Below is a post I made on TUG back on Oct. 27, 2009 on this same topic. We are Ko Olina EOY OV owners, but had stayed there in an OV we got in a trade and we then were planning our first stay in our 'owned' unit for the next year. As a follow-up to this post I can report that we were assigned the 14th floor in Hale Moana during our 'owned' week vs the 6th floor we got during our 'traded' week.
Good luck, Steve
"When we were there in Sept. 2009 (on a trade) I did some investigation on where we would like to stay next Sept when we will be using the EOY OV that we bought when we traded in a year ago (We bought a 2BR, will use the 1BR and have deposited the LO w/II)
I went to the front desk during our stay and asked how much information they would like when we make our room request...one option, two, three, etc. And what kind of information would be helpful to them. She said the more information the better since there are no guarantees that your first request would be available (some people try to get the same room each time and only ask for that which then leaves them 2nd guessing on what to do)
I then went into all 3 buildings and walked the floors looking at room numbers, views from elevator lobbies or windows at ends of corridors, etc. DW and I then put together a priority list of 4 general areas that we would like to stay in (ranked from 1 to 4).
I took the list back to the front desk and asked how I should best convey this information as concisely as possible in a phone call, and when I should make that call.
I was told it was best to call 3-4 weeks in advance, call the resort directly 808 679-4700, and select extension 0 in the menu. And she said it might be good to call during 'off hours', as those empoyees don't often get to talk to people and it would give them something fun to do (and they would not be as busy). She looked at my list and went to her book that showed all the room numbers (by floor) and told me the best way to explain what we wanted. Example; 1st priority, any ocean view room above the 5th floor in Hale Nai'a, 2nd priority, Hale Kona, 7th floor and above, rooms in series 30-44 (made those up), 3rd priority ( etc...)
When we traded in for our stay this past Sept. (using our 1BR Timberlodge) we were lucky enough to get an OV room, and the only request we made was 'highest floor possible'. We were put in Hale Moana, 6th floor, last 1BR on the north end, right above the BBQ area, the parking lot and the big brown patch of bare land next door (and as far from the ocean as possible). When we checked in and first got to our room we were pretty disappointed. I went back and tried to get re-assigned but it was explained to me they were FULL, and despite our owner status (since we were on a trade) and the number of actual owners there at the time, that this was the best they could do. By the 2nd day we had 'chilled' and actually enjoyed sitting on our balcony watching people BBQ while enjoying happy hour and the wonderful sunsets...but we would still PREFER to be in a different location next time!"
