Westin Kaanapali Preview Visit

[Carlsbadguy]

I jsut got a mailing for apreview visit in Maui. Cost for 5 nights is $649- including a $100 resort credit and $185 towards an Avis car rental. You stay in a standard studio villa. Was wondering what the "standard studio villa" is like and if anyone else has taken advantage of this?

 

[Pedro]

I jsut got a mailing for apreview visit in Maui. Cost for 5 nights is $649- including a $100 resort credit and $185 towards an Avis car rental. You stay in a standard studio villa. Was wondering what the "standard studio villa" is like and if anyone else has taken advantage of this?

That is not a bad price at all. You will most likely have to seat through a presentation, but I think it is worth it. You can see a layout of the villas at: http://www.starwoodvacationownershi...kanapali_ocean_resort_villas_north/villas.jsp

 

[pointsjunkie]

westin maui

the studio is nice for one couple. the sofa bed is next to the bed so there is no privacy. if you decide to purchase go with the larger unit or the lockout. starwood is a great company to own with. make sure they give you a lot of starpoints if you purchase with them.

 

[formerhater]

Insert standard post encouraging resale purchase here...

 

[DeniseM]

I jsut got a mailing for apreview visit in Maui. Cost for 5 nights is $649- including a $100 resort credit and $185 towards an Avis car rental. You stay in a standard studio villa. Was wondering what the "standard studio villa" is like and if anyone else has taken advantage of this?

Howard - That's a GREAT deal. You usally get a standard, no-view room at the Sheraton or Maui Hotel on that pkg. The studios rent for $400 a night from Starwood!

Click on the "Ocean View Villa" camera to see the Studio in 360

And here's the Studio Floor Plan

 

[Carlsbadguy]

The card I got int ehmail says standard studio- is there a difference in the standard and deluxe.

 

[Ken555]

The card I got int ehmail says standard studio- is there a difference in the standard and deluxe.

I'd call and specifically ask if you would be staying at WKORV or at an "affiliate" or "other" property. If they guarantee a studio at WKORV then this is a fantastic deal. If it is, send us all the code... Seriously, I tried to get my brother and his family to visit last year and all they'd offer was a hotel room at the Westin Maui for about that price (and that just didn't really appeal to them; a studio at WKORV would be a different story altogether).

The 'deluxe' studios include a balcony, and there aren't many of them. Otherwise, I believe the studios are all identical.

 

[Henry M.]

I believe the Deluxe studios are the ocean front units. I've stayed at once and, as Ken says, the only difference is the lanai. A standard studio doesn't have one. The lanai is nice, but it gets a lot of sun in the afternoon. This is a good deal. Just make sure they have the dates you want to go before signing up. Availability is sometimes limited.

 

[Ken555]

I believe the Deluxe studios are the ocean front units.

I wish! I believe these are the studio side of the 2-bed "deluxe" units, which I think are at each corner of the buildings. The unit I had was 'deluxe', and wasn't ocean front (and I was told the same 'deluxe' designation applied to the studio side as well as the 1-bed).

 

[turkel]

Be aware you must be flexible. They charge you the fee before you are allowed to make reservations. Then you find out the week you want is not available. This just happened to my mom and she had to fight to get her money back. No availability in May ( not exactly high season).

 

[DeniseM]

Be aware you must be flexible. They charge you the fee before you are allowed to make reservations. Then you find out the week you want is not available. This just happened to my mom and she had to fight to get her money back. No availability in May ( not exactly high season).

It's not so much the season, as it is how far out you are booking. If you are trying to get a date within a few months, it's nearly impossible - further out is easier. They only allocate so many rooms for these packages, so even if the hotel is half empty, you won't be able to get the pkg. after all of them are reserved for the date you want.

 

[saluki]

Be aware you must be flexible. They charge you the fee before you are allowed to make reservations. Then you find out the week you want is not available. This just happened to my mom and she had to fight to get her money back. No availability in May ( not exactly high season).

Not so sure about this. I had no problem checking availability for my Kierland visit before breaking out the credit card.

< typo edit >

 

[DeniseM]

Not so sure about this. I had no problem checking availability for my Kierland visit before breaking out the credit card.

< typo edit >

Do you mean that you were able to confirm a reservation date before paying the deposit?

 

[Henry M.]

I've been able to ask about availability before getting a package like this. Marriott also let me ask before committing.

 

[saluki]

Do you mean that you were able to confirm a reservation date before paying the deposit?

Yes. I got the offer in the mail & called them up. They checked to verify the week I wanted was available & then took my credit card info.

 

[ann824]

Be aware you must be flexible. They charge you the fee before you are allowed to make reservations. Then you find out the week you want is not available. This just happened to my mom and she had to fight to get her money back. No availability in May ( not exactly high season).

How did she get her money back. We made the mistake of paying a deposit first and have found it difficult to reserve weeks. I called wanting something 6 to 9 months out and they told me they were not making reservations that far in advance, so then I waited closer to the time and they said they didn't have anything. I would make sure you know the dates you want before you pay. They make it sound like you have to pay your deposit right then, and the invitation is only good for so many days after you receive it, and that is not true. I discovered you could call a year or two later and still get the deal. They will also give you several years or longer to take your trip. It is just difficult to work out airline reservations and then find a date that will work.

Also, I have received invitations from both Maui and Princeville in Kauai. It doesn't say anywhere that you can't do both. I have paid the deposit for Maui and got a call from someone wanting to reserve a Kauai week. Has anyone done both at the same time.

 

[DeniseM]

Also, I have received invitations from both Maui and Princeville in Kauai. It doesn't say anywhere that you can't do both. I have paid the deposit for Maui and got a call from someone wanting to reserve a Kauai week. Has anyone done both at the same time.

It does say in the terms of the offer that you can only do one Starwood presentation per year. Unless you get confirmation from Starwood that you can do both, I wouldn't do it, because you could end up paying full cost for one of the trips.

Eligibility-
Guests are eligible only if:
(a) their names have been presented by a current SVN member, in good standing;
(b) they have met the annual household income requirements as may be required for certain Resorts; (Maui had an income requirement of $85,000 when we purchased.)
(c) they are not already a Resort owner;
(d) if Guest is required to tour and is married or involved in a life partnership (living at same address), both spouses/ partners must attend the sales presentation together;
(e) they have not previously attended a SVO Resort sales presentation within the past 12 months; and
(f) they otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, including any requirement to attend a sales presentation, as SVO may require from time to time

 

[DavidnRobin]

I believe the Deluxe studios are the ocean front units. I've stayed at once and, as Ken says, the only difference is the lanai. A standard studio doesn't have one. The lanai is nice, but it gets a lot of sun in the afternoon. This is a good deal. Just make sure they have the dates you want to go before signing up. Availability is sometimes limited.

The lanai is not the only diference - the unit configuartion and size is also different. The Deluxe unit is slightly larger.