[ 2017 ] Help me pick my Waikoloa location

[SmithOp]

Wait, but not in Vegas...um...never mind

We have only stayed at Bay Club a number of times. In November we'll be at Kohala. Do they have that different a feel? We've wandered around both, used the pools (and, more importantly, pool bars) at both and, while the pools and amenities are different, I didn't feel it was substantial. Also, since they're on the same property, I felt that, from that standpoint, staying at either was staying at both. Is the room experience much different?

Cheers.

Try the pool bar at Kingsland for happy hour, you might like it. For us Kohala pool area is too small and full of kids, KL has a large adults only area that works perfectly.

We don't care for the room layout at Kohala, the kitchen/dining area is the smallest of the three resorts, and the diagonal wall just feels odd.


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[bagabonz]

Bay Club forever!
Taking the whole crew there for spring break 2018!

 

[brp]

Try the pool bar at Kingsland for happy hour, you might like it.

We've found a number of happy hours in the area that we've very much enjoyed. Never considered this, but it may be worth a look on our next visit. Will we be allowed in of not staying at KL?

Bay Club forever!
Taking the whole crew there for spring break 2018!

We're Bay Club people. We picked Kohala for access to the Hilton pools because my niece and family were coming...until they weren't

Cheers.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

We've found a number of happy hours in the area that we've very much enjoyed. Never considered this, but it may be worth a look on our next visit. Will we be allowed in of not staying at KL?



We're Bay Club people. We picked Kohala for access to the Hilton pools because my niece and family were coming...until they weren't

Cheers.

Yes, you can easily access the pool bar at KL if your not staying there. They take cash and credit.

 

[brp]

Yes, you can easily access the pool bar at KL if your not staying there. They take cash and credit.

Or charge to "Smith" staying in building 19, room 101

Thanks for the info!

Cheers.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Wait, but not in Vegas...um...never mind

Cheers.

The resorts in Vegas and Orlando have a different fell, but yea its not really that significant of a difference...

 

[GT75]

Great discussion which I plan to use myself when I visit. I added link in detailed resort Sticky for these resorts. Thanks.

 

[brp]

Try the pool bar at Kingsland for happy hour, you might like it. For us Kohala pool area is too small and full of kids, KL has a large adults only area that works perfectly.

I wanted to report back our impressions after our Thanksgiving stay at Kohala, and first actual visit to Kingsland.

First, rooms. As has been mentioned, we found our 2 BR at Kohala to be substantially smaller than a 2BR we got at Bay Club a few years back (booked a 1BR, but ended up in a 2). It turned out that our other family members could not make it, so we didn't need the second bedroom, but it was embarrassingly small. Two queen beds, and just about no other room. Living room smaller. The Lanai could not have fit the 6 that are advertised for occupancy. We went with a 2BR Plus, so got 2nd floor golf course view, and that was well worth it. We really enjoy that view and sunsets with wine are nice.

We also visiting the KL pool bar. From what I read here I expected to like that, but it ended up exceeding expectations. The setting is very nice, and it's a real bar rather than an inset. Plus, far more fully-stocked than the other. Could sub in Kraken dark rum in the Mai Tai- not an option at the other bars. We visited all three on the trip, and there is not even a comparison. It was worth the steady 18-20 knot headwind to get there.

Oh, and the resort cup purchased at any location, while a different color at KL, works at all for the discount...but does nothing during Happy Hour as the drinks are already discounted.

In the future we would again stay at Bay Club if just us (the HHV lagoon pool is nice, but really too full of watercraft for safe/fun snorkeling unless one goes really early, and that's the only thing that Kohala has to offer, IMO.

Cheers.

 

[Caligirlfrtx]

Thanks for the prompt replies!
Always amazed at how fast and accurate of responses I get on these sites.

Booked this afternoon for a 2 BR condo at King's Land. $199/night. Free car rental and parking, 15K Hilton points, and $200 Hilton voucher for future use.
Bay Club was not available for our dates, but we tend to prefer newer properties.
Will have to take the obligatory tour, but seems like a good deal and an easy way to visit Hawaii for the first time!

Wait!How did u get free at rental and parking? Was this at booking? We have an intro package to Hawaii also. I want free car rental

 

[MikeinSoCal]

When I went on a intro package to Hawaii, we went to KL and was offered a free rental car too. Be careful on the $200 voucher. You need to be specific on what Hilton brand hotel you request for the certificate and it can only be used on that brand. By going on the intro package, we eventually ended up buying into HGVC (resale).

 

[Caligirlfrtx]

When I went on a intro package to Hawaii, we went to KL and was offered a free rental car too. Be careful on the $200 voucher. You need to be specific on what Hilton brand hotel you request for the certificate and it can only be used on that brand. By going on the intro package, we eventually ended up buying into HGVC (resale).

What is the rental car offered on the phone or when you arrive?

 

[1Kflyerguy]

What is the rental car offered on the phone or when you arrive?

I would not expect them to offer anything additional when you arrive. You will get what was promised, but i doubt they would add additional incentives, as your already there...

The offers do change over time, not sure when MikeinSoCal went, so it possible HGVC is no longer offering a rental car.

 

[Caligirlfrtx]

I would not expect them to offer anything additional when you arrive. You will get what was promised, but i doubt they would add additional incentives, as your already there...

The offers do change over time, not sure when MikeinSoCal went, so it possible HGVC is no longer offering a rental car.

I called and they said I could upgrade for a rental car for a$100 more

 

[Mosescan]

Check prices online but that seems pretty reasonable to me. I’m paying over $400 for my truck rental. Irrc it was about $250 for cheapest car. From what I’ve read a car is really useful on the big island.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I called and they said I could upgrade for a rental car for a$100 more

That seems quite reasonable.

Check prices online but that seems pretty reasonable to me. I’m paying over $400 for my truck rental. Irrc it was about $250 for cheapest car. From what I’ve read a car is really useful on the big island.

You should absolutely get a car on the big island. It large and spread out.

 

[Hobokie]

Since some time has passed, what’s the update on the Waikoloa resorts? Hilton pool still only accessible to Kings Land & Kohala? Bay Club still nice or starting to feel dated? Parking updates?

Yes, it’s 2020 and not the time to travel, but a girl can dream (and start planning our next vacay!)

 

[Sandy VDH]

Age wise,, Bay Club had a complete redo a few years ago, completely replaced interiors. So it is probably the newest in terms of interiors. Then KL phase 3,2 then 1, then Kohala. I am not away of any major refinishing in KL or K, just soft interiors. Someone who owns their may know more info.

Pool situation has not changed. Nor has parking.

 

[bagabonz]

Bay Club is really good about updating the units and exteriors. We bought resale in 2012. The units are as nice if not nicer than they were then. They have upgraded the wifi. Redone the interiors. Repainted the exterior. During covid they redid the pools. We really enjoy our Bayclub stays.

 

[ski_sierra]

Bay Club is really good about updating the units and exteriors. We bought resale in 2012. The units are as nice if not nicer than they were then. They have upgraded the wifi. Redone the interiors. Repainted the exterior. During covid they redid the pools. We really enjoy our Bayclub stays.

Do you have pictures from a recent stay? Most of the pictures on the website/tripadvisor are older and the units look dated.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Thanks for the prompt replies!
Always amazed at how fast and accurate of responses I get on these sites.

Booked this afternoon for a 2 BR condo at King's Land. $199/night. Free car rental and parking, 15K Hilton points, and $200 Hilton voucher for future use.
Bay Club was not available for our dates, but we tend to prefer newer properties.
Will have to take the obligatory tour, but seems like a good deal and an easy way to visit Hawaii for the first time!

Wow that's a great deal. We have a VIP package we purchased pre Covid and it comes out to $257/night for 2 bdrms with no other perks. Will rethink buying that package again.

 

[bagabonz]

I’m sorry I don’t. Our last time there was April of 2019. We were scheduled to go late April of this year but due to Covid that didnt happen. We are rescheduled to go end of October but I’m not optimistic about that either. Of the three properties the Bay Club units are the largest. They have big lanais and are more like a condo you could live in which they originally were. I’ve stayed at Kingsland to check it out and it seemed much more like a hotel room. Lots of noise in the hallway. Dinky lanais compared to the Bay Club. Pools are not as nice but we’ve always had a great time and enjoyed the quiet.

 

[Goldi]

Today I put 2 consecutive weeks at Waikoloa Bay Club on hold through RCI Points. The resort information states that this resort has the 1-4 rule. I'm wondering if I'll be allowed to stay both weeks? I'd hate to get there and find out I'm not allowed to stay both weeks. Does anyone know how this is enforced?

 

[travelhacker]

Today I put 2 consecutive weeks at Waikoloa Bay Club on hold through RCI Points. The resort information states that this resort has the 1-4 rule. I'm wondering if I'll be allowed to stay both weeks? I'd hate to get there and find out I'm not allowed to stay both weeks. Does anyone know how this is enforced?

When they are consecutive or concurrent it counts as just 1 of your 1 in 4. I have. 2 consecutive weeks confirmed at kingsland in early summer.

 

[Goldi]

When they are consecutive or concurrent it counts as just 1 of your 1 in 4. I have. 2 consecutive weeks confirmed at kingsland in early summer.

Thanks travelhacker!

 

[Goldi]

In non-covid 19 times how difficult is it to exchange into Bay Club? This is my first RCI points exchange into Hawaii so I don't know what a normal points exchange would look like. I'm assuming that these are grabbed up pretty quick in non-covid 19 times. I'm using 52,500 points to exchange for a 1 bedroom Oct 2021 week. I'm I over spending points?