Hawaii - Maui hotel suggestion - using points

My wife and I are headed to Hawaii November 5-12 for our belated honeymoon (Married 12/30/10). I already booked the flight to HNL on AA using BA miles (ORD-HNL), but still need to book the interisland flights. We're definitely going to be in Maui for the majority of the week, and maybe one night in Honolulu. This will be our first, but hopefully not last visit to Hawaii.

We really have no idea where to stay in Maui, but we know we want to stay at a resort (not a condo). I'd preferably like to redeem some points that we have accumulated, and am also willing to apply for a few more credit cards to get some more reward points. We currently have:

Marriott Reward points: ~80k
Chase Ultimate Reward points: ~ 28k
Hilton Honors: ~15k
Hyatt, Starwood, Priority Club: <10k on each

**EDIT** I also forgot to mention I have some FF miles that could potentially be converted/redeemed for hotel stays.

British Airways: ~ 70k
AAdvantage: ~ 23k
Delta: ~95k
Continental: ~9k
United: ~ 16k

**end EDIT**

The most obvious choice to me is to convert the Chase points to MR points and stay at a Marriott property, but I've also been reading about a pretty good Hyatt credit card that gives you two free nights that we could both sign up for. I'm trying to find the best combination of good hotel and best use of reward points that allow me to feel like I got a great deal and for both of us to feel like we had a relatively upscale honeymoon. I've really pored over many FT threads about Hawaii, honeymoons, and various hotels to stay at, but I'm starting to get bug-eyed and I am asking for some specific guidance.

Looks like you will need more points if you want to make the reservation on points alone. If you're going the route of credit card bonuses, you just need to decide how many you'd be comfortable with. Your Hyatt idea does seem like a good one as it limits the amount of credit cards required. I can't personally recommend the HR Maui as I have never stayed there but I'm sure there are plenty of reports from FTers on the Hyatt forum.

For 6 nights at my personal favorite Maui hotel, the Grand Wailea, you would need 315,000 hhonors points which would take up to 5 credit card apps as follows:

You: BOA HA Card (35k bonus), Bank of Hawaii HA Card (35k bonus), & Hhonors AMEX (Need at least silver status for VIP award rates but could also get Gold with Hilton Surpass card)

Wife: BOA HA Card & Bank of Hawaii HA Card

Transfer all HA miles to your account (140,000 total), then transfer to 280,000 hhonors points. Note that HA cards do not waive the annual fee the first year.

Of course other options will be cheaper and/or fewer points but I wanted to illustrate another option for you.

Hilton is out of the question as the only hotel on Maui is the Grand Wailea, which requires a mind-boggling amount of points.

Marriott has two properties to choose from -- The Marriott Wailea and the Marriott Ocean Resort timeshare property in Ka'anapali.

My personal favorite would be the Hyatt. If you can get free nights, that's great. But it's going to take quite a bit of time and trouble to activate multiple cards, plus your credit rating may not stand up to all those hard pulls. Your best bet may be to check out package deals (hotel, car) from Pleasant Holidays, Costco, Kayak, etc.

If I had five or six nights on Maui I'd try to get the preview package from Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. It comes out to $798 for for 5 nights and a car (you pay ~$60 taxes for the car), definitely no timeshare pitch required. Pair that with the Hyatt card sign-up (or Chase Sapphire) for the other two days (Waikiki/Kaanapali).

We just stayed at the Westin on points, and it was great. All the resort amenities with the enhanced space of a condo. Far less crowded beach, good for snorkeling and swimming. The shuttle takes you right into Kaanapali-proper and Lahaina. Great bathroom for a honeymoon.....

If I had five or six nights on Maui I'd try to get the preview package from Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. It comes out to $798 for for 5 nights and a car (you pay ~$60 taxes for the car), definitely no timeshare pitch required. Pair that with the Hyatt card sign-up (or Chase Sapphire) for the other two days (Waikiki/Kaanapali).

We just stayed at the Westin on points, and it was great. All the resort amenities with the enhanced space of a condo. Far less crowded beach, good for snorkeling and swimming. The shuttle takes you right into Kaanapali-proper and Lahaina. Great bathroom for a honeymoon.....

How does one find this "preview package"? Can I get it with a promotion code directly through the SPG website?

How does one find this "preview package"? Can I get it with a promotion code directly through the SPG website?

I have received one of these for the Westin Princeville Villas on Kauai and one of these for the Westin Villas on Maui, both came in the mail.

Try calling and say that you lost it. Can't remember if it includes a mandatory presentation or not...

My personal favorites are the Sheraton and Westin. The Sheraton is better for honeymooners and has the better beach; the Westin is favored by families as it has the better pools. Alas, last I checked they were Cat 5 hotels that required 12k points per night; however Points + cash often require only 4k per night and provide a good ROR if available. If you don't have enough points you can buy them or better yet apply for an SPG Amex if you don't have one already. Having been to Maui almost annually over the last decade, I'd say the Sheraton is far and above the best hotel point option.

I really can't get excited about the Marriott properties except for the Marriott timeshares in Kaanapali (which I highly recommend). If you can't get a 4+1 night deal there I would save your miles for a better property or one of those really expensive Euro city hotels. ;) Have not stayed at the RC Kapalua though you'll note the mixed reviews on tripadvisor. The Hyatt is a very nice property though note also the mixed reviews in the Hyatt forum.

As noted above, both Marriott and Starwood offer great 5 night timeshare "preview packages" @ $750 all-in that include car rental. I can verify that both timeshares are as nice as the standard hotel rooms and often more spacious. However you have to be referred by an existing member or perhaps try your luck at the 800# which you can find in Starwood forum search.

How does one find this "preview package"? Can I get it with a promotion code directly through the SPG website?
Sometimes it's easy, sometimes its difficult. There are a ton of different SPG Vacation Ownership websites. I would try calling the phone numbers.

I can recommend the Hyatt on Maui, stayed there for 5 nights of my honeymoon in April. Apply for the cards now, don't delay. The free night will be available very quickly, and as long as the availability is there for your stay, it will be your best value. Be SURE to put that it is your honeymoon in all your reservations, you will be treated royally at all the nicer places. We stayed 2 night free on the Hyatt card, and three nights with a Stay certificate booked into the cheapest room as they do, and they upgraded us to ocean front for the entire stay. Plus breakfasts and other perks. Can't compliment the place or the staff enough.

I go to Hawaii quite regularly. in 3 weeks, I'll make the 5th trip in 6 years, each time staying most of the time (if not all) on Maui.

I think the first thing is to determine the location where you want to stay. I find the Wailea area is dryer and "more adult" than the Kaanapaali area, though the Kapalua area is outstanding too (though wetter with regular rain showers).

I've stayed at the Westin Kaanapaali for my first trip back in 2005 and it was OK. I've since stayed in Wailea, mostly at the Marriott but last year I stayed at the Grand Wailea. The GW is the best hotel, spa, etc., but fairly expensive and IMHO not worth the points it requires. The Marriott is typically $299/night and the GW can be booked in advance most of the time for $379/night.

When I go in a few weeks, I'm staying at the Marriott. Great location, decent spa, easy walking access to restaurants at neighboring resorts and easy pool / beach access.

Have fun!

I went to Maui twice and stayed at the Westin and the Sheraton with cash and points(4800+$90). I prefer the Sheraton for the beach and the more open feel. And you can't beat the view of the Black Rock. I stayed in Building 6 at the Sheraton which was an amazing ocean front view and had it's own private parking area.

If you can't get a hold of one of the "preview" rates mentioned, why not just book through Priceline? Their site gives very good reviews of the hotels (since you can only review if you actually stayed at the property). The helpful bidding sites can walk you through the process if you're not familiar with it. You can also see what bids are being accepted at which hotels. Try betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com.

I personally like a condo on the beach vs. the resorts, but if I were to stay at a resort, I'd use Priceline. We did do it once in Kauai and got the Westin for $115/nt., which is the standard going rate on PL. We got a lovely, spacious studio condo. There are many choices in Maui for nice resorts.

If you can't get a hold of one of the "preview" rates mentioned, why not just book through Priceline? Their site gives very good reviews of the hotels (since you can only review if you actually stayed at the property). The helpful bidding sites can walk you through the process if you're not familiar with it. You can also see what bids are being accepted at which hotels. Try betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com.

I personally like a condo on the beach vs. the resorts, but if I were to stay at a resort, I'd use Priceline. We did do it once in Kauai and got the Westin for $115/nt., which is the standard going rate on PL. We got a lovely, spacious studio condo. There are many choices in Maui for nice resorts.

I actually took this advice and ended up booking 6 nights at the Westin Maui through Hotwire for $158/night. Not too shabby IMHO. Now to figure out where to stay for my one night in Honolulu.

I actually took this advice and ended up booking 6 nights at the Westin Maui through Hotwire for $158/night. Not too shabby IMHO. Now to figure out where to stay for my one night in Honolulu.

What sort of room and view did you get on the deal?

What sort of room and view did you get on the deal?

I guess you have never used Hotwire or Priceline? You get the room they decide to give you at check in. The room I booked on PL at the Westin, over looked the front of the hotel.

I guess you have never used Hotwire or Priceline? You get the room they decide to give you at check in. The room I booked on PL at the Westin, over looked the front of the hotel.

That is the same crappy room you are assigned through the preview deal. :( Then you have to go down to the front desk and negotiate an upgrade for cash or points. However it is not such a bad deal considering that many people pay 2x-3x more for the same room. :eek:

I guess you have never used Hotwire or Priceline? You get the room they decide to give you at check in. The room I booked on PL at the Westin, over looked the front of the hotel.

I tried using Price Line, but they won't let you select the view..

If I travel to Hawaii, I want Ocean View, otherwise its not worth it.. and the online auction won't allow me to select a view and bid on it..

I tried using Price Line, but they won't let you select the view..

If I travel to Hawaii, I want Ocean View, otherwise its not worth it.. and the online auction won't allow me to select a view and bid on it..

I agree. I know people say you don't spend much time in the room...but if I'm flying 10 hours each way I want to be able to see the ocean as much as possible while I'm there.

I agree. I know people say you don't spend much time in the room...but if I'm flying 10 hours each way I want to be able to see the ocean as much as possible while I'm there.

Well.. otherwise, may as well get a parking lot view on mainland and dip the toes once in the ocean, just to say you've done it..:p

In Hawaii, its' about experience.. sure one can save money a number of ways.. but why limit yourself to a prepaid auction, where you become the beck and call to the hotel you prepaid to.. and end up with a guaranteed minimum view of your bumper?:)

Well.. otherwise, may as well get a parking lot view on mainland and dip the toes once in the ocean, just to say you've done it..:p

In Hawaii, its' about experience.. sure one can save money a number of ways.. but why limit yourself to a prepaid auction, where you become the beck and call to the hotel you prepaid to.. and end up with a guaranteed minimum view of your bumper?:)

I wish I would have read this before I pulled the trigger. We just got back from Maui. Bought the Westin room on Hotwire. While checking in, I tried to ask him to put us in the Beach tower, but he gave me a look that said, "Dude, you're hotwire scum of the Earth, no chance." I was put in a room on the Ocean tower on the second floor. It was "Mountain View" but it was really "Parking Lot view".

Thankfully, it was our first trip to Maui so we hardly spent any time in the room. Overall, I was quite satisfied with the hotel and found that since everyone was obsessed with the Westin pool, no one was on the beach. I would definitely go back to the hotel but try to figure out a way to get a better room. I DID NOT try to go back to the front desk to negotiate for a better room.

On the same trip, we spent one night at the Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu (also a Starwood property). This room I booked with points. When I checked-in, I was treated with a completely different attitude than the hotwire treatment I got at the Westin. They were really nice and they upgraded me to a nice suite. The Royal Hawaiian was an absolutely fantastic hotel right in Waikiki. APEC was taking place and I'm pretty sure Hilary Clinton was staying at our hotel, so there was all sorts of security and the road to get to the hotel was blocked off. Other than that annoyance, it was a good trip.

Among the activities we did, we took a helicopter tour of West Maui and Molokai on Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tours on Monday. On Thursday, the same tour crashed into the mountains of Molokai and all 5 people on board died. Pretty scary coincidence, I feel terrible about the people that died. Two of them were newlyweds, just like us. :(

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/hawaii-helicopter-crash-victims-toronto-idd-14952698#.TsQzZ3JxDFI

I wish I would have read this before I pulled the trigger. We just got back from Maui. Bought the Westin room on Hotwire. While checking in, I tried to ask him to put us in the Beach tower, but he gave me a look that said, "Dude, you're hotwire scum of the Earth, no chance." I was put in a room on the Ocean tower on the second floor. It was "Mountain View" but it was really "Parking Lot view".

Thankfully, it was our first trip to Maui so we hardly spent any time in the room. Overall, I was quite satisfied with the hotel and found that since everyone was obsessed with the Westin pool, no one was on the beach. I would definitely go back to the hotel but try to figure out a way to get a better room. I DID NOT try to go back to the front desk to negotiate for a better room.

On the same trip, we spent one night at the Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu (also a Starwood property). This room I booked with points. When I checked-in, I was treated with a completely different attitude than the hotwire treatment I got at the Westin. They were really nice and they upgraded me to a nice suite. The Royal Hawaiian was an absolutely fantastic hotel right in Waikiki. APEC was taking place and I'm pretty sure Hilary Clinton was staying at our hotel, so there was all sorts of security and the road to get to the hotel was blocked off. Other than that annoyance, it was a good trip.

Among the activities we did, we took a helicopter tour of West Maui and Molokai on Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tours on Monday. On Thursday, the same tour crashed into the mountains of Molokai and all 5 people on board died. Pretty scary coincidence, I feel terrible about the people that died. Two of them were newlyweds, just like us. :(

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/hawaii-helicopter-crash-victims-toronto-idd-14952698#.TsQzZ3JxDFI

I read the unfortunate accident on Newstand part of FT.. again my condolences go out to the families affected..

and Blue Hawaiian has a pretty good reputation for safety in the islands, and certainly not the cheapest alternative out there by any means.

Its' too bad that Westin didn't make a better effort at customer service.. and that the Starwood property treated you good even though you booked the room on points. The hotels are getting squeezed like the airlines, and are charging piecemeal for every little extra and upgrade..

I was seriously looking at Hotwire and Priceline myself.. and went to the auction site of Priceline, and couldn't pull the trigger as there was no guaranteed ocean view option to make an auction bid on.. Called in, and double checked with the reservations agent, and confirmed that there is no way to guarantee views on the auction.. I suggested to add an option like that, and I would consider using the services, and was explained to by the agent is that is how it works, bottom dollar means no choice, run of the house bottom to top..