Resort Comparison

[r.o.thomas]

Hello,
I'm brand new to the TS game and am near my first purchase. Both are in Kauai:
Waiohai Beach Club
Kauai Beach Club

I've never seen either, and I don’t want to take a preview tour as I don't want to spend the air fare right now. Hopefully somebody has been to both resorts and can offer some insight.
A specific question about Kauai BC is can you hear the airport?

I know the published differences about the two places, and I've read tons on TUG, but very few contrast and compare the two. I'm sure both are great places, but hopefully somebody can give me some insight based on their experience:

Do they trade equally well?
Which has the better beach and more private beach?
They are very close in proximity to each other. I've read Poipu is the driest region, does this mean so is KBC?
I know KBC has only a kitchenette, and this doesn't bother me, I know KBC is also a hotel, and Waiohai is made for TS and is strictly TS. I would probably put Waiohai ahead of KBC, but KBC is half the cost (purchasing from Marriott) and I'm trying to decide if Waiohai is truly worth it.

Any comments would be sincerely appreciated,
Thank you

 

[casey2]

I don't think KBC would be half the cost. Unless you are looking at buying a studio or 1 bedroom. Waiohai only has 2BD units. KBC 2BD would have a lock out option that might be useful if you want to trade and don't always need a 2BD

Someone else can confirm this, but at the moment KBC MF's are higher than Waiohai. KBC had a sink hole issue, is the MF going down after this gets paid off? Was it a special assessment?


I've only been to Waiohai, but it's my understanding that KBC parking is an issue, a LONG walk.
Waiohai parking is great. It's surface nearby or underground garage near your building.

I have seen the beach at KBC, Waiohai is much nicer IMO.
Waiohai surrounding area IMO is much more Hawaii vacation, you are out of the city.

 

[pwrshift]

I can't help you with a comparison other than to say the Kauai is 'associated' with a full service Marriott and has the biggest pool in Hawaii apparently. Two of my daughters had their honeymoons there (courtesy of my MR points) and thought it was fabulous -- and they were very nicely treated for their whole week, enjoying the ability of call for room service or walk within the resort for a variety of restaurants and activities. The private dining for one night was expensive but worth every penny in wonderful memories.

Brian

 

[jlr10]

We have stayed at both. This is our opinion:

KBC feels like a hotel. A big, beautiful hotel on a good beach. The rooms are nice. The kitchenette is small and tall. (Although I heard the renovation is lowering the sinks, since us vertically challenged people complained a lot.) Laundry facilities are minimal, expensive, and the dryers took two cycles to dry, and there was always a waiting line. The restaurant onsite is quite nice, and provided some specials for families with children. It is close to the airport. Yes you can hear the planes but it really is not that noticable. Getting there from the airport is very quick and this is really nice after a long plane ride. The pool is large and crowded (at least it was when we were there.) The grounds are beautiful. But to get to the beach you have to work your way through the resort. Lots of shops in the hotel, and it is close to a small shopping mall with touristy things and small places to eat, and an ABC store. Cruise ships dock by the hotel so it can be crowded in the area when the ship comes to port. It is rumored there are BBQs at the resort but we never found them. My husband and I liked the resort our son hated it. He found it to big and fancy for his liking and he felt it was just a big hotel and didn't feel like a Hawaiian resort. (I should add a disclaimer we own in Princeville at HBR so he is used to a small, simple resort with beautiful grounds.)

Waiohai feels like a small timeshare resort. A small, intimate, beautiful time share on a good beach. Going to the beach is at the most a 3 minute stroll, including waiting for the elevator. The beach offers swimming, snorkeling, and surfing all in the same place due to the configuration of the beach and tombolow (spelling?.) There are small pools, and a children's pool on site. They are nice but seemed to attract families with small children at all the pools. The restaurant onsite is smaller. We did not eat there. The units are large with full laundry facilities and full kitchens. The resort is a short walk to Breneke's restaurant, and within walking and driving distance to an upscale small shopping center with high end tourist shops and restaurants. Bedrooms are comparable in both places, with the exception of the washer and dryer which are in the guest bedroom at Waiohai. The service at Waiohai seemed more personal but that is most likely due to the size of the resort. There are nice BBQs onsite.

Both resorts have the potential for fantastic views of the oceans or grounds and for bad views (of the roof at KBC and the Parking lot at Waiohai.)

Many people will have their own opinion but we loved Waiohai. We like the smallness of the resort, and the fact that we could walk out the door and pretty much be right on the beach. Although the grounds are beautiful they lack the impersonal feel that large resorts can get. Since we like to pack light on clothing we like being able to do laundry quickly and easily. The full kitchen is a bonus as we like a full size fridge not the mini fridge which really doesn't freeze ice well, as we like to freeze water bottles for hiking. Waiohai seems to be more family friendly.

My husband and I were just discussing this today. Once we get our son out of college and payoff any associated costs we would love to be able to purchase a week at Waiohai. If we had the money to purchase a week anywhere this is where we would buy.

 

[hazpete]

We really like the Kauai Beach Club and have stayed there twice. The first time we walked into the place, we wondered how we could have managed to stay in a place so luxurious. We had been concerned about the airport noise before staying there, but that was never an issue for us. The beach is well protected and very, very nice. The biggest drawback for some is that the villas are a little older and not as well furnished. A nice benefit is that Marriott offers a free shuttle from the airport (only about a mile away), so you don't need a car.

We have not stayed at Waiohai, but took a very long tour there. Since the place is newer, the villas are nicer inside. A much larger portion of the complex has only a "garden" view. The beach is relatively small and is not protected, so the waves can be pretty good sized. I recall Waiohai being about 30 miles from the airport. I think Waiohai is farther away from most (but not all) of the things you might want to do on the island.

I would guess Waiohai trades better.

 

[thinze3]

I have been to Maui Ocean Club and Waiohai. I visited, toured and eaten at KBC. Personally I am biased but I like Waiohai better than the other two with MOC being a close second.

Waiohai has a quaint feel to it that is hard to find at the mega-resorts like KBC. Due to its large size, KBC has a much better selection of dining and does have a very large pool. We liked MOC's pool better, however. Waiohai's pool is almost made to blend into its onsite lagoon. It is very nice.

I DID NOT like having to park a quarter mile away at KBC!! I did not like the beach at KBC all that much either. The water seemed less clean and clear and lacked any natural wave action. I have read the same complaints about KoOlina. The beach at Waiohai is GREAT. Plenty of sand and clear, clean water. As stated above, there is plenty to do for all at Waiohai's beach.

The views of a few of the rooms at Waiohai are less than ideal. You may see the ocean and a parking lot from the same patio if on an outside unit. All inside units have great views, due to the landscaping and the lagoons. Many of these also have ocean views.

Waiohai has a little town around the corner, Koloa, which is a neat little walking town. It has most of the amenities your need, but offers only a few small restaurants to choose from. You need to head back to Lihue area to find a larger selection.

Lihue has the shopping malls, airport, and all the things that make you feel that maybe you haven't really gotten far enough away. Waiohai on the other hand, does make you feel like you are away - away in Hawaii.

It usually takes about a week far me to get back to normal after spending a week at Waiohai.

 

[vacationtime1]

The prior posts fairly lay out the pro's and con's of the two resorts. They are very different facilities with very different feelings; I believe KBC is the only high rise building on the whole island; Waiohai is four floors. KBC has multiple restaurants, many shops, escalators, and an enormous, formal pool. Waiohai is smaller, far more resort-like, and very laid back by comparison; its beach is far superior except for very young children.

KBC had a multi-year special assessment for repairing the sink hole; that assessment will end soon if it hasn't already.

KBC's "kitchenette" does not have a stove; DW and DD could not fry an egg on their recent trip.

I don't think the price difference is substantial if you are comparing a two bedroom to a two bedroom, an ocean view to an ocean view, and a resale purchase to a resale purchase (why buy developer?).

 

[Bill4728]

The prior posts fairly lay out the pro's and con's of the two resorts. They are very different facilities with very different feelings; I believe KBC is the only high rise building on the whole island; Waiohai is four floors. KBC has multiple restaurants, many shops, escalators, and an enormous, formal pool. Waiohai is smaller, far more resort-like, and very laid back by comparison; its beach is far superior except for very young children.

Re: Beaches

KBC has a great big sandy beach on a bay around the corner from the ocean. Therefore had much smaller wave action. So it was much easier to swim or float around. Waio. has a typical ocean beach with a fair amount of wave action.

For many people hawaii is great ocean beaches and therefore Waiohai is better. But if you want a more gentle beach KBC.

 

[r.o.thomas]

Thank you.
As pointed out by a couple folks, I was comparing a 1bdrm at KBC to a 2 bdrm Waiohai- not an equal to equal comparison.

However, I now I have a pretty good idea of the differences between the two.

Commenting on the question of why I'm buying from a developer, It's my understanding that in order to be able to turn an un-used week into Marriott poits, I need to buy from the Developer. That's a ptentially huge benefit to me and my travel style...unelss there's another way?

Anyway, thanks to the reliable opinoions each person has expressed. I appreciate the time you've taken to help me out. I'm still cruising the boards as I get closer and closer to making a final decision. Thanks again to all.

 

[vacationtime1]

Commenting on the question of why I'm buying from a developer, It's my understanding that in order to be able to turn an un-used week into Marriott points, I need to buy from the Developer. That's a potentially huge benefit to me and my travel style...unless there's another way?

You are correct in that developer units may be converted into points and that resale units cannot.

However, you can purchase 50,000 points annually for $625, a far better deal than paying $1,000+ of MF's plus losing the use of capital for not many more Marriott points; one would do far better renting the unit to a third party and using the proceeds to buy points.

Another option would be to buy EOY.

You are asking all of the right questions, so I believe you will make the right decision for your situation. Good luck.

 

[Cathyb]

How do you arrange the free shuttle from the airport?

 

[vacationtime1]

How do you arrange the free shuttle from the airport?

Just call KBC after you retrieve your baggage; they were there within minutes.

 

[thinze3]

Waiohai is one of the WORST deals in the Marriott system for converting your unit to Marriott Rewards points!!!

The higher maintenence fees, as compared to mainland properties, high rental rates - $2500 min., and the low MR points conversion rate - 85,000, makes this NEVER a good deal.

If you want MR points, look at Arizona, Virginia, or Florida - NOT HAWAII.

IMO

 

[Cathy Berg]

owning at KBC

we are currently one bedroom owners at Kauai Beach Club and have been since 1999. We have only been to Kauai twice to use our unit and one year, one of my sons used it for his honeymoon.

We were not happy with the added assessments due to the sink hole problem but have moved past that and hopefully the maintenance fees will drop back to something reasonable.

But we do use it primarily for trading purposes and i have to tell you we have been quite pleased. We have traded into Harborside at the Atlantis, the Four Seasons Aviara and the Ocean Club in Aruba just to name a few. We have traded into Marbella for next year. I would have to say it does trade very well and has worked well for us.

Cathy Berg

 

[Fredm]

[

Commenting on the question of why I'm buying from a developer, It's my understanding that in order to be able to turn an un-used week into Marriott poits, I need to buy from the Developer. That's a ptentially huge benefit to me and my travel style...unelss there's another way?

I may be reading more into your comment than is intended, but can't hurt to clarify.

Some do find points to be a good alternative use of their Marriott purchased timeshare. However, you cannot simply elect the points alternative because you find yourself with an "un-used week". Points are not a backup source of value if you have an 11th hour cause to cancel a reservation, for example.
The owner may declare Points as their use in non-consecutive years (for the resorts mentioned) only. Points cannot be taken two years in a row.
In order to take Points as the use, the owner must elect to do so by mid-December of the prior use year. 2009 Points use must be declared by December 2008.

If these rules are consistent with your understanding of how points may be taken in lieu of occupancy, then you are in position to make the call about their value to you.

The only thing I would add to the comments already made by others is to expect buying power to decrease with time. All loyalty point programs devalue over time. When points are accumulated in-lieu of occupancy, they will cost more to acquire, as well. HOA fees always go up.

 

[KauaiMark]

shuttle...

Just call KBC after you retrieve your baggage; they were there within minutes.

The shuttle is a 5min run to and from the airport as it has a private access road through the golf course directly at the terminal.

We returned the rental car the night before and slept later before taking the shuttle out for our flight home.

 

[r.o.thomas]

You are correct in that developer units may be converted into points and that resale units cannot.

However, you can purchase 50,000 points annually for $625, a far better deal than paying $1,000+ of MF's plus losing the use of capital for not many more Marriott points; one would do far better renting the unit to a third party and using the proceeds to buy points.

All great info! Now that I have a value of the points, I see the light! 250k points for buying through the developer is only $3,125 and the difference between buying on the market versus a purchase from Marriott is FAR more than that!

Based on that, and based on the consideration that I don’t to hurry for fear of Marriott selling their inventory, we’ve decided to wait until our planned vacation and VISIT both places to decide which suites us better. Based on what I’ve read here, we can’t go wrong, it’s just finding that balance that works best for us.

Thanks so much to each of you.

 

[potchak]

[The owner may declare Points as their use in non-consecutive years (for the resorts mentioned) only. Points cannot be taken two years in a row.

this is not true for some resorts. My MMC unit can trade for points every year as well as my Timberlodge units. It depends on the stipulations put on them by Marriott.

However, I will agree with another poster that Hawaii is not a good value in trading in for points. You have to pay $104 to trade it in for points as well as the MF's on the unit itself. So Hawaii with $1300 in MF's every year for maybe 85K points is definitely not worth it.

 

[Fredm]

This is not true for some resorts. My MMC unit can trade for points every year as well as my Timberlodge units. It depends on the stipulations put on them by Marriott.



You are right. Shadow Ridge may also trade for points annually.
That is why I said:
"The owner may declare Points as their use in non-consecutive years (for the resorts mentioned) only."

The resorts under discussion are KBC and Waiohai.