Better options for Kauai and Maui

[Tucsonadventurer]

For Maui I waitlist at Times 12 to 18 months prior or look 6 months prior just past midnight for inventory. Sometimes random inventory shows up at other times, for example this yr we added a week to our Maui trip a few months prior. We like Kierland as it's an easy trader, we always just book 8 mos prior. I like owning both but appreciate not having the added fees with Kierland. Our favorite resort on Maui however is Hyatt Kaanapali. It's my happy place

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

We use hotel credit card points to bridge the gaps and improve flexibility as airfare midweek is cheaper. My husband got a Wyndham credit card which vidanta uses so we have 3 nights in Kapalua 1 bedroom oceanfront overlooking the Kapalua coastal trail to start our week.

Can Star Options reservations be made at the 8 month window for less than a week?

All week long stays at the Hyatt Maui are Sat-Sat and we all know that's the most expensive day of the week to fly!

With a Tuesday arrival you might be able to save enough on airfare to cover the cost of Tue-Sat stay on Star Options?

 

[Ken555]

So I have the resale options of a mandatory staroptions resort with access at 8 months or a Westin Flex with access at 12 months but no oceanfront units? Seems Westin Flex might be better for me.

I've booked OF studios at the Westin without difficulty.

 

[DeniseM]

S

So I have the resale options of a mandatory staroptions resort with access at 8 months or a Westin Flex with access at 12 months but no oceanfront units? Seems Westin Flex might be better for me.

You can use StarOptions to reserve any resort/size/view that is available, including ocean front.


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[Mongoose]

You can use StarOptions to reserve any resort/size/view that is available, including ocean front.


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That's what I thought. I see you picked up Lawai Beach resort. I was looking at that. Can you share what made you pull the trigger on that one?

 

[DeniseM]

-Our original Kauai resort is in the process of going under, and we wanted to get 3 more weeks on Kauai to take it's place.
-Good location - Koloa/Poipu
-Good weather
-Good snorkeling right in front of the resort.
-All of the units in the Ali'i building have a good ocean view. (I'd say ocean front, but there is a little setback.)
-Affordable purchase price & maintenance
-Will be easy to rehome when the time comes.
-This is a stand alone resort managed by owners, not part of any big blood sucking corporation.

Live Web Cam -

 

[ncaahockeyfan]

StarOption reservations may be for any number of days up to twenty.

The potential problem with your strategy (at least for prime weeks) is that the reservation may no longer be available when you want to make it. The week was available because someone didn't make a Sat/Sat or Sun/Sun reservation, the first possible date to reserve those days was eight months in advance of that Sat or Sun, which is three days before you can make your reservation for the following Tuesday. If it's a prime week, it may be gone; you should have no problem during shoulder seasons.

Totally makes sense! I am assuming trimming an SO existing reservation is not allowed

 

[travelove]

-Our original Kauai resort is in the process of going under, and we wanted to get 3 more weeks on Kauai to take it's place.
-Good location - Koloa/Poipu
-Good weather
-Good snorkeling right in front of the resort.
-All of the units in the Ali'i building have a good ocean view. (I'd say ocean front, but there is a little setback.)
-Affordable purchase price & maintenance
-Will be easy to rehome when the time comes.
-This is a stand alone resort managed by owners, not part of any big blood sucking corporation.

Live Web Cam -

Denise, place looks lovely. I’ve seen it for exchange but never grabbed it as it doesn’t have AC. Are you ok with that? Have you stayed there without AC?

 

[travelove]

We use hotel credit card points to bridge the gaps and improve flexibility as airfare midweek is cheaper. My husband got a Wyndham credit card which vidanta uses so we have 3 nights in Kapalua 1 bedroom oceanfront overlooking the Kapalua coastal trail to start our week.

can I ask where you got Kapalua 1 bedroom, through Airbnb? I booked 2 nights in Kapalua Bay Villas through Airbnb as I couldn’t find anything on redweek there but wanted to stay there.

 

[Mongoose]

-Our original Kauai resort is in the process of going under, and we wanted to get 3 more weeks on Kauai to take it's place.
-Good location - Koloa/Poipu
-Good weather
-Good snorkeling right in front of the resort.
-All of the units in the Ali'i building have a good ocean view. (I'd say ocean front, but there is a little setback.)
-Affordable purchase price & maintenance
-Will be easy to rehome when the time comes.
-This is a stand alone resort managed by owners, not part of any big blood sucking corporation.

Live Web Cam -

I see Lawai Beach Resort listed in the Shell and Club Wyndham directories. Do you know if those are separate buildings on the same grounds or intermixed? Their directory thankfully states its not managed by Wyndham and there is limited availability. Based on the Shell disclosure documents it looks like they only have 99 weeks available out of about 9,000. I assume these were originally part of SVC before it was purchased by Wyndam and now Wyndham has gained access to some of their weeks through conversions. That certainly ups my interest in Lawai Beach Resort.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

My husband applied for a Wyndham credit card and you can book ,using those points with their affiliation with Vacasa. Vacasa has a nicely renovated ocean front 1 bedroom villa in Kapalua Maui.

can I ask where you got Kapalua 1 bedroom, through Airbnb? I booked 2 nights in Kapalua Bay Villas through Airbnb as I couldn’t find anything on redweek there but wanted to stay there.

 

[travelove]

My husband applied for a Wyndham credit card and you can book ,using those points with their affiliation with Vacasa. Vacasa has a nicely renovated ocean front 1 bedroom villa in Kapalua Maui.

Thank you. I will check it out. Have a great time on your vacation.

 

[DeniseM]

We have stayed here without AC and it was fine; we just opened the windows and let the breeze flow through. That being said, they have portable AC units available upon request, now.

Denise, place looks lovely. I’ve seen it for exchange but never grabbed it as it doesn’t have AC. Are you ok with that? Have you stayed there without AC?

 

[travelove]

We have stayed here without AC and it was fine; we just opened the windows and let the breeze flow through. That being said, they have portable AC units available upon request, now.

Ok. Congrats on your purchase. As an owner you probably would always get a best unit there.

 

[Mongoose]

We have stayed here without AC and it was fine; we just opened the windows and let the breeze flow through. That being said, they have portable AC units available upon request, now.

Did you pick these up here on TUG, Reddweek or another broker? I see several 1 BR, but would really like a 2 BR.

 

[DeniseM]

From the resale broker located at the resort. Paid $7,500 for all 3 weeks. There are much cheaper resales, but we only wanted the Ali’i.


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[jacknsara]

I see Lawai Beach Resort listed in the Shell and Club Wyndham directories. Do you know if those are separate buildings on the same grounds or intermixed? Their directory thankfully states its not managed by Wyndham and there is limited availability. Based on the Shell disclosure documents it looks like they only have 99 weeks available out of about 9,000. I assume these were originally part of SVC before it was purchased by Wyndam and now Wyndham has gained access to some of their weeks through conversions. That certainly ups my interest in Lawai Beach Resort.

Aloha,
Whether you are thinking of owning, exchanging into or renting at Lawai Beach Resort, it might be a good idea to talk to the folks at https://www.htse.net/ after perusing their web site.
Between our adult daughter and ourselves, we have rented quite a few units. When renting from HTSE the unit you will be getting is specified. When exchanging in (as we have long ago through RCI weeks), you have negligible control over your building or unit assignment. The RCI code (I am not familiar with Shell or Wyndham coding) for all three buildings is the same. The view toward the ocean from most of the units in the Coral building is blocked by the Beach House restaurant and Kuhio Shores Condos.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/L...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDUxMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw==
Jack

 

[ncaahockeyfan]

Aloha,
Whether you are thinking of owning, exchanging into or renting at Lawai Beach Resort, it might be a good idea to talk to the folks at https://www.htse.net/ after perusing their web site.
Between our adult daughter and ourselves, we have rented quite a few units. When renting from HTSE the unit you will be getting is specified. When exchanging in (as we have long ago through RCI weeks), you have negligible control over your building or unit assignment. The RCI code (I am not familiar with Shell or Wyndham coding) for all three buildings is the same. The view toward the ocean from most of the units in the Coral building is blocked by the Beach House restaurant and Kuhio Shores Condos.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lawai+Beach+Resort/@21.8812426,-159.4753627,136m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!3m8!1s0x7c07054a2a4c79c7:0xea93c74614bc72fb!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d21.8822927!4d-159.4760337!16s/g/1tq6k8xd?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDUxMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw==
Jack

We had a Christmas week 2025 exchange into LAW through II that I recently traded out of - family decided on FL for Christmas week.

I had contacted LAW multiple times with my resort (LAW) confirmation number to ask questions about room preference. No one ever responded. After scouring TUGG for LAW exchange info, it seemed that RCI exchanges end up with the least desirable rooms, but II exchanges might get something better?

Anyone know whether this is accurate?

 

[DeniseM]

RCI has one code for all 3 buildings at the resort - so you are not likely to get a unit in the Ali'i Bldg.

II has separate codes for all 3 buildings at the resort, so you should be assigned to the building specified by your code.

However, you are not going to get any info about your room assignment either by calling or in-person, and I dont think they will even accept a request. You will find out at check-in, and you should lower your expectations.

 

[ncaahockeyfan]

RCI has one code for all 3 buildings at the resort - so you are not likely to get a unit in the Ali'i Bldg.

II has separate codes for all 3 buildings at the resort, so you should be assigned to the building specified by your code.

However, you are not going to get any info about your room assignment either by calling or in-person, and I dont think they will even accept a request. You will find out at check-in, and you should lower your expectations.

I was thinking it would probably be something like this.

 

[Mongoose]

I just had an exchange for the Point at Poipu come through for next May using II and 10,000 Worldmark credits. That will give me a great vacation and opportunity to check everything out.

 

[geist1223]

I just had an exchange for the Point at Poipu come through for next May using II and 10,000 Worldmark credits. That will give me a great vacation and opportunity to check everything out.

Remember there will be a Daily Resort Fee.

 

[Mongoose]

Remember there will be a Daily Resort Fee.

Yep. Seems like it’s the new norm.