FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Autograph Collection, Big Island of Hawaii [Master Thread]
Old Feb 13, 2018 | 3:03 pm
  #248  
davidsc111
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: OGG
Programs: AA Plat, A List Pref, Marriott Ambassador
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Just got back from a 7 night points visit. Our treatment was a little disappointing but we had a nice time overall.

Good
The beach is still spectacular...
Interestingly enough for those who have been there, our first morning we went down to Hau Tree and the surf had been so big the night before that sand and debree had washed up all the way onto the concrete floor...I'd never seen it anywhere close to that before.
Food options seem to be improving (as in more options) although prices are still at isolated resort levels.
Beach Club staff were very helpful
Cleaning and nightly turn down staff were great

Less than expected
Even though I'm platinum and regularly do 75+ BIB nights every year (or maybe because of it) I knew it was a points reservation in February so I didn't expect a room category upgrade. We received the Golf View room we booked...as was said earlier in general it was just fine. However, the room they gave us was immediately above the valet area...so cars came and went and people hit their alarm so horns are honking etc. I asked for a same category room but further away from the circle drive and the front desk clerk said they were completely sold out and nothing was available. When we got up to our room she then called back and said she had found a room (must be magic) and she offered me one that was three rooms over on a lower floor but at the other end of the circle drive (so frankly even worse). I had reached out to the resort ahead of time to explain that my wife and I were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary...apparently it fell on deaf ears. My disappointment isn't that we didn't get a better room category, but that they didn't block us out a room far from the drive...there appeared to be about 20 rooms that would have fit the bill. In fact if I could choose ahead of time I would rather have a regular golf view room far from the valet vs Deluxe golf view right above it. Because I travel so much for work and usually to the same places I don't worry about room placement as much as I should. I ask for a quiet room and they always oblige...not this time. Yes, I did ask for them to find me a room to switch to later in our stay. After the first offer of the worse room I was never contacted by anyone. I did stop by the front desk to inquire about the possibility several times and they had it "in the system" but they found no options. If they were sold out...I guess there were no options but I did see tons of people checking in and out everyday...

We had a small ant trail that was passing through our room on a daily basis. These were the smallest ants I've ever seen and were never a problem but kind of put my wife off. I didn't really care as I've had worse things crawling around a hotel room.

We had toilet issues with one occurring at a very bad time. It was early and I was going scuba diving...my wife was sleeping and I didn't want to leave here with a broken toilet so I had to wake her up. I've never had that issue at a hotel before but I assume it can happen...then several days later the same thing. Not sure what the problem was but very frustrating.

In the end I won't go all Flyertalk and claim our vacation was ruined (it wasn't) because they didn't pamper me as a platinum...It would be nice though to get a consistent experience even when you're at a resort. I probably could've got somewhere if I hounded the front desk or stalked the GM but I was on vacation without the kids and wanted to focus on the time with my wife. I would have appreciated it if the GM (or frankly anyone) had at least reached out to me and explained that Google booked 30 rooms last minute and etc, etc, etc... but nothing...

Last edited by davidsc111; Feb 13, 2018 at 4:29 pm
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