Wow! In the new Clubhouse...

[lenshanem]

Just got the new Clubhouse email and it says they added Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa in Hawaii to the Concierge Collection. It doesn't look like a point chart is up yet, but I always told DH if we ever went to Hawaii I wanted to stay there. Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel did a show on this resort and it looked like pure heaven to me!

Here's their website -
http://www.grandwailea.com/

 

[lenshanem]

Nevermind... I just pulled up airfare to Hawaii. YIKES!!! Guess I'll never go, unless I win the lottery.

 

[BCV23]

I haven't seen Samantha Brown's show about the Grand Wailea but we have stayed there a number of times and love it. The last time we were there was this January.

We're actually "members" there and I'll be very interested in seeing whether it will be more cost effective to use DVC points there or cash with our membership which effectively gives us 50% off rack rate. But our membership is an old one and the newer membership agreement is somewhat different.

Anyway, it is a beautiful resort in a much more quiet area of Maui than Kaanapali. Huge rooms, great activity pool and beautiful adult pool. There is a wonderful walkway that links the different resorts. I love walking it at sunrise.

A great addition for DVC I think.

 

[Dean]

I haven't seen Samantha Brown's show about the Grand Wailea but we have stayed there a number of times and love it. The last time we were there was this January.

We're actually "members" there and I'll be very interested in seeing whether it will be more cost effective to use DVC points there or cash with our membership which effectively gives us 50% off rack rate. But our membership is an old one and the newer membership agreement is somewhat different.

Anyway, it is a beautiful resort in a much more quiet area of Maui than Kaanapali. Huge rooms, great activity pool and beautiful adult pool. There is a wonderful walkway that links the different resorts. I love walking it at sunrise.

A great addition for DVC I think.

I understand that early on the resort sold memberships that ensure dramatically low prices for rooms, do you have one of those memberships?

 

[BCV23]

Ours is not one of the earliest and best from what I've heard. We joined in 95 or 96 I think. We do get 50% off rack rate but I remember my DH describing even better benefits for people who joined earlier. We are also "blacked out" during Christmas week. This year we flew over 12/31 and stayed two nights at a Marriott until our membership rates kicked in on 1/2.

 

[Dean]

Ours is not one of the earliest and best from what I've heard. We joined in 95 or 96 I think. We do get 50% off rack rate but I remember my DH describing even better benefits for people who joined earlier. We are also "blacked out" during Christmas week. This year we flew over 12/31 and stayed two nights at a Marriott until our membership rates kicked in on 1/2.

Some of the early ones were something like $59-79 for a night and I don't think any blackouts for some early members.

 

[BCV23]

Some of the early ones were something like $59-79 for a night and I don't think any blackouts for some early members.

Wow....does that rate still apply for those members?

 

[rocketriter]

Using points to go to Hawaii on Concierge or through II can be worthwhile, depending on how you value your time and points. We booked a 1-bedroom for a week on the Big Island last year for 144 points--during Spring Break! But unless you have enough frequent flyer miles and the patience to find a way to use them (despite the airlines' best efforts to thwart you), from many parts of the US that plane fare is a killer!

 

[robinb]

Wow! My DH nixed Maui on our next trip. Instead we're at the Hilton Waikoloa Village (on Hilton Points) on the Big Island and the Moana Surfrider (on Sheraton Points) on Oahu. And we're flying on FF miles . All my DH's travel (most weeks, 3-5 days) pays off. Sort-of.

Next time: Maui.

 

[mja51]

I've seen DH referened a lot on these boards. what does it stand for?
thx

 

[dianeschlicht]

I've seen DH referened a lot on these boards. what does it stand for?
thx

Dear Husband.

 

[mja51]

thx for the quick response

 

[AnnaS]

Shan, just out of curiosity what dates did you play with when checking air prices and what was the price. I do this also all the time. I recently checked prices for airfare to Barcelona, Spain and Rome, Italy for July 06 and came up with an average of $2,500, yikes - just in case a 07 med. cruise would be announced.

 

[gppnj]

I don't think I'd ever be able to use my points for accommodations in Hawaii because I've found that the only way for Hawaii to be affordable is by booking an air/hotel/car rental package. I'm going there in two weeks. When I was looking at everything al a carte, the prices were out of control However, the package I got was so inexpensive (relatively speaking) that I investigated the company to make sure it was legitimate. (As far as I know, it is.)

 

[5infam]

I don't think I'd ever be able to use my points for accommodations in Hawaii because I've found that the only way for Hawaii to be affordable is by booking an air/hotel/car rental package. I'm going there in two weeks. When I was looking at everything al a carte, the prices were out of control However, the package I got was so inexpensive (relatively speaking) that I investigated the company to make sure it was legitimate. (As far as I know, it is.)

Well, when you get back from Hawaii, make sure you share who the great travel company is that you used. We all can use great deals to Hawaii!!!!

 

[Laurabearz]

We stayed at the GW 4 years ago. It is sooooooooo lovely. The spa... my first spa experience, ruined me for all other spas! LOL

THe pools... everything so beutiful. Food... oh man.. I loved it there.

 

[BCV23]

The spa is stunning isn't it? I love the balcony overlooking the Pacific where you wait for treatments.

But we've had mixed experiences with the spa staff there. Some are excellent and others not good at all and just not interested it seems. Wish we went often enough to get to know names.

 

[BCV23]

But unless you have enough frequent flyer miles and the patience to find a way to use them (despite the airlines' best efforts to thwart you), from many parts of the US that plane fare is a killer!

I agree that getting the FF tickets is a pain. My DH used to call at that 331 daymark or whatever it is at midnight and still sometimes couldn't get the tickets at once. This time we paid coach fare and used points to upgrade. Even so, the upgrades came through in pairs until at last all six of us were in first. The last two came through perhaps a month before our trip. It helped a lot though that we had flexibility in dates since the two universities we were working around didn't go back until mid January. I'm sure that also helped a lot with the cost of coach fare as well.

 

[lenshanem]

AnnaS, I pulled up June and the price from Atlanta was around $1000 per person. I just don't know if I'd want to spend over $4000 just on airfare!

Those that have been - how was the kid program? Was that an extra cost or included with the room?

 

[barb45]

Funny - I've been researching airfares for my daughter and son-in-law and have been coming up with between $950.00-$1,050.00 from Detroit and that includes 10 day rental car and 3 days in a hotel (to add to their week in a condo). Packages seem to be the way to go for Hawaii.