[ 2013 ] Waikoloa--timeshare conversion at Hilton hotel (HWV)

[GregT]

All,

I just spoke to the Planning Department in Hilo, and was told that the Planned Unit Development request was approved in July 2015. Apparently, there is a 30 day clock to file an appeal with the Board of Appeals and he didn't see anything in the files indicating that it was being appealed, so in his view, it appeared that Hilton had what it needed to proceed.

It will be interesting to see if we get an announcement on this property, or if they will defer any construction while they complete Phase 3 at KL, and Grand Islander. It probably makes most sense to begin construction in 2017 and finish in 2019, after the inventory from KL and GI have been sold.

Interesting.

Best,

Greg

 

[alexadeparis]

Thanks for the update GregT, looking forward to the new units coming on line.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

All,


It will be interesting to see if we get an announcement on this property, or if they will defer any construction while they complete Phase 3 at KL, and Grand Islander. It probably makes most sense to begin construction in 2017 and finish in 2019, after the inventory from KL and GI have been sold.

Thanks for doing the extra research!

I agree with your timing, and actually just watched a youtube video on the state of various TimeShares in Hawaii by Syed Sarmad, a broker from Maui. He mentioned the HGVC Ocean tower conversion as a 2017 project. No idea how accurate his information is, but the timing seems logical to me.

As for actual conversion, i have mixed thoughts. I like the resort, and used to stay in ocean tower before we bought our HGVC TS. It would be nice to have an ocean view on the big island, but there is no real beach there, other than the lagoon.

The down side is the size of that resort. It a hassle taking the tram or boat back and forth from the Ocean tower.

Chris

 

[vacationbear]

Thanks for doing the extra research!

As for actual conversion, i have mixed thoughts. I like the resort, and used to stay in ocean tower before we bought our HGVC TS. It would be nice to have an ocean view on the big island, but there is no real beach there, other than the lagoon.

The down side is the size of that resort. It a hassle taking the tram or boat back and forth from the Ocean tower.

Chris

Based on our stay there I couldn't agree more with you, Chris!

 

[GregT]

The down side is the size of that resort. It a hassle taking the tram or boat back and forth from the Ocean tower.

Chris

I agree, whenever we wanted to drive somewhere, we found we were better off walking to our car than waiting for the tram or boat, which was about a 10-15 minute walk. Walking to the pool was not an inconvenience though and we really enjoyed it.

My recollection of the Ocean Tower was some screeching birds at sunrise. I hope those birds are under control, or that there was something seasonal about November.

All things considered, I remain happy to see continued expansion in HGVC (and in Starwood) -- happy to see continued options.

Interestingly, HGVC owners should take note of the new Nanea point structure for Starwood Maui. They've kept a link to their original points chart (and premium pointed the best view categories). It's not dissimilar to what HGVC did with Grand Islander -- and I'm curious to see what HGVC Maui looks like, hoping it retains a link to 4,800/6,200/7,000/8,400/9,600 even if just for some of the rooms.

It's a real positive if new properties resist the desire to have severe inflation.

Best,

Greg

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I don't recall screeching birds, but its probably been 15 years since i last stayed in the ocean tower at HWV..


I don't follow Starwood timeshares yet.. so con't really comment on their new point structure.. but am still guessing HGVC Maui has higher than average point requirement... Maui is very popular and its expensive to develop there my guess is the units are expensive to purchase and they attach premium point values to help justify the higher costs...

Of course that is all speculation on my part...

 

[GregT]

I don't follow Starwood timeshares yet.. so con't really comment on their new point structure.. but am still guessing HGVC Maui has higher than average point requirement...

I agree -- Maui can demand a premium and I expect one for HGVC, I just hope it's manageable.

Starwood is becoming a desirable complement to HGVC for the Hawaii-phile. Both HGVC and Starwood Hawaii properties can be accessed at a manageable cost (because their internal point systems are accessible to the resale purchaser, and the inventory access is mature and transparent).

Starwood provides access to two (with third under construction) properties on Maui, and one property (with second announced) on Kauai.

HGVC provides access to three properties (with fourth under construction) on Oahu, and three properties (and a fourth one in the future) on Big Island. And Maui announced with construction pending.

While Marriott will claim to single-handedly cover all four islands (currently covering three, soon four), however the inability to cost-effectively utilize a point system puts its properties and system at a disadvantage. I view point systems as far superior to II trading, which is unpredictable and unreliable, IMO.

I remain very happy with my HGVC purchases and am warming to the Hawaii opportunities that Starwood offers. I didn't expect Nanea to retain the original point structure, which I view as great for Starwood owners and a promising sign for other new properties.

Interesting.

Best,

Greg

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I agree -- Maui can demand a premium and I expect one for HGVC, I just hope it's manageable.

Starwood is becoming a desirable complement to HGVC for the Hawaii-phile. Both HGVC and Starwood Hawaii properties can be accessed at a manageable cost (because their internal point systems are accessible to the resale purchaser, and the inventory access is mature and transparent).

Greg

I am rapidly becoming more of Hawaii-phile than i ever imagined.. probably to my wife's dismay...

I will have to learn more about Starwood, but right now i am more focused on growing my HGVC portfolio... There are some attractive deals available recently... Next year i have two large vacations planned, and neither involve a TS.. one a safari and the other to NYC. Its hard to justify buy more points right now, when i may end up rescuing a bunch of 2016 points anyways..

 

[drbrandt]

Any update on the potential for an HGVC property at Waikoloa Village?

 

[linsj]

I tried to book a few nights at the hotel in September, but Ocean Tower (my favorite) isn't available. I'm guessing that means they're starting the conversion before then.

The latest news is from November: https://vincentvargasblog.wordpress.com/2016/11/14/hilton-undertaking-timeshare-conversion-project-at-resort. Most of the story is behind a pay wall at Pacific Business News.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Can't find this story anywhere that is accessible for free, including HGV own media center site. Strange.

 

[bobbi_1217]

Access to the story in Pacific Business News is free but does require that you create an account. That said, i did create an account to read the story and there wasn't too much information. The plan is to convert 347 of the tower's hotel rooms into timeshares (no clue what that equates to in the number of timeshare units). A Hilton spokesperson said "We're in the very early stages" and haven't chosen a contractor yet. Sounds like they are several years out in the development. At the rate this is moving, I hope I live long enough to stay there.