Trading into Waiohai

[horseman]

My wife and I are single week owners at MCV and would like to trade for Waiohai (MAW)for May 2012. We have secured our 2012 MCV 2 bedroom during spring training and have deposited the whole thing to get to MAW. Once securing MAW we would request Maui Ocean Club with a 2011 1 bedroom.

We have decided we don't want to go to HI unless we can get into MAW- picky , I know.

Were looking for any opinions whether this is possible these days. i.e. can you trade into MAW at all using II , or do we need to join the new points system if we want to go there and probably trade 7 days at MCV for 5 at MAW.

Also, considering we need to book the second week plus airfare and would like to upgrade to 1st class using points, how long should we wait before we pull the plug on Hawaii and try again in 2013.

We joined in 2006 and got to Hawaii the 1st time we ever attempted a trade in 2007 (Maui Ocean Club and Kauai Beach Club studios) not knowing the system. Since then we have several times received a 2BR for a lockout via II. No such luck recently...several recent trade requests using our 2011 weeks have gone unfullfilled.

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[vacationtime1]

May is not high season in Hawaii; you should be fine getting a Waiohai exchange through Interval. The Maui Ocean Club will probably be the the more difficult of the two exchanges, although you have a high probability of success on that, too.

 

[applegirl]

Any particular reason why you are stuck on going to Waiohai? Have you seen plenty of pictures and read reviews? Not to be too subjective (but I am) this is a Marriott I can honestly say I would never stay at. I love Marriott t/s but when my husband and I were on Kauia last year for our anniversary we stopped by to see Waiohai and I couldn't believe how much I didn't like it. Very claustrophobic, the beach out front was not good at all (very steep entry, very scary swimming, at least from what I could see). The whole property just felt very cramped, unlike Marriott resorts I'm used to such as the Palm Desert resorts which are expansive or the Westin Princeville where we stayed.

I'm sure some folks love this resort and go back year after year. Maybe you would love it too but I just want you to really do your research because if I hadn't seen it beforehand and then checked in for a week I would be very upset. Thank goodness we took a look-see last year and now know it is not an option for us.

There are quite a few Marriotts in Hawaii so hopefully you will be happy with whatever you choose.

I know this is total opinion, but that's all it is!
Janna

 

[emt]

We were confirmed for an II exchange into MAW for early Dec 2011 (off-season)using an MOC studio deposit. The request was placed, and filled within 24 hrs, last week. The studio traded was an Aug. 29 2010 check-in (so not a 'prime' week). The week confirmed is noted as a 'bulk bank'.

Can't predict how this will translate to your own request, but it does indicate that MAW is still available for trade in II.

 

[Ann in CA]

We usually go to Waiohai in October, but have gone in May, August and November. We have even traded back in with a Mountainside lockoff to add an extra week, so using your whole MCV, you should have no problem. Of course we have not traded in since the DC, but still think you will be successful!

We have exchanged to KBC, Kauai Lagoons, Ko Olina, Phuket, both Playa Andaluza and Marbella and still love Waiohai. It may not have the most expansive grounds, (giant parcels of oceanfront land in Kauai, on one of the most highly rated beaches in the world are not readily available!) but the landscaping and beach and sunsets are beautiful, and the spirit of Aloha is alive and well there.

Good luck!

 

[horseman]

Any particular reason why you are stuck on going to Waiohai?
Applegirl,
Thanks for the comments. It is interesting that what appeals to one person may not to another. I guess that just helps us all get what we want.
We were at Kauia Beach Club in 2007 and , while we had a great time, we did not particularly like that resort. Too big , too opulent . etc. We went to Waiohai and spent the day and loved it: grounds, beach, pools, bar etc. I guess what you call claustrophobic , we call intimate. Anyway to each his own , I guess.

We may try the new Kauia Lagoons. Does anyone have any feedback? Cant really tell from The MVC site
Thanks

 

[mkahanek]

Any particular reason why you are stuck on going to Waiohai?
Applegirl,
Thanks for the comments. It is interesting that what appeals to one person may not to another. I guess that just helps us all get what we want.
We were at Kauia Beach Club in 2007 and , while we had a great time, we did not particularly like that resort. Too big , too opulent . etc. We went to Waiohai and spent the day and loved it: grounds, beach, pools, bar etc. I guess what you call claustrophobic , we call intimate. Anyway to each his own , I guess.

We may try the new Kauia Lagoons. Does anyone have any feedback? Cant really tell from The MVC site
Thanks

Lagoons was originally specced and designed to be a Ritz. So it is larger and has sub-z appliances etc. However, From what I understand you can not simply walk to the beach. You would have to shuttle, drive over the Kauai Beach Club for beach access.

 

[Ann in CA]

We spent a week at Kauai Lagoons last Fall after our week at Waiohai. I have Resort Reviews for both posted here on TUG. The beach at KL is not really something most people would use. We would not have given up our week at Waiohai for Kauai Lagoons, but having both experiences actually was great. All the Hawaiian resorts have very different personalities. We have enjoyed them all, but for beach time, Waiohai still wins out for us.

 

[mkahanek]

We spent a week at Kauai Lagoons last Fall after our week at Waiohai. I have Resort Reviews for both posted here on TUG. The beach at KL is not really something most people would use. We would not have given up our week at Waiohai for Kauai Lagoons, but having both experiences actually was great. All the Hawaiian resorts have very different personalities. We have enjoyed them all, but for beach time, Waiohai still wins out for us.

Anne,

How did you like Waiohai compared to Ko Olina? I have been to both. I actually like Ko Olina the resort a little better. Maybe its the pools. But, I would NEVER turn down a week at Waiohai. Its like do I want a Mercdes or BMW right?

 

[puckmanfl]

Good afternoon

kL is a beautiful facility, with outstanding units and views.... A great place if you want a peaceful base from which to explore the island....

It's only drawback is the lack of the "beach resort" experience. You can't easily grab a drink from the poolside bar and have easy access to the beach from your room. An issue if you have young cash drains...

The. pool and hot tub are nice but without surrounding amenities. All of this is available at KBC but over 1 mi,e from kl. They do have shuttles however.

 

[Ann in CA]

Anne,

How did you like Waiohai compared to Ko Olina? I have been to both. I actually like Ko Olina the resort a little better. Maybe its the pools. But, I would NEVER turn down a week at Waiohai. Its like do I want a Mercdes or BMW right?

Actually, we really enjoyed our two weeks at Ko Olina in 2009. We had previously visited Ko Olina when only the first building was finished, and it was so windy we kind of wrote it off for a few years. We always like having a JW nearby, and the grounds of Ko Olina are great, but we own at Waiohai. Not so sure we would have bought at Ko Olina, even though we really enjoyed it. But we will definitely exchange back occasionally in the future.

Of course we would rather have a lock off than our two bedroom Waiohai, so it probably would have been a better purchase. But when we bought, we just fell in love with Kauai and the easy beach time and beautiful pools at Waiohai. The lagoons at Ko Olina are nice, but just not like natural beaches. I grew up able to walk to the beach in San Diego, so love the beach time.

You are exactly right, though when we lived in Germany, we had a diesel Mercedes, and it in no way compares to driving the 3 series BMW. My dream car growing up was always the Mercedes SL! Not too practical with kids, but the big 300TD on the autobahn felt really safe.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

We stayed at Kauai Beach Resort and Waiohai this past April. I know everyone has their opinions on which place is better but I get really disappointed when people go to Hawaii and don't place the beaches a high priority on their list. We've also stayed on the Princeville side at Westin Princeville as well as a smaller place called The Cliff's Resort. Anyways, to me the beach is #1 in my book. I want a beach outside the resort. I don't want to drive to one. The beach at Waiohai can be seasonal so, makes me wonder when that person visited and thought it was steep. We went in April and the water at Poipu is amazing. You see turtles when you snorkel. I saw thousands of fish. This is not something you'd get at Kauai Beach Club. I could be in a shack for all I care but if the beach is beautiful (I'd stay there). So, I think people have different priorites when they to Hawaii and for me Hawaii is ALL about the beach and the sunsets. But that's me. Hope you get your trade!!!

 

[ciscogizmo1]

We also stayed at Ko'Olina as well. I love that resort too. It is topnotch and it is very big. The pools are nice. I was surprised on how small the pool slide was. I loved the views from our room, etc.. The lagoons were very nice as well as the walking path. There wasn't much sealife at the beach but perfect for beginner swimmers. We'd stay there again for several reasons: it is a quick flight there for us. There is lots of shopping in the area. We like the different tours offered. I loved the beach with lounge chairs. However, I did feel more isolated there. But that just meant you had to plan your meals around your activities or eat near by or plan a meal in.

 

[chrisfromOC]

resort preferences

I too am a bit surprised by some opinions about these resorts. I've stayed at the Ko Olina, Westin KORV, Marriott Kauai Beach Resort, and the Waiohai, and I would pick the Waiohai over the others every time. Best beach in the world, in my opinion. Easy swimming year round (I've been there in December, January, April and May), great snorkeling, and the reef break provides really good surfing during the summer months.

Westin KORV in Maui is a great resort too. I would probably not stay at Ko Olina (too artificial for me, and the surrounding area is basically an industrial site) or Kauai Beach Resort (large, not well maintained, poor water quality at the beach) again.

I love the North Shore of Kauai, but the sketchy weather generally keeps us away from there.

 

[slomac]

I have to say the waiohai is my favorite as well. we have stayed at MOC Westin Villas in Maui but I love the Waiohai. Probably because it is a smaller resort and has more of the hawaii feel for me. Plus Kauai is my favorite island.

 

[mkahanek]

I guess I barely give the nod Ko Olina because my mountain view often has a decent amount of ocean view where as I was in an ocean view room at Waiohai and barely had a sliver.

Won't turn either down though.