hhoope01

For Marriott to offer a room at any of those properties for the base rate (40K/night in this case) would require those properties to have lock-off units where Marriott could offer (for award inventory) just the locked-off single room portion (usually leaving the living room and kitchen area with the other bedroom.)

It has been quite a while since I was last at the Waiohai, but I didn't think they were designed with "lock-off" units. And if so, might never be able to get a unit at that property for the base 40K/night. I'm not familiar with the Kalanipu'u property, but if it also doesn't have lock-off rooms, .then Marriott will never be able to offer base 40K/night rooms there either

msp3

After calling around and talking to reservations some more and the properties themselves, found out Kalanipu'u has all-villas and no guestrooms of any sort, Waiohai has 7 guestrooms other then villas that are not avaliable for points, so ended up booking at Kauai Beach Club instead

Jon Maiman

Kalanipu'u (Kauai Lagoons) has spectacular 2 and 3 bedroom villas. It was originally built as a Ritz but the timing was wrong (last recession) and became a regular MVC property instead. I stayed there a few years ago on points and loved it. I had to use 2 upgrade certs (5K Points) per night on top of the normal points (might have been less than 40K then can't remember). It was well worth it. That said, I wouldn't pay a $200 cash upgrade per night. In general, I find the upgrade certs at 5K points/cert are frequently a good value and the cash upgrades are almost always not a good value.

I have also stayed in the hotel portion of the Kauai Beach Club complex (one of the towers). It is a very nice property with a great pool and a good beach. Duke's is a great restaurant onsite in the complex. Portofinio is also onsite in the complex; however, I found them to be snooty and overpriced and I recommend you avoid it.

No matter how you slice it, you can't go wrong with Kauai. Lots of great things to see and do. Enjoy your trip.

--Jon

msp3

Unfortunately had to cancel, Was trying for the Memorial Day weekend, and all the flights that work for me are completely full for cash or miles. Will have to try again another weekend.

Delta3MM

I like Porofino's and even the hotel restaurant isn't bad. Certainly convenient. Duke's is always great, but sometimes the waits can be long.

There are plenty of other nice restaurants on the island, we like Gaylords.

Billy