posted 01-09-2005 06:16            

To my absolutely astonishment, on Saturday (Jan 8th) I managed to reserve a room at the Westin Kannapali for a week in July.
As a Vistana Villages owner, I'm still stunned I could do this, and at this late date. As you can tell, the family is very excited!

Now, for the queston: I live in New England, near both Logan and Providence airports. What is your strategy for airfare out to Maui? I know this will not be cheap, anything that you've found that saves money will be great!

Another note, while I could get into Kannapali, Harborside, I was told, is completely booked this summer. Now, with my points, I'm only in the 1BR range, so maybe some larger units are available. When I asked, I was told that last year's hurricane season prevented many owners from using Harborside..so that this year owners are back...leaving fewer options for non-owners.

I'd love to visit Harborside one day..in fact it was my first choice this year. But I gotta say, I'm very happy with the way things worked out.

Thanks folks,

Take care,

BW

posted 01-09-2005 11:04               

quote:

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Originally posted by bward:
Hi folks,

Now, for the queston: I live in New England, near both Logan and Providence airports. What is your strategy for airfare out to Maui? I know this will not be cheap, anything that you've found that saves money will be great!

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Do you have any StarPoints left from your purchase?

posted 01-09-2005 18:14               

I don't know what if this is a game all the timeshares are playing, but I don't like it

posted 01-09-2005 21:07            

Yes, I've got quite a few starpoints left over.
However, I'm saving them to take the family to Europe when the kids are just a couple of years older, and can enjoy it more.

I think I'll bite the bullet this time out, spend the money on airfare, and go for the big European trip with the Starpoints in a year or two. At least that's the plan now.

Just running a couple of random searches, I'm seeing
$725 as the lowest roundtrip out of Boston.
Jet Blue is announcing a new LA destination out of Boston. I'm wondering if a Jet Blue fare, plus something out of LA to Hawaii would save me some money...we'll see!

Thanks again,

Bob

posted 01-09-2005 22:16               

quote:

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Originally posted by bward:
Yes, I've got quite a few starpoints left over.
However, I'm saving them to take the family to Europe when the kids are just a couple of years older, and can enjoy it more.

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Then you will want to get a Starwood AMEX and start using it for everthing you buy (and pay it off monthly, of course.) You can earn a lot of points that way. We use it for groceries, Dr., gas, going out, any place and every place that takes credit cards, to rack up the points.

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Denise

posted 01-10-2005 22:46               

quote:

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Originally posted by belairpatrol:
The rooms are large and beautiful, the views are less than good.
Be especially agressive in not accepting the first room they give you. I won't even take luggage out of my car anymore before I see the room, and the last three check ins let to me going back for another room.

I don't know what if this is a game all the timeshares are playing, but I don't like it

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Are you talking about the north facing views that overlook open space and the highway? In the current building that is complete, you can either face north or south. South faces the interior of the resort with some amazing ocean views. When the other two buildings are complete in July, there will be other north facing views of the interior and south facing views of Airport Beach & its parking lot, the ocean, lots of beach and the backside of Black Rock.

BW, if you haven't already done so, check out the web page http://www.westinkaanapali.com/acc.htm for room locations. If possible, put in a request for a certain building or direction you want. Supposedly, the nicer views are assigned to the owners first (which I appreciate), but you can always request something like a higher floor, etc. We loved our villa location so much in November that we requested that exact unit for this October.

Have a great trip. I can't wait to go back!

posted 01-11-2005 05:26            

Thanks so much for your advice.

The shock of actually getting this week is wearing off and giving way to the excitement that we are actually going.

This will be our first SVO exchange, and what a way to start.

I browsed over at the TUG Hawaii board, picked up some airfare strategies...so I'm hoping we'll be able to keep the airfare reasonable.

It's going to be a great trip!

Many thanks,

Bob

posted 01-11-2005 05:59               

quote:

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Originally posted by deniselew1:

BW, if you haven't already done so, check out the web page http://www.westinkaanapali.com/acc.htm for room locations. If possible, put in a request for a certain building or direction you want. Supposedly, the nicer views are assigned to the owners first (which I appreciate), but you can always request something like a higher floor, etc. We loved our villa location so much in November that we requested that exact unit for this October.

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Hi, Denise,
I looked at the website you gave and I noticed the catagories are island view, garden view, partial ocean view, and ocean front. I thought there was another catagory, "ocean view". When people say they have an "ocean view" to which of those catagories does it correspond? Partial ocean view? or ocean front? Also, do you mind giving out the fabulous room number?

posted 01-11-2005 06:56               

The resort is basically "U" shaped. There are very few Ocean Front units - they are the ones that are at the end of the two wings, facing the beach. Most units are Ocean View and they face north or south and you can see the ocean at an angle. If you look at the resort reviews page for Ka'anapali, there are some pictures that will give you an idea of the view. The new building should be done by the time you get there - and it is at the bottom of the "U" and will be mostly "Mountain View". For an ocean view, you want to be as high as possible.

I just looked at the link above, and it looks like they are now breaking down "ocean view" into some sub categories. When we bought our unit in the original building, they were all designated "Ocean Front" or "Ocean View." Now that the 2nd and 3rd building are open or getting ready to open, they have added some sub-categories: Garden View, Island View (mountain view), and Ocean Partial View.

"Ocean View" used to include everything that wasn't "Ocean Front." I think a lot of people thought "Ocean View" meant "Ocean Front" and complained, so they have changed it to "Ocean Partial View," which is more accurate.

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Denise