We booked a 5 night stay with a Timeshare presentation that we have no interest in. Rate wasn't bad, $699 for 5 nights, and as Diamond (I know, no upgrades or breakfast) in what I assume will be an unrenovated room. Most TA reviews are split into 2 categories: almost all (even the negative ones) say it's a gorgeous resort; most negative reviews say you're kinda held hostage by the incredibly expensive food, coupled with the (actually) one mile walk between the expensive parking and your room, along with no microwave in the room. Most negative ones also say they were given dark, old, musty, moldy rooms, while positive ones are in renovated rooms with kitchens.
Sound right?
Has anyone stayed here for timeshare presentations and been treated well as a Diamond? I know the HGVC doesn't give any upgrades to Diamonds.
PS-- we are most happy that in February HGVC was doing an upsell-- 5 nights rental car from National for $115 total (!) which now is $1100. So umm actually we are more excited to see the island (National Park, snorkelling, Mauna Kea, coffee plantation) using our lovely car than we are for the moldy HGVC. Thinking a few mai tais before the timeshare meeting will make it easier to deal with