I actually went on a whale watch this past May and saw a pod of six whales. We went out with The Pacific Whale Foundation and they guarantee that you will see whales or your money back. After that experience I joined their cause and became a member.

Agreed. When I said "peak" season, I meant the chances of seeing whales were the best then. There are always a few eager beavers that show up early, and just as many who are on "Hawaiian Time" and loiter around Maui well into May... Smart buggahs, dem. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

You get the prize.... My gold status with Hilton just got me comped to Diamond status with Hyatt. Thanks so much for the advice. I haven't heard back from Starwood yet.

So, by default (& upgrade possibility) the Hyatt will probably win.

Now, what type of room should we get? They are on the pricey side, and we really like our ocean view... Do you think that booking a partial ocean would work to get us the ocean view room?

Thanks again to you & everyone else. I was leaning toward the Westin, but the status comp (& the spa) changed our minds.

Mary

The Hyatt is lovely. I have spent several weeks there over several different trips and have always received an upgrade to ocean-view, mini-suite on the Regency Club level. With diamond status, I wouldn't expect problems with an upgrade. (Some people have been getting this hotel for cheap on Priceline and have still managed nice upgrades due to their diamond status.)

One thing I dislike about the Hyatt is that there is a jet ski concession that operates off the beach there. Lying on the beach there means you hear the constant whir of the jet skis.

So, do you think I would be safe with a partial ocean view room & hope for the upgrade to full ocean view OR should I chance it and get a mountain view to save some $$$$? We're going the second week of November, and traditionally, Hawaii isn't too busy at that time of year.

Mary

You might get a helpful agent who could check their occupancy rates. I agree - November is usually slow - but I'd hate to tell you to book a mountain view (even though that's probably what I'd do) and then not end up with an ocean view.

Personally, I've had good luck with booking mountain and getting ocean. And they are good to diamonds. Making sure your status is on the reservation and request an upgrade in advance. If that fails, which it shouldn't, some polite conversation at the front desk could go a long ways to helping.

You might take a look for Maui threads on the Hyatt forum for more advice on this. Some people do a little trick I've never done before. They buy certs for a discount rate ($175 or $200, i think) and then redeem them for rooms at the Hyatt when available. (You can look to see if they're accepting them for your stay date before buying.) Like I said, I've never done this so don't know exactly how it works and if these certs are available all the time, but the Hyatt forum should give you a lot of info on this and the upgrade situation.

Good luck!

If I were them, I wouldn't leave... ever http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif But then again, as much as my SO tells me I need to lose wait, I can never aspire to be a humpback whale.

Thanks! I'll also ask on the Hyatt forum.

Mary

Glad I could help a fellow New Jersian out http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif.

Do a search in my name about the certificate use at the Hyatt. I asked the same question a few months ago. Any questions don't hesitate to email me.

I did the search & it's a great idea. I'm a bit nervous about trying it because we really enjoy our ocean view. With our luck, a large convention may show up and all the good rooms will be taken (it happened to us at the HHV-we had to beg for an ocean view room).

So, I booked a partial ocean view room on the sunshine on sale package. It includes the 5th night free and breakfast each day. That brings the cost to $350 per night, which we can deal with.

The Hyatt web site is awful for booking rooms.... or am I missing something? I'm afraid that I've missed some room rates because it's so difficult to navigate.

Thanks for all your advise & help!

Mary

350 per night?
 

350 per night? yikes. what sort of room are you talking about?

I'm really starting to appreciate the 1 bedroom 2 full bathroom suite I just finished with at the Marriott Maui, on a points stay. Even if it was windy and rainy. The Kanapali location is so nice, with the view of Molokai and Lanai so close across the water. And the beach here is very nice.