We just returned from Maui June 30th . We spent 2 weeks there which I rented form RedWeek. One week at Marriot (Ocean Club) 1 week at Hyatt Residence..
The Marriott was an older room 1Br lock off (used to be 2 rooms only /w br). So we got the 1 room 2 bathrooms and a mini kitchen (small fridge/ freezer, no stove
We did however have an amazing view from the 4th floor overlooking shuffleboard courts which view the northern pool and the ocean. The view was amazing and really impressed.
The 2nd week was a 1BR at the Hyatt was just as, if not nicer but we had a mountain view room and the balcony was so windy you could barley sit out there. I really loved the smaller size of the Hyatt and it didn't seem to overwhelm. We also had no issues finding chairs in the shade, unlike the Hyatt Regency next door where you couldn't even find a chair.
We decided to take the Hyatt's sales pitch to get the free golf (3 of us so it was worth it to me). Half way through it my wife turned to me and said, you're getting weak on me. I almost caved , it sounded so appealing and we really loved the place. We actually stayed 3 hours asking tons of questions and being handed off from the salesman to the finance guy. They don't push you but confuse the heck out of you with the numbers that when you step back , really don't make the most sense but sound good at the time. They advised us since we live in NY and wouldn't be there every year to go for the EOY (we were looking at the 2 Br mid floors) lower floor (to save a few thousand) and that we could trade it in and use the trade in value for every year in the Caribbean, that the Hawaii value was that high. We would also only pay MF every other year too.
Here was the break down - 2BR mid floors EOY = $43,260 , with 4326 deposit + closing costs for a total of $4711 due at contract signing. You then finance through them at 13.9% and (refinance right way at a more reasonable rate if you need to). They offer you $1800 incentive or 150,000 Hyatt points that can be used at their hotels.
They ask your interest on a scale of 1-10 to gauge how realistic they can sell you on this. Since I was a 6 and my wife was much lower they then handed us off to the last person. She made the offer you can't refuse.
Freeze today's priced for 2 years , pay $249 down then pay $240.24 a month for 21 months = $5,294 ($5045 + 249). This entitles you to return within 2 years and stay in a 2 BR unit. If you decide to purchase then , they will take the 5K and put that towards your down payment. When they tell you this it sounds like you are getting a free room upon your return but in reality , if you purchase it is no different then if you purchased and started staying there, You just used 2 years to come up with the down payment. If you decide to not but form them, then you spent 5k+ to rent a 2Br for the week. (Edit) Forgot to add the 100,000 Hyatt points if you purchased this way.
The other thing them mentioned was you could only buy (I am assuming from the developer) while you are in Hawaii. You cannot buy from the mainland, so that is why they give that incentive to return like that.
I am familiar with RedWeek but afterwards did research and found this site which I just joined and look forward to tons of research. The Maui trio is still fresh and I still have that bug to purchase even though it does not make sense at this time which is why I will not but yet.
Sorry for the long post (my first on here)
Thanks
Brian