Makai Club - Resort Fee (? WTH?)

[Timeshare Von]

I have an upcoming RCI exchange into the Makai Club on Kauai. I wasn't too surprised by the fact they have a resort fee (in addition to the mandatory Hawaii occupancy fee). But what has surprised me is the daily rate (about $26) and the fact that it appears this resort really had zero amenities, except a rather smallish swimming pool and BBQ grills. What am I missing here?

 

[geist1223]

Good amenities.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Good amenities.

Ok like what? That was my question. $26/day to maybe use their small pool is a joke!

 

[DeniseM]

I believe they only charge exchangers the resort fee. Why? Because they can!

 

[Luanne]

Question: "What am I missing here?"

Answer: "Good amenities"

I read it to mean you are missing good amenities even though you are paying for them.

We traded into there years ago. No fees then.

 

[djyamyam]

Makai Club is managed by GPR resorts and they standardly have a daily amenity fee charged on all exchanges into the resorts. They brought that policy in a number of years ago when the LV hotels made that popular and companies realized it was another way to pad the bottom line. For some of the resorts (like Makai Club), I think what they charge is pretty ridiculous for what you get in return. The HGVC resorts charge that for exchangers but that's a higher quality resort IMHO

 

[Timeshare Von]

Question: "What am I missing here?"

Answer: "Good amenities"

I read it to mean you are missing good amenities even though you are paying for them.

We traded into there years ago. No fees then.

OH! I didn't read it that way at all. Thanks.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Makai Club is managed by GPR resorts and they standardly have a daily amenity fee charged on all exchanges into the resorts. They brought that policy in a number of years ago when the LV hotels made that popular and companies realized it was another way to pad the bottom line. For some of the resorts (like Makai Club), I think what they charge is pretty ridiculous for what you get in return. The HGVC resorts charge that for exchangers but that's a higher quality resort IMHO

Well live & learn . . . won't make *THAT* mistake again. It's highway robbery for sure!

 

[Tamaradarann]

I have an upcoming RCI exchange into the Makai Club on Kauai. I wasn't too surprised by the fact they have a resort fee (in addition to the mandatory Hawaii occupancy fee). But what has surprised me is the daily rate (about $26) and the fact that it appears this resort really had zero amenities, except a rather smallish swimming pool and BBQ grills. What am I missing here?

I am certainly not trying to defend resort fees but offer an explanation. The Board of the HOA of the resort is responsible for approving the maintenance fees for resorts. By collecting the $25/night for exchangers they can help offset some of the costs in running the resort and keep mainteance costs lower for owners. Since they don't charge owners the exchange fee the owners who elect the Board.

 

[bnoble]

That doesn't come without a cost to those owners though, because it also reduces the trade power of the resort through reduced demand. For example, I avoid most (former) Diamond resorts, because (a) they have a resort fee that is north of $100 or close to $200 for a week and (b) there are usually other resorts that are just as nice (or nicer) nearby that don't charge one. I have to believe I'm not the only person who does this.

For GPX, it depends on the location. For coastal southern CA for example, the GPX resorts don't have much competition, so I will pay it if that's where I want to go. But the Makai Club, there are lots of equally nice (or nicer) timeshares just in Princeville, let alone on Kauai, and there's no way I'm paying an extra $175 to stay there vs. any of the others. This is also why I don't bother with the Orlando HGVCs, but will happily take an exchange into, say, Kings Land. I also don't mind the DVC nusiance fee, because they offer something unusual.

TL;DR: If you have something unique to offer you can get away with a resort fee. If you are Just Another Timeshare In The Area, not so much. Makai Club is definitely the latter.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am always happy to pay at Kings'Land or Kohala Suites on the Big Island, but I won't pay in Orlando for a Hilton resort, so I am right there with bnoble on that. I will pay $190 for Disney because I get value. Hilton SeaWorld, Tuscany, Parc Soleil, gives you nothing for the $25 per day fee.

Since resort fees are becoming more common, I fully expect to see all resorts go that direction. It's inevitable. I see Marriott and Vistana eventually charging for their upscale resorts. Wyndham will definitely step in line.

Makai Club surprises me but maybe that includes AC?

 

[bnoble]

I think Makai Club does it because that's what GPX resorts do, and nothing more. Notably, they charge internal exchangers using GPX as well. It's just their way of doing business.

As an aside, I'd probably pay it at Hanalei Bay. There's at least something unique there.

 

[Timeshare Von]

That doesn't come without a cost to those owners though, because it also reduces the trade power of the resort through reduced demand. For example, I avoid most (former) Diamond resorts, because (a) they have a resort fee that is north of $100 or close to $200 for a week and (b) there are usually other resorts that are just as nice (or nicer) nearby that don't charge one. I have to believe I'm not the only person who does this.

For GPX, it depends on the location. For coastal southern CA for example, the GPX resorts don't have much competition, so I will pay it if that's where I want to go. But the Makai Club, there are lots of equally nice (or nicer) timeshares just in Princeville, let alone on Kauai, and there's no way I'm paying an extra $175 to stay there vs. any of the others. This is also why I don't bother with the Orlando HGVCs, but will happily take an exchange into, say, Kings Land. I also don't mind the DVC nusiance fee, because they offer something unusual.

TL;DR: If you have something unique to offer you can get away with a resort fee. If you are Just Another Timeshare In The Area, not so much. Makai Club is definitely the latter.

Thanks for the perspective. I believe when I booked, this resort was the only one on Kauai for the dates were were needing (since we're also piggybacking a week on the Big Island with this one). Yes $182 is highway robbery . . . and shame on the HOA passing this on to exchange guests rather than paying what they should be in MFs as owners at this resort!