Westin Ka'anapali Ocean resort villas [Master Thread]
Jan 8, 2016, 9:07 am
#511
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YQR
Programs: Nexus/GE, UA/MPG, Bonvoy Tit, LTP
Posts: 1,294
You can exchange for the other time share resorts marketed through Starwood Vacation Ownership ( not SPG ) , on a different point basis ( Star Options) but only 8 months out ( 1 year at your home resort). However, the former Starwood Vacation Ownership group is now owned by Interval International anyway, having being disposed of last year. The last email we had ensured us that the relationship with SPG will remain ( although that was before the Marriot deal so who knows).
You can also convert your ownership week to SPG points, for a fee, although that would usually be a very poor deal. ( 80K SPG points for 1 week in a 2 bedroom lock off villa (for which you may have already paid over 2k in annual maintenance fees anyway). You cannot do that every year either.
You can also convert your ownership week to SPG points, for a fee, although that would usually be a very poor deal. ( 80K SPG points for 1 week in a 2 bedroom lock off villa (for which you may have already paid over 2k in annual maintenance fees anyway). You cannot do that every year either.
Jan 8, 2016, 3:43 pm
#512
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The World
Programs: WS Platinum, Marriott Titanium, DL Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 1,477
As an owner, you can book at your 'home resort' (i.e. at the Westin or Sheraton where you own) 12 months out. If you want to book at any other Starwood timeshare resort via SVN, your booking window is 8 months out.
Consider buying resale rather than from the developer. If you buy from the developer, you pay a massive premium. And depending on which resort you buy at, you might be left holding a timeshare deed that's very hard to get rid of.
You can buy Starwood timeshares on the resale market for a fraction of what you'd pay in one of those developer sales pitches.
The kicker: you'll want to buy at what they call a "mandatory" resort rather than a "voluntary" resort. At resorts that are deemed "mandatory", that SVN transfer privilege moves to a resale buyer. It's on title. At resorts deemed "voluntary", though, the SVN transfer privileges don't go to a resale buyer -- so resale buyers either have to use that resort (only) or attempt to exchange through the Interval system.
As a result, Starwood's "mandatory resort" resale prices are higher than "voluntary resort" prices. Most voluntary resorts have little to no resale value, as they're far less desirable.
The only real difference in buying resale vs developer at the mandatory resorts is the ability to exchange your annual timeshare use for SPG points -- but it's typically a bad deal anyway. If you buy from the developer, you can trade your usage for a paltry number of SPG points. If you buy resale (even at the mandatory resorts) you can't. But you can still exchange for other Starwood timeshares within SVN.
The mandatory (i.e. good exchange ability and hold resale value) resorts are, IIRC, Westin Kierland, Westin Kaanapali, Westin St John, part (but not all of) Sheraton Vistana, and Harborside Atlantis. Check out TUGBBS for info. (It's like a FlyerTalk for timeshare, and they have an entire Starwood section. A great resource.)
After years of Starwood business and leisure travel, we bought a resale at Westin Kierland in Scottsdale (a great resort) -- and we've successfully exchanged it for Kaanapali - through SVN, never Interval - quite easily.
Jan 9, 2016, 8:24 pm
#513
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
That is not correct. Starwood Vacation Ownership has entered into a merger agreement but it has not been consummated. The last press release issued by SVO indicated an anticipated closing sometime in the second quarter of 2016.
Hawaii Referral
Jan 31, 2016, 7:10 pm
#517
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: AC Elite, SPG Plat
Posts: 643
Just back from WKORV
Just back from a family vacation at the Westin Kaanapali Villas (WKROV) and it continues to be our family's favourite vacation spot. This was our first visit since the shuffle board opened and our family enjoyed it (who knew it was so hard if you follow the rules!).
Angela Nolan, the GM, and her team continue to impress me. Not only does Angela go out of her way to know and appreciate returning guests and owners, all of the staff do. They have a great team and very well run property.
Need a family vacation? This is what the resort our family recommends, even with the long flight from Winnipeg!
BTW - they continue to offer breakfast for two as a Platinum amenity. Most days I used in the market and brought my kids donuts as a treat. They actually have really good donuts!
Angela Nolan, the GM, and her team continue to impress me. Not only does Angela go out of her way to know and appreciate returning guests and owners, all of the staff do. They have a great team and very well run property.
Need a family vacation? This is what the resort our family recommends, even with the long flight from Winnipeg!
BTW - they continue to offer breakfast for two as a Platinum amenity. Most days I used in the market and brought my kids donuts as a treat. They actually have really good donuts!
Feb 1, 2016, 6:43 pm
#518
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 19
I booked my stay here for May 20-25 2016 through their 6-day $798 targeted offer. However, something has come up and I wont be able to make it for the stay. Can I reschedule for summer 2016 if I pay the $100 reschedule fee? Or will I end up losing my money?
Feb 2, 2016, 12:40 am
#519
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Guangzhou
Programs: SPG
Posts: 1,021
It is suggested that you may contact the hotel directly in regard to your reservation.
Best Regards,
Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Mar 2, 2016, 7:15 am
#521
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Gold, Avis President's Club, IHG Platinum
Posts: 286
Second, to provide some perspective: I received this offer a few months ago. I called in early January and was told they were sold out through around June 23rd. You should probably look at Plan B.
Mar 11, 2016, 1:29 am
#524
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 19
If anyone is able to offer a referral I would really appreciate.
I received an offer from Westin for what I thought was this property but was actually the Westin property on Kauai. I made the mistake of showing my wife images of the Kaanapali and she is in love.
I received an offer from Westin for what I thought was this property but was actually the Westin property on Kauai. I made the mistake of showing my wife images of the Kaanapali and she is in love.