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Best Little-Known Big Island Timeshare?

DaveNV

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We own an annual week at Mauna Loa Village in Kona. We also own a biennial week on Kauai. Our plans are to visit the islands for two weeks every two years - one week on Kauai and one week on the Big Island. I'd like to maximize that experience, while keeping things affordable.

We just stayed in the Kauai timeshare for the first time, and it was outstanding. The oceanfront location was perfect, and we couldn't be more pleased with what we own. This started me thinking about the Mauna Loa Village week. It's a nice little place in a convenient location, and I'm sure we'll like staying there, but I'm wondering if we can do better. We're not points people, and want to stay with weeks resorts, since that works best for us.

We can't afford the big bucks resorts with designer names, so what about those "lesser" places? Are there any hidden little secret timeshare places you'd like to share with me? We're mainly interested in high quality units in a well-managed resort, facilities in good shape, and conveniently located. We like to get out and about, and don't hang around the condo all day, but if we did, we'd want to be comfortable. Nice pools, and maybe an ocean view would be great. Don't travel with kids, so that's a non-issue.

Hopefully, those of you who know the Big Island resorts best can provide me some insight. What do you consider the best timeshare on the Big Island, and why? I'm curious to hear what you have to say.

Thanks,
Dave
 

T_R_Oglodyte

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We like Mauna Loa Village quite a bit. One of the things that most attracts us about MLV is that it was not built as a resort, but as a whole ownership project. That gives it the feel of a place where we can "live" as opposed to "stay". Most of our "hidden gems" fit that description.
 

ricoba

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We like Mauna Loa Village quite a bit. One of the things that most attracts us about MLV is that it was not built as a resort, but as a whole ownership project. That gives it the feel of a place where we can "live" as opposed to "stay". Most of our "hidden gems" fit that description.

The Bay Club at Waikoloa, probably also fits this description since it too was built as an ownership project.

The units are exceptionally large, and I understand that they may be doing some refurbishing in the next year or so (it does need it).

You are on the same grounds as the HGVC @ Waikoloa and can use their pool or the Bay Club pools. If you wanted to use the Hilton Hotel pools you would have to pay a day use fee.

We were not so fond of the general Waikoloa area, but loved the fact that perhaps two of the best beaches in the world are only about 10 to 20 minutes from the resort, Hapuna and Mauna Kea.
 

EvelynK72

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Kona Coast Resort

Nearby Kona Coast resort was also built for whole ownership - at least Phase I was. The units that are privately owned may be recognized by their individualized decor on the lanai. To my knowledge, Phase II is all timeshares; they have the same amenities except they lack a garage.
 

missmarie

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love mauna loa

I think this is an excellent choice for you. The proximity to the Sheraton Manta Ray observation deck, Captain Cook, excellent snorkling and driveable to Hapuna Beach, the Volcano, South Point. Can't go wrong. No marble floors, but really nice units. You will love it!!!!!!!!

There is so much to see on this island. A different beach every day, from rugged tide pools near the Energy Lab, to the peaceful lagoons near the Four Seasons. This island really has it all. (minus the night club scene in Oahu).
 

cgeidl

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Known but often available

We have stayed 6 times in the last 8 years at the Kona Hawaiian resort and love the location and the style of the units and resort. get an upper unit if you can . Not small but trading places has gotten it for us every time including last New Years. Also have stayed at the Mauna Loa 3 times and Seacliffs once. Love Hawaii and we go every year for about a month.
 

Liz Wolf-Spada

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How do you go for a month? All timeshares? Some hotel? If you use your timeshares, which company works best or do you own your Hawaii weeks?
We like Paniolo Green, on a golf course (I don't play, but it's spacious and peaceful), large units, well maintained and by Waikoloa Village which puts you l0 minutes from the beaches of the Kohola Coast and with lots of rural areas, not crowded like Kona.
Liz
 

Elli

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Liz, this year in Oct. we stayed for the first time at Paniolo Greens. Even though the Kona area tends to get busy - but not bad in Oct. - the Kona Hawaiian resort is much closer to restaurants, etc., and we do prefer that area.
 

Liz Wolf-Spada

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Yea, I know what you mean about the distance to many restaurants etc. I guess the quiet and beaches are just higher on my list.
Liz
 

Cathyb

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Hello fellow traveler Dave: We personally do not like Mauna Loa -- stayed there twice with the most recent being 7/08. However there are two HOAs at M.L. We were in the Wyndham portion; the air conditioners were loud and right outside our bedroom and it was furnished rather starkly IMHO. Maintenance could have been better too. I understand the Shell condos on the same site are in better shape and furnished nicer. Which one do you own?

We love Kona Coast II!! We have tried to exchange there, but it is difficult. We just snagged a Kona Hawaiian Village for 6/2010 and excited about staying there. We saw this development when it was first being built. Very Hawaiian in decor and unique. (Cathy in Carlsbad)
 

Mimi

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Hey Cathy, We liked Kona Hawaiian Village when we extended our Hawaii stay 2 years ago. We have stayed at Mauna Loa and we have gotten seperate units there for our son and daughter, but it is not a timeshare we prefer on the B.I. We will be going to Hawaii for a month Jan 10-Feb 8, 2009 ( 2 weeks at Pono Kai and 2 weeks at Maui Schooner) and will return for another month: June 27-July 25, 2009 (2 weeks at Kona Coast II and 2 weeks back at Maui Schooner). We have had no problem extending our Hawaii vacations using Trading Places. Anyone interested in adding to their timeshare portfolios should consider eBay. We saw a 2br annual Paniolo Greens go for $57 the other day. There have been some unbelievable deals for Hawaii weeks. We purchased 5 out of 6 Hawaii weeks and 3 Las Vegas weeks on eBay! :whoopie:
 
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DaveNV

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Thanks, everyone, for the replies. You've given me some good ideas.

Cathy, I own on the Wyndham side of MLV. Got it on eBay for a few hundred dollars a couple of years ago, and toured the facility after the fact. It's not a bad place at all, and I'm sure it will do nicely. I do like the central location. I've been to the Big Island several times, but the only timeshare I've stayed in was down at Sea Mountain. (Nice and quiet, but too far away from most things.)

My goal with this thread was to explore whether there are other affordable resorts that might be better to own, but that will still provide a nice place to stay. It sounds like I'm where I need to be, at least for now. I'll check these other places out next time we stay there.

Thanks again,
Dave
 

Liz Wolf-Spada

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I also had problems with the loud AC at Mauna Loa. It was so bad on the lower floors I wouldn't have been able to open the patio door and it is going to more than one unit, so you can't just turn it off. Be sure to request an upstairs unit. Other than that, it was OK, but not high on our lists of favorites.
Liz
 

Cathyb

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Mimi: Hi there. We'll be in Maui 6/29-7/09/10 at The Whaler and then to Kona Hawaiian 7/9-7/16/10. Any chance of us meeting you on one of the islands? Question: When using Ebay, how do handle escrow papers and also exchange of money? I sure would like to pick up a bargain week in Sedona but I am actually afraid of Ebay and something going wrong. Please explain in 'baby steps' as I am computer-handicapped :)
 

DeniseM

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WKORV, WKV, SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim) NEW: 3 Lawa'i Beach Resort!
Don't forget to check the TUG reviews for Kauai! :hi:
 

Hawaii123

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How about Kona Billfisher? These are all set up for 4 week stays. Not fancy but in a good location in Kailua-Kona, on Alii Drive
 

Emi

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Kona Hawaiian Village is our choice in Kona. Well kept, nice onsite activities, friendly staff. Check eBay for rock bottom prices. 2BR units selling for over $20000 by Wyndham went for $4000 on eBay. These are usually floating weeks (all year 1-52) and not part of the Wyndham points system.
 

nazclk

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Paniolo Greens

Stayed there last month. Pretty nice units, out of way, but nice and quiet, and we got to feed the wild turkeys that wonder all over the grounds. The week we were there we ate dinner at the resort which was very convienent because of the local grocery store.
 

philemer

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The little "secret place" that we loved was the Sea Village on Ali'i Dr. You'll probably have to rent like we did but our unit was OF & wonderful. Our lanai was only a few yards from the water. The sound of the waves at night helped us sleep peacefully. We rented through an agency, SunQuest I think, and got our pick of the units they managed. This was a number of years ago. :)

We will be at the Royal Sea Cliff (OF property) in nine days and hope to have a nice view and experience there. I will do a review. :banana:
 

rifleman69

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SeaVillage is nice, it's partly affiliated with VI. Stayed there Aug 2004 on the first leg of our honeymoon (second leg was Valley Isle on Maui), we had one of the units ON the ocean and boy was it muggy in the unit. The fans helped but it just didn't get the cross breeze like Valley Isle does or a few other places.

Still, it was a great location and nice grounds...nothing over the top but it worked for us.
 
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