jnswinnipeg

Only the North Studios have full lanais.

The pools at the Villas are good, but the pools at the resort are GREAT!

slippahs

We have a step out lanai here in the South building (bldg 3). Have a picture--will upload later.

Just did a run from the WKORV to the Hyatt with a stop at the Sheraton and Westin (we generally rotate our stays through these properties depending on the rates and times of year--Sheraton during the winter for the better whale viewing from the rooms because of a better chance of oceanview upgrades). The pool here at the WKORV ranks second in my book of the three *woods. Westin has the best pool, followed by the Villas, and trailed (a distant third) by the Sheraton. Running through the Sheraton pool was kind of depressing. Also the pool looks oldest of the three (and probably is).

We also revisited the waterslide at the Villas yesterday. The slide at the Westin is definitely faster--much better for teens and kids. The slide here is manini in comparison.

If the pool is really the deciding factor and there's no brand loyalty while in the Islands, one should consider the Grand Wailea over on the other side of the island, the HWV on the Big Island, or the GH Poipu over on Kauai. These properties have pretty incredible pools.

cawhite99

Thanks, slippahs, for the detailed description of the pools at each property. That's exactly the info. I was looking for. I did call the Villas today and they told me their pool slide is "just like a regular slide in a home pool"... but that the pools at the Villas were nice and rennovated about a year ago.

Our kids would LOVE for us to stay at the Grand Wailea, however we're staying on Starwood points. We should have stayed at the GW last time we were on Maui (2004) as the prices were high, but not as high as they are now. Since becoming a Waldorf Astoria property the price seems to have really gone up.

I guess I should check into trading Starwood points for Hilton Honors points... not sure of a mechanism to do that. It would be nice to stay on the South side of Maui this time, too, since the scuba diving we'll be doing will likely leave from there.

Carole

dvwing

[QUOTE=cawhite99;14045418] Certainly there would be a lot more room in the villa refrigerators... and we could have eggs, french toast, etc. We won't be doing any cooking for dinner.

Carole,

When I called the villas personally and asked about the rooms we get for the 12,000 Starpoints, I was told that the refrigerators in those rooms are the small ones, but there is a kitchenette.

Val

controller1

The North property has two pools; the larger one (described above as appearing to be two pools) and an adult pool located next to the BBQ area and Building 8.

controller1

The refrigerator may not be as large as the refrigerator in the 1BR but it is not a dorm-sized refrigerator. It qualifies for the label "full-size".

orisky

You're right, I completely forgot about that one, even though I stayed in Building 8 and walked by that pool. If I recall, it's not a very good pool as the sun is blocked by the buildings most of the day.

controller1

You're right. It gets sun maybe three hours a day and with its location it can be like hurricane central when the wind is blowing.

nirajashah

I received the following offer from SPG (through UA GS I think since I don't stay at Starwood properties and have no SPG points). I would like to hear thoughts about whether it's a good offer

6 days 5 nights at an Island View Villa (Studio I believe) for $849. This includes 7000 SPG points and 185 towards an Avis Car Rental.

Offer does not say anything about having to attend a time share presentation. It has to be reserved by June 18 and valid for travel within a year. Not transferable and non-refundable.

What do you think? is this a good value given all the restrictions?

I have a 3 year old and an infant - will we have a good time there?

thanks

jnswinnipeg

Anyone know of similar offers that are open to anyone?

jnswinnipeg

You definitely will have a good time, but find the Studio small with two kids. We stayed with our son who was 16 months at the time in a one-bedroom and loved it. The kids pool is great!

dvwing

It sure sounds like a good deal to me, being that the rooms run $309 before taxes. I think taxes are 12% so $346 X 5 = $1,730. The SPG points are worth between $70 - $120 depending how you use them. Remember you will have to pay parking too.

By the way, what is UA GS? I would like to hear more about this offer. How did you get the offer? Phone, email, mail...? Sounds like a winner!

controller1

UA GS is United Airlines Global Services, an invitation-only elite level of United Airlines.

nirajashah

Thanks for the calculation... the offer came to me by mail and has to be responded to by phone or email only.

UA GS = United Global Services. As part of that (I believe) I received automatic Gold Level in the SPG Program. Unfortunately my travels don't get me to stay at a Westin or Sheraton so I never accumulated any points

tiffany