We've only been there once and did Makai, and we liked it because it was close to the main pool, and especially because there was a dedicated area at the pool just for Makai guests with shaded loungers, which we really want and need, without having to pay for cabanas (these shaded loungers are fc/fs but we always got one). There are additional fluff benefits that were not that important to us.

The Palace Tower is in the middle of the whole place, and while it's not THAT big a deal to walk/tram/boat to a pool, we preferred to have the pool closer.

And yes, full points have no taxes added and they also have the resort fee waived. We booked the lowest Makai mountain/resort view and were upgraded to full OV. Be nice at check-in. I honestly can't recall if we were still Gold or were Diamond by that time.

Breakfast is supposed to be continental but tip well the first day, get the same server, and rules can be ignored.

This was our experience, YMMV.