Waiohai Beach Club or repeat KBC

[Pamplemousse]

Starting to plan our next trip to Kauai and trying to decide if we want to got back to KBC or try Waiohai.

I know there are some of you who seriously dislike KBC but we liked it when we were there 10+ years ago- we don’t care about outdated units, strange layouts, lack of kitchen, walk to parking…
I don’t need help with the negatives of the property.
The main pluses for us were view (I am all about the view!- love to sit on the lanai and look at the ocean), walkable restaurants/shops and beach on site.
Minuses were we found it noisy (music from Dukes later than we liked), and not a huge beach walk.

We are thinking of trying Waiohai.
My hesitation is seeing lots of reviews saying ocean view units don’t see the ocean (parking lot).
I am also unclear where the beach is in relation to the resort/how you get to it and if it is a good beach for walking.
Are there restaurants/shops within walking distance?
How is the weather in Poipou compared to Lihue.

I’d love comments based on my criteria as to where we should try this trip.
Thanks!

 

[TXTortoise]

Waiohai is awesome, but is not a sit on the lanai and look at the ocean resort. Very limited true OF units, usually filled by owners staying 3+ weeks. OV units risk parking lot view, particularly if not an owner, so IV is the safe bet and request interior view with great landscaping.

If your pluses are your primary desires, I'd stay at KBC, but at least drive over and check out Waiohai. Can't beat the small bay and short drive to local restaurants other activities.

 

[b2bailey]

Starting to plan our next trip to Kauai and trying to decide if we want to got back to KBC or try Waiohai.

I know there are some of you who seriously dislike KBC but we liked it when we were there 10+ years ago- we don’t care about outdated units, strange layouts, lack of kitchen, walk to parking…
I don’t need help with the negatives of the property.
The main pluses for us were view (I am all about the view!- love to sit on the lanai and look at the ocean), walkable restaurants/shops and beach on site.
Minuses were we found it noisy (music from Dukes later than we liked), and not a huge beach walk.

We are thinking of trying Waiohai.
My hesitation is seeing lots of reviews saying ocean view units don’t see the ocean (parking lot).
I am also unclear where the beach is in relation to the resort/how you get to it and if it is a good beach for walking.
Are there restaurants/shops within walking distance?
How is the weather in Poipou compared to Lihue.

I’d love comments based on my criteria as to where we should try this trip.
Thanks!

I'm with you re KBC for the same reasons. I also enjoy the interior courtyard gardens.The first time we drove over to look at Waiohai to consider a stay -- I shuddered when I saw the units with direct parking lot view. As an exchanger, I haven't been brave enough to take that chance. That being said, I might consider it for my next visit, with adult grands and toddler great grands in tow.

 

[travelhacker]

I'll weigh in. If you are exchanging the likelihood of you getting a unit with a GOOD ocean view at Waiohai is not good. I've stayed there 5 different times as an exchanger and never had what I considered to be a good ocean view. We've had ocean view rooms twice and both of them had tiny views of the ocean over the parking lot for Poipu Beach.

At Kauai Beach Club, you are much, much more likely to get a great view. We (sadly) need multiple rooms at Kauai Beach Club and were lucky enough that both of them were ocean front for our next stay. I realize, we're probably a little lucky, but we've got ocean front more often than not, and the Ocean View we got was on a high floor and had a great view (and it was kinda fun looking over the pool as well as the Ocean).

We also like the central location at the Kauai Beach Club.

However, since our kids like to play in the waves, Waiohai is probably just slightly preferred (that and the full kitchen -- but it gives me an excuse to not feel like I need to make nearly all of our meals).

As an added bonus, the trade power requirements are a lot lower for Kauai Beach Club.

To answer your specific questions:
As an exchanger at Waiohai, you will probably be placed in one of the further away buildings. I don't think it's a long walk, but my wife and kids sometimes complain...it does take a couple minutes to get to the beach and it is much further than KBC.

The weather is likely going to be better at Poipu. Poipu is on more of the dry side of the island.

There are shops in walking distance and a couple of restaurants. We even walked to the shops at Kukuiula -- but I think a lot of people wouldn't really consider that as walkable. . There is more variety of shops and they are closer at KBC.

The beach can be a little annoying to walk on near Waiohai. There was a lot of erosion that took out the boardwalk. The last time we stayed in the area my brother was at Waiohai and we were at the Sheraton Kauai. We would walk along the beach to go visit them, but because the boardwalk got washed away you have to climb some rocks, and at higher tides the waves go right up to where the rocks are.

It is a beautiful beach and I find it to be much better than the beach near KBC.

 

[Lakeshore]

We went to both about 8 years ago, I think, for Thanksgiving, and the beach at Waiohai was sooooooooo jam packed compared to the beach at KBC. We had an oceanfront at KBC and loved that view and hearing the ocean. We had a garden view at Waiohai and we were in the 4000 building I think and it was a beautiful view of the gardens with a straight long shot view of the ocean on the opposite side. Can you do a week at both? Or a few days at each? We have also stayed at the hotel part of the Sheridan Poipu and loved that beach, but didn’t stay in the timeshare. The timeshare is just across the road, but they do have cabanas you can get at the pool area that overlooks the beach. When we were at Waiohai, we would walk to that Poipu Sheraton beach, as my son liked surfing there, and you couldn’t in front of Waiohai. You can surf, too, at KBC.

 

[vacationtime1]

We used to own at both of these resorts.

If you are "all about the view" (like us), KBC is hard to beat and Waiohai doesn't. Waiohai has maybe a dozen units with direct water views -- which are usually assigned to multi-week owners on multi-week stays; Waiohai also has a dozen units with direct parking lot views which often go to exchangers. An OV unit at Waiohai means little; we owed OV and seldom saw more than a sliver of ocean and only from certain spots in the unit or on the lanai. That's why we ultimately sold.

You already know that KBC has dozens of water view units with lanais, starting with everything on a high floor of the Kilohana Building, so if you have an OF unit, your view is assured.

Waiohai is marginally better for beach walks, but neither resort compares to Ka'anapali, Kapa'a, Wailea, etc. Beach access at Waiohai is easy and Poipu Beach is spectacular.

My restaurant opinions would be out of date.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Thank you for your responses.
I would be booking with points.

What I hear is there are restaurants walkable from Waiohai and the beach is right there are bigger than at KBC, but often crowded.
And it is unlikely I would get a true ocean view at Waiohai, but booking oceanfront at KBC will likely give a view.

 

[dioxide45]

Thank you for your responses.
I would be booking with points.

What I hear is there are restaurants walkable from Waiohai and the beach is right there are bigger than at KBC, but often crowded.
And it is unlikely I would get a true ocean view at Waiohai, but booking oceanfront at KBC will likely give a view.

From what I understand from previous posts is that in order to get a guaranteed decent view of the ocean at Waihoai you really need to book oceanfront. I wouldn't say the beach is larger there. It seemed smaller when we walked through the property and only a small sliver of the beach is actually in front of Waiohai Beach Club. I think the beach at KBC is better for just laying out in the sun though maybe not as good for walking.

As for restaurants, I think you are within better walking distance to several restaurants at KBC vs. Waiohai. But I don't have enough experience with Waiohai to confirm.

 

[Pamplemousse]

From what I understand from previous posts is that in order to get a guaranteed decent view of the ocean at Waihoai you really need to book oceanfront. I wouldn't say the beach is larger there. It seemed smaller when we walked through the property and only a small sliver of the beach is actually in front of Waiohai Beach Club. I think the beach at KBC is better for just laying out in the sun though maybe not as good for walking.

As for restaurants, I think you are within better walking distance to several restaurants at KBC vs. Waiohai. But I don't have enough experience with Waiohai to confirm.

I could be wrong, but I don’t think there is ocean front at Waiohai.
Just ocean view (which people say often isn’t ) and island view.

I have stayed ocean front at KBC and had a nice view and we liked it and will probably stick with that.
Just wanted more details to make the choice.

Thanks everyone.

 

[vacationtime1]

I could be wrong, but I don’t think there is ocean front at Waiohai.
Just ocean view (which people say often isn’t ) and island view.

I have stayed ocean front at KBC and had a nice view and we liked it and will probably stick with that.
Just wanted more details to make the choice.

Thanks everyone.

You are corrrect; there is no deeded OF at Waiohai.

 

[SChiam]

A friend of mine used to own an OF at Waiohai EOY deed. It’s the four units at Hale 8 facing straight at the ocean. As for the OF units at Hale 1 were still being used for marketing back then. I am not sure how is it now.

 

[dioxide45]

A friend of mine used to own an OF at Waiohai EOY deed. It’s the four units at Hale 8 facing straight at the ocean. As for the OF units at Hale 1 were still being used for marketing back then. I am not sure how is it now.

I think what is being stated in this thread, and where I was wrong, is that there are no deeded OF at Waiohai. They have Island View and Ocean View. Those units that face straight toward the ocean are Ocean View and one is not guaranteed one of those units and very unlikely to get one when not staying on an oner reservation.

 

[GrayFal]

View 7201 Waiohai
It was also noisy, with all the cars coming and going.
I sat outside 20 minutes the entire week.
Had previously stayed in 6202 overlooking the courtyard, grill area.

 

[GrayFal]

Kauai Beach Club, 4th floor oceanfront looking across the top of the three story front building. Can’t recall the number but right across from the elevators.
I believe @dioxide45 was also on the 4th floor ( from his video) but further down the Hall clear of this lower building.
Second picture taken from Dukes for reference.
Even with the obstruction of the lower building, I still preferred this view - we sat on the lanai every day.

 

[ljmiii]

Starting to plan our next trip to Kauai and trying to decide if we want to got back to KBC or try Waiohai.

We own at and love both for very different reasons. We will soon be staying again at Waiohai OV and KBC OF.

We are thinking of trying Waiohai. My hesitation is seeing lots of reviews saying ocean view units don’t see the ocean (parking lot).

The 'Oceanfront' villas in Hales 1 and 8 go to multi multi week owner occupiers staying consecutive/concurrent weeks (at least during Jan/Feb when we visit). Knock on wood, as mere two week owners over the years we've been placed in nice 'Oceanview' villas in Hales 1, 2, and 8. But many of the OV villas do see the ocean in the distance but overlook the adjacent parking lot added after Waiohai was built.

If you're staying on Abound Points I strongly suggest reserving IV instead of OV. OV Abound Point guests often get the parking lot villas but for the most part IV guests get villas that face the interior gardens of Waiohai. Though there is the risk of getting one of the parking lot IV villas which usually go to renters, II traders, and cash/Bonvoy/marketing stay guests.

I am also unclear where the beach is in relation to the resort/how you get to it and if it is a good beach for walking.,,

The beach (and reef) are right in front of Hale 8. That said, it isn't a great beach for walking like those at the SC or FL beachfront resorts...it's too small, sloped, and soft for that. But there are some nice walking paths that go in both directions from Waiohai.

Are there restaurants/shops within walking distance?

Now that the onsite restaurant and Casablanca across the street are gone the only true 'walkable' restaurant is the Honu Bar. You *can* walk about 15 minutes down Poipu Rd to the little shopping center that has Keoki's Paradise and a few other places to eat...but it's not a particularly pleasant walk.

Similarly, now that the onsite store is a shadow of its former self the only shops that might be considered walkable are those in the same small shopping center.

How is the weather in Poipu compared to Lihue.

Usually a bit less rainy.

In summary, nothing at Waiohai (or really at any MVC resort aside from Crystal Shores GF) compares to KBC's OF villas. We love keeping the sliders open and listening to the waves as we fall asleep. And few if any non-Pulse MVCs have KBC's selection of walkable good to great restaurants nearby (Hualani's!).

On the other hand, the beach and reef at Waiohai are also without peer. At no other MVC can you just walk out from your villa, mask and fins in hand, and snorkel with the fishies. Or gaze in wonder at the honu and seals that are often on the beach.

The one other thing I would say that since KBC sits on Nawiliwili Bay and Waiohai faces directly into the Pacific, Waiohai's water is always a bit rougher. Some days this is a great thing as Nawiliwili is just one huge bathtub but on others the waves at Waiohai can be challenging even with the partial protection of the reef.

 

[tahoe]

Waiohai "Ocean View" 6205 - YMMV.

 

[GrayFal]

Waiohai "Ocean View" 6205 - YMMV.

Quite a bit different than 7201

 

[ljmiii]

Even with the obstruction of the lower building, I still preferred this view - we sat on the lanai every day…

View attachment 120396

One of the best things that happened after Sonesta took over operations of the resort from Marriott International was this transformation of the roof over Wai’ale’ale.

Previously a hot, arid expanse of grey rocks it is now a beautiful green garden that improved the view of every villa in Kilohana…most notably those on the 4th floor.

 

[mjfehl]

Waiohai "Ocean View" 6205 - YMMV.

Yep, I think we had that (or very similar) room once.

 

[dioxide45]

One of the best things that happened after Sonesta took over operations of the resort from Marriott International was this transformation of the roof over Wai’ale’ale.

Previously a hot, arid expanse of grey rocks it is now a beautiful green garden that improved the view of every villa in Kilohana…most notably those on the 4th floor.

Doesn't that roof garden impair some of the views from the lower floors of Kilohana Wing?

 

[ljmiii]

Doesn't that roof garden impair some of the views from the lower floors of Kilohana Wing?

No, the 4th floor (where @GrayFal stayed and took the pic from) *is* the lowest floor of the Kilohana Wing.

 

[GrayFal]

No, the 4th floor (where @GrayFal stayed and took the pic from) *is* the lowest floor of the Kilohana Wing.

Yes, my view is the “worst” view over the roof of the lower building but now it is a beautiful garden full of plants and birds.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes, my view is the “worst” view over the roof of the lower building but now it is a beautiful garden full of plants and birds.

So are you still able to see much of the water? Or are the plants blocking a lot of it?

 

[GrayFal]

So are you still able to see much of the water? Or are the plants blocking a lot of it?

See post 14
I would have much preferred your unobstructed view in your video but from our unit not too bad.
I could not see the beach/sand but saw the bay with boat traffic and ocean beyond and surfers in front of Dukes.
Some other units would have had higher plants in front of balcony.
The plantings are very nicely done - much better than a pebble roof.

 

[dioxide45]

See post 14
I would have much preferred your unobstructed view in your video but from our unit not too bad.
I could not see the beach/sand but saw the bay with boat traffic and ocean beyond and surfers in front of Dukes.
Some other units would have had higher plants in front of balcony.
The plantings are very nicely done - much better than a pebble roof.

Thanks. For some reason I was thinking both photos were from the ground level. Not a bad view I guess. I don't remember for sure what floor we were on. Our room was 535/6. Did that put us on the 5th floor? A benefit of 2BR OF units at KBC is they are all on the end with no obstruction in front of any of them.