Originally Posted by
kgdg
Hi Guys,
Have been scouring this forum for the past few hours, ton of information, Thanks to all who contribute...!
I have a few questions that I am hoping some of you veterans and recent visitors can help with:
Here's the situation, our first time in Hawaii, have booked a regular King Bed room using my points (12000 pts/night yikes!). Have requested Suite Night Awards Upgrade.
Stay Dates: Nov 15- 20th.
Questions:
-Does anybody have an idea what the upgrade (if cleared) will give us? Ocean View? or Oceanfront? Or Jr/Ohana suite?
I am PLT so I am hoping that helps in obtaining one of the suites.
-Any particular bldg/room that we can request? Need a lanai/balcony big enough for the family to sit and enjoy sunset, whales, meals etc.
Am reading some have balconies barely big enough to stand? Are there any specific buildings/rooms that have these small balconies so we can avoid these?
-PLT gives me continental breakfast for 2 right? I am with my wife and 8yo son. So my son wouldn't get the breakfast with the PLT perk?
Would I have to pay $10/day/pp to upgrade to the buffet? What do we do for breakfast for my son? There is no kids eat free program here...
-We are vegeterian (no white/red meat or seafood for us, egg/omelet is fine), with that in mind, is the upgrade to breakfast buffet worth it? I guess only additional thing we can eat in the buffet would be the omelet?
-We plan to spend lot of time in the pool/beach, so I am concerned about:
Finding a spot in the pool area and only way being to go down at 6 am or pay (dearly) for a gazebo? Is it really going to be this crowded in mid-Nov that we will be struggling to find a chair? I assume there are no fees for the regular chairs, just the gazebo/cabana?
-How about lounge chair (on the beach) fees? or is it free?
-Anybody have any luck either waiving the resort fee or getting an alternative amenity since as PLT, I already should have internet access, breakfast etc.
-What other PLT benefits can I expect? Like bottled water in room everyday etc.
-Activities for my 8 yo son?
-What should I carry with me to reduce incidentals (e.g. I plan to take my own snorkeling gear to avoid rental charges), guess i can shop locally at Costco/Safeway etc. since I will have a rental car
-2 adults with 8 yo son = 1 room, no extra charges right?
-Any suggestions for restaurants in the nearby area (like Kiwei or Lahaina)
Thanks in advance,
KG
KG, I can answer some of your questions.
- The Ohana suite is the suite upgrade.
- The lanai's have a small table and two chairs. I didn't see any juliet style balconies anywhere and all the balconies looked about the same.
- The rooms are the same in the same class, so picking building affects distance to the beach, distance to the pools, distance to the lobby, distance to the two different parking garages... so it depends what is really important. The Ohana suites I believe are all in 1 or 2 buildings, ground floor furthest from the beach, but closest to the main parking garage. Views will vary, but since you are on points...
- The breakfast used to be 2 kids eat free with one paid adult. I don't know if they changed that.
- I was at the hotel last month and it was sold out. Didn't have trouble finding seating, but yes people were setting up shop at sun rise to get the best spots by the pool.
- All beach stuff is paid. You can get loungers, umbrellas and "cabanas". The Cabana is a large double lounger with attached shade that runs about $45/day iirc. The loungers and umbrellas were less but I didn't ask the price.
- I think between the beach and the pool and the cliff diving, your son can probably entertain himself pretty well, but I am not 8 anymore.
- The cheapest place to shop is near the airport. There is a costco and a walmart to stock up for your trip. Food's expensive, so if you can pick the supplies for picnic lunches, that would probably save quite a bit every day. The room has a empty mini fridge and a coffee machine that can be used to make hot water, but if you want a microwave you will have to request one.
- Cheapest breakfast nearby is Java Jazz and Soup Nutz for the early bird special. Please read the reviews, you may not find the decor appropriate for your son. Aloha Plate is not too far away (both require a car) and is inexpensive for Maui (website has pricing).