Kauai Marriott?
 

I just received an offer to stay at this hotel for a week at $629 with a free rental car. Is it worth it? Is the hotel as nice as it looks in the brochure?

Better read that nice offer again to see if it actually sez (1) per room OR (2) pp double occupancy. It is a nice property. Rental cars alone typically go for $100-$150/wk in the islands, gas goes for about $2.10/gal and lean toward the smaller-sized cars as many roads can be very narrow.

My knowledge is 4 years old, but at that time this was a great property. Beachfront access is right there and the pool is very large.

I agree with Misternice about the Rental Car. I just paid $229/week for a convertible. So the $150/week figure for a midsize is pretty close.

Another item to look for in the fine print is taxes. Rental Car Taxes/Fees on the Big Island ran almost $50. Hotel taxes/fees will run around $30/day.

If the deal is for real, I would go. Kauai is a beautiful island.

[This message has been edited by CameraGuy (edited 05-26-2000).]

Yes it specifically says that the price is for two.

As for your question, is the Kauau Marriott as good as the picture? First, I've been there twice (but not stayed there). My impression was that the grounds and public areas are beautiful, but in a stiff, formal (given the Hawaiian location) sort of way. A friend has told me the rooms were fine, but she went nutty listening to the constant stream of planes flying overhead (airport is nearby) while sunning poolside. Given the great deal you've apparently found, all in all it's probably fine. Just depends on what's important to you both.

Personally, after staying at the Kauai Hyatt Regency I could never stay anywhere else. It's awesome, natural, tropical, and "casually elegant" and the staff went out of their way to make us happy. Has a cool waterslide for the "kids" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

This hotel has undergone many iterations. I stayed there 25 yrs ago when it was the Kauai Surf. Its sheltered lagoon was a big feature. Since then it was a Westin until Marriott picked it up. Under Westin, it was expanded and upgraded. It is huge so if you do not like huge, don't go. But the price is incredible and I would like to know if it is special for you or if any of your good buddies at Flyertalk can come too!!! Does it have a concierge floor?

Have to agree that the Hyatt is really special, however; but way more, I mean way more than $600 a week!

The property is nice and a better location than the Hyatt in my opinion. You will be closer to many of the places to see and go than you would be on the other side of the island where the Hyatt is. The hotel is beautiful and has the largest pool on the island (and in the state I believe). It is romantic and I didn't hear the planes during my one week stay when I was there last. When I was there, I sat in on Marriott's Vacation Club presentation and picked up an extra 25,000 points for the 90 minutes. Pretty well worth it.

For a car, I'd get something kind of beefy like an Explorer so you can go off roading in some of the forests (it is allowed).

The island is far less touristy than Maui.

Have a good trip. That's an incredible price...Rack rates are around 235.00 I believe.

Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately the offer is only for the addressee. There is loads of fine print to that effect.

A wedding I attended the first week of December 99 was based on Kauai. The couple stayed at the Kauai Marriott for probably 10 days? 5 days were paid for by points. The place is HUGE, it took so long to get to their room from the parking lot...I called on my cellphone from the car to make sure they were there before I started the hike. Nice grounds, beachfront right there, sushi bar and a good breakfast buffet. The three different rooms occupied by the couple and family were your standard Marriott room, not very large peachy floral two queen small closet. That is a good price. Very close to the airport (within 3 miles?), and the staff are very nice. We had a flat tire in the parking lot in the wee hours of the morning, and were helped promptly.

After the wedding which was 5 miles down a dirt road on the beach (and it was raining, but one does not mind rain in Hawaii), we attended a luau at the Hyatt Regency. Very posh and elegant in the area where we had drinks, waiting. Very serene, where the Marriott was a bit much.

Kauai is beautiful, and there's great snorkeling.

Linda

One of my friends, a VERY infrequent Marriott guest, just received the exact same offer for the Marriott Maui. I would love to know how selective Marriott really is. I can't help thinking that this promo is connected to their Vacation Club.

If you want a call about the offer, just go visit the Marriott website and go to their vacation club area. Just indicate that you are interested in the Kauai property. The $629 deal is for 6 days/5 nights for 2 adults, a rental car, a $25 dining certificate. I can't remember, but one of the properties (either Maui or Kauai) has a 2 person max due to occupancy rules. The sales rep told me that they are working on a package for the new hotels they just purchased on Oahu (Renaissance and Ihilani).

Karen2, see the recent discussion about the Maui Marriott renovation special. Your friend might be better off waiting until after 12/24 for a 5 night stay at this property (weekend stays are fine, though).

Tropical Flyer, thanks for the info. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

My friend says the offer does not say anything about having to listen to the timeshare talk. Does that mean you could also collect 25,000 points by moseying over to the Vacation Club desk??? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Thanks for all the info, Hono and Tropical Flyer. Pays to be local and know someone!

Stimpy:

This hotel is fantastic the pool is the largest in Hawaii 26,000 square feet. They have a Duke's restaurant and right around the corner behind Duke's is the greatest little hamburger joint. There are many restaurants within walking distance. Golf Is awesome two Jack Nicklaus golf courses. They also have a microbrewery overlooking the ocean at the shops up on the hill off the golf course. Beach is close by as well. This is a great hotel. I have stayed there twice last time in December. The island is nice to, if you want to stop by in Maui the marriott is undergoing renovations so they have a 79 rate and full use of the pool next door at the Westin.

I too was here about 10 years ago as a Westin. Only downside, aside from the huge size, is that it is in Lihue (?) right by the airport- and so very loud. The golf course borders on the runway and it is virtually impossible to talk while getting blasted by jet exhaust! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

BTW, OMNI- Does anyone know by chance what happpened to the old Kauai Hilton & Beach Villas? Was this wiped out by the hurricane and is there nothing there at this location now?