ALadyNCal

Agree with this. Depends how much time you will spend in your room and if walking to more reasonable dining/shopping options is important to you.

Smiley90

I'm about to go there too and book the United rate, and I wasn't aware of this - We'll be staying 5 nights and it's a great, cheap rate.

144 + 50USD credit + 15000 UA miles

vs. just 144 without any extras (the Mauna Kea is 350 for the same period of time, so a no-go)

I don't see anywhere why it wouldn't count? If we'd get no points, does that mean the stay also doesn't count towards any promotions (e.g. 2 stays = 1 free night)

EDIT: I see I have to change my earning preference to United miles, that'd explain that. bummer. But still worth it. Should STILL go towards the promotion though, right?

SkiAdcock

I'm not aware of any current stay 2 times, get 1 free night promo. Link?

Also, if you can provide a link to the United package you're referring to, it would be easier to ascertain if it's eligible (ie, the fine print).

Cheers.

Smiley90

The promo is the new member signup promo:

http://www.marriott.com/rewards/prom...promotion=FN12

In the T&C it just says:

The United promo is this one:

https://www.marriott.com/specials/me...splayLink=true

It just says you need to indicate "earn miles" to get the miles.

Also, I just realized - the offer says it is expiring September 7th, but when I select dates past September 7th it's still possible to book it. Does that mean one needs to BOOK before September 7th? Or do I actually need to stay by September 7th and it's an error on the website that it's possible to book it and if I do it I won't get any of the promotional benefits?

SkiAdcock

Ah, got it re: the new member promo. I thought you were referring to a more generic stay 2/get 1 as has been done in the past.

Re: the September 7th. It needs to be booked by Sept 7th, but you can stay through Oct 31st.

United Airlines Mileage Promotion
Includes 10,000 Bonus United Airlines Miles with a four night stay or 15,000 Bonus miles when staying five nights or longer as well as one time 50 USD food and beverage credit per stay. Also includes two in-flight Mai Tais. Hotel to mail Mai Tai coupons to guests directly prior to arrival. Please ensurehotel has the correct mailing address on reservation. 4 night minimum night stay is required. 10,000 bonus miles will be issued by United Airlines after departure. Travel dates are April 15, 2015 through October 31, 2015

I called Marriott Rewards Cust Service (great gal; Victoria D) & she confirmed that the stay will count towards your new member promo. Also, that while you won't earn Marriott points since you're switching your earning to miles for this stay, you will receive United Miles for each $ spent at the property in addition to the 10K/15K promo.

Cheers.

Smiley90

:O thanks so much! I was gonna do that today to confirm, but way to go haha. I value 10x Marriott Points more than 2x UA miles, but 15k bonus miles I don't wanna miss out on just because of that. What's weird is that I don't see the October 31st travel date you quote anywhere on that site, but I do remember it lasting longer so I'm pretty sure it's true. Looking forward to my stay.

my SO and me are doing 2 nights in San Fran at 2 different SPG's and then 5 nights at the Marriott. Since I also have a "2 stays = 2 free nights" promo with SPG, I just need 1 more night at any Marriott and those 7 vacation days will turn into 3 free nights.

SkiAdcock

When you click on the promo link & plug in some dates (I did an arbitrary 9/14-9/19) for the property and click on the $144 room, the information is under the "Rate Rules" link/the information I posted above appears. I think there's also a 7-day cancel policy - ie, you can cancel up until 7 days before the stay for no-charge but once you're inside the 7 day window there's a charge for the first night.

Enjoy your stay!

Cheers.

SkiAdcock

Created a wiki to provide the resort fee info.

Smiley90

Question, the resort fee says:

Daily resort fee of USD 30 in addition to room rate includes self-parking, cultural activities, beach rentals and more.

Yet my reservation says:

Additional Charges
On-site parking, fee: 18 USD daily


... so what's the case? Do I have to pay 18 USD per day for parking my rental car or is it included?

highops

In July the $18 was included in the $30. Other Marriott Hawaii properties charge both so I might call to see if they now also, do so.

nldogbert

Hi,

I currently am holding bookings at both properties. I am not sure which one is the better choice as I am just there for 2 nights and I have been a to Big Island before. It is just a short break to drive around and visit other places - so basically I have done all the need to do stuff.

For the Marriott I pay 80 USD more compared to the Courtyard (mainly due to the resort fees).

Therefore, advise would be welcome on a better property as a Plat - I guess I don't get any additional beanies at either.

Cheers!

Renard

if you're not going to spend a lot of time on property, then I'd go for the cheaper of the two. However, the feel of the Waikoloa is very different than the area where the courtyard it... it is very much in the 'bustle' of kona... Waikoloa is quintessential resort area. Now for many being in Kona would be a plus with the closeness of restaurants and shopping etc.

porky

Hi everyone, we spent a week at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. Actually, we spent a night at the Mauna Kea Beach hotel and then moved to the Marriott. We were two adults and two kids (8 and 10).

First, the Mauna Kea. The hotel is a short drive off route 19. You pass a gatehouse and the guard matches your name to your hotel reservation, gives you a hang-tag for the car and off you go.



They seemed to be short staffed and it took them about 15 minutes to check us in. In the meantime they served us juice and cold towels. This on our way from the lobby area to our room. We had a room in the far wing.



I believe this is the only pool on the property.



A couple of shots of the room





We were on the fourth floor. We walked down to the first floor on the first night of our stay here



...and to the right...



...and the beach, the following morning.

porky

We went exploring the next day of our stay and stumbled upon the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort. With two little kids, it seemed a no-brainer to move. So, here are some pictures from the Marriott.

We got a partial ocean view/ pool view room. This is from the lanai of our room.

View to the left



...and the view to the right.



The in-house restaurant



This is a view from hotel walkways to the beach. The beach isn't that great here but there are beach chairs for people to lounge around. Also, the snorkeling is not bad.



There are ancient Hawaiian fish ponds between the hotel and the sea. There are also remnants of some ancient structures.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e...2/DSC02570.JPG

The hotel itself is well kept but does look dated. This is with my back to the sea.



Some wide angle shots



and another of the pool area



Also, Hapuna beach is about an 8-10 minute drive from the hotel





At the end of our trip, goodbye Big Island.

SkiAdcock

Pictures speak a thousand words. Thanks so much!

Cheers.