booking WKORVN

[snapp79]

I am looking buying WKORVN as a resale as we love maui and toured the resort when there a month and a half ago. i have done a ton of research and this website has been incredibly helpful!

I am looking at two options for pucrchace and would like the opinions of some owners as to their experiences.

opt 1 buy kaanapali. seems simple but maintenence fees are very high. and only really has good value in hawaii

opt 2 buy keirland. with this one my intentions are still to book kaanapali but to ensure lower maintenence fees. however we will probably be traveling in march or summer months and i am concerned about availability booking at the 8 month mark. i know the view categories book up fast but if i buy at keirland only the island view is available to me in hawaii and i dont know how these book up? could some starwood owners who have the 148100 star options at other resorts tell me if they have had success in booking kaanapali or if it is hit and miss? i know there are no guarantees but i am trying to make an informed decision.

thanks for all the help everyone has been so far!!

 

[siesta]

You are forgetting option #3, buy a low cost II trader and exchange in. Few hundred bucks up front, and a low MF. With a lock off you can grab a 2brs off bulk bankings.

The breakdown of the options, of course IMO:

Opt1) buying there makes sense if view designation is important, or high demand weeks where even 8 months out at 9am eastern is too tough for comfort.

Opt2) makes sense if you are going to be exchanging into hra and wsj, or hawaiis consistently but no viewpriority, or platinum seasons consistently and need that 8 mos. I would also suggest looking at a 81k SVV for around $1200 on ebay, if you always didnt need a 2br

Opt3) cheap and good way to "get your beak wet" i exchanged the small side of my SDO, which MF are approx. $500~, for a 2br HRA, other side for a 2br lagunamar, picked up a studio as XYZ for for lagunamar. If your flexible, its a great option.

All 3 westin hawaiis also just bulk banked through end of May 2013(and just think these were leftovers visible online, who knows how many prime summer weeks went to ongoing requests) many tuggers picked up 2br units for 1 bedrooms. Just think, they were able to book before SVO owners with SO.

Any option will provide you with fantastic vacations, some with more flexibility, others with less cost. However your travel style and demands are qill determine which is for you. But hold onto that $10k for a little while longer before you make any decisions.

 

[snapp79]

not sure what the bulk banking is? could you please elaborate

i also need to have a "mandatory resort for trading at all and i dont think SVV is mandatory...?

 

[siesta]

not sure what the bulk banking is? could you please elaborate

i also need to have a "mandatory resort for trading at all and i dont think SVV is mandatory...?

SVV bella and key west are mandatory.

Starwood banks units with II, they do them in big bulks, if you are a tug member go to sightings board and see what others have posted.

Do yourself a favor, before you buy anything at all, spend quite awhile with us here on the starwood board.

 

[VacationForever]

I agree with everything that Siesta has said except that I have never seen WKORVN March and July weeks in II so if those are the desired weeks, trading in II maybe difficult.

 

[snapp79]

i am comfortable with the starwood system II still seems sketchy. im sure it is good if you know how to work it.

i am really curious if there is still reasonable availability at kaanapali north at the 8 monthe booking window in peak times assuming you have enough star options. if this is realistic i will buy a mandatory resort and start to dabble with II then. for now just understanding all the ins and outs of starwood is alot.

 

[readyalready]

I don't think there is reliable inventory at the 8 month mark for March, and certainly not for two bedroom units. I expect summer is the same way.

I would not buy any of the above, I would rent units from owners the years you want to go. I would also consider the Marriott. I would definitely do that for a trip before you buy, since it sounds like you haven't stayed there yet and it is hard to really know a resort until you stay there.

We love Maui and have stayed at WKORV and the MOC several times. Depending on the ages and stages of the resorts and the kids, our preferences have changed. We are very happy that we backed out of our purchase contract years ago, and now have the choice of where, when and what view, when we need it.

 

[zsn]

I would not buy any of the above, I would rent units from owners the years you want to go.

FWIW, this is a great suggestion. Yes, you'll pay a bit more, but you avoid the hassles which come with ownership. If you look at rental rates, they are mostly MF+x, with the 'x' being some small portion of purchase price - this ends up being more-or-less at cost. Many owners who advertise on TUG Marketplace may already have made reservations with guaranteed views for the desirable weeks (President's, T'giving etc) and you tap into that vein.

Best of both worlds, if you ask me!