would be surprised if there is much availability during the first summer for II trades. Also, the Starwood system works such that when an owner deposits a unit into II, Starwood can allocate a different week to II in trade, typically off season. I expect that they will retain the summer weeks for SVO owners and for sale.

In any event, its worth a request.

 

[jcanary]

As Dean said "No two people like exactly the same thing.". We went last year and took our 14 and 20 year old and we just went to Oahu. We stayed right at Waikiki and they loved it. They took surfing lessons, we went snorkling and they loved just going to the beach. We did two tours, one was around the whole Island. We were also right near the main marketplace so the girls would go down together. We did not trade thru DVC. I found a private owner and rented her 1 bedroom 2 bath condo. It was great. We plan to go back in 2005 and I hope to go to the Big Island also, but the girls are complaining that they only want to do Waikiki. There was a lot of things to do there. You will fall in love with the place.
One of the reasons why we didn't trade was because we stopped at Disneyland on our way back and used our points to stay at the Grand Califorian which was really great. So you have a lot of options, including renting from someone directly.
Good luck deciding.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

I really appreciate the feedback so far. It will definintely come in handy as we wait for a trade to come through.

Any others with input - please post it. I'm sure there are more DVR'ers who would like to know where you've been and how you got there.