WKORV vs. WKORVN (vs WKORVNN)

[GregT]

All,

I have to admit, the addition of Nanea with many of the rooms priced at the existing StarOptions levels has really increased my interest in Westin Kaanapali as a spot for Jonell and me, likely also impacted by a reshuffle I did of my Marriott ownership where I no longer own 2BR OFs, making a couples trip at MOC less likely.

So...can someone contrast the 1BR units between WKORV and WKORV-N for us? I did a thread search but couldn't find anything directly on point. I also think Nanea is a real contender for us as the kitchenette wouldn't bother us for the just two people and I bet the resort views are going to be beautiful, similar to Waiohai.

Please advise on which building you would target if looking for a 1BR for a couples trip.

Thank you!

Best,

Greg

 

[Politico]

I prefer WKORV for the following reasons: 1) the layout is more simple and straightforward (everything is centrally located); I find myself wandering around WKORV-N to find my room. 2) WKORV has the oven but WKORV-N does not. 3) rooms seem to be slightly larger at WKORV. 4) kitchen at WKORV is larger. 5) we like the foyer at WKORV for each unit to store beach gear.

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to like about WKORV-N, and we are really talking about the difference between a Porsche and Ferrari. But, I have a preference for WKORV.

 

[vacationtime1]

Will you be renting one bedroom units or will you buy, lock-off, and rent the studio to partially offset MF's?

The only stand-alone one bedroom units are at WKORV (all OV) and Nanea (all RV). IMO, none make economic sense to own; WKORV one bedroom units have high MF's and Nanea is just too expensive.

If I were renting a one bedroom and money was not important, I would rent WKORV-OF every time. Close to the ocean, directly facing the ocean, and a large lanai looking out at Lanai.

(Full disclosure: we own OF at WKORV)

 

[DeniseM]

If you are buying: You can only buy a 1 bdm. at WKORV - they didn't sell them at WKORV-N.

I would not buy a one bedroom - period:

1) The maintenance fee on the one bedroom is nearly as high as the 2 bdm. lock-off.

2) You can't buy an Ocean Front one bedroom - they were only sold as 2 bdms.

* If you don't need a 2 bdm. - rent half of it to cover most of your maintenance fee.

3) I wouldn't buy at the new resort either - the OF units at WKORV-S have much better views, and are cheaper.

If you are renting: 100% go for WKORV-S.

1) The Ocean Front views, which are the beach ends of buildings 2 and 3 are FAR superior to WKORV-N

2) At WKORV-N, some of the so-called "ocean front units" are really only angled ocean views. Look at the long angled side of Bldg. 5 angling back toward the center of the resort. Starwood designated all of those units "ocean front."

3) Again - WKORV-NN is a lot more expensive, and will not have the Ocean Front view that WKORV-S does.

 

[alwysonvac]

Here's a thread - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231248

Also if you ever decide to stay in a studio, some of the WKORV rooms have a small refrigerator instead of full-size one - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221841

 

[GregT]

All,

Great info, and thank you for pointing me to that thread, I had missed it. With respect to access, I would want to use StarOptions to book at 8 months out, so less interested in renting.

With your comments in mind, I kind of feel like the following "ranking":

1. WKORV 1BR OF (Best OF view, good unit layout)
2. WKORV-Nanea (Good resort settings, limitations are not an issue)
3. WKORV-N (most units are Ocean View, or acceptable Island View)
4. WKORV (last because of the chance of Dreaded Building 4)

Does this makes sense? I really think WKORV-Nanea is going to be a winner from a landscaping perspective -- there have been times when I walked from WKORV-N to the main pool at WKORV and felt like it took a long time to get there. Based on the materials to date, I think Nanea is going to be a beautiful property.

Thoughts?

Best,

Greg

 

[grgs]

Are you assuming that you'll be able to reserve OF at WKORV with SOs? I'm guessing you probably will, but we don't know that yet.

Otherwise, your ranking seems fine. Well, with the caveat that Nanea isn't actually finished yet.

Of course, if you're reserving with SOs, you can try all three resorts over time.

 

[LisaRex]

All,
1. WKORV 1BR OF (Best OF view, good unit layout)
2. WKORV-Nanea (Good resort settings, limitations are not an issue)
3. WKORV-N (most units are Ocean View, or acceptable Island View)
4. WKORV (last because of the chance of Dreaded Building 4)

You don't indicate OF on Nanea. As I'm sure you're aware, OF is going to be extremely expensive if you buy it from the developer. For that amount of money upfront, I'd much rather rent an OF unit from an owner at MOC, Hyatt, WKORV, or even a condo complex such as Honoa Kai or Ka'anapali Ali.

If you DON'T buy OF at Nanea, I noticed that they only have two view classifications: OF and Resort view. That means that if you buy a floating Resort view unit, you also have a chance of getting assigned a really nice OV OR the dreaded parking lot views in Building 5 or 6. At WKORV-S, if you buy OV or OF, you have zero chance of being assigned the dreaded parking lot view.

Me? If I was buying one today, here's how I'd rank them:

1) WKORV OF (outstanding views; very spacious villas; spacious lanais)
2) WKORV-N OF (great views; spacious villas (relative to Nanea); both sides have lanais; drawbacks: downsized living room and lack of oven)
3) WKORV-N OV (very nice views and the northern facing units are quite secluded and look over a permanent green space.)

Those are the only units I'd actually consider BUYING. The others, for the cost to own and risk of getting a crappy view assignment, I'd just as soon rent:

4) WKORV OV (very nice to okay views depending on villa; spacious villas; drawback is that the smaller side doesn't have a lanai and some OV villas overlook a parking lot.)
5) WKORV-Nanea OF (great views (except possibly bldg. 4), what appears to be beautiful landscaping and pools, but deductions for the extremely small villas and crappy layout and major deduction for cost to buy)
6) WKORV-N IV (most have nice non-ocean views, but smaller units compared to south; prefer the north side's vibe because I don't have kids)
7) WKORV Resort View (views are anywhere from very nice to parking lot; beautiful grounds but deductions for small villas, crappy layout and cost to buy)
7) WKORV IV (why would you buy this and risk the dreaded parking lot view when you could exchange into north?)

 

[lizap]

Wouldn't the sewage smell be more of a problem at Nanea than WKORV-S? If so, this might impact your decision.

 

[ThreeLittleBirds]

Guess we are lucky, because I have never smelled sewage at WKORN

We place more emphasis than just the view on why we like certain resorts. That said, we like WKORN more than WKORV. I don't know that I can explain exactly why, it just has a better "feel" to us. We do like walking around both parts of the resort. We are also very happy with the island view of WKORN. We are not unhappy with the island view at WKORV, again, just doesn't have that same "feel"

I see the separation of the open space between WKORN and Nanea as a con for Nanea. I think it is going to make it feel too separate from the rest. Then again, I don't remember exactly how much space is in between the phases.

 

[DeniseM]

There is a lot of space - a green belt as big as the WKORVN plot, or even a little bigger. There is a picture in the sticky at the top of the forum.