Two weeks in Hawaii week 52 in 2028 and week 1 in 2029, help me plan

[Floridaman76]

Looking to take my family to Hawaii for Christmas / New Years of 2028. I have only been to Hawaii once (on Honolulu) many years ago and never in a Wyndham unit.

I'm planning to spend two entire weeks, or possibly 13 nights splitting time between Big Island and Kauai. I'm thinking 8 nights on Big Island and 5 nights on Kauai.

From here down is very long and detailed, so bear with me.

My general plan is to fly out leaving Florida on Saturday early morning 12/23/28 flying directly to KOA airport on the Big Island. Based on this year's flights, we can get flights on American directly to Big Island with layovers in either DFW or PHX. This will save us one inter-island flight. Flying back Saturday 1/7 out of HNL (will require inter-island flight from Kauai to Honolulu) Because the flight back is SO long I think getting part of a day to recover will be necessary.

Big Island:
Spending 8 nights on Big Island I am strongly looking at splitting time between 2 resorts on the island, but can be talked out of this idea. I really want to stay at Royal Sea Cliff for at least a couple nights, the other resort I was looking at is either Mauna Loa / Mauna Loa Holula resorts or Paniolo Greens. From what I have seen the Mauna Loa and Holula resorts are identical design, size and layout. And I realize that Paniolo Greens is in Waikoloa. Paniolo seems to have an advantage of being closer to a lot of the stuff we want to do, but may not have the "island feel" and seems like a pretty standard newer condo design.

We will need three 2BR units, and over the length of the stay, for example if we were to spend the entire time at Royal Sea Cliff, it would consume 957000 points (8 nights). To put things in perspective, this same stay at Paniolo Greens would consume 612000 points and the entire 8 nights at either Mauna Loa or Holula would consume 733500 points. Splitting between two resorts adds complications, as I will have two elderly parents in tow and a few teen and early adult children. Splitting 3 nights at Royal Sea Cliff and 5 nights at Paniolo would be 834600 points.

Kauai:
Spending 5 nights on Kauai, I am less likely to want to change resorts mid-stay. I am looking at Ka Eo Kai and Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy. Points would be 576000 or 556500 respectively, basically a wash. Other option is Bali Hai which would be 738,000 points. I would love to do Shearwater, but the points are just astronomical and it's just not going to be in the cards this trip.

As it is, this trip is going to consume my entire points allotment for the year, and then some (I will have to move points forward).

So basic asks of the group

• Is it advisable to even consider changing resorts mid-stay on Big Island?
• Is Royal Sea Cliff worth the steep premium in points?
• If you have stayed at Mauna Loa or Holula, especially recently, what are they like?
• If you have stayed at Paniolo Greens, especially recently, what are they like? Did you regret staying in Waikoloa vs Kona?
• My current plan is to split 8 days on Big Island and 5 days on Kauai, should I consider doing 7 and 6? It just looks like there's more to do on Big Island. I have never been to either island.
• If you have stayed at either Beachboy or Ka Eo Kai, please tell me what you liked/disliked about either resort
• I saw a Makai Club Cottages as a possible other option on Kauai, anyone stayed there?
• Do the places i've identified as my priorities have AC? If so, is there an additional charge for AC use? Will I even need AC in December/January?
• Do you think I will have problems booking these units right at the 10 month mark

I plan on looking at inventory at these resorts for week 52 2027 and week 1 2028 at the 10 month mark to get an idea if this is even going to be feasible. I think Royal Sea Cliff will be the hardest to book.

Thanks in advance, any pointers will be helpful, like I said, I have only been to Hawaii once, and never been to either Big Island or Kauai

 

[Floridaman76]

Also, before someone asks, I need to do weeks of Christmas and New Years to accomodate people's schedules, especially my wife's because her company shuts down the week of Christmas and New Years every year and has severe PTO scheduling limitations the rest of the year. There's no way she can get 2 weeks off in a row. Also accomodting High School and college age kids time off of school.

I realize those are some of the highest demand weeks, but it is what it is.

 

[heitmullerj02]

Have stayed at KA EO Kai, and room’s spacious, small pool. We went in March, a little cool to swim. Toured Bali Hai, felt it was much nicer. Love Kauai, see Grand Canyon of HI, really nice up the MT. Hanalei was a great little town too. There was also a nice farmers market in Kapaa. This was a few years ago.



were

 

[Floridaman76]

Have stayed at KA EO Kai, and room’s spacious, small pool. We went in March, a little cool to swim. Toured Bali Hai, felt it was much nicer. Love Kauai, see Grand Canyon of HI, really nice up the MT. Hanalei was a great little town too. There was also a nice farmers market in Kapaa. This was a few years ago.

Thanks, I forgot to ask in my main post if the resorts i've tentatively chosen have air conditioning or not, and if so, do they charge? Does Ka Eo Kai have AC? Is there a charge?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Shearwater is the only resort I would stay on Kauai in Wyndham. Bali Hai is okay, but I have been disappointed in it. The pool is nice.

No AC in any Wyndham units on Kauai. You don't need it. In June a few years ago, we were cold on our lanai and had to come in.

 

[Floridaman76]

Shearwater is the only resort I would stay on Kauai in Wyndham. Bali Hai is okay, but I have been disappointed in it. The pool is nice.

No AC in any Wyndham units on Kauai. You don't need it. In June a few years ago, we were cold on our lanai and had to come in.

I appreciate the input, but like I said, Shearwater is just going to be too many points. For 5 nights in three 2BR Deluxe units would be 975,000 points. I did the math on doing two 3BR Presidential's and it would be even more than that. That's 400,000 more points than it would cost to stay at Ka Eo Kai and almost 420,000 points more than the Beachboy.

Good to know about the AC situation regardless

 

[DeniseM]

I understand why you want to go for the holidays, but airfare will be at its highest, and this is a very high demand timeframe to try and get reservations.

 

[rickandcindy23]

And of course the rental cars can be crazy expensive.

 

[Floridaman76]

And of course the rental cars can be crazy expensive.

My company has a contract with Avis and prices are nationwide including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico and USVI, so that cost is actually the most under my control and reasonable as any of the other expenses. I can get a full size car or intermediate SUV for $35/day

I understand why you want to go for the holidays, but airfare will be at its highest, and this is a very high demand timeframe to try and get reservations.

I realize that, but i've been watching prices for a while during all times of the year and just using this year same timeframe as a reference, I can still get tickets at the 3 month out point and it's not that much worse than booking during the slow season. Belive me, i'm taking all of this into account. Thanks though.

 

[patdouma]

I've stayed at several of the resorts you mentioned. Regarding the Big Island, I wasn't impressed with the stay at Royal Sea Cliff - the views were not sweeping but rather peek a boo. Mauna Loa was nice - there's a grocery store nearby and you can drive north into downtown Kona or south to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. We thoroughly enjoyed Paniolo Greens - it has a great vibe and the location is wonderful. The beaches nearby are beautiful and there is a grocery store there. It is also close to many things we enjoy doing. The resort is not fancy but has everything we need - it makes us feel like we live in Hawaii. I'd advise just picking one resort to stay at on the Big Island. When we go to Kauai we split our stay between 2 resorts - Beachboy Kauai Resort, so that we can enjoy the southern side of the island, and then we stay in Princeville for the northern experience. In Princeville, we have stayed at Ka Eo Kai, The Makai Club, and Bali Hai. The Makai Club is another simple resort that makes me feel like I live in Hawaii, and the Bali Hai is fancier to make you feel like you're on vacation in Hawaii. Your grandchildren would probably like Bali Hai better. As far as air conditioning, we always use it and it usually is an extra charge. I think you'll be able to successfully book rooms 10 months out.

 

[Floridaman76]

I've stayed at several of the resorts you mentioned. Regarding the Big Island, I wasn't impressed with the stay at Royal Sea Cliff - the views were not sweeping but rather peek a boo. Mauna Loa was nice - there's a grocery store nearby and you can drive north into downtown Kona or south to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. We thoroughly enjoyed Paniolo Greens - it has a great vibe and the location is wonderful. The beaches nearby are beautiful and there is a grocery store there. It is also close to many things we enjoy doing. The resort is not fancy but has everything we need - it makes us feel like we live in Hawaii. I'd advise just picking one resort to stay at on the Big Island. When we go to Kauai we split our stay between 2 resorts - Beachboy Kauai Resort, so that we can enjoy the southern side of the island, and then we stay in Princeville for the northern experience. In Princeville, we have stayed at Ka Eo Kai, The Makai Club, and Bali Hai. The Makai Club is another simple resort that makes me feel like I live in Hawaii, and the Bali Hai is fancier to make you feel like you're on vacation in Hawaii. Your grandchildren would probably like Bali Hai better. As far as air conditioning, we always use it and it usually is an extra charge. I think you'll be able to successfully book rooms 10 months out.

Excellent feedback, thank you. By chance at Beachboy, did you stay in a 1BR or 2BR unit? Looking online, the rooms appear to be smaller than Ka Eo Kai (1045 sq ft at Beachboy vs 1543 sq ft at Ka Eo Kai). I love the looks of those wrap around lanai's at Ka Eo Kai, I feel that those would be great to spend time on.

Also did you stay at the Makai Club or Makai Club Cottages? The Makai Club seems to be only 1BR units and Makai Club Cottages are 2BR units only.

 

[patdouma]

At Beachboy, we have stayed in both one bedroom and two bedroom - they are big units and all have an ocean view. The ocean is not good for swimming right there, but just walk north a little ways along the pedestrian pathway, and you can enter the ocean near the next hotel. And yes - the wrap around lanai's at KaEoKai are nice. Regarding the Makai Club, we have stayed in both the one bedrooms and the two bedroom cottages. The two bedroom cottages are very big - so comfortable - I like these units the best. The one bedrooms offer air conditioning, and the two bedrooms do not. We went in April and did not need air conditioning in the two bedroom cottages.

 

[Sandi Bo]

You do pay taxes in Hawaii (I tend to forget that). My nephew just got back. Sometimes I get his folios. Here's some numbers from the ones I have.

Here's for one night in a 1 Bedroom at Kona Coast Resort
Hawaii State TSO Tax 9.09
TOT County HTAT 2.66
Air Conditioning Charge 12.00
GE Tax 0.57

Here's for one night in a 1 bedroom at Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy
TSO Tax 13.94
TOT County KTAT 4.08
Seems he paid for A/C in Kona and likely didn't have it in Kauai

We went in February, here's fees from a 2 bedroom at Royal Sea Cliff (1 night, no charge for AC)
Timeshare Occupancy Tax : Timeshare Occupancy Tax - Flat $15.60


Personally, I wouldn't move on the big island. I don't feel like anything is too far (from Kona). When we went Paniolo Greens looked easy to grab, so if others recommend that, you might consider there. Especially with a large group (that's me, I like staying put).

There's so much to do on the Big Island. And it's easy to miss stuff! As many times as we've been, we've still got things to go back to.

The observatory is quite an opportunity, IMO. We had someone that didn't like to drive (or be driven) after dark. Otherwise, would have gone up as far as we could on Mauna Kea and watched the sun set and done some star gazing. Heard even if it's cloudy, you get above the clouds.

Definitely be sure to see Akaka Falls. We made it to Hilo. One vehicle went across the island and missed the falls. I was grateful we went to Akaka Falls.

It's fun to eat in the Volcano House (at Volcano Nati'l Park). Amazing views, nice drive through the park.

We did a snorkle cruise to Captian Cook's. You can also hike into there (maybe next time) and snorkle off the shore. Interesting laws - if you come by boat you are not to go on land (even to see the monument). If you hike in, you can snorkle off the shore.

Hopefully at that time you can do some whale watching. February was awesome. Went on a Maui snorkle cruise and saw so many whales there was no point in going on a whale cruise. (My husband loves to snorkle, so we do a lot of that). Personally, snorkling off the shore was good (in Maui) and I would do that again (could hear the whales singing and saw turtles, anything we needed without a fancy cruise).

 

[Floridaman76]

I have heard about the occupancy taxes, but it's nice to see what it actually looks like in practice. The more I think about it, I am settling down to these options:

Big Island:
Panolio Greens or Mauna Loa Village / Mauna Loa Halua (they appear to be identical except furnishings) - picking one resort and not moving. Leaning to Mauna Loa Village

Kauai:
Ka Eo Kai or Kauai Coast Resort - picking one resort and not moving. Leaning to Ka Eo Kai

I really like the size of the units and balconies at Ka Eo Kai. I could go either way with the decision on the Big Island.

 

[pagosajim]

No AC in any Wyndham units on Kauai. You don't need it. In June a few years ago, we were cold on our lanai and had to come in.

Bali Hai units have AC available for a fee. Free for PR owners staying in PR units.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Maui is going to be a new addition to Wyndham when you go on that trip. Don't know how that is all going to be handled but I wouldn't skip Maui, if this is a one and done trip to Hawaii.

Of course, we thought our trip to the Big Island followed by Kauai in 2000 would be our only trip. In 2004, we went for one week to Kauai, which wasn't enough time for Maui. We took a trip in 2005, which was a week at the Big Island followed by a week on Maui at Gardens at West Maui. In 2006, we went for two weeks again, Kauai and then Maui (Shearwater via exchange and Kahana Villas 2 bedroom on Maui). Since that trip, we have been to the islands at least two weeks every year. This year was a record breaker, all on Maui, almost 10 weeks.

 

[Floridaman76]

Maui is going to be a new addition to Wyndham when you go on that trip. Don't know how that is all going to be handled but I wouldn't skip Maui, if this is a one and done trip to Hawaii.

Of course, we thought our trip to the Big Island followed by Kauai in 2000 would be our only trip. In 2004, we went for one week to Kauai, which wasn't enough time for Maui. We took a trip in 2005, which was a week at the Big Island followed by a week on Maui at Gardens at West Maui. In 2006, we went for two weeks again, Kauai and then Maui (Shearwater via exchange and Kahana Villas 2 bedroom on Maui). Since that trip, we have been to the islands at least two weeks every year. This year was a record breaker, all on Maui, almost 10 weeks.

I have not looked but I would not have guessed that Shearwater would ever have come up in RCI to exchange, wow

 

[rickandcindy23]

I have not looked but I would not have guessed that Shearwater would ever have come up in RCI to exchange, wow

I enter ongoing searches way in advance and almost always get weeks. At 10 months out, it was a given that Shearwater would be there because it was originally sold as points, but RCI Points inventory doesn't match searches. You have to grab it at 10 months.

A lot of the Maui inventory that Wyndham is taking over is in RCI Points. Soleil's selling arm was pushing current owners into RCI points for many years, probably the last 20 years, so inventory was pretty good at 10 months, but this past year I noted here on TUG that I didn't get anything for this coming January-February or this past January-February, and I knew something was amiss.

I am thrilled that Wyndham took over management of Hono Koa and Sands of Kahana. Almost all of Hono Koa has the ocean view, and a few are oceanfront. Sands of Kahana has a lot of buildings, many units are wholly owned (some are Airbnb and VRBO rentals, which is going to be ending soon on Maui) at Sands, and Wyndham can make some improvements to housekeeping and general maintenance at Sands of Kahana. It's looking tired. What an amazing addition to Wyndham. I know it will take time, and of course Wyndham needs to add A/C because it's necessary in summer to HK and Sands.