CS member-share some CS and II 'kick butt' trips to the Western US/Hawaii ?

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

I just received my new CS membership gift - can't wait to get home to see it and I expect my new membership # will be showing up soon

Would anyone care to share some of your internal trades (CS resorts) and II exchange experiences/stories to the Western US statest/Hawaii (West Coast and Hawaii preferred) resorts? I especially would like ot hear about trades/exchanges into higher-quality resorts and maybe during more heavier-travelled times, like summer and holidays. Since I am from California w/ young children, I expect that I would be tied to short airplane rides and car rides for the next few years (like a decade?) - both from a cost standpoint and practical standpoint.

I really am ready to see what other CS/TS4M'ers have done/experienced in the past.

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

Well, The Sunterra resorts in Maui and Kuaui, Kaanapali Beach Club and Poipu Point are extremely easy to get with advance planning and, unfortunately, lots of points with the exception of KBC 2BRs which are harder to find.

Notice, I didn't mention the other 'Sunterra' resorts in the SunOptions Directory; Fairway Villa, Royal Kuhio, Papakea, Valley Isle, Kapaa Shore, Pono Kai, Sea Mountain, and Sea Village. These with all the other Sunterra Pacific Resorts became just about impossible to find availability when Vacation Internationale booted Sunterra management out a few years ago. Hololani doesn't even show up anymore in the SO Directory?

There used to be all sorts of reciprocity when Sunterra management was in, now there is only the vestiges of once was, Vacation Internationale owners who did convert to Sunterra Pacific and still pay their Club dues result in some inventory traded back and forth between the two outfits.

I had a Valley Isle reservation through CS back in 2000 for my 20th Anniversary.

I actually bought some VI points awhile back to just be able to 'see' VI/SP inventory to know if there was a chance of filling requests with my CS points. I now have enough to take care of my Hawaii needs.


In the west you will find that there's not that much inventory and you need to plan early, San Luis Bay in particular. I've stayed at Ridge Tahoe and Harbour Lights - San Diego when that was a Sunterra resort. Sunterra did not sell HL fast enough and by some CA law they had to dissolve it. It is now FF/Wyn I think. If they had had their 'Trust' product back then I don't believe they would have had a problem. I think the 2002 BK also was part of the HL problem... another resort that went away in BK was Carambola Beach in St. Croix, I've stayed there, too, very nice.

I also stayed at Marina Inn - Oceanside CA and that one is VI and no longer shows up in SO Directory.

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

I will be interested in others' recent experience w/ the Hawaiin resorts, esp the one's you did not mention, Spence. I AM assuming there are a good respresentation of CS folks on this forum who travel regularly out here in the West.

Can I book a 1 BD KBC if it is first available and ask Sunterra reservation (online or by the phone) to keep looking to replace that 1BD with a 2BD? ...IF YES- when the 2BD is found, I know I have to pay the difference in points, but is there a 'penalty' or 'extra fee' I need to pay b/c of the cancellation+upgrade?

I just met a coworker who goes Hawaii every yr for at least 20+ yrs, she has VI - am I one 'jealous' guy LOL

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

I will be interested in others' recent experience w/ the Hawaiin resorts, esp the one's you did not mention, Spence. I AM assuming there are a good respresentation of CS folks on this forum who travel regularly out here in the West.

ASSUME, you know what it spells.

Can I book a 1 BD KBC if it is first available and ask Sunterra reservation (online or by the phone) to keep looking to replace that 1BD with a 2BD? ...IF YES- when the 2BD is found, I know I have to pay the difference in points, but is there a 'penalty' or 'extra fee' I need to pay b/c of the cancellation+upgrade?

There is no wait listing with CS. You know what the cancellation policies are, no penalty >60days out.

I just met a coworker who goes Hawaii every yr for at least 20+ yrs, she has VI - am I one 'jealous' guy LOL

If you want some, I just turned down a reasonable contract for $1000.

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

ASSUME, you know what it spells.

Yes, it's another sorry one-on-one convo public between us two Be nice, please.

There is no wait listing with CS. You know what the cancellation policies are, no penalty >60days out.

Yes, I know the 60 day policy...What I meant was if I take a 1 bd and later upgrade to a 2 bd at the same resort for the same dates and it's within way 45 days, will Sun consider the 1bd 'cancelled' ?

What do you mean there is no waiting list? I thought I can do a ongoing request for a resort, that is considered a 'waiting' list, right?

If you want some, I just turned down a reasonable contract for $1000.

Nah, I don't want a VI. I have enough weeks/pts for now (although I am looking for a small amt of CSV's to bring into my CS, I am watching my one year window!)

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

Yes, I know the 60 day policy...What I meant was if I take a 1 bd and later upgrade to a 2 bd at the same resort for the same dates and it's within way 45 days, will Sun consider the 1bd 'cancelled' ?

No, they are completely separate transactions and you will incur the penalties.

What do you mean there is no waiting list? I thought I can do a ongoing request for a resort, that is considered a 'waiting' list, right?

You can place an ongoing request into II, but there has never been an ongoing request for Sunterra inventory. If there is no availability you can put in a request for availability and they may scrounge something up from other sources or inventory 'pools' and let you have it, but you'll know the answer, yes or no, within 72 hours, and the request has then been answered, it's not ongoing.

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

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You can place an ongoing request into II, but there has never been an ongoing request for Sunterra inventory. If there is no availability you can put in a request for availability and they may scrounge something up from other sources or inventory 'pools' and let you have it, but you'll know the answer, yes or no, within 72 hours, and the request has then been answered, it's not ongoing.

Oh how technically challenged is Sunterra to not be able to handle ongoing requests (I mean, how lame can CS be?) ? Even I can manage a manual waiting list for my customers! Cloobeck should hear about this from me !



BTW, would CS allow me to place an ongoing II request and at the same time allow me to look for an "internal" CS confirmation into one of its resorts, say like KBC? This way I may have two chances at a resort? I would think some II inventory canNOT be touched by an "internal" CS trade since not all KBC units are controlled by CS

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

Checking online for next June I see tons of inventory for Fairway Villa, Royal Kuhio, Papakea, Valley Isle, Kapaa Shore, Pono Kai, Sea Mountain and Kaanapali Beach Club in 1 bedrooms. There's also lots of 2 bedroom Poipu Point all view categories but I didn't check 1 bedrooms. Inventory at San Luis Bay ends at about June 15. After that it's a day here & a day there but no full weeks. July 4th week was gone when I checked at the 12 month home advantage date. That has always been the hardest week to nab even for non-club regular week owners. The week after was still available last time I looked.

There's also a fair amount of Oasis Villas for spring and Marquis is showing up again.

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

Oh I technically challenged is Sunterra to not be able to handle ongoing requests (I mean, how lame can CS be?) ? Even I can manage a manual waiting list for my customers! Cloobeck should hear about this from me !

Have at it, but clean up your grammar before you write the almighty Grand Poobah.

BTW, would CS allow me to place an ongoing II request and at the same time allow me to look for an "internal" CS confirmation into one of its resorts, say like KBC? This way I may have two chances at a resort? I would think some II inventory canNOT be touched by an "internal" CS trade since not all KBC units are controlled by CS

I really don't understand what you're asking. You can search/request whatever you like. For KBC there is Club Sunterra inventory and there are weeks that Club Sunterra may or may not put into II. There is also the weeks inventory from owners not in Club who deposit with II or any independent exchange company. There is also Club members who make Club reservations at KBC and deposit that reservation into an independent.

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

Checking online for next June I see tons of inventory for Fairway Villa, Royal Kuhio, Papakea, Valley Isle, Kapaa Shore, Pono Kai, Sea Mountain and Kaanapali Beach Club in 1 bedrooms. There's also lots of 2 bedroom Poipu Point all view categories but I didn't check 1 bedrooms. Inventory at San Luis Bay ends at about June 15. After that it's a day here & a day there but no full weeks. July 4th week was gone when I checked at the 12 month home advantage date. That has always been the hardest week to nab even for non-club regular week owners. The week after was still available last time I looked.

There's also a fair amount of Oasis Villas for spring and Marquis is showing up again.

You may think it's tons, but there's no way to see how many units are in inventory from CS WebRes system. June especially early June is very much a shoulder season before many schools are out. I don't think you're talking a lot of inventory! You can browse the Vacation internationale website and for most resorts it tells you how many units are in the VI program. Start with Fairway Villas -- there's only 19 units. I don't think that equates to tons when it get parcelled out to Club Sunterra.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

I don't think you're talking a lot of inventory!

Point taken, Spence. And very enlightening to us newbies to Club Sun. You answered my next question already. If I see one of those non-Sunterra managed resorts for a date I want, don't wait but grab it now.

Is the inventory shown for Sunterra Resorts on II tied into the available stuff through internal exchange? Or is it seperate inventory?

Another question: I put in a request at II yesterday with a mistaken date and see no way to correct it online. Or any way to cancel the request online either. So I take it I have to call to fix anything or cancel, right?

Thanks for sharing your expertise. You are our Guru & much appreciated.

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

Is the inventory shown for Sunterra Resorts on II tied into the available stuff through internal exchange? Or is it seperate inventory?

The inventory at Sunterra resorts that you see on II has been takenout of Sunterra inventory and usually bulk banked based on projected Club members use of II exchanges. This is how many floating inventory resort systems work with the big exchange companies. Once it goes into II inventory it won't be 'pulled out' for you to get it as a straight Club booking. More Club inventory may be added to II if more Club members are booking II exchanges. When they project and bank, I don't know.

Another question: I put in a request at II yesterday with a mistaken date and see no way to correct it online. Or any way to cancel the request online either. So I take it I have to call to fix anything or cancel, right?

You do have to call to modify or cancel any ongoing requests, or to cancel an exchange, it's easy to do calling 877CLUBSUN.

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

Checking online for next June I see tons of inventory for Fairway Villa, Royal Kuhio, Papakea, Valley Isle, Kapaa Shore, Pono Kai, Sea Mountain and Kaanapali Beach Club in 1 bedrooms. There's also lots of 2 bedroom Poipu Point all view categories but I didn't check 1 bedrooms. Inventory at San Luis Bay ends at about June 15. After that it's a day here & a day there but no full weeks. July 4th week was gone when I checked at the 12 month home advantage date. That has always been the hardest week to nab even for non-club regular week owners. The week after was still available last time I looked.

There's also a fair amount of Oasis Villas for spring and Marquis is showing up again.

Hi Barndweller-first, nice pics from the latest get together, I am still bummed I could not make it. Second, thanks for posting - I am a little surprised that the availabilities are still there for Fairway Villa, Royal Kuhio, Papakea, Valley Isle, Kapaa Shore, Pono Kai, Sea Mountain as I checked w/ Sunterra and the rep mentioned all these resorts only have 1-5 units that are 'Sunterra Inventory' ( vs. something like 50+ for each Kaanapali BC and Poipu Point ).

How are the Hawaiian resorts doing for July and Aug of 2008?

I am trying to understand this,,, since San Luis inventory ends Jun 15th and it is now Aug 15th, does this mean there will be no more full summer 2008 weeks available unless someone with as CS-designated week cancels at the last minute? How depressing : (

What have been your travel experiences to the resorts our West?

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

I really don't understand what you're asking. You can search/request whatever you like. For KBC there is Club Sunterra inventory and there are weeks that Club Sunterra may or may not put into II. There is also the weeks inventory from owners not in Club who deposit with II or any independent exchange company. There is also Club members who make Club reservations at KBC and deposit that reservation into an independent.[/FONT]

I was thinking there are two inventory pools say at KBC, so I can put two ongoing requests, see which one hits first I will take then cancel the second. But since you clarified Sun does not per say take ongoing requests, I can just call CS first to check availability. If no confirmation in 72 hrs, place an II request.

On your other post, it sucks (for CS members) that once CS banks weeks into II, the weeks cannot be brought back for CS members. I mean, getting an exchange thru CS is 'free' but thru II cost the std II exchange fee.

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

... once CS banks weeks into II, the weeks cannot be brought back for CS members. I mean, getting an exchange thru CS is 'free' but thru II cost the std II exchange fee.

Well, I can't say that this is true for certain. When there is no Club Sunterra inventory that shows up on WebRes online or on the phone, you can put in an inventory request. I did this in Jun07 for two 4th of July weeks and they found me three! Where did they come from, I don't know (there was no II availability)? Do they scour the books for weeks they've put aside. Do they pull from collective Sunterra rental inventory (you know Sunterra has to rent some Club inventory to balance the cash books for people who use SunOptions to pay MFs, buy miles, or buy plane tickets), or do they get inventory held by the resorts or unsold units/sales department?