• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Hawaii advice, where , when, how soon to request

Which island is your favorite

  • Oahu

    Votes: 4 16.0%
  • Kauai

    Votes: 13 52.0%
  • Big Island

    Votes: 7 28.0%
  • Maui

    Votes: 12 48.0%

  • Total voters
    25

nursie

TUG Member
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
226
Reaction score
8
Points
228
Location
Minnesota
Wondering from those experienced:
Where did you stay? and Love?
Which Island did you choose and why?
If you brought kids which place is best?
How soon did you put in request (i.e. months/years in advance for ongoing request) and for how many TPUs or rental price through RCI did you get it?
What time of year did you go?
If you could, would you stay 2 weeks and if so, would you stay at 2 different locations/islands?
Any and all advice appreciated.
Thanks!
 

BocaBoy

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
5,332
Reaction score
410
Points
368
Location
Wisconsin
Resorts Owned
Grand Chateau
Wondering from those experienced:
Where did you stay? and Love?
Which Island did you choose and why?
If you brought kids which place is best?
How soon did you put in request (i.e. months/years in advance for ongoing request) and for how many TPUs or rental price through RCI did you get it?
What time of year did you go?
If you could, would you stay 2 weeks and if so, would you stay at 2 different locations/islands?
Any and all advice appreciated.
Thanks!
I would definitely do 2 islands if this is your first trip and you stay 2 weeks. Oahu is a must on your first trip (because of Pearl Harbor and other major sites) and I suggest Maui for the second island, or the Big island if you are really in to volcanoes. Each of the four islands share some characteristics, of course, but each is very different from the others.
 

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
Messages
10,762
Reaction score
7,057
Points
749
Location
The Weirs, New Hampshire
Resorts Owned
Innseason Pollard Brook
Been to all the islands. Last trip we did my fav- Kauai- and the Big Island- which used to be my least fav and moved up to my second ahead of Maui. We took our son.

Volcanoes National Park is an absolute must, as is a trip up Mauna Kea- the most incredible experience ever. We did a sunset/stargazing tour with a group- expensive- but worth it.

http://maunakea.com/

Also- beautiful beach there is Hapuna Beach often called the best beach in the USA.

Kauai is just so great and laid back- the snorkeling. Loved salt pond and Lygate State Park beach and Kea beach and the Napali Coast (took a boat tour). We found Lumaha'i Beach with views of Bali Hai. (dangerous to swim in, though).(location of the scene from the old movie South Pacific- song-"Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair"..and song "Bali Hai")

Then there is the Fern Grotto and Waimea Canyon.

Maui is also beautiful- you have the National Park there as well.

Oahu- the second time there we just did Pearl Harbor again and a short excursion into Honolulu on a flight layover on the way home from our stay at the two other islands.

I recommend doing at least 2 islands and staying 2 weeks. Our last trip was 21 days. We exchanged and actually tacked on a rental in between to make it work.

Put in a request asap- when I did it I think it was about 2 years in advance. This was before the creation of TPU's. We used our fixed RED week and our White summer week with a few days rental in between at the resort we were staying in in Kauai to make it work until our check in on the Big Island.

On the Big Island we stayed in the desert area- I didn't care for the Kona area.Wanted to be near Hapuna Beach. In Kauai we stayed in Lihue- I like the dry side as opposed to the Princeville side which can get more rain.

You need to rent a car. Kauai is small and easy to drive one end to the other- but a lot of traffic as it is only one main road. The Big Island is- well- BIG- and be prepared to do a lot of long driving

First time we went in October and second time we went in July. Both times had beautiful weather. Keep in mind in Hawaii it gets dark by 5pm- so it is not like summer is here where it is daylight until 9pm.
 
Last edited:

b2bailey

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2007
Messages
3,682
Reaction score
2,620
Points
598
Location
Santa Cruz CA
Love, love, love Hawaii.
I am one of few who didn't like Big Island as much, and I always try to add in a bit of Honolulu whenever I go.

That being said I have found 2017 exchanges through R C I very difficult. Fewer offerings at higher T P U.
 

BocaBoy

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
5,332
Reaction score
410
Points
368
Location
Wisconsin
Resorts Owned
Grand Chateau
Keep in mind in Hawaii it gets dark by 5pm- so it is not like summer is here where it is daylight until 9pm.
Your point is a good one, but it is more like 6 p.m. Also, no daylight savings time to extend the daylight hours in the summer.
 

easyrider

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
15,046
Reaction score
8,001
Points
948
Location
Palm Springs of Washinton
Resorts Owned
Worldmark * * Villa Del Palmar UVCI * * Vacation Internationale*
I like Big Island because the traffic doesn't seem as bad and I just seem to like the vibe. Maui would be second.

Bill
 

alwysonvac

TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2005
Messages
15,915
Reaction score
3,744
Points
848
Location
New Jersey
Resorts Owned
WORLDMARK, HGVC, VISTANA

SOLD (DVC, FSRC)
Wondering from those experienced:
Where did you stay? and Love?
Which Island did you choose and why?
If you brought kids which place is best?
How soon did you put in request (i.e. months/years in advance for ongoing request) and for how many TPUs or rental price through RCI did you get it?
What time of year did you go?
If you could, would you stay 2 weeks and if so, would you stay at 2 different locations/islands?
Any and all advice appreciated.
Thanks!

If your family prefers destination resorts, I would put in a RCI request for the HGVC resorts on Oahu and the Big Island.

HGVC's annual bulk for 2018 stays will be coming up in the next few month so it's best to put in your OGS request asap and be as flexible as possible with your travel dates. They deposit two bedrooms too.

Since there is more competition for the Oahu resorts, I would list all possible HGVC resorts on Oahu in hopes of getting a match. The Hilton Hawaiian Village resort is on Redweek's top 25 rental list.

2016 TUG sighting for stays in 2017 with TPU info

Oahu - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/rci-lagoon-tower-by-hgvc-5996-possible-bulk-2017.240146/
Big Island - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/rci-kings-land-by-hilton-grand-vacations.240145/
(NOTE: Must be logged in as a TUG member to view links).

2015 TUG sighting for stays in 2016 with TPU info
Oahu - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/rci-hgvc-grand-waikikian-bulk-2016.225167/
Oahu - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/rci-hgvc-lagoon-tower-oahu-bulk-2016.225169/
Big Island - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/rci-hgvc-kings-land-bulk-2016.225140/
(NOTE: Must be logged in as a TUG member to view links).

To get an idea when these weeks become available, take a look at the date the sighting was posted compared to the date available for exchange.


The following Oahu resorts are located within the Hilton Hawaiian Village
.
This is a large beachfront property in Waikiki. Guests have access to all of the Hilton hotel amenities
Hilton Hawaiian Village - http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/
Location on Google Map - link
  • The Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Vacations Club (#DB98)
  • Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations Club (#7977)
  • Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village - The Kalia Tower (#7499) - studios and one bedrooms only
  • Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village - The Lagoon Tower (#5996).

The following Big Island resorts are located near the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort.
The Hilton Waikoloa Village is oceanfront however it does not have a swimmable beach (extremely rocky). None of the HGVC resorts are oceanfront. Some have a glimpse of the ocean. The HGVC resorts are not located within the hotel property however all HGVC guests have access to the Hilton hotel amenities. Waikoloa Suite and Kings’ Land guests have free access to the hotel pool. Bay Club guests must pay for hotel pool access. There is an internal HGVC resort shuttle that stops at the Hilton property and two local shopping malls.
Hilton Waikoloa Village - http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/
Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort Area - http://www.waikoloabeachresort.com/
Location on Google Map - link
  • Kings' Land by Hilton Grand Vacations Club (#7978) - free access to hotel pool
  • Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort (#8599) - free access to hotel pool
  • The Bay Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort (#3684) - paid access to hotel pool

Big Island
Interested in opinions on the 3 Big Island resorts (2016) - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240857
Hilton Waikoloa Village Lagoon and Pool photos - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194066
Why go to HGVC on the big island at all? (2015) - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236611

Oahu
For those who are not familar with the Hilton Hawaiian Village (2013) - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1563081&postcount=31
What would you recommend in Honolulu? (2012) - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163139
Honolulu is listed under the 15 Best Family Vacations on US News and World Report - http://travel.usnews.com/rankings/Best_Family_Vacations/
Honolulu is also listed as a top kid friendly city by Parents Magazine - http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/familyfun-travel-awards/
 
Last edited:

presley

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2011
Messages
6,313
Reaction score
1,121
Points
448
Put your request in at least 18 months ahead of time. Hilton does their bulk deposits a little over a year out. I am not sure what other timeshares are in RCI. It seems like most of the good ones are in Interval.

Oahu - I love it. It has a little of everything. You can be in the big city then go hike in a rain forest and then go to the beach all in one day.

Big Island - It's really big. You spend a lot of time in the car. They have excellent snorkeling, Volcanoes National Park is amazing (but, stinky and can be bad for allergies and asthma), coffee plantation tours in Kona, rainforests, Hawaiins who actually still live off the land.. it is pretty interesting if you like to keep very busy and don't mind riding in a car a lot.
 

alwysonvac

TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2005
Messages
15,915
Reaction score
3,744
Points
848
Location
New Jersey
Resorts Owned
WORLDMARK, HGVC, VISTANA

SOLD (DVC, FSRC)
Also, a lot of good information can be found in the older threads.

Here are some examples:
  1. What's One Thing You Wish You Had Known...[before you went to Hawaii] -
  2. http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?...u-had-known-before-you-went-to-hawaii.218338/
  3. Hawaii Airfare - How do you plan it out? - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/hawaii-airfare-how-do-you-plan-it-out.231483/
  4. Hawaii Car Rentals - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/hawaii-car-rentals.242067/
  5. Tell me why I should go to Oahu? - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/tell-me-why-i-should-go-to-oahu.131985/
  6. Hawaii Revealed Books - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/hawaii-revealed-books.182509/
 

nursie

TUG Member
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
226
Reaction score
8
Points
228
Location
Minnesota
Wow, thanks for all the great info! I forgot to mention it will be an RCI exchange, and our kids age ranges at time of visit would be 10-17
 
Top