Lawai Beach--where to deposit week

[Karen G]

I've always deposited with RCI, but I'm wondering if anyone has had great success with any other exchange company. I have our two-bedroom unit reserved for Thanksgiving week 2008.

I've toyed with the idea of joining II and depositing it there, but people seem to have just as many complaints about II as RCI.

Any ideas? I know I'm kind of late with depositing it for great trade power.

 

[DeniseM]

There's always Hawaii Timeshare Exchange which is actually located at the resort. www.htse.net - to see what they have online, log-in as a guest by putting 9999 in the top box and htse in the bottom box.

 

[alanraycole]

My 2 cents

It depends on what you want to do with your week and another factor would be if you have an RCI points account. If you want to go somewhere else in Hawaii, I would probably do what was already recommended. If you want to go to some other state or country, it depends on the specific resorts to which you want to go... whether they are affiliated with RCI or II. If you don't know where you want to go, then I would put it into RCI points, if you have an account... your trading power will be completely unaffected by the date of deposit up to 90 days of the reservation check-in (you will want to verify that with RCI, my memory has been known to be faulty).

By the way, I just toured the property a couple of days ago. I was checking to see if it was a possibility on a future exchange stay. I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. I liked it so much, mainly because by staying there I would be virtually guaranteed a Kauai ocean view, that I think I will buy a week there.

 

[DeniseM]

It's a very nice resort, but I would definitely buy in the Ali'i Bldg. The other buildings can be loud at night - I had a terrible time sleeping there. How about the huge construction project behind the resort?

 

[alanraycole]

Thanks for the tip about the middle building.

I was already thinking about targeting that building because of the size of the units and the superior pool in the middle, but because of your tip, I'll make it a must. Although there is obviously construction going on because of the big tarp around construction projects that Hawaii is fond of, I didn't hear a thing during my visit. But, then again, I was there around 4:30, so they may all have gone home.

 

[DeniseM]

The Ali'i Bldg. is the one on the far left as you are facing the resort. The middle Bldg. - the Banyan (where you check in) is where we were and it was extremely loud at night. In the Banyan we felt "trapped," between the noise from public beach parking and the pool in front, and constant traffic and loud guests behind it. Since there is no AC, you are forced to leave your windows open. The Ali'i bldg. is a lot more private and quiet, and the pool is designated the "quiet pool."

In this picture they look like 2 bldgs. on the far left.

 

[alanraycole]

Hmmmm, I didn't think about the required open windows.

It sounds like you have stayed there a few times and stayed in at least two of the three buildings. The salesman seemed so nice, though... not at all like the usual timeshare salesman. You see, he said that if you are not an owner, you will be relegated to the first, old building on exchanges... the one with only partial oceanview because of the Beach House. He said that if you want to stay in the newer, nicer buildings, you would have own. Not that I was ever going to buy from him, I was going to buy from eBay. But, you, apparently, have had experiences in contrast to his claim. Did you have to twist any arms to get the units you got?

 

[DeniseM]

I have only stayed at the Banyan Bldg., but we explored every part of the resort, and I had extensive conversations with owners when we returned. I think the Ali'i is the quietest & most private and has the best views.

 

[DeniseM]

Have you had a chance to check out the TUG reviews?

 

[alanraycole]

Not yet, but that is the main reason why I decided to become a dues pay member of TUG

Just to read and maybe write a few reviews.

 

[eal]

Hello alanraycole,

How can you tell if a timeshare saleperson is lying? His/her lips are moving! We have exchanged into Lawai Beach Resort several times and have always stayed on an upper floor of the Banyan Building with great ocean views.

All Hawaii timeshares seem to have very high maintenance fees; it is cheaper to exchange and pay the exchange fees than to own there.

 

[bird68]

How can you tell if a timeshare saleperson is lying? His/her lips are moving! We have exchanged into Lawai Beach Resort several times and have always stayed on an upper floor of the Banyan Building with great ocean views.

All Hawaii timeshares seem to have very high maintenance fees; it is cheaper to exchange and pay the exchange fees than to own there.

Hello eal,

Have been reading through any info on the LBR; planning to stay there Mar 22-29/08. My concern is the construction; I would like to be in either the Banyan or Alii Bldg's, if possible, to avoid noise. I used RCI points to get my week. As you exchanged into the LBR, any tips to pass to me that enabled you to get the Banyan upper floor condo? I was told via email from LBR that it was '1st come, 1st serve'. Thanks for all your help, PJ

 

[DeniseM]

Owner's get priority - I believe it is very hard to get into the Ali'i Bld. as an exchanger. When we into LBR and we asked about getting a decent location, they wouldn't even take a request. And we were there, in person, a week before check-in. Definitely try to get a high floor. The bottom floor is very noisy with the walk-way and parking lot directly outside the bedroom windows. Good luck!

 

[Tiger]

We own three 2br2ba in Alii, purchasing them over a period of 5 years starting 11 years ago. Needless to say we love it! Owners may reserve 24 months in advance, and we always get one of our top three choices of units where we stay for three straight weeks. I strongly recommend the 2br for the small increase in $ and $ maintenance. The master br is oceanfront and beautiful. Since it's not on the corridor it is quiet and private.

I always encourage potential buyers since it's good for the resort to have committed timeshare experienced owners. The resort has been solely run by the owners organization for 10 years or so,. Therefore we don't have to deal with a developer.

If you are going to stay at LBR most years again I highly recommend Alii 2br2ba. If you are going to trade I recommend Coral either 1 or 2 br since it's considerably cheaper. With the local HTSE you can trade back into the resort where you get owners preference in regards to buildings and for a fee can upgrade 1br to 2br on a trade.