II "Inventory"

[Cobra1950]

We are on a two week trip to Hawaii, we just finished the first week at Ko Olina and now are in Marriott Kauai Lagoon/Beach Club (the old Westin by the airport). It seems that inventory tied to interval trades is of lower quality (view) than "Marriott" inventory in talking to the front desks and trying to upgrade.
I would seem caution in assuming what you are getting is in order when posting a trade if you week has value (we swapped a Chrismas Summittwatch villa for Ko Olina and got view of the huge LPG storage tanks "Island View"). Kauai we traded a mud week studio and we did ok, but we were told on changing from a very musty room that the II inventory was all lower quality rooms than the Marriott inventory.
It would appear Marriott is trying to force the issue with points?

 

[klpca]

We received an 11th floor strip view at Grand Chateau on an xyz booking. I know that is a relatively "low" floor but it was fine for us. I'd be interested to hear what others have experienced with their exchanges.

Bummer about the storage tank view. That would be quite a disappointment.

 

[suzannesimon]

We are on a two week trip to Hawaii, we just finished the first week at Ko Olina and now are in Marriott Kauai Lagoon/Beach Club (the old Westin by the airport). It seems that inventory tied to interval trades is of lower quality (view) than "Marriott" inventory in talking to the front desks and trying to upgrade.
I would seem caution in assuming what you are getting is in order when posting a trade if you week has value (we swapped a Chrismas Summittwatch villa for Ko Olina and got view of the huge LPG storage tanks "Island View"). Kauai we traded a mud week studio and we did ok, but we were told on changing from a very musty room that the II inventory was all lower quality rooms than the Marriott inventory.
It would appear Marriott is trying to force the issue with points?

It makes sense that they would hold back the good views for owners that are willing to "pay" high points for the great view. I would imagine that an II trade will only get a decent view now if it is still available at check-in unless the views are all basically the same like at Frenchman's Cove.

 

[pharmgirl]

We received an 11th floor strip view at Grand Chateau on an xyz booking. I know that is a relatively "low" floor but it was fine for us. I'd be interested to hear what others have experienced with their exchanges.

Bummer about the storage tank view. That would be quite a disappointment.

My husband is an engineer and sails
He is always happy to get this view as he likes to see the activity
Last year we also saw the pirates of the Caribbean ship
With this view you also get a good look at the ocean

 

[MikeM132]

This and similar topics have been on TUG many, many times before. It seems generally true that owners get better rooms---wherever you are. At KoOlina I have been given a building I did not choose (oldest one) and was told at the front desk to go up, take a look and if I wanted to change to a newer building they'd be happy to. They said my crappy view (Island) was actually a partial ocean view in the old building. Seeing this, I thanked them and kept the old building (they're all nice). I am a trader more often than an owner, and pretty much just accept whatever I get. Never got a bad enough Marriott to complain about, in my opinion. However, in my few times as an actual owner I seem to be catered to more, even at Grande Vista (where I don't think the desk staff knows anyone from a hole in the wall).

 

[Cobra1950]

Thanks to all for comments. We are finding the island of Kauai nice to visit, much different than Oahu, certainly more laid back. Only comment about our Marriott Kauai lodgings at this point are rooms are quite damp and musty, no dehumidifiers are available from hotel. Wife has picked up cold; may/may not be source. Future guests need to be aware of possible mold problem, front desk says due to layout humidity normally "off the charts" (we are from Mobile, so we know all about humidity).
Grounds overall are nice, Duke's bar very nice view (we agree with Frommer best view in Lihue of water). Appear to have another several days of good weather, will continue driving tour around island.
Used GO airline to get over here, cheapest way, $75/pp each way, they used medium age regional jets, no issues.

 

[Kel]

We’ve exchanged into Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club eight times. If you check your reservation number on Marriott’s hotel website you will see what type of unit you will be assigned to before you get there (this works for other Marriott exchanges as well). When our reservation showed a platinum ocean front unit - that is what we got. When our reservation showed a garden unit – that is what we got. When our reservation showed ocean view – we got a pool/partial ocean view unit. It’s kind of nice to know what view unit you will probably get before you get there. We were never able to get them to upgrade a garden unit to any type of pool/ocean view unit. We were never super pushy about it either.

Happy travels!

 

[aka Julie]

We’ve exchanged into Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club eight times. If you check your reservation number on Marriott’s hotel website you will see what type of unit you will be assigned to before you get there (this works for other Marriott exchanges as well). When our reservation showed a platinum ocean front unit - that is what we got. When our reservation showed a garden unit – that is what we got. When our reservation showed ocean view – we got a pool/partial ocean view unit. It’s kind of nice to know what view unit you will probably get before you get there. We were never able to get them to upgrade a garden unit to any type of pool/ocean view unit. We were never super pushy about it either.

Happy travels!

This is not true at all properties, especially the Hilton Head beachfront properties. They have a pecking order and exchangers are at the bottom of the pack. I've exchanged in and eventhough the reservation originally showed oceanside, we ended up with a garden unit. Owners will always be placed in their view and will take precedence over an exchanger.

 

[dioxide45]

It is really hard to tell from any given stay what gets you the good views or bad ones. While I agree that owners get the better units within a view, exchangers really are at the mercy of what is available on the day they are checking in and many other variables. So it would be hard to really compare DC exchange to II at this time until we have more information from more people. Maybe in about five years we will be able to determine a pattern on what gets you the better units within a view.

 

[Bee]

Cobra1950,

May I ask what building you are in? I own at Beach Club and have never stayed in a unit with a musty/mold issue. Maybe I just have not stayed in the building your in.

Have a nice vacation,

Bee

 

[Cobra1950]

Bee,
Staying in main building, fourth floor, almost directly above front desk area. Noticed today on returning that the Koi pond seems to have flooded the walkway in front of the front desk area, probably did not help the humidity much.
Also was looking around the Marriott Waihoa timeshare on the South shore today, looked much more like typical Marriott ts, 2 br no lockoff, well kept up, not hotel conversion