First time exchanged into Westin North on Maui into Studio next month. Need help

[travelove]

Hello. I placed request yesterday and with Marriott studio got Westin studio [in the North Towers.] I didn’t have time to research a lot and now have a second thought. My studio is DIVGT. Does it come with balcony as I don’t know if it’s premium or regular? Reviews on trip advisor is scary as being very negative. It’s for 2 people. I stayed many times in Marriott on Maui and loved it. How is Westin compare to it. I only have 24 hours to decide. Thank you for all help.
It is for May 30 check in

 

[rickandcindy23]

Westin North has small balconies. Westin South probably a juliet balcony (basically a sliding door opening with railing).

I would take a studio at North over a studio at MM1 or MMO. Westin studios have 2 burner cooktop, decent kitchenette and a washer/dryer combo. Much better studio. The one bedrooms at MMO are pretty nice and comfortable and preferable to even a Westin studio.

There is a laundry area at MMO for guests, which is free. We just stayed in a 1 bedroom with a terrible view of the dumpster area, lots of construction noise, and it was pretty dark inside the room. We did have a view of the pickle ball court, too. We did bring our electric griddle, which took up a lot of room in our suitcase. We were happy to have that griddle with us for MMO. Breakfast is important to us, and we don't pay for breakfast out. Rick was a cook at Village Inn Pancake House in high school and before he became a firefighter in Denver. We never pay for breakfast.

 

[Dardan]

We go often and if it's a studio, I'll take it in the north only. If it's one bedroom, I'll do either north or south. We have never been disappointed, but we've always been in Oceanview or oceanfront. There is never a bad day at WKORVs. We love the environment, the beach, the snorkeling, the ability to walk to so many places we want. I've spent almost 100 days there probably and never been disappointed.

 

[travelove]

Westin North has small balconies. Westin South probably a juliet balcony (basically a sliding door opening with railing).

I would take a studio at North over a studio at MM1 or MMO. Westin studios have 2 burner cooktop, decent kitchenette and a washer/dryer combo. Much better studio. The one bedrooms at MMO are pretty nice and comfortable and preferable to even a Westin studio.

There is a laundry area for guests, which is free. We just stayed in a 1 bedroom with a terrible view of the dumpster area, but we did bring our electric griddle, which took up a lot of room in our suitcase. We were happy to have that griddle with us for MMO. Breakfast is important to us, and we don't pay for breakfast out. Rick was a cook at Village Inn Pancake House in high school and before he became a firefighter in Denver. We never pay for breakfast.

Thank you. I agree that studio in North are so nice based on your description. I rather have 1 bedroom at MMO but I got studio here and I did wanted to try it

 

[travelove]

We go often and if it's a studio, I'll take it in the north only. If it's one bedroom, I'll do either north or south. We have never been disappointed, but we've always been in Oceanview or oceanfront. There is never a bad day at WKORVs. We love the environment, the beach, the snorkeling, the ability to walk to so many places we want. I've spent almost 100 days there probably and never been disappointed.

Oh you are avid Maui traveler with 100 days experience
Snorkeling is the best by Westin, I agree. We stayed few times at Nanea.
Is there a resort fees and parking fees for exchangers?

 

[DeniseM]

Clarification:
ALL of the Westin Ka'anapali North studios have a stacked washer/dryer in the unit.
ALL of the Westin Ka'anapali North studios have small kitchens with everything except an oven.
ALL of the Westin Ka'anapali North studios have lanais, regardless of the view.
There is no resort fee or self-parking fee for exchangers.
Another nice thing about the North is that it has NO parking lot views.

 

[dlpearson]

The studios at WKORNV (north) are quite nice. I would never book a studio at South, however (except an ocean front center) due to lack of balcony.

 

[rcv82]

The studios at WKORNV (north) are quite nice. I would never book a studio at South, however (except an ocean front center) due to lack of balcony.

While I agree the south OF center studios are the best due to the straight-on ocean view, all the south oceanfront studios have balconies. I would certainly take a south OFD studio over most north studios, especially ocean view or resort view studios. The deluxe studios are also larger and more open than any of the other studios, with two windows plus a slider instead of just a slider.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[travelove]

Clarification:
ALL of the Westin Ka'anapali North studios have a stacked washer/dryer in the unit.
ALL of the Westin Ka'anapali North studios have small kitchens with everything except an oven.
ALL of the Westin Ka'anapali North studios have lanais, regardless of the view.
There is no resort fee or self-parking fee for exchangers.
Another nice thing about the North is that it has NO parking lot views.

View attachment 109775View attachment 109776

Thank you for the info Denise.

 

[rickandcindy23]

While I agree the south OF center studios are the best due to the straight-on ocean view, all the south oceanfront studios have balconies. I would certainly take a south OFD studio over most north studios, especially ocean view or resort view studios. The deluxe studios are also larger and more open than any of the other studios, with two windows plus a slider instead of just a slider.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Exchanges are not likely going to get those anyway, so it's a moot point. Since Marriott deposits to II and owners don't directly deposit, as week owners of Marriott resorts do, there is very little chance of getting OFC or OFD. I will take anything I can get via exchange and be happy to get it.

 

[DavidnRobin]

While I agree the south OF center studios are the best due to the straight-on ocean view, all the south oceanfront studios have balconies. I would certainly take a south OFD studio over most north studios, especially ocean view or resort view studios. The deluxe studios are also larger and more open than any of the other studios, with two windows plus a slider instead of just a slider.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We own the OFD, and usually only use the 1Bd side, but did get a chance to use the OFD studio and really liked the wall of windows, and layout. Plus the view was very nice.

 

[DeniseM]

@travelove - Here is the WKORV-N resort map. You are most likely to be assigned to the blue area which is island view. On the map, there are tiny room numbers which indicate which way the lanai faces.

 

[travelove]

Exchanges are not likely going to get those anyway, so it's a moot point. Since Marriott deposits to II and owners don't directly deposit, as week owners of Marriott resorts do, there is very little chance of getting OFC or OFD. I will take anything I can get via exchange and be happy to get it.

That’s how I feel. I l be happy with anything.

 

[travelove]

@travelove - Here is the WKORV-N resort map. You are most likely to be assigned to the blue area which is island view. On the map, there are tiny room numbers which indicate which way the lanai faces.

View attachment 109779

Thank you so much for the map. Does it mean I won’t get a parking view as numbers shows lanai facing inside not the parking?

 

[rcv82]

Thank you so much for the map. Does it mean I won’t get a parking view as numbers shows lanai facing inside not the parking?

No parking lot views at north. There are at south and Nanea.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[travelove]

No parking lot views at north. There are at south and Nanea.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great thank you.

 

[DeniseM]

As I mentioned in post #6 - WKORV-N has no parking lot views.

 

[Ken555]

Reviews on trip advisor is scary as being very negative.

This is a great resort. But, Marriott has definitely cut back on the quality of maintenance, housekeeping, and general cleanliness. The reviews at TA are somewhat justified, at least in my experience, though I tend to ignore more of the issues at this resort than I would have if it was my first visit. For new guests, some of the reviews and pictures would completely turn me off and encourage me to look elsewhere.

You'll see excuses like costs have increased, difficulty in finding employees, etc. Basically anything other than management is at fault.

I'll be back again later this year, and sincerely hope I can ignore negative issues and enjoy my stay. I encourage you to try to do the same. Just keep repeating to yourself that you'll have a great time!

Marriott sucks. This is just yet another example of what they've done to a great resort which, IIRC, used to have fantastic reviews.

 

[travelove]

I decided to cancel exchange and wait for 1 bedroom on Kauai. I was on Maui 10 month ago. I love Maui island the most but want to do Kauai or try Big Island

 

[rickandcindy23]

We have stayed at Westins many times, probably 25-35 weeks, and our kids have also been there. We love it and have never had a bad stay.

My disappointment is in II and Marriott and the lack of great deposits in south and north. I love the one bedrooms and those have disappeared recently. I remember getting MANY 2 bedrooms years ago, and that stopped. Now the lack of 1 bedrooms, I am just personally disappointed that Marriott doesn't let go of those anymore.

I see a future of Nanea no longer being available via exchange. All we will have is Marriott dumpster views soon. Marriott could stop all deposits of owners' weeks They own II, they could stop owner deposits, too. Vistana forced Sheraton owners at least 16 years ago from depositing specific dates and gave us generic trading power for our weeks.

 

[travelove]

Love love Nanea stayed there twice through getaway when they just opened up and then exchanged few times. Can’t do it anymore unless it shows up with like 1 week before checking in. Also don’t see Westin 1 bedrooms anymore.

 

[Henry M.]

I am currently staying 23 days in a WKORV-N IV studio and really like it. I spent 3 months in a 1BR at this resort Dec. 2020 to March 2021 during COVID. I also own at the South property but haven't stayed there in a long time.

I like the studio. My wife and I can make it work, even though I prefer the 1BR. This time we made the reservation with Staroptions in March, about a month before arrival, so studio was all that was available. We're coming back in October and I did get 1BRs since I made the reservations as soon as the reservation window opened.

I heard today during an owner's update by the resort General Manager (not the owner's update/sales pitch from the sales team) that they will be starting the refurbishment cycle they do every 6 years or so, later this year. This is the one where they change the soft goods in all the units. It should be completed sometime next year. They will also be painting the outside of the buildings. I've been through a couple of these, and they usually do a good job.

 

[travelove]

I am currently staying 23 days in a WKORV-N IV studio and really like it. I spent 3 months in a 1BR at this resort Dec. 2020 to March 2021 during COVID. I also own at the South property but haven't stayed there in a long time.

I like the studio. My wife and I can make it work, even though I prefer the 1BR. This time we made the reservation with Staroptions in March, about a month before arrival, so studio was all that was available. We're coming back in October and I did get 1BRs since I made the reservations as soon as the reservation window opened.

I heard today during an owner's update by the resort General Manager (not the owner's update/sales pitch from the sales team) that they will be starting the refurbishment cycle they do every 6 years or so, later this year. This is the one where they change the soft goods in all the units. It should be completed sometime next year. They will also be painting the outside of the buildings. I've been through a couple of these, and they usually do a good job.

I’m starting to regret cancelling my exchange

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

We booked the studio to get 16 days, rather then less in a 1 bedroom. It's the start of the trip and all other stays are 1 or 2 bedrooms. I find it easier to do studios first

 

[rickandcindy23]

We booked the studio to get 16 days, rather then less in a 1 bedroom. It's the start of the trip and all other stays are 1 or 2 bedrooms. I find it easier to do studios first

Just keep your luggage in the rental car. Keeps it out of the way in the room.