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Maui which one?

jjlovecub

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I did a search to no avail. I am looking at resales at the Westin in Maui. Which is better to buy in? The original unit or the Westin North? We are looking at a 2bdr EOY. Family of 4 with two young kids. I know you can use both properties so is there an advantage to buying one over the other? Thanks for the advice.
 

rocky

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I would buy at WKORV rather than the North Villas. The units are bigger by a 100 square feet or more, and with lots of kids every bit of space helps. They also have a bigger kitchen table in the 1 bedroom side, so you can seat 6, rather than 4 when you eat. The setting, pool, etc. is more grand in scale because the resort is not set at an angle versus the ocean like the North property.
 

DeniseM

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Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
WKORVN-

smaller units than WKORV
studios have lanai
OF owners are very unhappy with some of the views
higher MF

WKORV-

OF views are outstanding
IV units may have a highway view
studio side of standard units do not have a lanai

There are some recent threads about WKORVN that you should check out.
 

Henry M.

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I own at both and there are a few differences. I wouldn't say one is a clear winner, except if you are buying ocean front, where WKORV has the clear advantage.

I would also say IV at WKORV is not comparable to IV at WKORV-N. You will never have a parking lot view at WKORV-N, and you can see the ocean from some of the IV units.

At WKORV I would only buy OV or OF. The units here are a little larger, although some of the space is in a foyer that you may or may not use. With small children, the foyer makes it difficult to have an open path between the 1BR and the studio. On the other hand, if you have both units this space is nice to put your shoes, slippers and anything with sand on it that you don't want to dirty your living areas. Also, the studio here doesn't have a lanai/balcony. To me that is an important feature and I'd rather be in one of the better IV units at WKORV-N than in an OV studio at WKORV.

For small children, the whaler pool at WKORV-N is probably nicer, but then again children will grow up and the slide at WKORV is also nice. The connection between the studio and 1BR is a single sliding door that is better if you want smaller children to sleep in the studio side of the unit.

To me the better IVs and OVs at WKORV-N are a lot better than the less desirable OV units at WKORV. I'd rather be in a high floor IV unit at WKORV-N that a first floor OV unti close to the lobby or the back of WKORV. On the other hand, the 1BR OV units closest to the ocean at WKORV are very nice too, and cost less in maintenance fees. I like the more open pool area at WKORV better than WKORV-N, but it's not like one is horrible while the other is perfect.

I would recommend that before spending a lot of money on a unit, that you rent or exchange into one of the properties and then go look at both to determine which one is right for your own personal circumstances. Consider whether you will be using the units in separate weeks or a single unit. If the former, realize the lack of balcony for the studio, if the latter, it may not matter. Also consider that you could get assigned a unit way in the back of the property in a low floor and see what the trade-off would be in both places.
 

DavidnRobin

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WKORV OFD (Maui)
WPORV (Kauai)
WSJ-VGV (St. John)
WKV (Scottsdale)
Great synopsis - I realize you were discussing the Premium villas - but the Deluxe studios (WKORV) do have a lanai. Also, the lanai on the 1Bd side is bigger at WKORV.

I like the building entrances (w/ doors) on the WKORV side - the WKORVN side has a cheaper feeling to it when walking thru the hallways. The lanai doors at WKORVN do not have screens(!). The overall construction seems better at WKORV (more substaintial - and small things like copper gutters and collectors).

I like the pool area at WKORV, but I like the bar area at WKORVN (closer to the ocean - better separation and not a walkway to get to the lobby like to/from B3.
 
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