I own at the SOK. I was there a year ago in April. We enjoyed our stay there - - as always. The upgrade or refresh is very nice. We were in a 3 BR penthouse and to get into BR2 with a suitcase, the dresser was a bit oversize and encroached on the passage way. So if you were carrying in a suitcase, you would have to walk in a bit sideways. But it was still pretty nice. I think that they did a decent job on the remodel.
So for the next roughly 3 years the owners are paying extra money to pay for the refresh. That underscores the fact (in my opinion) that the mgmt. company is not reserving enough $ for routine refreshings. I also own at a Marriott in Palm Desert and they have substantial mgmt. reserves, plus they have a 5, 10 and 15 year refreshment plan. SOK delayed nearly 40 years to change out their low-end kitchen cabinets.
We had an issue with rodent signs. There was a hole in the drywall under the kitchen sink. There were also a few mouse turds and what appeared to be dried urine. I plugged the hole with paper towels. The next day the paper towel was pushed out and there were lots of little bits of paper towel. That confirmed for me that there were active rodents. I informed the front desk and they quickly sent out their contracted pest control person. They patched the hole. When I looked under the sink in the Master BR bath, I saw that when they did the remodel, they (for some unknown reason) removed the drywall under the sink. So, I could see the concrete structure of the building. That also means that if a mouse or rate was able to get through any pipe or electrical penetrations that they could get into my unit. I could also see (sorry for my language), a few mouse turds and what appeared to be a liquid that dehydrated and turned a yellow-ish brown (dried rodent "pee") inside of the cabinet. So, even though the mgmt company has taken a bunch of steps to control the previously (IMHO: Out-of-control) rodent issue (those actions - - for which I'm appreciative), they still aren't done. I guess it is part of the islands - - yes, there are bugs (including flying palmetto bugs (roaches), and rodents (who were pushed out of the cane fields when they were closed down). But I believe that it is part of the tropics. When I'm there, I don't leave food out. Most either goes into the refrig. or into a kitchen cabinet. I also keep the patio screen door closed.
But, it is a nice-enough place. The employees are friendly and helpful. The mgmt company - - although they have some faults and are (IMHO) afraid to allow true owners onto their Board of directors, are generally doing an okay job. And, yes, I will be going back.
BTW, you are more likely to get a nice view in a 3 BR unit. It is possible to get one that overlooks Lower Honoapiilani hwy, but most have some sort of view (even if slim) of the ocean. Call ahead of time and request a higher unit.
