Tips and Tricks When at WKORV

[dlca1]

Thanks for the tips- we are at WKORV-N the first two weeks of Nov and have never been before.

Questions:


2. Is there anywhere to swim laps? Would do this early am, not midday.

H

There isn't an official lap pool. We were there about the same time last year. The wkorv pool was pretty empty in the early morning. I was swiming laps along with a few other people and it worked out

 

[Mauiwmn]

I am a hyper organized traveller and I am putting together some notes for our upcoming trip to Maui. We're staying two nights at Sheraton Maui and two weeks at WKORV. There is also a Westin Maui with a shuttle between all three.

I'm still working on my list of non-Starwood dining values. But here's what I have for the three Starwood properties so far. Anyone with actual experience, feel free to comment.

Note: We don't eat huge meals. Frequently just breakfast in the room, then food/drink at Happy Hour late afternoon.

Dining- Starwood Hotels
1.Pulehu (at WKORV) has 5:30-6pm Tramanto Sunset Menu, 3 course $40, except Tues & Wed
2. Ocean Pool Bar & Grill (WKORV), Happy Hour daily 3-5. $4 beer, Mai Tai; $7 well drinks on the rocks, Lave Flow & Piña Coladas, $3 zucchini or sweet potato fries. All day: $6 drink of the day.
3. Pailolo Bar & Grill (WKORV), Happy Hour 4-6. Live music 5-8pm Tues, Wed, Thur
4. Tropica Maui (Westin Maui, free shuttle) Happy Hour 3:30-5. Multiple $5 dishes, easy to make a meal for $10-$15 each. $3 draft beers and $6 cocktails (including Mai Tai). $38-$48 for two
5. Wine Tasing (Sheraton Maui), Link Lounge, MWF, 5:30-6:30, $5 each
6. Black Rock Steak & Seafood (Sheraton Maui), daily 3 course special $40 each. Su, We, Fr Prime Rib, Tu Rack of Lamb, Sa Petite Filet, fish on other days.
7. Cliff Dive Bar (Sheraton Maui) has daily sunset (5:45-5:50 in Nov) torch lighting, cliff dive, and music +/- hula, Happy Hour 3-5, $8 tropical drinks, $7 wine, $6 beer, no food specials

You can also add to your list these non-Starwood:
1. Dukes- happy hour drinks & food items 3-5pm (Walk to)
2. Leilani's-happy hour drinks & food items 3-5pm. Great fish tacos and sliders. Live music several days a week as well. Ocean view. ( Whaler's Village- can use free shuttle)

Dukes & Hula Grill (Free shuttle-Whaler's Village) also have great 3 course early bird menus for $25 per person which includes choice of appetizer, entree and dessert. Request a table outside at Hula Grill and enjoy the sunset. Gorgeous setting. I believe you must be seated by 530pm to order from early bird which is perfect for Nov sunsets.

 

[blondietink]

Anybody have tips on car rental? We usually just go through Expedia/Hotwire/etc.

Yes! we just used discounthawaiicarrental dot com and saved a bundle! Full size car for 11 days for $289.00. Keep checking the rates especially about 2 weeks before your arrival. Our initial was $150.00 higher and then dropped like a stone 2 weeks prior and they had no problem giving me the reduced rate. Believe it or not we got 4 suitcases, 4 people, carry-ons, cameras and a wheelchair in that car with the help of a bungee cord to keep the trunk down.

we also got a Safeway card. there are no Costco's where we live, so buying a membership just to use in Hawaii was not cost effective. they are super nice and the prices saved via the discount card were substantial. We also rented our snorkel fins and boogie boards from The Snorkel Store right down the road in the Fairway Shops. Next time we will leave all snorkel equipment home and just rent from them. They even have prescription masks.

 

[MichaelColey]

Anybody have tips on car rental? We usually just go through Expedia/Hotwire/etc.

For ANY rental car, make sure to look at AutoSlash.com. They'll check prices once a day, and will send you an email when they find lower prices. I use it with all of my rental car reservations, and they almost always find lower prices. Sometimes it's substantial. Other times, it's not much. But every little bit helps, plus I don't have to watch rates myself.

Now I just wish they had a similar site for hotels!

 

[kwindham]

For ANY rental car, make sure to look at AutoSlash.com. They'll check prices once a day, and will send you an email when they find lower prices. I use it with all of my rental car reservations, and they almost always find lower prices. Sometimes it's substantial. Other times, it's not much. But every little bit helps, plus I don't have to watch rates myself.

Now I just wish they had a similar site for hotels![/QUOTE]

or timeshares! lol

 

[Ken555]

For ANY rental car, make sure to look at AutoSlash.com. They'll check prices once a day, and will send you an email when they find lower prices. I use it with all of my rental car reservations, and they almost always find lower prices. Sometimes it's substantial. Other times, it's not much. But every little bit helps, plus I don't have to watch rates myself.

Now I just wish they had a similar site for hotels!

I don't believe autoslash works with Costco auto rentals (or does it?).


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[sjsharkie]

I don't believe autoslash works with Costco auto rentals (or does it?).

I don't believe they can legally search with the Costco discount code since membership is technically required to use the code. Although we all know that rarely is membership checked with renting a car, the terms of the code state that membership is required.

For long-term rentals, Costco has always been cheapest for my rentals to Hawaii. The only exception has been times of higher demand (i.e. Christmas) where sometimes my corporate rate beats other available rates, and short-term (1-day) rentals where sometimes I have either used my corporate rate or discounthawaiicarrentals.

My best price successes are often gained by combining the Costco discount code with an externally available coupon direct through the website. Recently completed an 8-day car rental in Maui for just over $5/day excluding taxes and required fees.

-ryan

 

[DavidnRobin]

I don't believe they can legally search with the Costco discount code since membership is technically required to use the code. Although we all know that rarely is membership checked with renting a car, the terms of the code state that membership is required.

For long-term rentals, Costco has always been cheapest for my rentals to Hawaii. The only exception has been times of higher demand (i.e. Christmas) where sometimes my corporate rate beats other available rates, and short-term (1-day) rentals where sometimes I have either used my corporate rate or discounthawaiicarrentals.

My best price successes are often gained by combining the Costco discount code with an externally available coupon direct through the website. Recently completed an 8-day car rental in Maui for just over $5/day excluding taxes and required fees.

-ryan

The current Costco car renting system requires a Costco membership ID when completing a car rental thru their website.

I found Costco repeatedly to give excellent rental prices (hassle-free) as long as you keep track.

btw - be careful in renting a car via Budget in OGG - they have no kiosks for quickly getting car rental paperwork. We waited 25 mins for counter help (the old-fashion way) - if I knew that I would have spent $20 more to go with Alamo.

 

[sjsharkie]

The current Costco car renting system requires a Costco membership ID when completing a car rental thru their website.

Yes, but that is only if you go through the Costco website. You can also book directly with the car company if you know the Costco code. It is readily available on a number of websites and in most cases can be viewed on your confirmation from Costco. As long as you have a Costco membership, using the code is allowed at least according to the terms printed on the Costco reservation confirmation.

The advantage of going direct is that you can sometimes leverage better coupons when applying the Costco rate.

-ryan

 

[triangulum33]

For ANY rental car, make sure to look at AutoSlash.com.

When I search for any car for out dates April 2014 at OGG, I get no results.
Lots of results on Expedia, etc.

Weird.

 

[Ken555]

btw - be careful in renting a car via Budget in OGG - they have no kiosks for quickly getting car rental paperwork. We waited 25 mins for counter help (the old-fashion way) - if I knew that I would have spent $20 more to go with Alamo.

I just experienced the same in Lihue this week. Absurd how backward Budget is compared to the others! And, the staff does it's best to scare renters into buying their overpriced insurance, too. I had to wait 20 minutes to get a car, and - of course - I had no choice which vehicle I rented, unlike Alamo and National. I haven't rented from Budget in years and see no reason to do so again in future unless there's a huge price difference.


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[Ken555]

Yes, but that is only if you go through the Costco website. You can also book directly with the car company if you know the Costco code. It is readily available on a number of websites and in most cases can be viewed on your confirmation from Costco. As long as you have a Costco membership, using the code is allowed at least according to the terms printed on the Costco reservation confirmation.

The advantage of going direct is that you can sometimes leverage better coupons when applying the Costco rate.

-ryan

Good point. However, this requires choosing a vendor while when I reserve at Costco direct it now shows the prices at all partner rental vendors each time I search, and doesn't take long to do so. I may try this for an upcoming reservation for comparison, though.


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[hypnotiq]

I just experienced the same in Lihue this week. Absurd about backward Budget is compared to the others! And, the staff does it's best to scare renters into buying their overpriced insurance, too. I had to wait 20 minutes to get a car, and - of course - I had no choice which vehicle I rented, unlike Alamo and National. I haven't rented from Budget in years and see no reason to do so again in future unless there's a huge price difference.


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Yup, I had the same issue when we came in (9/8). Though it took over an hour and they had a line to get in line. Apparently if you had prepaid with Costco, you got to go to other line that had no wait. Had I known I could prepay before I got there, I would have, as I was not changing the reservation anymore.

They tried the usual "scare tactics" with me. "You'll have to write us a check for $30k" blah blah blah. I just say no and continue on.

The SUV I ended up getting had a transmission issue. I gradually got worse over the next day and I called Budget. They told me to return it to the original location and they would exchange. Great, I had to go to Costco anyways, so I brought it back and picked up another car. All was pretty smooth and they were nice about it.

I returned the 2nd car at the end of the trip and noticed the receipt had a "fuel refueling" charge on it. I went in and talked to the manager and he told me it was because I returned the 1st car without a full tank.
I told him 1) I had to return the car because of a transmission issue that was not my fault 2) I had only drive it from the Budget->Costco->Resort->Budget and that I shouldn't have to pay for the fuel.

He spends a few mins tapping away and says, "well it looks like it should have been 78 miles to the resort and back and you drove it 88 miles, so you are responsible for the gas." I said, "you're right, I forgot we went to Lahaina for dinner Sunday night, so Ill pay for the 10mi."

He got all pissy with me and then printed something and tossed it my way. He refunded the whole amount but his attitude and approach turned me off from using Budget again (coupled with the pickup ordeal). I'll gladly pay $20-$30 more and use Enterprise/Alamo next time.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I just experienced the same in Lihue this week. Absurd how backward Budget is compared to the others! And, the staff does it's best to scare renters into buying their overpriced insurance, too. I had to wait 20 minutes to get a car, and - of course - I had no choice which vehicle I rented, unlike Alamo and National. I haven't rented from Budget in years and see no reason to do so again in future unless there's a huge price difference.


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Budget did tell me that now that I am in their system - it will be quicker next time as long as I rent once per year. But, I agree that their system is archaic (and politely told them so). I will also avoid Budget if I can in the future since I prefer doing my transactions via the kiosks (quick and easy), and I do like the ability to choose my own car as I can with Alamo at OGG (LIH gave me a choice as well, but was limited).

btw, I use the AMEX car rental insurance ($18/rental) that I get very time I use my SPG AMEX to rent a car. A weird thing happened while a LIH last month - they had a problem with my paperwork and ended up charging my AMEX twice to bring my total up to the agreed amount on the reservation confirmation. However, I ended up getting the AMEX insurance charged ($18)twice for the week. Lucklily, AMEX reversed the charge without hassle.

also... they saw that I had reserved and cancelled eight times as the price dropped over time - I didn't realize they saw that. They asked me why, and I told them the price on Costco slowly dropped from ~$380 to ~200.

 

[Ken555]

btw, I use the AMEX car rental insurance ($18/rental) that I get very time I use my SPG AMEX to rent a car.

I get that, too. I figure its been ~23 years since I had a claim on a rental car, so it's bound to happen again. So I signed up for that AMEX program on all my cards just so I have some coverage in case of problems. When I mentioned this to the Budget rep upon the start of the hard sell, she said that AMEX doesn't cover liability, though I think she's referring to the standard coverage and not the extra we purchase. Anyway, it would take a lot to get me to buy insurance from a rental carrier (I don't think I've ever done so).

also... they saw that I had reserved and cancelled eight times as the price dropped over time - I didn't realize they saw that. They asked me why, and I told them the price on Costco slowly dropped from ~$380 to ~200.

Excellent! If only we could do the same with our StarOptions reservations! Y'know, that they lower in cost as we get closer to the day of travel...


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[LisaRex]

also... they saw that I had reserved and cancelled eight times as the price dropped over time - I didn't realize they saw that. They asked me why, and I told them the price on Costco slowly dropped from ~$380 to ~200.

I also was questioned about my many reservations and cancellations. Since then, I've learned to do a search first to see if the rate has dropped. If the rate is lower, instead of cancelling the existing reservation, I open my existing reservation and modify it. National and Alamo both will then give you a side by side comparison of the existing reservation and the modified reservation so that you can compare the two rates. It will then ask you if you want to keep the existing or modified reservation. No need for all those reservations and cancellations.

Ditto if I find a coupon code for $30 off or one free night. A lot of times these coupons aren't available when I first make the reservation, so I go and add them in later.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I did not know you can change an existing reservation - I will keep that in mind - thanks. I felt kinda guilty for lowering my costs by ~50% - not sure why?...

When renting in StT (for our WSJ trip) - they do not take AMEX - so I use the hope and pray method {color me crazy...}

 

[Ken555]

I also was questioned about my many reservations and cancellations. Since then, I've learned to do a search first to see if the rate has dropped. If the rate is lower, instead of cancelling the existing reservation, I open my existing reservation and modify it. National and Alamo both will then give you a side by side comparison of the existing reservation and the modified reservation so that you can compare the two rates. It will then ask you if you want to keep the existing or modified reservation. No need for all those reservations and cancellations.

I don't see any way to modify an existing reservation at Costco. The rental companies certainly offer this capability at their own sites.

 

[mindy35]

For ANY rental car, make sure to look at AutoSlash.com. They'll check prices once a day, and will send you an email when they find lower prices. I use it with all of my rental car reservations, and they almost always find lower prices. Sometimes it's substantial. Other times, it's not much. But every little bit helps, plus I don't have to watch rates myself.

Now I just wish they had a similar site for hotels![/QUOTE]

or timeshares! lol

There is for hotels:

http://www.tingo.com/

but you have to book though Tingo to get the price drop benefit which I never have done.

http://www.Yapta.com will track if the price changes for hotels you register to watch and email you if the change is +/- a determined amount.

 

[sjsharkie]

Good point. However, this requires choosing a vendor while when I reserve at Costco direct it now shows the prices at all partner rental vendors each time I search, and doesn't take long to do so. I may try this for an upcoming reservation for comparison, though.

Ken, I agree that the Costco interface is much easier to use than checking each individual company site armed with the Costco code. What I actually do is check the Costco site for price changes. If there is a price change, I then book direct through the company.

It saved almost $30 on my last 8 day rental. That was worth the hassle to me in the end of doing the 2 step process. Especially since I was booking for myself and BIL on 2-island trips.

Alamo works best using this method. Enterprise does not have a ton of good externally available coupons. Avis usually restricts coupon use for Hawaii rentals. And the coupon that Costco was using for Budget rentals beat anything I could find myself during the September 2013 rental period. Good luck!

-ryan

 

[LisaRex]

I don't see any way to modify an existing reservation at Costco. The rental companies certainly offer this capability at their own sites.

The Costco interface might not let you. But it will work if you go to the rental car company's website directly and just input the contract ID manually. (If you don't know what Costco's contract ID number is, test an itinerary on the Costco interface and click through to the summary page (before you actually book the car). Click on "Terms and Conditions" (in blue print under CAR"), and it will divulge the contract number.

This is the way you can (theoretically) enter coupon codes as well, though my Entertainment codes are not being accepted with a Costco ID.

 

[HatTrick]

I've had good luck with Budget--especially on the Big Island and Las Vegas, where I've had three new or nearly-new vehicles. A Saturn Vue with 135 miles, a Toyota Camry with 75 miles, and a Hyundai Sonata with 7 miles. Good prices, too, with AARP discount.

 

[heathpack]

Happy Hours and Best Dining Values

Ok, heavy into the nitty gritty of planning our trip now. We'll be eating at all or most of the options below. Since I've spent so much time compiling the list, I thought I'd share it with y'all.

On the Water or With a View
Kaanapali Beach
1. Ocean Pool Bar & Grill (WKORV), Happy Hour daily 3-5. $4 beer, Mai Tai; $7 well drinks on the rocks, Lava Flow & Piña Coladas, $3 zucchini or sweet potato fries. All day: $6 drink of the day
2. Tropica Maui (Westin Maui, free shuttle) Happy Hour 3:30-5. Multiple $5 dishes, easy to make a meal for $10-$15 each. $3 draft beers and $6 cocktails (including Mai Tai).
3. Cliff Dive Bar (Sheraton Maui) has daily sunset (5:45-5:50 in Nov) torch lighting, cliff dive, and music +/- hula, Happy Hour 3-5, $8 tropical drinks, $7 wine, $6 beer, no food specials on website
4a. Dukes Ohia Bar. Kaanapali, can walk along beach path from WKORV, about 0.7 mi. Aloha Hour 3-5 every day. Mai Tais, Dukes Lemonade & Chardonnay $6, beer $4, happy hour heavy pupus $5-$7, soups & salads can easily round to a meal -Or- bar entrees in $14 range.
4b. Dukes Beach House (same location as Ohia Bar). $26 Chefs tasting menu (three course meal), if seated by 5:30. Also moderately priced breakfast.
5a. Hula Grill. In Whalers Village. Chefs Tasting menu 4:45-5:45 in restaurant, all night at Chefs counter. 3 courses, $26.
5b. Hula Grill Barefoot Bar, Happy Hour 3-5. Mai Tais $6, beers $4.25. No food specials listed but bar entrees reg price $14-$18.
6a. Leilani's (Whalers Village- take shuttle). Olala Menu- 5-6pm (sunset time), several $20 entrees.
6b. Lelani's Beachside Grill. Every day except Tues 3-5pm Happy Hour with $5 Mai Tais, margaritas, Lei's lemonade and draft beers; $4 sliders. Tacos Tuesdays $5 Pacifico & Margaritas, $4 tacos and chips/pico. Live music Wed-Sun.
Lahaina
1. Lahaina Yacht Club $10 lunch specials. Happy Hour 3-5 daily, $6 snacks. Need letter of intro, yacht club members only
2. Aloha Mixed Plate. Inexpensive mixed plates, drinks, on water in Lahaina.
3. Kimos (Lahaina). On water in Lahaina, moderate to expensive for dinner, reasonable for lunch. No happy hour or dinner specials that I can find.
North of Kaanapali
1. Sea House, on beach in Napili Bay. Happy Hour 2-5. Numerous $5 pupus and tropical drinks in $7 range, easy to make meal for two.
2. Gazebo Restaurant at Napili Shores Condos. Good breakfast with a view (and 20-40 min wait).
3. Merrimans Kapalua. Happy Hour drinks, $6 Mai Tais, $3 beer. Pupus but fairly expensive. A little confusing because they have an outdoor terrace (where you want to be) and two bar menus- the Pointe Bar menu, presumably for the terrace (no happy hour mentioned) and the Bar Menu, which lists Happy Hour 3-5 (unclear if there is a separate indoor bar that hosts happy hour).
Upcountry
1. Kula Lodge, upcountry. Breakfast with a view. Not inexpensive but breakfast seems to be a good deal for the quality of the setting.

No View
Kaanapali Beach
1. CJs Deli and Diner. Walk to from Sheraton Maui. Breakfast and deli sandwiches. Box lunches for picnicking.
Lahaina & Vicinity
1. Star Noodle. Foodie darling, a little inland in Lahaina. Small plates and noodles, moderately priced.
2. Leodas Pie Shop, just south of Lahaina. Pot pies, savory hand pies, sandwiches, sweet pies. Inexpensive to moderate.
3. Cool Cats (Lahaina), burgers and shakes in Lahaina, casual, no view.
North of Kaanapali
1. Honokawai Okazuya & Deli. Takeout 1.5 mi north of WKORV, inexpensive, excellent quality.
2. Iron Imu BBQ. Napili. Dinner only, no alcohol or view, large meals of excellent BBQ
Upcountry & Paia
1.Komoda Store & Bakery. Makawao. Known for Malasadas and Cream Puffs. Also consider coconut pastries & long johns. Open 7am-5pm, best selection before noon. Closed Wed.
2. Flatbread Company. Highly regarded pizzas. Some salads. No a/c, gets hot in restaurant.
Hana
1. Thai food by Pranee & Nutcharees Authentic Thai food. Hana. Highly regarded food from a shack, served in a tent. Two "restauranteurs" share the shack and it goes by different names different days on the week.
South Maui
1. Monkeypod, Wailea. Happy hour 3-5 and 9-11. $9 pizzas, half price apps, $8 mixology-type cocktails. Dinner moderate to expensive. No view.

Enjoy!

H

 

[triangulum33]

Leaves more space for me at the villa bbqs.

 

[Ken555]

I've had good luck with Budget--especially on the Big Island and Las Vegas, where I've had three new or nearly-new vehicles. A Saturn Vue with 135 miles, a Toyota Camry with 75 miles, and a Hyundai Sonata with 7 miles. Good prices, too, with AARP discount.

The car I had this last week from Budget on Kauai had over 26,000 miles on it.


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