Starwood Maui resorts

[SMHarman]

I agree with DeniseM on many of her points, although I still try to get a convertible on Maui and Kauai (BI and Oahu are little too hot and exposed even for me.) The removable panels on the Jeep are a great alternative, but there's absolutely nothing like driving the road to Hana being fully exposed to the sights, sounds, and smells in a convertible. Also, the 2016 mustang is pretty great to drive.

Our regular drive is the Mazda CX9. That V6 is a great engine.

 

[okwiater]

-The trunks of the convertibles are tiny because the top fills up most of the space. If you have more than a small amount of luggage, it won't fit in the trunk.

Yes, the trunks are often smaller in convertibles, but most newer models such as the 16 Mustang actually have pretty roomy trunks (your photo was zoomed in but appears to be the prior gen Mustang). We easily fit a large suitcase and 2 roller bags in the trunk of a 16 Mustang a few weeks ago. A hard-top convertible is totally different from a soft-top because the roof panels have to stow themselves into the trunk, using most of the space. Soft-tops do not consume additional trunk space.

-Hawaii is sunny, windy, and rains often. Although a convertible is fun, it is kind of impractical because you will find yourself putting the top up and down a lot, and may get caught in some flash showers before you can get it down.

If you are driving at a reasonable speed, a lot of rain tends to be carried over and around the vehicle rather than landing in the passenger cabin. This doesn't apply to heavy rain or downpours, or stop-and-go traffic situations, but many areas of Hawaii are suitable for top-down driving even with the possibility of some showers. YMMV.

-You may find that after going to the beach, and other activities in the sun, driving around with the top down is too much sun. Remember, it is easier to get a sun burn in Hawaii because you are closer to the equator and the rays are more direct. If you have the top down, you have to do a full lather with high SPF sunscreen, hats, etc., or you will get sun burned.

Completely agree -- and that includes on cloudy days. If you drive around with the top down for hours, and haven't worn sunscreen or hats, you may likely get burned even without realizing it's happening.

 

[Helios]

We rented a convertible on Maui and really enjoyed it. No reason to rent a jeep. We even did the Road to Hana and came back on the beautiful but marginally paved Piilani Hwy along the southern coast.

I agree with this. Last time I rented a 550i xDrive and was fine driving the same route. YMMV and you do it at your own risk. See LisaRex and Denise posts about risk.

 

[LisaRex]

You should know most rental card contracts prohibit taking the car on the type of roads that are not fully paved such as the road past Hana and roads like that.

That is the clause the rental company used to deny reimbursement of the tow truck my friends had to call when driving on the road past Hana. I imagine it would also be the clause they'd use to disclaim liability should you get into an accident and damage the car.

That being said, I'd drive the road past Hana again. IMO, it was more interesting than the road to Hana. (Or possibly, it was the only part of the trip where I wasn't suffering from car sickness.)

 

[Da5id]

We're planning a trip to Maui in May using starpoints (not options). Is there something I'm missing? For the same 20,000 pts I can stay in a studio at the villas, or a smaller room at the Westin or Sheraton with fewer amenities. Do the villas charge a resort and/or parking fee? I don't see it at the SPG reservation site and I know they are a bit high at the resorts. The only downside I can see is we may not get a lanai at the villas. We are owners at Kierland and although I'd like the Westin Kierland, I'd rather stay at the Keirland villas any day. I'm hoping the same would be true here. Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[LisaRex]

We're planning a trip to Maui in May using starpoints (not options). Is there something I'm missing? For the same 20,000 pts I can stay in a studio at the villas, or a smaller room at the Westin or Sheraton with fewer amenities.

The hotels have a completely different vibe than the timeshare. Both Starwood hotels are on "resort row," which is what I call the area between Sheraton Black Rock and the Hyatt. It has a nice, paved oceanfront path that you can use to take an evening stroll or walk to neighboring resorts and restaurants. It's more "bustling" than the area north of Black Rock, where the villas are located and some people prefer that over the relative low-key timeshare.

Also, some people think that cooking, cleaning, and laundry are chores that will not be done on vacation, so they value daily housekeeping over a kitchen and w/d.

Do the villas charge a resort and/or parking fee?

Parking is free for owners (and their guests) and exchangers. I'm sure I read that renters had to pay for parking, but not sure about people who use SPs. All hotel guests will get charged a VAT.

I don't see it at the SPG reservation site and I know they are a bit high at the resorts. The only downside I can see is we may not get a lanai at the villas.

If you can guarantee OV or better, I'd reserve that because if you get Island View you could possibly get assigned to Building 4, which has some units facing the parking lot. Only other downside is that there are only 2 tennis courts at the villas, should you play.

 

[Da5id]

Thank you, that is good information. We're not really looking for "bustling" so one more reason the villas may work better.

 

[Ken555]

Also, some people think that cooking, cleaning, and laundry are chores that will not be done on vacation, so they value daily housekeeping over a kitchen and w/d.

I believe StarPoints stays at any SVN property include daily housekeeping.


Sent from my iPad

 

[mac81]

The Wife and I decided on the ocean villas. I think we will probably get something like a RAV4 for driving on the Island. We will be going for 2 weeks this October/November. Are there any suggestions on things to see ? Thanks for all the input.