WKORV - Definition of Deluxe?

[lcargnoni]

Hi everyone,

My family have have spent the week here at WKORV and had a good time. We rented from a TUGer. We did the vacation ownership tour today for WKORVN and we understand that resells are cheaper than buying from the developer.

What's the definition of "deluxe" for WKORV? Is deluxe only for OF units or are some OV units deluxe as well? In looking at the TUG classifieds and RedWeek classifieds, it's not intuitively obvious what's deluxe and what's not? What are the differences between a deluxe unit and a non-deluxe unit?

One of the threads mentioned that "deluxe" unit might be in the eye of the seller and not officially labeled "deluxe" by WKORV.

BTW, the Princeville OV are at $52,900 and the price is going up on April 1. Buying during construction has peaked our interest a bit...perhaps buy resell Maui and new Kauai? Just a thought.

Any feedback or pointers (to threads or otherwise) regarding my deluxe questions would be appreciated.

Regards,

Larry C

 

[LisaRex]

Although some people erroneously call their villa deluxe, there are, indeed, "deluxe" units at WKORV that are a few hundred feet larger than the other villas. WKORV-N does NOT have deluxe units.

The deluxe units come in all views, I believe, but I think the OV and IV deluxe corner units have true lanais off their studio side, unlike the other OV and IV units. (All OF units have lanais off their studio side.)

 

[DavidnRobin]

WKORV Dlx and prem layouts are shown on their website. Dlx units are bigger and have a different layout. Dlx units also have higher MFs. The Dlx units are on the corners of all the buildings at WKORV (OF, OV, and IV). They have some 'wasted' space in the entry way, but we put it to use. They have large windows on the LR/DR side as well as the Lanai side - plus gives a semi-panoramic view - we love this. I have posted photos and links to photos on TUG.

 

[DeniseM]

Here is a link to the WKORV floorplans - you can find a link to all the resorts/floorplans in the Owner Resources sticky at the top of the page.

You might want to consider resales at both resorts. Even though WPORV is still under construction, some people are already reselling their units. The advantage to buying resale is a lower price, of course, and the only disadvantage is that you won't have Staroptions on a resale at WPORV - you will at WKORV, though. For more info. on the difference between buying from the developer and buying resale, see the FAQ.

If it were me, I'd probably buy resale at WKORV and wait and see what the resale market does at WPORV. Since resales at this resort won't have Staroptions, the resell prices may be even lower than WKORV, and quite a good deal for the buyer.

 

[lcargnoni]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your input, pointer to the floorplans, etc. I appreciate you all taking time to reply.

I am considering the OV deluxe because it's away from the ambient noise of AC units, farther away from the roads, being closer to the water and more away from the pool. I'd expect that the issue of being on floors 1-3 applies to all units, so that would be risk to that all users must take.

If you don't mind me asking you all..

Did you purchase new or resale? If you purchased new, have converted the unit to starpoints and used them? How did that experience work for you?

Did you do any internal exchanges with SVN and how did that experience work for you?

My wife thinks that we should go with a new TS with Kauai to get the hotel program - she wants to travel and likes the hotel/starpoints conversion system.

I'm wondering about that too and then either buying resale Maui or renting Maui in the future. I see from TUG that there's differing opinons on the value of startpoints, but I'd like to hear from folks that have converted and learn from their experiences. Ditto on any exchanges.

Regards,
Larry C

 

[DeniseM]

I own at the WKORV and bought from the developer. I would never convert it to Starpoints because the exchange value is poor. For example, if I converted my 2 bdm. ocean view unit to Star Points, I wouldn't even get enough points to stay in a standard, no-view room, at the Maui Sheraton or Westin Hotels for a week. Trading an ocean view 2 bdm. villa that sleeps 8 for a no-view, small room that sleeps 2 is just a bad deal.

In addition, every year the Star points get devalued - in other words Starwood keeps asking for more and more points for hotel stays, but the Star point value of our timeshares stays the same.

The people who seem to get the most use out of their Starpoints are the ones who own multiple weeks (like 5 or 6.) Since they own more weeks that then can use, converting to Starpoints seems to be a more viable options for them. But for a single week owner, you just don't get enough Starpoints from one week to justify the cost of the timeshare or do much with.

I would not buy a timeshare, unless I wanted to use it for timesharing. YMMV!

One thing about the deluxe units - they have a significantly higher MF than the standard units, but sleep the same number of guests and have the same amenities. I am not sure about your description of the OV deluxe being closer to the ocean? You aren't thinking of the Ocean FRONT deluxe are you? Because the deluxe units that are closest to the ocean are Ocean Front. The other deluxe units are not particularly close to the ocean.

 

[Denise L]

Hi Larry C,

You seem familiar. Have we emailed/talked about WKORV before? I vaguely recall a conversation, and I think I know your wife from a neighborhood mom's group? If I'm mistaken, my apologies .

 

[twz]

If you're looking at the floorplans, you might want to keep in mind that, while the floorplan is the same, the OF units at WKORV (not OF Deluxe) have much deeper-than-standard sized patios (both 1BR and studio sides).

 

[DeniseM]

One more point - a great way to earn FREE Starpoints is with the Starwood American Express. You get one point for every dollar you spend. We use ours for absolutely everything and earn enough points for free airfare to Hawaii every summer. When you convert Starpoints to airline miles you get 25,000 airmiles for 20,000 Starpoints for most airlines.

The only cost is a yearly $50 AMEX membership fee. There are frequent sign-up bonuses where you get as many as 20,000 Starpoints for just signing up.

 

[lcargnoni]

Hi DeniseM.....There's a resell in redweek.com that describes the OV deluxe as having the main balcony "parallel to the ocean".

Actually, there's two OV deluxe for sale on redweek, but only one has the balcony "parallel to the ocean".

Larry C

 

[lcargnoni]

Hi DeniseL....yep - one and the same! May I PM you with a few questions?
I think I have your email address some place. Could I email you? Larry C

 

[DeniseM]

Hi DeniseM.....There's a resell in redweek.com that describes the OV deluxe as having the main balcony "parallel to the ocean".

Actually, there's two OV deluxe for sale on redweek, but only one has the balcony "parallel to the ocean".

Larry C

It is parallel to the ocean, but it's not on the ocean side of the resort. Look at this aerial map - see the building along the highway that is not part of the "U" - The corners of that building are deluxe units that are parallel to the ocean AND at the back of the resort, but Starwood considers them to be ocean view. I would say that Ad was completely truthful, and totally misleading, because that is the most distant "ocean view," in the resort.

 

[lcargnoni]

Hi DavidnRobin,

What is the location of your OV deluxe unit relative to the buildings and OF units? I'm struggling to connect the dots of info, if you will, between the various postings here and from the folks at redweek. Larry C

 

[Ken555]

It is parallel to the ocean, but it's not on the ocean side of the resort. Look at this aerial map - see the building along the highway that is not part of the "U" - The corners of that building are deluxe units that are parallel to the ocean AND at the back of the resort, but Starwood considers them to be ocean view. I would say that Ad was completely truthful, and totally misleading, because that is the most distant "ocean view," in the resort.

Yes, but... depending on the price this is a great unit. I stayed in the 6th floor unit (overlooking the pool, so it would be the... north side of the building) and was extremely pleased with the view. I could see the water from any window, though of course also the next building. As I didn't expect a view of any kind, I was very pleased. I could stay there every year and be happy...

 

[DeniseM]

Hi DavidnRobin,

What is the location of your OV deluxe unit relative to the buildings and OF units? I'm struggling to connect the dots of info, if you will, between the various postings here and from the folks at redweek. Larry C

David and Robin own ocean FRONT deluxe which is a corner unit directly facing the water on the ocean side of Bldg. 2 or 3. On the aerial map I posted they would be at the top of the "U."

 

[DeniseM]

Yes, but... depending on the price this is a great unit. ...

That is the issue - the OV Deluxe units cost more to purchase, and the MF's are several hundred dollars more, but they are twice the distance away from the ocean as the best OV rooms.

 

[nell]

Yes, but... depending on the price this is a great unit. I stayed in the 6th floor unit (overlooking the pool, so it would be the... north side of the building) and was extremely pleased with the view. I could see the water from any window, though of course also the next building. As I didn't expect a view of any kind, I was very pleased. I could stay there every year and be happy...

The corner overlooking the pool is considered IV unless they've changed it in the last few months. The only OV Deluxe units are the corner overlooking the public beach and parking lot.

 

[califgal]

I like the deluxe units because of the windows all along the living room wall. The feeling is brighter and more spacious( the area is a bit larger).

 

[DavidnRobin]

Hi DavidnRobin,

What is the location of your OV deluxe unit relative to the buildings and OF units? I'm struggling to connect the dots of info, if you will, between the various postings here and from the folks at redweek. Larry C

We have OF Dlx (not OV). I have listed the Dlx unit locations before on TUG.

There are only 6 OV Dlx units at WKORV - in B4 (corner by pubic beach). The other Dlx units in B4 are IVs (n=18). The Dlx units in B2 and B3 are OF - on the corners of the buildings closest to the ocean.

 

[DavidnRobin]

That is the issue - the OV Deluxe units cost more to purchase, and the MF's are several hundred dollars more, but they are twice the distance away from the ocean as the best OV rooms.

$600 more (~38% more).

The MF thread lists them.

I did find the link to the layouts amusing (and strange that I didn't catch it before - but the text states the Dlx as 1550 sqft (with the Prem/Std unit at 1400sqft) - yet the layout states 1750 sqft. Based on the 'common interest per unit' listed in the WKORV OM (which is directly reflected in the MFs) - I believe the 1750 sqft to be more accurate.