Question about Kauai Marriott Waiohai

[reedps]

Hi!
We'll be checking into the Marriott Waiohai in 2 1/2 weeks. Just wondering if there are specific buildings that are better to request than others. I don't know a whole lot about the property. Is it fairly new? Are there certain buildings that are in better condition that others? I am just thrilled to be going so I'm not too picky. I just like an updated unit. A nice view would be a bonus. Thanks for any insight anyone can offer.

Also, I know there are threads about what not to miss there in Kauai and mixed feelings on the helicopter tours. I am going to be about 4-4 1/2 months pregnant when we go. Any thoughts on safe ways to see the scenery, easy hikes, etc?

Thanks again!!

 

[cp73]

Sorry I have never been to this property either but hopefully will be trading in there soon. Can you tell me what you traded to get in here and how long ago you placed your request.

Thanks

 

[jlee2070]

Waiohai is only about 4 years new and kept in top condition!!! There are no "updated" units as they are all fairly new.

The unit have 2 classifications, Island View and Ocean View. There are only a few Ocean View rooms that are really good as Waiohai's opinion of an Ocean View is a bit optimistic at times... There are total of 8 buildings called "Hale's"

Since you traded (I assume), it is unlikely that you would get the full on Ocean View Units (and these are in parts of Hale 1 and 8)... For Island View Rooms, I would recommend Hale 2. This building has a nice view of the "garden" areas, side view of the Ocean, convenient to the marketplace/cafe, front desk, exercise room, and underground garage.

Check the web... Lot's of info... Or check here: http://www.vacationclub.com/resorts/wi/default.jsp

 

[ciscogizmo1]

Well, some of the units in Hale 1 & Hale 8 are garden view units. We got Hale 1 last summer but we are owners. It was a garden view unit. You can see pictures of the resort by clicking the link on my signature. I'd suggest that you call and request a unit facing the inside of the "U" Basically, the resort has the buildings in a "U" shaped pattern. Hale 1 & Hale 8 start on opposites sides of the tip of the "U" and all the other buildings are in between. Personally, the only bad view is facing the rear parking lot. I think it is in either Hale 4 or 5. But only the units in the back would be bad. However, I believe the units in the front of Hale 4 or 5 are ocean view even though they are furtherest from the ocean.

Have fun! Oh, and have a Puka Dog on me. I've been dying to eat one!

 

[wilma]

We exchanged in using an AC (marriott deposit) and requested an oceanview. We were given the bldg closest to the construction at the Poipu Beach hotel, I believe it's Hale 1. From our balcony you could see the ocean but also the torn down ugly hotel next door. It turned out to be a great unit as very little work went on next door. I'd stay in Hale 1 again.

 

[reedps]

Thank you all for your quick responces! I am certainly looking forward to the trip.

Chris, actually we lucked into this trade. We had traded a 1 bdrm platinum Grande Vista into the Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort for November. When I found out I was pregnant, I figured there'd be no Hawaii trip for us for a while. Well, just the last couple of weeks I've been checking daily and have seen a lot of Hawaii in the 59 day window, even some into the fall. I kept reserving and cancelling because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. When I saw the Waiohai come up, I knew we had to take it. I'd heard how nice it was and never expected to find one like I did. I held it with another 1 bdrm platinum Grande Vista and then called II to cancel my Maui trip. They were able to transfer this new trade to that previously traded week. Hope that makes sense. Good luck with your request!

 

[californiagirl]

We have traded in twice and received great oceanview units both times. This last time we were given the unit next to the preview villa. I called both times before we arrived and asked for an ocean view and if they could not accomodate that, then an island view overlooking the gardens.

We love this resort and hope you have a great time!

Aloha,
Lisa

 

[cp73]

We have traded in twice and received great oceanview units both times. Lisa

What did you use to trade in and what time of year was it. I see you have a DSV 2 unit. Did you use that for the trade? I am asking because I have a request for next year (July/Aug) trading the Easter Week at DSV I. I am trading only the 1 bedroom with Kitchen. I am wondering now if that will be fufilled and has high enough trading power?

 

[camachinist]

Hale 8 fire plan

IIRC, the "inward" units are 2, 4, 6, and 8 on each floor. The "red dot" is 8306, which was our unit.

Resort Map

Personally, I liked the views and locations in Hales One and Eight, but that is just my preference.

View to rear of resort from 8306 lanai.
View of Pools and Hale One from same

Nice resort. Great staff. You won't be disappointed.

Pat

 

[californiagirl]

Chris,
Yes, we used the DSV II weeks. The first time we went we traded two units and received two units concurrently. That was in Sept. of 2003 and the resort was fairly new. This last time we went the end of Jan. I think the fact that we have gone during the "off season" was in our favor.

I think you may have trouble receiving a two bedroom unit in mid-summer with a one bedroom trade. If you were trading a two bedroom, I think you'd have a good chance at it if you get your request in early. If your request doesn't come through and you're a gambler, check daily (multiple times per day!) when you get in the flexchange period. I see Waiohai come up frequently through flexchange. It doesn't last long though.

Good luck to you!
Lisa

 

[cp73]

Chris,
I see Waiohai come up frequently through flexchange. It doesn't last long though.

Lisa, thanks for your answer. I haven't seen it come up through flexchange. But first I want to make sure I understand what flex change is. In II you go through the exchange process only you make sure the number of days you are searching for is under 60? I dont see the word "flexchange" anywhere in II. I look every day and have seen one or two weeks at Oahu and Kaui (not waiohai). I also assume that during this 60 day period it doesn't matter what you are trading all Marriotts see the same thing?

thanks - this is my first time trying to trade.
Chris :whoopie:

 

[californiagirl]

The way you described it is my understanding as well. It is the period of less than 60 day within to trade. Are you set on Kauai? You could probably get a 1 bedroom in Maui or Ko Olina with the week you have deposited at II. We own in Maui and have been to Ko Olina and enjoyed both.

(BTW you are just down the tollroad from us!)
Lisa

 

[taffy19]

Chris, we exchanged a two bedroom MDSV-I for the Waiohai in mid April when it isn't so busy anymore and we were staying at Hale 8 in unit 8308 which had a nice view over the pool and a partial ocean view too between the palm tree leaves which we thought was quite nice. We were very happy with this exchange.

I can't remember how long in advance we asked for the exchange but most likely not too far in advance but more than the 60 days for flexchange. The Waiohai is a very nice resort. You will like it even the garden views are all very nice as you look over a large pond. Here are some more Waiohai pictures of the beautiful grounds and the beach.

 

[cp73]

(BTW you are just down the tollroad from us!)
Lisa

Lisa and Emmy thanks for your comments. There are a few of us that reside here in OC. Maybe we should all get together some time for timeshare stories. On August 19th we are going back out to DSV I for a week on a getaway. It was $390 for one week in a 2 bedroom. It will be hot though.

I think I might sit tight for a few weeks before I expand my search to the other Hawaii resorts. We went to Ko Olina last year (we stayed at the JW) and it was beautiful. My wife wants to go to Kaiui (sp) next year although Maui might also work. We have been to all the islands a few times and I think that Oahu might be my favorite although they are all unique and have nice things about them. Once you get away from Waikiki (sp) its a beautiful island. I have a few pictures on my site from there last year.

 

[isisdave]

reedps,

The inward-facing upper-floor rooms in Hale 1 and 8 are classified as island view, but from the balcony you actually can see quite a bit of ocean. If it's not too windy, it's a nice place to sit and watch your spouse grilling the dinner below (so I'm told, as I was the watchee).

 

[taffy19]

Lisa and Emmy thanks for your comments. There are a few of us that reside here in OC. Maybe we should all get together some time for timeshare stories.

Sounds like a good idea, Chris. The TUGgers seem to have these get together arrangements already in northern California and on the east coast too.

Let's find out if anyone else here in southern California is interested in meeting each other too?

 

[dmharris]

I called yesterday and they suggested we request Hale 8 or 6 as we have an ocean view. Does this sound good? I requested 3rd floor; I didn't like the little windows on the 4th floor.

 

[jancurious]

No. Hale 1 and 8 are the two buildings that are on the water. If you have ocean view request one of these.

Jan

 

[thinze3]

As stated above, Hale 1 & 8 are on the water and have the best ocean views. Hale 2, right above the Lobby, has a great view through the pools and to the water. I believe it is room 2404 (building 2, floor 4 room 04) that has the best view. That is the one I will request on my next stay. I actually went up and looked out as the staff was cleaning.

Many rooms in Hale 1 and 8 have great interior views but do not have ocean views. Be careful, as many rooms of Hale 5, 6 & 7 are considered ocean view, but you do NOT have a good view of the ocean. Hale 4 is a looong way from the ocean and should not even be considered ocean view. I prefer the 4th floor as I enjoy the view more and do not care so much about the smaller windows in the bedroom.

Here is a link showing the layout of the resort so that you can look for yourself. The top of the resort map is actually west so you can tell where the sun will be shining.

I called yesterday and they suggested we request Hale 8 or 6 as we have an ocean view. Does this sound good? I requested 3rd floor; I didn't like the little windows on the 4th floor.

 

[McFail]

The 4th floor balconies do not have a roof unlike the floors below.

 

[dmharris]

Thinze3, thanks to you and the others for the insights. You are an owner at Waiohai, so would a trader from another Marriott (me) be able to get into 2? I don't expect to get what owners get, but the thing that concerned me, is when I asked if we could have a view inside the U of the complex, I was told no because we have ocean view. So I'm puzzled. Will the ocean view from 6 be a parking lot? I'm not optimistic we would get into Hale 8, but I'm considering calling to ask for 2304 as I do want bigger windows for more light. What do you think?

 

[vacationtime1]

Will the ocean view from 6 be a parking lot?

We were once on the first floor on the outside of Hale 6 (i.e. on the outside of the "U") in a villa which Marriott called an island view. It looked over a parking lot of the public beach next door to the ocean. We were pleasantly surprised. Upstairs in Hale 6 (which is categorized as ocean views) would have been better. However, Hale 6 does not have the dead-on ocean views that the ocean view villas in Hales 1 and 8 have.

 

[dmharris]

Thanks Robert! Is the Hyatt on that side of the resort and is it visible? Any palm trees visible besides an asphalt parking lot?

 

[thinze3]

Trading in, you may not get the most premium units, but do try. Call now and again a day or two before arriving. Truth is, ALL inside units have a very nice view, as the grounds at Waiohai are second to none as for as Marriotts go.

Suggestion:
The mountains are off to the right when looking at the resort map. That is north, and it is a great view. If you get an inside room, look at Hale 8, 7, 1 & 2, in that order. 8 & 7 have evening sun, while 1 & 2 have morning sun. In Hale 8, the units angled toward the mountains are fantastic. On the 3rd floor, these units are 8302 & 8304 - island view. You can drink coffee every morning in the shade and watch the clouds move over the mountains. You can also people watch those coming and going from the lobby, store and restaurant. IMO

Good Luck.

PS -
First floor rooms have direct walk-out access which is also a very nice feature.

Thinze3, thanks to you and the others for the insights. You are an owner at Waiohai, so would a trader from another Marriott (me) be able to get into 2? I don't expect to get what owners get, but the thing that concerned me, is when I asked if we could have a view inside the U of the complex, I was told no because we have ocean view. So I'm puzzled. Will the ocean view from 6 be a parking lot? I'm not optimistic we would get into Hale 8, but I'm considering calling to ask for 2304 as I do want bigger windows for more light. What do you think?

 

[dmharris]

Thanks thinze3,

When I called they told me we had ocean view, (not ocean front) so the inside is garden view. My concern that unlike other resorts, the garden view may be better than "ocean view" if you get mainly parking lot view. Or is the East side facing out (Hale 8, 7, 6) nice views of something beautiful?

Does anyone have a photo of the view to the east from the resort?

Thanks,