A little long - sorry - hope it helps
FWIW
Stayed at Point at Poipu every year since 1998, stayed at Westin twice.
Point at Poipu:
We are owners at the Point (Float/Float). Stayed in Bldg 8 overlooking pool once, Bldg 2 ground floor, partial ocean view, all other weeks’ ocean front, various bldg., and various floors. I do believe room location is important and definitely prefer ocean front; although it is only a short walk to the ocean front path and there are many places to sit on the rocks and ocean watch. Turtle viewing is great, awesome sunsets and sunrises as previously mentioned.
Love the Point. Great location for activities on the South Side, canyon, trips out of Port Allen, etc. Proximity to the Hyatt is one of the reasons we purchased here. Walking over to the Hyatt in the evening, sitting at the Skyview Terrace and listening to the evening musical entertainment is a favorite activity of ours. Jazz fans might enjoy Stevenson’s Library at the Hyatt also. Shipwreck Beach is in front of the Hyatt. Short walk to Poipu Beach also (take right out the resort, then left onto a paved path shortly before you reach the end of Pee’ Rd – path is through some condo developments).
Units at the Point are comfortable; noise from other units (above or below, not on either side of you) can be a problem due to type of construction used. Footsteps (even from light walkers) are audible; music from units below you can be heard also.
I would describe the Point as more of a Condo type development than a Resort type development; they do have morning walks, a fitness center, movie night by the pool and some other activities; seemed to be more children’s activities this year.
Pool Bar is nothing to write home about – mai tais are like drinking mai tai mix – if you are subject to heartburn skip them.
The Point has one pool and two hot tubs – one hot tub next to the pool and one adult hot tub between bldgs. 2, 3 & 4.
Diamond appears to be trying to treat owners better. Special “Owner Update Presentations” conducted by specially trained Diamond Personnel are being held (this is a sales presentation). Owners can only attend these at certain times – a quick over view of the Water Intrusion Situation is done. We were told as deeded owners we are in a small minority – our type of ownership is becoming very rare – like dinosaurs (we all know what happened to them). To be honest, I think Diamond has realized salespeople in the past have used scare tactics – inventory issues in owned weeks vs. points and ownership in “The Club” but we were reassured there is nothing wrong with having that type of ownership – we’re just missing out and who knows what will happen in the future . Interesting that owners are not mixed with non-owners (potential buyers) – no discussion of Water Intrusion at those meetings.
There seem to be more children’s activities scheduled.
Meet the Manager meeting conducted by Jamie held on Wednesday – Diamond is very, very lucky to have her as manager.
The Westin
The Westin is definitely a Resort type development – complementary bellboy delivery of your bags, groceries, and stuff to your room on check-in. Restaurant, market deli, fitness center on site. Live entertainment many evenings at the restaurant, Champagne Sunday Brunch, Daily activities, yoga classes, farmers market, outdoor movie night, parents’ night out, guest lecturer, a Hawaiian Culture event, etc. The resort is situated on a cliff in Princeville. Princeville is a beautiful area up in the mountains above Hanalei. Hanalei is a short drive away – beautiful beaches, good restaurants. There is also a shopping center in Princeville, a Foodland-good deli, some clothing stores, a food court (Mexican, Oriental, and bakery), and a couple restaurants. Jewelry store & Ice Cream Store.
There are several pools in the central area – a large children’s area, an outdoor fire pit, a poolside bar and grill. An infinity pool, hot tub and grill area are between bldg. 6 & 7. This area is overlooks the ocean. There is another pool – the “quiet pool”, and large hot tub in a garden like setting between bldg. 2 & 3. From what I saw all pools had bar and food service throughout the day – we were at the “quiet pool” and wait staff did come back there.
We stayed in a two bedroom unit which is actually a studio and a 1 bedroom unit combined. Both units have their own laundry, located in the entry way of each unit – the common doors are in this area. Each unit has a Jacuzzi tub and its own lanai. They have separate entrances and it is possible to have charges for each unit billed to separate credit cards. This set up is great for couples traveling together but people with small children might prefer a “real” two bedroom unit that has a common living room, etc.
Our unit was on the second floor (3 floors in each bldg.) and we heard no noise other than conversation in the hall if people were speaking in louder tones. The construction at the Westin is concrete I believe and newer than the Point.
Westin has heavenly beds – really! Linens are great.
Pool Side Bar & Grill has a great happy hour - $5 Mai Tais (the real thing) and 20% off Pupus. Food is prepared at the restaurant and really pretty good.
So there is my comparison between the two. We liked both, for different reasons; just as we make it a practice to stay on both ends of the island for different reasons. We do find Princeville more relaxing than Poipu and for what it’s worth we have had as much rain at Poipu (and windier, longer storms) than at Princeville (more evening showers here).
So – as to your question about the unit available at the Point.
First of all, find out what view type this is – I would only take a Float/Float or Ocean Front. Just my preference.
Next, be aware of the Special Assessment at the Point. This is for Water Intrusion – due to the construction methods used, every building has water intrusion; the exteriors walls, walkways, soffits, facias must be replaced. Roofs will be replaced also. This project will extend for the next five years (two buildings per year) and will entail deconstruction of the existing walkways and exteriors. Presently each week is beings assessed just under $6,000. Costs could be higher once the full extent of the project is known. Additionally, you may not want to be there for the next five years (noise, dust, etc.).
It is a bitter pill to swallow. Owners were notified in October of the assessment and the bill was due Jan. If you failed to pay your assessment your reservation would not be honored and your credit score damaged. There are many multiple weeks’ owners at the Point
Many owners were unaware of the problem; it is unfortunate that Diamond chose not to advise owners so that they could budget something in advance. Most owners love the Point; Diamond did not cause the problem but it appears they considered their sales of existing inventory and profit over their responsibility as management to the owners.