Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort

[RDB]

Would someone tell me what the 2br Presidential has over the 2br Deluxe?

I wish to Credit Pool enough points and I don't see that Presidential takes but 45k more in High season.

 

[MichaelColey]

I'm here at Wyndham Kona Hawaiian right now (in a 2BR Deluxe). I can't speak for what the Presidential has over the Deluxe, but the service here is phenomenal, the landscaping is breathtaking and the units are spacious. This is definitely one of the nicest resorts I've ever stayed at, particularly in regards to the service.

The Deluxe has a cheap dishwasher, a fairly basic fridge (with icemaker), formica counters and fabric furniture. Based on other Wyndhams I've seen, I would expect the Presidential to have higher end appliances, granite countertops and likely leather furniture. That's just a guess, though.

Looking forward to hearing about the differences.

 

[abbekit]

I'm here at Wyndham Kona Hawaiian right now (in a 2BR Deluxe). I can't speak for what the Presidential has over the Deluxe, but the service here is phenomenal, the landscaping is breathtaking and the units are spacious. This is definitely one of the nicest resorts I've ever stayed at, particularly in regards to the service.
.

Glad you're enjoying it. What unit are you in? Are you near the upper or lower area? Do you have any sort of view?

Aloha!

 

[MichaelColey]

We're near the middle, closer to the front. Not far from the lower pool. We have a very scenic view (it looks like every unit does from what I've seen), but not of the ocean. The landscaping here is incredible, and I love that they put signs up to tell what many of the plants are.

 

[DeniseM]

I think the units at the Wyndham Kona Resort are very nice, and I liked the location which is walking distance from restaurants and stores. The landscaping was nice - comparable to most of the hotel affiliated resorts.

However, this resort has no ocean access and only a few units have very distant glimpses of the ocean, so that's a deal killer for us. I really missed the ocean while we we stayed there. Also, the pools are just so-so, and I didn't think pool maintenance was very good. The pool area was always a mess and the water cloudy when we were there.

 

[MichaelColey]

I can understand the oceanfront/oceanview issue (although that's not a factor for us - we like to drive around and explore other beaches and activies).

Also, the pools are just so-so, and I didn't think pool maintenance was very good. The pool area was always a mess and the water cloudy when we were there.

I'm wondering if this was just a temporary issue, because the pool water has been crystal clear while we've been here. The hot tub is a bit murky, but it's a sand bottom, saltwater hot tub.

Here's a picture of the kids at the lower pool:

 

[DeniseM]

No ocean access is a deal killer for us - I want to be able to sit on the lanai or walk 1 or 2 minutes and see the ocean. This is the only place we have ever stayed in Hawaii where we could not do that, and we really missed it. As nice as the resort is, I wouldn't go back because of that.

 

[ronandjoan]

We ve stayed in 3 different units there and had ocean views. Loved sitting on the balcony and enjoying the view. Accidentally saw a glimpse of the inside of a presidential and it was lush furniture... Like Bonnet Creek furniture is an upgrade and had WONDERFUL view!!

 

[DeniseM]

Unfortunately, it's hard for exchangers to get an ocean view. We were there for 2 weeks and were told flat out that they reserve ocean view units for owners. That's only right, but it would discourage me from going back on an exchange. However, we can't travel during the off-season, and I'm sure you have more of a chance for a good view, then.

 

[abbekit]

Does anyone who had good views remember their unit numbers? We were in 36A and did not care for the location of that unit. Too close to the building in front of it (so close we felt we could reach out and touch it from our lanai). That building's AC units were just below our lanai and VERY noisy so it made it unpleasant when we were sitting outside. We did have a sliver of a view of the ocean but I would not want to stay in that unit/building again.

Trying to figure out what to ask for when we go back next year. Doing an RCI trade so we don't expect fancy presidential unit (we were very happy with our regular unit, just not the location of it within the complex).

 

[MuranoJo]

We liked the place...and we could see a sliver of the ocean. But we knew in that congested area, we likely couldn't get an ocean view. Luckily, we got into the 2nd floor overlooking the pool area. I wouldn't want a ground floor for lanai privacy reasons, unless I had kiddies going back & forth to the pool. Also we liked having the dining table out on the lanai.

This is too funny, but we didn't discover we had a w/d in the unit until our last day (didn't spend much time there). But we were only there for a week and hadn't planned on doing laundry.

I wish we had returned here vs. going to Kings Land this Sept. We just prefer this area.

 

[Twinkstarr]

We liked the place...and we could see a sliver of the ocean. But we knew in that congested area, we likely couldn't get an ocean view. Luckily, we got into the 2nd floor overlooking the pool area. I wouldn't want a ground floor for lanai privacy reasons, unless I had kiddies going back & forth to the pool. Also we liked having the dining table out on the lanai.

This is too funny, but we didn't discover we had a w/d in the unit until our last day (didn't spend much time there). But we were only there for a week and hadn't planned on doing laundry.

I wish we had returned here vs. going to Kings Land this Sept. We just prefer this area.

We also really enjoyed the place, had a 2nd floor unit also. Well kept resort and the staff was very friendly.

Good location for exploring the island, we checked out the Hilton complex(always take a look at your other options for the next trip). Given the choice I think I would go with the WKH, because of it's better location over the more upscale Hiltons.

 

[ronandjoan]

28a is our favorite unit, but you do hear some extra noise from carts... But it's close to the front for the better view, see our BLOG for pictures from various....

 

[suzanne]

Hi Michael and Joan, Glad you are enjoying your holidays. Hope your both taking lots of photos to share with the rest of us unlucky ones who are still at home waiting our turn to go to Hawaii.

Suzanne

 

[davhu1]

We will be there next fall. Some mentioned walking distance to restaurants. Any recommendation where to eat? How about snorkling? thanks

 

[MichaelColey]

We've only ate at one restaurant here (and that may be all we do -- we mainly eat in the timeshare). That was Bubba Gump's, about a mile from here. It's straight down the main (beachfront) road (Ali'i Drive). Just turn right when you exit the resort. There's not much the first half mile, but then there's a plethora of restaurant choices. The next mile or more is almost nothing but restaurants and gift shops.

The food and service at Bubba Gump's wasn't as good as others we have been to, but the view was pretty incredible.

 

[Sandy VDH]

The waterfall and hot tub at this resort are the best.

I love that natural feel.

 

[Luanne]

We will be there next fall. Some mentioned walking distance to restaurants. Any recommendation where to eat? How about snorkling? thanks

Restaurants in Kona:

Kona Brewpub
Kona Inn (not so much for the food but for the view)
Sam Choy's (it wasn't open the last time we were there, but has great reviews)
Huggos's (gets mixed reviews on the food, but we love the setting, go for the sunset)

South of Kona:
Keei Cafe

North of Kona:
Cafe Pesto
Bamboo (in Hawi)

Snorkeling:
Kahalu'u Beach Park, right in Kona

 

[artringwald]

In Kona, our favorite place for lunch is Don the Beachcomber at the Royal Kona Resort. For diner, we love the Kona Inn Restaurant. Both places have gorgeous ocean front views. The best snorkeling we did on the Big Island was a Fair Wind cruise that anchored just off the Captain Cook monument in Kealakekua Bay.

 

[DeniseM]

I think the best snorkeling on the Big Island is at 2-Step which is right next to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm

You can park in the secure parking lot at Honaunau and walk over.

 

[slip]

I agree with DeniseM and artringwald, been to all those for the food and the
snorkeling. You can't go wrong with those choices. If you want something
different and definitely Hawaiian, I would go more for lunch but they do have
dinner plates, go to Da Poke Shack. It right on Ali'i drive, a little bit south of
town. Very fresh fish at very reasonable prices. They sell different kinds of
Poke and they have plate lunches and dinners. I had 2 fish tacos, a side of rice and
a side of crab salad and it was $9.00. Definitely the freshest fish I've ever had.
If you get there early you'll see the fishermen carrying in the fish right through
the front door.

 

[Luanne]

For current restaurant reviews I like to go to http://www.konaweb.com/restaurant/index.cgi

 

[RDB]

I agree with all but for not wanting to return.

I was trying to get input on what is so great about Presidential units.
Are they always upper units?
Do they have better locations or better views?

I was offered one as an upgrade. We are not sure we want an upgrade.

I asked on the Lounge about this info for a Bali Hai unit. The post got moved to Hawaii.

Anyone been in a 2br Presidential. Are the tubs larger? The crown moldings larger? What can you recall?

 

[DeniseM]

Just so you know, the Lounge is for topics that don't fit into other timesharing categories. The best place for Hawaii questions is the Hawaii forum, or the specific resort system's forum.

 

[artringwald]

I think the best snorkeling on the Big Island is at 2-Step which is right next to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm

We have been snorkeling there and enjoyed it. While we were there we also witnessed an outrigger ride that didn't go so well. Fortunately, they were in shallow water.