WKORV-N blocked out the week of May 2 for an event week?

[zeke013]

I called Starwood today to make a reservation for the week of May 2, 2008 at WKORV-N - and was told that that week is unavailable for use because it's "Golden Week" in Japan and there is no inventory available to owners. I explained that I was given a Week 1-50 share when I bought and was only told that I couldn't use Christmas and New Year's weeks.

I ended up making a reservation for April 25 instead - which isn't a problem in this case. But I thought that this couldn't be right.

The operator said she was going to check with the resort directly - but that at this time all of the rooms were booked for "resort use" and none available to Starwood owners. She promised to call me back and let me know what's up. Anyone else have this problem this morning? Are there any other dates like this that may be barred from owner use?

As noted above - it's not a big deal to me since I can travel the week prior. But I think it's baloney if it's true . . .

I hope it's a mistake.

 

[KOR5Star]

I called Starwood today to make a reservation for the week of May 2, 2008 at WKORV-N - and was told that that week is unavailable for use because it's "Golden Week" in Japan and there is no inventory available to owners. I explained that I was given a Week 1-50 share when I bought and was only told that I couldn't use Christmas and New Year's weeks.

I ended up making a reservation for April 25 instead - which isn't a problem in this case. But I thought that this couldn't be right.

The operator said she was going to check with the resort directly - but that at this time all of the rooms were booked for "resort use" and none available to Starwood owners. She promised to call me back and let me know what's up. Anyone else have this problem this morning? Are there any other dates like this that may be barred from owner use?

As noted above - it's not a big deal to me since I can travel the week prior. But I think it's baloney if it's true . . .

I hope it's a mistake.

I just got off the phone with SVO and they have plenty of weeks for next year. You should call back.

 

[zeke013]

I just got off the phone with SVO and they have plenty of weeks for next year. You should call back.

I was able to make a reservation - just not for my preferred week of May 2. Were you able to book the week of May 2?

 

[KOR5Star]

I was able to make a reservation - just not for my preferred week of May 2. Were you able to book the week of May 2?

Yes. Not only did I get my room, there seems to be plenty of rooms available.

I'm at WKORV, not WKORV-N, but I can't imagine there would be that much of a difference.

Tomorrow I'll switch it to Saturday to Saturday. I only called today because I was in a panic after I saw your post.

 

[TheUnitrep]

I was able to make a reservation - just not for my preferred week of May 2. Were you able to book the week of May 2?

Zeke --

I just contacted Starwood and they said there was a great deal of units available (all categories) at WKORV-N with a check-in date of May 02, 2008.

Of course, I could only verify availability in my view category -- Island.

I didn't reserve any as I was merely curious to see if Starwood had indeed "blocked" out the entire resort.

You should call back if you really want May 2nd instead of the week you settled for when you made your reservation.

Good Luck!

Jerry

 

[DavidnRobin]

I thought 'Golden Week' is in August???
May is one of the lowest demand months for HI.

 

[LisaH]

Japanese Golden Week is always the first week of May. It has something to do with their Emperor's birthday and a few other holidays being together. Japanese usually get about 10 days off around the first week of May and it's one of the busiest vacation time in Japan.

 

[zeke013]

Zeke --

I just contacted Starwood and they said there was a great deal of units available (all categories) at WKORV-N with a check-in date of May 02, 2008.

Of course, I could only verify availability in my view category -- Island.

I didn't reserve any as I was merely curious to see if Starwood had indeed "blocked" out the entire resort.

You should call back if you really want May 2nd instead of the week you settled for when you made your reservation.

Good Luck!

Jerry

I am actually in Ocean Front. Wonder if that makes a difference . . .

In any event - I only care if it REALLY can't se the week of May 2. The week prior realy is fine. I just decided to call and schedule because it crossed my mind this morning. I'll update you when I hear back. I got a call this afternoon saying they didn't know yet but would get back to me tomorrow.

 

[LisaRex]

The operator said she was going to check with the resort directly - but that at this time all of the rooms were booked for "resort use" and none available to Starwood owners. She promised to call me back and let me know what's up. Anyone else have this problem this morning? Are there any other dates like this that may be barred from owner use?

As noted above - it's not a big deal to me since I can travel the week prior. But I think it's baloney if it's true . . .

I hope it's a mistake.

I absolutely agree that, if it's true, that is baloney. Unless all the Japanese owners booked up the rooms before you did, then this is completely bogus. I'm sure Starwood would make a great deal of $$ renting these units instead of allowing owners to use them, but that's tough toenails.

Of course, if it IS an event week, then that may be a good week for owners who aren't planning on using their unit to book and rent....

 

[DavidnRobin]

I am actually in Ocean Front. Wonder if that makes a difference . . .

In any event - I only care if it REALLY can't se the week of May 2. The week prior realy is fine. I just decided to call and schedule because it crossed my mind this morning. I'll update you when I hear back. I got a call this afternoon saying they didn't know yet but would get back to me tomorrow.

WKORV OF or WKORV-N OF?

There are fewer OF units at WKORV - therefore less inventory - if you are competing with foxed week users - who fixed their week to coincide with 'Golden Week - then even less inventory. I don't know about the WKORV resorts, but other resorts (WPORV and WSJ-BV) are limiting the number of weeks that can be fixed for a given week (50% at WSJ-BV are to be kept float)

 

[zeke013]

Got a voicemail from Starwood last night. They WERE able to get me in the week of May 2. No explanation for what the confusion was about though . . .