Information from our Kings' Land "Owner's Update"

[CalGalTraveler]

FWIW...W57 was a Blackstone backed project. Was told it was the first purpose-built timeshare in NYC

 

[1Kflyerguy]

FWIW...W57 was a Blackstone backed project. Was told it was the first purpose-built timeshare in NYC

I was only referring to HGVC located within a hotel or on a hotel grounds. West57 is a stand alone resort. I believe quite a few stand alone resorts have 3rd parties involved.

The issue with a hotel, like Turtle bay is that it may change management companies. It would be really odd to have a HGVC rooms within a hotel managed by Marriott or some other company.

 

[GregT]

Is that a rule specific to Grand Wailea, or a city regulation?

It is my understanding that it is a city regulation, but I don't know where I got this information. It makes sense to me because there are no timeshares at all in Wailea, but I don't have any hard data to back it up.

Best,

Greg

 

[alwysonvac]

Yes, Blackstone buys and sells many properties. Blackstone’s website states

“176,000 hotel keys globally One of the largest hospitality investors in the U.S. * As of March 31, 2018”​

Blackstone still has ties to HGVC via Elara and Grand Islander

“Hilton Grand Vacations and Blackstone Form Joint Venture to Purchase Elara, One of the World’s Largest Timeshare Resorts - https://www.businesswire.com/news/h...Grand-Vacations-Blackstone-Form-Joint-Venture
“Blackstone and Hilton Worldwide Break Ground at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki” - https://www.blackstone.com/media/pr...eak-ground-at-hilton-hawaiian-village-waikiki
​

Let’s just hope Blackstone keeps their HGVC partnership in mind “if” they ever decides to offer timeshares at either Hawaii destinations

Note: Both properties have old approvals for expansion
http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/01/20/breaking-news/turtle-bay-owners-looking-to-sell-stake/
https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2012/03/28/settlement-allows-mauis-grand-wailea.html

 

[Harry]

It is a little complicated but this is my conclusion as well. However, with the way the agreements are structured, this would not preclude HGV from converting certain units into timeshares in the future.

Harry

 

[Sandy VDH]

I did the TS Owner update just because I thought the model at Ocean Towers was open. It was not. But both myself (discounted luau tickets for 2 worth about $220) and my friend traveling with me got gifts ($100 in gift cards). Presentation was 45 mins long. They were very nice and NO hard sell at all. Even they recognized that my owning my Hilton TS for 22 years now even the equity position angle was laughable.

That said ST Oceanfront is worth 9300 points. With a Studio MF of $700. 2 BR Penthouse oceanview that I was looking at was 21000 points, it would take me to Elite Premium which was the discussion point of our owners visit. It had a $1600 MF. But that came with a $149,000 price tag before owner and elite discounts. When and if resale become available some of these units have really good MF$ per point ratios.

 

[SmithOp]

Its interesting that they are creating a third, higher point tier with Ocean Towers and Grand Islander. The second tier was Kings Land and Grand Waikikian. Where will it end? If they ever get something on Maui it is sure to be this third tier points.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[GregT]

Its interesting that they are creating a third, higher point tier with Ocean Towers and Grand Islander. The second tier was Kings Land and Grand Waikikian. Where will it end? If they ever get something on Maui it is sure to be this third tier points.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I drove past the Maui site - it is unchanged from X years ago.

Did they formally abandon it or is it just our expectation?

Best,

Greg

 

[Sandy VDH]

I drove past the Maui site - it is unchanged from X years ago.

Did they formally abandon it or is it just our expectation?

Best,

Greg

I think they have abandoned that original Maui project. The funding was pulled by the 3rd party investment team. Another site is suppose to be in the works, but I do not know where that site is suppose to be. It might just be a rumor with no concrete plan. I do not know.

 

[Denise L]

And, if you go Sunday or Monday evenings (I think it's both nights at both locations) at 5 and get in line (actually have to get there closer to 4:15), it's 50% of on just about everything on the menu. Worth the time hanging out. Did this in Kihei in May with friends.

Cheers.

We love Sansei. I thought that the "early bird special" was for the 5:15 PM seating, and we had to order everything by 6:00 PM for 25% off most items. I thought that the 50% off on Sundays or Mondays was for Hawaiian residents with a resident card. Have you been able to get 50% off with some other form of ID?

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

Its interesting that they are creating a third, higher point tier with Ocean Towers and Grand Islander. The second tier was Kings Land and Grand Waikikian. Where will it end? If they ever get something on Maui it is sure to be this third tier points.

Look at it this way. If you don't have to have the latest "shiny", it lets you buy a quality timeshare cheaper. . . .

 

[SmithOp]

I drove past the Maui site - it is unchanged from X years ago.

Did they formally abandon it or is it just our expectation?

Best,

Greg

Last I heard its abandoned. They are probably looking for a hotel to do a conversion, over in Kaanapali.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[GT75]

Last I heard its abandoned. They are probably looking for a hotel to do a conversion, over in Kaanapali.

That certainly seems to be the latest way HGV has been adding new properties lately.

 

[brp]

We love Sansei. I thought that the "early bird special" was for the 5:15 PM seating, and we had to order everything by 6:00 PM for 25% off most items. I thought that the 50% off on Sundays or Mondays was for Hawaiian residents with a resident card. Have you been able to get 50% off with some other form of ID?

For the 50% off, it's not a Kama'aina thing, so no ID required. Just requires being there in line early enough to get in and order by 6 on Sunday and Monday. It's not well-publicized, so that becomes somewhat self-limiting.

Cheers.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Last I heard its abandoned. They are probably looking for a hotel to do a conversion, over in Kaanapali.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

or Wailea (ahem...Grand Wailea gets my vote.) There are also some independents or condos in Kihei that might be candidates for takeover.

Prices are high right now so they may need to wait for a downturn to re-initiate. I also read on a Westin Nanea promotion that it is the last new ground-up development on Kaanapali. HGVC may have no choice but to do a conversion if they want Kaanapali or Wailea.

The Marriott/ILG/Westin/Hyatt Res. merger now means that Marriott controls all major TS on Kaanapali beach from the Hyatt Residences to MVC to the 3 Westins past Black Rock, and the Aston properties beyond that. That's a lot of TS beach real estate.

Buying a resale Marriott/Westin on Maui or Kauai would be more cost effective and complementary than holding your breath for HGVC. That's why we bought a Westin Maui resale.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I drove past the Maui site - it is unchanged from X years ago.

Did they formally abandon it or is it just our expectation?

Best,

Greg

I am pretty sure the Maui location they were promoting is off the table. The last time is was mentioned in an investor call, maybe a year ago, the CEO they had removed the Maui project from all projections and estimates... to me that sounds abandoned.

The has been lots of rumors about the delay, from funding to building permits issues. I know a few people said they demolished too much of the old resort... It could be any or a bit of all of those issues.

 

[Denise L]

For the 50% off, it's not a Kama'aina thing, so no ID required. Just requires being there in line early enough to get in and order by 6 on Sunday and Monday. It's not well-publicized, so that becomes somewhat self-limiting.

Cheers.

Good to know! Thanks! I might just line up by myself next year .

 

[ljmiii]

The Marriott/ILG/Westin/Hyatt Res. merger now means that Marriott controls all major TS on Kaanapali beach from the Hyatt Residences to MVC to the 3 Westins past Black Rock, and the Aston properties beyond that. That's a lot of TS beach real estate.

I hadn't put that together in my head...but that IS an impressive corner on the Kaanapali market. Somehow I don't see HGVC buying up Alii Condos one at a time to give them a presence on Kaanapali...;-)

 

[JIMinNC]

I hadn't put that together in my head...but that IS an impressive corner on the Kaanapali market. Somehow I don't see HGVC buying up Alii Condos one at a time to give them a presence on Kaanapali...;-)

A more likely path, if they decided they had to be in Kaanapali, would be to acquire either the old Kaanapali Beach Hotel or the Royal Lahaina Hotel from whomever owns that real estate, and then do a conversion. Not sure how that would fit with their "capital light" development model though. Probably not a good fit, as those hotels would likely command a premium price and then require a major capital expenditure for upfit/renovation.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Agree, Wailea, Kihei, or Kapalua offer more conversion options. Kapalua has the Ritz Carlton Residences which are Marriott. Even the Whaler has some rooms/floors that are Aston which I believe is part of ILG.

The Kaanapali ship has sailed and it has a big Marriott Vac Club flag on it when the ILG merger completes.

 

[alwysonvac]

We love Sansei. I thought that the "early bird special" was for the 5:15 PM seating, and we had to order everything by 6:00 PM for 25% off most items. I thought that the 50% off on Sundays or Mondays was for Hawaiian residents with a resident card. Have you been able to get 50% off with some other form of ID?

We love Sansei too

Sansei early bird discount varies by location.
In Waikiki, there is usually a line so get to your location before opening (limited seating; first come, first served).
And of course, expect longer line on the bigger discount days
See hyperlinks below for more details

Where: Sansei Waikiki
When: Everyday (order must be in before 6pm)
Price: 50 percent off (Sunday & Monday) / 25% percent off (Tuesday thru Satuday)

Where: Sansei Kapalua & Sansei Kihei
When: Everyday (order must be in before 6pm).
Price: 25 percent off (50% off with Hawaii State ID on Sunday & Monday)

Where: Sansei Waikoloa
When: Everyday (order must be in before 6pm)
Price: 50 percent off (Sunday & Monday) / 25% percent off (Tuesday thru Satuday)

 

[brp]

We love Sansei too

Sansei early bird discount varies by location.
In Waikiki, there is usually a line so get to your location before opening (limited seating; first come, first served).
And of course, expect longer line on the bigger discount days
See hyperlinks below for more details

Where: Sansei Kapalua & Sansei Kihei
When: Everyday (order must be in before 6pm).
Price: 25 percent off (50% off with Hawaii State ID on Sunday & Monday)

Where: Sansei Waikoloa
When: Everyday (order must be in before 6pm)
Price: 50 percent off (Sunday & Monday) / 25% percent off (Tuesday thru Satuday)

This may be what it says, but it is not correct, based on my experience. We went to Sansei Kihei in May. None of the 4 of us is a state resident, and getting the 50% off on Monday was no problem. While I haven't done the one in Waikoloa, the indications I've seen there are the same. Order by 6 Sunday and Monday, 50% off for everyone.

As to the line thing- it's not just Waikiki We got there at 4 for our Kihei visit (opens at 5) and there were more than a dozen people in front of us. 4:30 might have worked as well judging from the line behind us.

Cheers.

 

[alwysonvac]

This may be what it says, but it is not correct, based on my experience. We went to Sansei Kihei in May. None of the 4 of us is a state resident, and getting the 50% off on Monday was no problem.

Oh that’s good to know. We’ll be on Maui next month.
Back in 2013, we got 50% in Waikoloa (link) but I just assumed that the rule changed.
We’ve been to the one on Waikiki numerous times but only tried the other locations once.

 

[brp]

Oh that’s good to know. We’ll be on Maui next month.
Back in 2013, we got 50% in Waikoloa (link) but I just assumed that the rule changed.
We’ve been to the one on Waikiki numerous times but only tried the other locations once.

We've been to Waikoloa a bunch, but never for the discount time. It's nice that the HGVC locations in Waikoloa are walking distance from Sansei.
This was our first trip to the one in Kihei. We don't care for Waikiki, so we don't go there.

Cheers.

 

[Luanne]

We've been to Waikoloa a bunch, but never for the discount time. It's nice that the HGVC locations in Waikoloa are walking distance from Sansei.
This was our first trip to the one in Kihei. We don't care for Waikiki, so we don't go there.

Cheers.

We've been to both the Waikoloa and Kihei Senseis. Love them! I've had the best, freshest sushi ever. We went to the one in Waikoloa first, didn't know about the discount pricing. We've always gone later and just paid full price. Last time we went to the one in Kihei their tempura fryer was broken which disappointed both of us. However, it did make us try some other menu options, which were also very good.