What would your fave resorts be in Hawaii?

[Catira]

Beginning to make a list to set up OGS for Hawaii. Daughter wants to do 2 weeks in 2024. We have RCI and Wyndham. Appreciate any advice.

 

[bnoble]

II or RCI? If II, do you have preference?

In RCI, I really like the Hiltons. I've been in Lagoon on Oahu, plus Kings Land and Kohala on the Big Island. We are going back to Kings Land (next week!) and have the Waikikian in Oahu for '24. The Oahu Hiltons have been harder to get in larger sizes these last few years, though it can be doable with an OGS. However, you are late for 2024; Hllton has already made their bulk deposits for '24.

We are staying in Wyndham Shearwater (RCI) in a couple of weeks, but that one is rare in Weeks. Kona Coast on the Big Island is in both II and RCI, is well-regarded, and relatively easy to get in II. I have no experience there though.

 

[Catira]

II or RCI? If II, do you have preference?

In RCI, I really like the Hiltons. I've been in Lagoon on Oahu, plus Kings Land and Kohala on the Big Island. We are going back to Kings Land (next week!) and have the Waikikian in Oahu for '24. The Oahu Hiltons have been harder to get in larger sizes these last few years, though it can be doable with an OGS. However, you are late for 2024; Hllton has already made their bulk deposits for '24.

We are staying in Wyndham Shearwater (RCI) in a couple of weeks, but that one is rare in Weeks. Kona Coast on the Big Island is in both II and RCI, is well-regarded, and relatively easy to get in II. I have no experience there though.

Definitely need more caffeine before posting. I have RCI and Wyndham.

 

[Luanne]

Our favorite is the one we own at, Maui Hill.

 

[bnoble]

It wouldn't hurt to throw in an OGS for the Hiltons to catch a cancellation, but that's what you'd be doing unless you see one just sitting there.

We loved Kauai Beach Villas in the Wyndham, but the oceanfront buildings are closed, and the lagoon view ones are just not the same, so I would not consider it. We are looking forward to Shearwater, but there partly because we have points to burn. Waikiki is different (more urban) but also could be great if that's the vibe what she is looking for. We don't have much experience with the other Wyndhams.

 

[jacknsara]

It wouldn't hurt to throw in an OGS for the Hiltons to catch a cancellation, but that's what you'd be doing unless you see one just sitting there.

We loved Kauai Beach Villas in the Wyndham, but the oceanfront buildings are closed, and the lagoon view ones are just not the same, so I would not consider it. We are looking forward to Shearwater, but there partly because we have points to burn. Waikiki is different (more urban) but also could be great if that's the vibe what she is looking for. We don't have much experience with the other Wyndhams.

Aloha,
Most of us KBV ocean front unit owners are particularly unhappy because we have lost what used to make KBV special to us (not to mention potential pending special assessments).
If you're primarily looking for accommodations while expecting to be out and about much of the day then the the KBV lagoon view 2 bedrooms (all non OF 2 bedrooms are lagoon view; all parking lot / garden views are 1B1B) might be worth considering if all three of the following are true: 1) you want to go to Kauai; 2) KBV is available when potentially preferred options are not; 3) you are planning to rent a car.
I just reread our 10/21 review and believe it remains valid. KBV continues to decline (recent threads here tell the story: https://tugbbs.com/forums/forums/kauai-beach-villas-ioa-public-square.61/ ). Its central location south of the Kapaa traffic bottleneck is an advantage as is the full unit (split) air conditioning and access to the hotel swimming pools in the same complex. https://www.google.com/maps/place/K...64396!4d-159.5261238!16zL20vMGpic24?entry=ttu
Jack

 

[artringwald]

We've stayed at the Point at Poipu every year for 24 years, but I think you should go to Maui.

 

[DeniseM]

RCI: Hilton's Kings' Land on the Big Island. I believe this is the highest quality Hawaii resort which is actually deposited in RCI. There are probably other high quality resorts listed in RCI that are never available. However, it's not on the beach.

RCI: Point at Poipu, Kauai - We have an exchange here next year, but I have only walked through it in the past.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I second Hilton Kings'Land for the best on the Big Island. Better than Wyndham Kona Village by far. But if you can get Wyndham Kona Village, it's still a great place to be. I am just fond of the Waikoloa Village area with all of the Hiltons.

Kohala Suites by Hilton is nice and so is Bay Club by Hilton. I would choose the Hiltons over Wyndham Kona. But it's still a nice place.

Shearwater in Princeville is outstanding. I love it there. Rick's stepmom absolutely loved Shearwater, when we stayed there with her in 2006. She was in awe and we took her many times after that. We had a trip planned to go during Covid and had to cancel it. She was heartbroken, and she died July of 2020, so we never got back with her. The second bedroom will always be "her" bedroom, whether we are on Maui, Kauai or The Big Island. All trips we take after she died bring up fond memories.

The best one on Maui through RCI are Sands of Kahana. Maui Lea at Maui HIll is nice but hard to get via RCI.

Wyndham has no Maui resorts, and what a shame. I went to my first Wyndham presentation on Maui. They were selling Waikiki Beach. Weird.

 

[DeniseM]

We drove by Maui Bay Villas in Kihei, Maui, last month, and didn't bother to stop when we saw the location. What a WEIRD place to build a timeshare! There is nothing appealing about that location, at least to me! (My apologies to owners!)

 

[rickandcindy23]

We drove by Maui Bay Villas in Kihei, Maui, last month, and didn't bother to stop when we saw the location. What a WEIRD place to build a timeshare! There is nothing appealing about that location, at least to me! (My apologies to owners!)

I love West Maui.

 

[DeniseM]

But how about this specific location?

 

[klpca]

We drove by Maui Bay Villas in Kihei, Maui, last month, and didn't bother to stop when we saw the location. What a WEIRD place to build a timeshare! There is nothing appealing about that location, at least to me! (My apologies to owners!)

I don't own there but we have loved Kihei for years, even before timesharing. Is it Kihei that you didn't like or the particular location of Maui Bay Villas? Just curious, I have no skin in this game. We like the beaches there and that it is closer to the airport. It seems just a bit less crowded than up in Ka'anapali.

 

[klpca]

Beginning to make a list to set up OGS for Hawaii. Daughter wants to do 2 weeks in 2024. We have RCI and Wyndham. Appreciate any advice.

Re; Hawaii RCI resorts:

On Kauai, we have stayed at and can recommend Hanalei Bay Resort and Lawai Beach Resort, and have seen Shearwater, which was very nice. On the Big Island any of the Hilton's are good (we've stayed at all of them). On Maui, Maui Lea (it may also be called Maui Hill) was nice, large, and in a nice location.

We have stayed in other places, usually in exchanges through II, and we were fine with all of them but we are somewhat easy going. The only place that we probably wouldn't return to is Kahana Beach Resort. It is oceanfront though, and I know others like it, but the unit was too small for us.

 

[Tamaradarann]

Beginning to make a list to set up OGS for Hawaii. Daughter wants to do 2 weeks in 2024. We have RCI and Wyndham. Appreciate any advice.

It is impossible to answer this question without qualifying what type of vacation one is looking for:

If you want to vacation without a car the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki on Oahu is our favorite. It has the Ocean, the City, the Lagoon, the Marina, the Pools, the Entertainment, Walkable, Bus right outside to go downtown.

If you are going to have a car then going to other Islands is possible. Lawai Beach Resort on Kauai is our favorite. On Maui there are a number of resorts near Lahaina as well as Kihei that are great. On the Island of Hawaii there are a number of HGVC resorts in Waikaloa that are great.

 

[daventrina]

We drove by Maui Bay Villas in Kihei, Maui, last month, and didn't bother to stop when we saw the location. What a WEIRD place to build a timeshare! There is nothing appealing about that location, at least to me! (My apologies to owners!)

It was much nicer when it was the Maui Lu Resort

 

[SmithOp]

It will be interesting to see when Maui Bay Villas show up as RCI deposits, or even resale. As @daventrina stated it was previously a timeshare, but I agree it's not ideal with the road separating the units from the small beach and beach pool.

I'm curious @daventrina how did you acquire MAX?

 

[daventrina]

...

I'm curious @daventrina how did you acquire MAX?

Added HI collection points at KBC. When Hilton bought DRI, Royal Kona went away, Kona Reef is going away.... we needed a place for family and guests and there was no DRI properties so we added points. Looked at adding a week at HWV, but the yearly fees would have been double.