BGRed
newbie
oh, where to start this thread...
My wife and I, with our six year old twins and my inlaws, are traveling to Hawaii on March 2009. We have our flights (frequent flyer into HNL) and are thinking of splitting our 17 day trip between Maui and the Big Island.
My father-in-law owns a 2 BR week at Horizons-Branson that is a good trader; but, I don't see anything available right now.
I think that I am down to several decision points --
1. Book all through a Hawaii travel specialist - I have an offer from a company called blue-hawaii.com that came in about $1600 less than a similar itinerary that I put together myself. Locations - Big Island: Resortquest Kona by the Sea. Maui: Resortquest Kanapalli Shores. Has anyone worked with blue-hawaii? Or, can anyone recommend an alternative travel specialist.
2. On our own itinerary, I had narrowed down Maui condo rentals to Noelani Condo Resort (3 BR) or Resortquest Mahana on Kanapalli beach. And, our Big Island choice Kona Bali Hai.
3. Sign up through Starwood for a timeshare preview at the Sheraton on Kanapalli. We'd get a garden view 2 BR for $750 total for 5 nights plus some restaurant & car rental bonuses.
4. Put in an II trade and hope that something comes through in time to get our plans finalized... :crossfingers:
This is a wide open post -- looking for some good advice to a first time Hawaii traveler. This might be the only Hawaii trips for the inlaws, so I would really like to have ocean view. We're planning to balance activities with some leisurely beach days.
My wife and I, with our six year old twins and my inlaws, are traveling to Hawaii on March 2009. We have our flights (frequent flyer into HNL) and are thinking of splitting our 17 day trip between Maui and the Big Island.
My father-in-law owns a 2 BR week at Horizons-Branson that is a good trader; but, I don't see anything available right now.
I think that I am down to several decision points --
1. Book all through a Hawaii travel specialist - I have an offer from a company called blue-hawaii.com that came in about $1600 less than a similar itinerary that I put together myself. Locations - Big Island: Resortquest Kona by the Sea. Maui: Resortquest Kanapalli Shores. Has anyone worked with blue-hawaii? Or, can anyone recommend an alternative travel specialist.
2. On our own itinerary, I had narrowed down Maui condo rentals to Noelani Condo Resort (3 BR) or Resortquest Mahana on Kanapalli beach. And, our Big Island choice Kona Bali Hai.
3. Sign up through Starwood for a timeshare preview at the Sheraton on Kanapalli. We'd get a garden view 2 BR for $750 total for 5 nights plus some restaurant & car rental bonuses.
4. Put in an II trade and hope that something comes through in time to get our plans finalized... :crossfingers:
This is a wide open post -- looking for some good advice to a first time Hawaii traveler. This might be the only Hawaii trips for the inlaws, so I would really like to have ocean view. We're planning to balance activities with some leisurely beach days.