Hilton (Diamond) (Embassy) Kaanapali Beach Club

[lintemut]

Long time owner at Kaanapali Beach Club in Maui. Went through the owner update last week and was threatened that deeded owners would see their ability to reserve time diminished as 90% of the open time would be moved to HGVMax. Of course, I can protect myself by 'upgrading' to HQVmax by buying 2000 points ( $5 per point ). I indicated I have 13 month booking window and HGVMax would have something less than that. Am I looking at this correctly?

 

[SmithOp]

Correct, Max booking window is 6 months.

Salesman lips were moving...he was lying.

 

[lintemut]

I asked them to show the 90% in writing. He got a bit choked up. They initially told me I'd have to buy 5000 points at $8/point to get into HGVMax. When I said 'hell no", they magically came back with - "since you didn't see the Max program when Hilton acquired Diamond we can give you a one time offer of 2000 points for $5". I said no and then magically they said we'll give you 18 months to consider it.

I really enjoy the Kanaapali property. I've owned since 2000 and have come back many, many times. The Deluxe Ocean view cannot be beat in all of Maui. Some other resorts may have an equivalent view, but nothing is better. The grounds are quite nice, even if the rooms themselves are a bit spartan they are plausible for my wife and I.

Salesman indicated some nice proposed updates to the rooms including in room laundry and cooktops. If Hilton delivers on just these 2 things it is easily a net improvement.

I'll be staying at my current level of ownership as 2 weeks in Maui is sufficient for now.

I am curious. What is the likelihood that that the Gold Privileges of picking my unit at reservation and 'paying up' for a better unit go away with Hilton? Were these benefits written into the contract with Diamond?

 

[pedro47]

Sounds liked Hilton want Diamond members to purchase something.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I asked them to show the 90% in writing. He got a bit choked up. They initially told me I'd have to buy 5000 points at $8/point to get into HGVMax. When I said 'hell no", they magically came back with - "since you didn't see the Max program when Hilton acquired Diamond we can give you a one time offer of 2000 points for $5". I said no and then magically they said we'll give you 18 months to consider it.

I really enjoy the Kanaapali property. I've owned since 2000 and have come back many, many times. The Deluxe Ocean view cannot be beat in all of Maui. Some other resorts may have an equivalent view, but nothing is better. The grounds are quite nice, even if the rooms themselves are a bit spartan they are plausible for my wife and I.

Salesman indicated some nice proposed updates to the rooms including in room laundry and cooktops. If Hilton delivers on just these 2 things it is easily a net improvement.

I'll be staying at my current level of ownership as 2 weeks in Maui is sufficient for now.

I am curious. What is the likelihood that that the Gold Privileges of picking my unit at reservation and 'paying up' for a better unit go away with Hilton? Were these benefits written into the contract with Diamond?

Congrats on your skepticism and checking here.
All lies

Keep your deed. Hilton will not take away your benefits.

It is a nice resort - especially now that it looks classier because they toned down that ugly pink exterior. Deeds are less expensive than points and it guarantees your room type whereas points are the floating and worthless when you exit. Someone will want your deed when you exit. Just check out timesharenation.com and you will see how owners cannot give away their points contract.

 

[lintemut]

timesharenation.com = very interesting. Thank you for sharing.