My SFX exchange experience

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

You mean this spot?





*****

It's a nice spot, but 'Anaeho'omalu Beach is the most scenic place I've found to get sunset photos on the BI. You get the fish pond in front of the palm trees, with the sun setting behind:

That looks like it but I do not see the bench was there a bench there?

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

That looks like it but I do not see the bench was there a bench there?

Actually, I was just a bit to the right (facing the ocean) from the spot you mentioned.

In the top photo, the retaining wall on the left edge of the photo separates Mauna Loa Village/Holua Resort from the Keahou Golf Course. The area that you mention should be near the tees for the hole after this one. I took the second photo sitting underneath the palm trees beyond the green.

BTW - there's construction going on behind the Holua Resort - it's possible the path isn't there.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Hi Emmy,

Thanks for taking the time to share that. Can you give me a timeframe as to when you last visited? I saw some pretty brutal reviews from 2005-2006 but they are more mixed to positive now. My wife is used to Marriott resorts and she is much more critical of little things like the prior poster noted (broken furniture and bugs) than I am. Marriages are a fragile thing you know

Take care!

Pat

It was at least seven years ago. We stayed there two years on a row and the condo was in good shape at that time. I remember now that there were bugs. That didn't go over well with our friends from Wales but they came to eradicate them immediately and we didn't see them again that week.

It's hard to keep bugs away in a semi tropical climate unless they spray very often. It may have been because of all the water flowing through the landscaping. It was very pretty what they did with a rather small area. It was originally a condo project where the developer went belly up and an independent timeshare developer bought some of the units up and then built the second development (Kona Hawaiian Village) and he then sold it to Fairfield.

They don't have all the amenities like at the big resorts but that isn't important to us. If it is important to your wife then she may rather stay at the Hilton timeshares. I believe that they are a hotel too so everything is handy.

[cathyb Member Find all posts View Profile Close cathyb]

We just stayed at Wyndham Mauna Loa last July thru SFX and it suffers. We had hair in the bathtub upon arrival, broken items, austere look, tired furniture. Outside our one bedroom the air conditioning unit for our building was loud.

Location is good, staff nice, size of unit is good but no comparison for what you are trading!!! It is more like a Holiday Inn instead of Hilton.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

It was at least seven years ago. We stayed there two years on a row and the condo was in good shape at that time. I remember now that there were bugs. That didn't go over well with our friends from Wales but they came to eradicate them immediately and we didn't see them again that week.

It's hard to keep bugs away in a semi tropical climate unless they spray very often. It may have been because of all the water flowing through the landscaping. It was very pretty what they did with a rather small area. It was originally a condo project where the developer went belly up and an independent timeshare developer bought some of the units up and then built the second development (Kona Hawaiian Village) and he then sold it to Fairfield.

They don't have all the amenities like at the big resorts but that isn't important to us. If it is important to your wife then she may rather stay at the Hilton timeshares. I believe that they are a hotel too so everything is handy.

We first stayed there in 2003. They were in a renovation program and the unit we stayed in then had been recently renovated. The unit we stayed in last summer was furnished and equipped the same as our previous unit, so I presume it was renovated about the same time.

As I noted there were physical problems with the unit - that renovation was done pretty cheaply.

That said, we do like Mauna Loa Village. The location is good. We're not big amenities people; we would rather feel like a home than a resort. So we prefer projects that were originally conceived as whole ownership and converted to condo. The staff is friendly and helpful.

This coming summer we will be at Kona Hawaiian Village, so we can make a comparison.

[camachinist Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close camachinist]

My wife and I aren't "bells and whistles" folks, but we do like something consistent with our fairly modest home. Basics and functional and clean. Not a big bill to fill. We like Marriott because we can count of them to consistently have at least that, in our experiences with their hotel and timeshare system.

To give an example of how things work, and a glaring example of a failure at a Marriott, as a "getaway" (sales promo) I booked a non-smoking master (1BR) at Shadow Ridge for my wife's BD in 2005. I flew her to Tampa for a concert and then back to Ontario where we drove out to the resort. Instead of a master, they booked us into a lock-off, which at that resort is smaller than a hotel room, and it was smokey besides. Nothing else available. So, I told them I'd be leaving in the morning and they'd have to make it worth my while to ever get me back. They didn't and I never have (been back). I let them keep the 300.00, which I've gotten back in spades since then (the karma train is an interesting one) and I tell this story often. My wife was incensed (at Marriott). I don't wish to incur her wrath on this trip, nor embarass myself, so there ya go

Pat

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Some pics of the grounds available

We were there in Feb, 2007. Large units, 2 master bedroom suites. They have 2 story and single floor 2 bdr units. We don't like stairs so we requested and got a lower floor 2 bdr unit. We had friends in a 1 bdr unit in the SVC section. That unit wasn't spectacularly better, but it was nicer.

Here are some pics of the grounds. We liked the smaller pools. If the one near your unit is crowded just walk a short way to the next one, you can use any of them.

We didn't have any need to ask for the help of any of the staff but the SVC staff was much more outgoing and had more activites planned than the Wyndham side.

[camachinist Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close camachinist]

Lovely slide show. Wish I could've seen interiors. Just so I'm clear, you resided in and photographed the Wyndham side, yes?

Oy, wife just called me from the Bellagio. Hey, maybe she and her friend can go by and take some pictures at MGC tomorrow. Think sales would do a tour? They'd pass as a "couple"

Anyway, appreciate the input. I'm getting a great education. Hope I can return the favor someday...

Pat

[catwgirl Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close catwgirl]

I have a couple pics of Wyndham Mauna Loa. Also pics of the MGC 3 bedroom unit. Now ... if I can just figure how to upload ...

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Lovely slide show. Wish I could've seen interiors. Just so I'm clear, you resided in and photographed the Wyndham side, yes?

Oy, wife just called me from the Bellagio. Hey, maybe she and her friend can go by and take some pictures at MGC tomorrow. Think sales would do a tour? They'd pass as a "couple"

Anyway, appreciate the input. I'm getting a great education. Hope I can return the favor someday...

Pat

Unit 7-46 was the Fairfield/Wyndham side, the SVC side was closer to the water, no direct access to the water but closer. 16-105 was the SVC 1 bdr unit. I may have a resort layout showing how the buildings are laid out, if I can find it I will scan it and send it to you.

The layout of the 2 bdr single floor unit was an entry into a large living room with a dining room table for 6 off to the left. There is a half bath off the living room, sliding glass doors to the lanai and a 27 inch tube tv. The kitchen is U shaped and to the left, near the table, a bit cramped if there is more than 1 person in there but it had everything we needed. Each bedroom was also very large, king size bed, and had a double sink, toilet and shower. The bedrooms were split, one on each side of the living room.

[camachinist Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close camachinist]

Updated to advise that I passed on the offer. We'll see what the next one brings.

Pat

[camachinist Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close camachinist]

SFX called Friday with another offer but I was in the middle of a job and didn't have the time or ability to evaluate it. I'll call them back on Monday. I like the fact that they're communicating regularly on this process.

I'll still presume that, if they run across a Waiohai or Poipu Point interval, they'll automatically confirm me into it. Otherwise, I'll get the phone calls.

For the gallery, any commentary on Kona Coast Resort, Beachwalk Waikiki, or Lawai Beach Club? I have an instinct that one of those will be the next offer.

Pat

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

SFX called Friday with another offer but I was in the middle of a job and didn't have the time or ability to evaluate it. I'll call them back on Monday. I like the fact that they're communicating regularly on this process.

I'll still presume that, if they run across a Waiohai or Poipu Point interval, they'll automatically confirm me into it. Otherwise, I'll get the phone calls.

For the gallery, any commentary on Kona Coast Resort, Beachwalk Waikiki, or Lawai Beach Club? I have an instinct that one of those will be the next offer.

Pat

Pat, these are each on different islands. If it were me, I'd choose the island first, then worry about the resort. If I chose the Big Island, I would take Kona Coast Resort -- though I haven't stayed there, it is well located and reviews are good. I haven't been to Honolulu (nor do I have any interest) so I can't comment on Beachwalk Waikiki. Lawai Beach Resort is in a good location in Poipu, with good snorkeling right in front of the resort -- some exchangers complain about at least one of the buildings (Coral, I think) b/c of parking lot views. I also am not sure if the resort is air-conditioned, which would be unacceptable to me since I don't like to sleep with the windows open unless I am oceanfront. From the look of the resort, I would guess you wouldn't feel it comparable to your Marriott deposit, but there are few comparable resorts in the Hawaiian Islands.

[camachinist Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close camachinist]

Thanks for the input. To expand, we've been to Hawaii a few times (got married there) and are happy to island-hop. I fully expect our II exchange to Waiohai to clear, so we're just looking for another week in paradise. It doesn't really matter where, as long as the accomodations meet my wife's standards

The last time we were at Waiohai, we drove through Poipu Point and Lawai Beach Resort, so we know that area well. Only modest experience with Honolulu/Waikiki (stayed over in Kahana Bay) and we've never been to the big island (where Kona is). So, even though I could suffer a lifetime of vacation on Kauai, we're quite open to other locations in the islands. Mark (@SFX) says to be flexible, so I'm following his advice

Pat

[dale7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dale7]

I have stayed at the Kona Coast Resort it was very nice it not ocean front property but most resorts are not on the big island. It does have A/C and several pools and lots of room in the unit. The big island has a lot to see so I would think that you would enjoy it very much.