Point at Poipu vs Hanalei Bay Resort

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

I've never been to Kaui. Alaska Air now flies direct from my airport to Kaui and I can trade into either Point at Poipu or Hanalei Bay Resort through GPX. The reviews are great for Point@Poipu and the reviews of Hanalei Bay are pretty bad. Since Hanalei Bay is now in GPR, I am wondering if it has been updated.

I'd like to know what anyone has to say about either location. I've seen recent pics of Point@Poipu and I know I'd love it, but you can't walk to the beach from it and there are hefty additional fees required by Diamond Resorts when exchanging in. If Hanalei Bay has beach walking distance and no extra fees, I might prefer that. Unless, of course, it is a dump.

We would be staying in a 2 bedroom if that makes any difference.

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

I think GPX can get Alii Kai as well.

Those units have already been redone. GP just took over Hanalei Bay so you might need to give them time to work the magic.

Keep in mind you're talking about opposite sides of the island and the weather can be vastly different.

Poipu is in the dry side of the island and you will see nothing but sunny days. It is also much closer to the harbor for boat trips, etc.

Just across the street from Lawai beach resort is an awesome snorkeling reef.

The Princeville area is on the wet side of the island. It's gorgeous but you have to get lucky with the weather. It's also more golf, tennis and older crowd.

I like both and have stayed at Alii Kai and Lawai beach resort. I would stick to the dry side of the island if I went again.

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

I would stay at Hanalei in the summer, Poipu in winter. Bad reviews of Hanalei are probably the 1 bedrooms. Summer is much drier than winter in the north, we had an absolutely spectacular stay in a 2 bedroom in Hanalei a few summers ago and I prefer the area.

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

I think GPX can get Alii Kai as well.

Oh, yes. I forgot about that. I would be interested there, too.

I would stay at Hanalei in the summer, Poipu in winter. Bad reviews of Hanalei are probably the 1 bedrooms. Summer is much drier than winter in the north, we had an absolutely spectacular stay in a 2 bedroom in Hanalei a few summers ago and I prefer the area.

Great info. Thanks.

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

I agree with Glitter. Your choice might depend on the time of year that you want to travel. Note that there is a nice beach just a short walk along the paved path near Point at Poipu. The beach name is Shipwreck Beach, and the path that goes along the cliffs just beyond Shipwreck is beautiful!

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

Oh, yes. I forgot about that. I would be interested there, too.

Great info. Thanks.

I just reread your full OP. There is a beach at Hanalei Bay. It is a bit of a walk down some steepish steps, though I believe there is also a lift. That said, as with most places in Hawaii, you may not want to spend too much time at the beach right there. It's nice for day of travel or a little while during your stay, but there are myriad other beaches/things to do in the area that are more spectacular imho.

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

I just reread your full OP. There is a beach at Hanalei Bay. It is a bit of a walk down some steepish steps, though I believe there is also a lift. That said, as with most places in Hawaii, you may not want to spend too much time at the beach right there. It's nice for day of travel or a little while during your stay, but there are myriad other beaches/things to do in the area that are more spectacular imho.

After my post I did get to thinking that we would probably only use the local beach once or twice. Being that we have never been to Kaui, we would be out and about exploring the island most of the time. We are nature hike and scenery lovers.

We all really want to go back to the big island, but the added airfare X 5 of us traveling kind of ruins that idea.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

No expert here but I think a lot would depend on who's on the trip. We stayed in Kapaa and spent time in both areas. My personal taste would run to the north side which is quieter, less comercial and more serene.

If you have kids or people easily bored with natural beauty, you might want to stay in the poipu area. As mentioned earlier it is closer to the place to take day sails ( one of my favorite events when we were there ) to see the canyon, drive on the beach and see sunset.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

We prefer the south side to the north for the same reasons that people say they like Princeville. We don't really crave quiet. Although, the Point is in a kinda quiet place and Kauai is one of the least commercialized islands in the state. We rented next door at the Makehuena a few years back and that area is a couple of miles from the commercial zone of Poipu. Other fun facts, historically, the Point gives exchangers the worst units in terms of view. You already know about the extra fees. The snorkeling is great at Poipu Beach Park. We've seen seals and turtles (not at the same time) playing around in the water in front of the Lawai Beach Resort. I definitely agree that you should try to sail up the Napali coast if you stay in the south.

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

In GPX, it used to say P@P charged $25./day resort fee. It now says $70./week energy surcharge and $7.50/day for TOT. Does anyone know if they charge for days that you aren't there? Say I check in a day late and leave a day early.... not that it would make or break it.
Powell Place only charged me extra for days that we were there.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

The TOT is a tourist tax so you only pay for the days you're there. I would think the energy surcharge would be the same but I wouldn't put anything past Diamond.

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

In GPX, it used to say P@P charged $25./day resort fee. It now says $70./week energy surcharge and $7.50/day for TOT. Does anyone know if they charge for days that you aren't there? Say I check in a day late and leave a day early.... not that it would make or break it.
Powell Place only charged me extra for days that we were there.

I never wanted to chance it...I'd have faced an exchange fee, and upgrade fee to a 2bd and then the possibly DRI fee and/or the TOT and energy fee. I'd have much rather chose Ali'i Kai...but then again. I like the North. The ideal way to "do" Kauai for a first visit is to split the North and the South or even locate yourself centrally in Kapa'a. Depends on what you are looking for. Swimmable beach, shops, etc? Kauai is a bit sleepy-but stark in natural beauty. That's why I like it. I'm T-60 days to 6 days Oahu and 8 days Kauai. CAN NOT WAIT!!

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

There is a 2 bedroom P@P for the week before my desired travel time on I.I. I'm trying to decide if I should grab it or wait. My desired travel time is fairly large - I think it is a 7 week span.

Also, in II, it says "REQUIRED RESORT CHARGES
REQUIRED SURCHARGES (energy, accommodations/occupancy tax, bed tax or other miscellaneous) ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OCCUPANT AND ARE PAYABLE DIRECTLY TO THE RESORT. Surcharges are subject to change without notice. A USD 25 daily fee may be charged to cover internet access, fitness center access, parking, and local calls. Guests are responsible for payment of a nightly State of Hawaii Transient Occupancy Tax, assessed on all units. Rates may vary and are subject to change without notice"

That is pretty wide open as far as much extra they will charge.

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

There is a 2 bedroom P@P for the week before my desired travel time on I.I. I'm trying to decide if I should grab it or wait. My desired travel time is fairly large - I think it is a 7 week span.

Also, in II, it says "REQUIRED RESORT CHARGES
REQUIRED SURCHARGES (energy, accommodations/occupancy tax, bed tax or other miscellaneous) ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OCCUPANT AND ARE PAYABLE DIRECTLY TO THE RESORT. Surcharges are subject to change without notice. A USD 25 daily fee may be charged to cover internet access, fitness center access, parking, and local calls. Guests are responsible for payment of a nightly State of Hawaii Transient Occupancy Tax, assessed on all units. Rates may vary and are subject to change without notice"

That is pretty wide open as far as much extra they will charge.

Call The Pointe and see if they can provide information on the possible charges as a II exchanger...hopefully you can reach someone knowledgeable. I read over yonder that someone had a DAE exchange to KBC (The DRI property on Maui) and was NOT charged the 25.00 daily fee. He/She surmised that they may have been given a week that was deeded prior to the DRI purchase. I'm paraphrasing..but with that-I'd also call GPX and ask too-because they also don't advertise the 25.00 fee and I beleive DAE and GPX share inventory. You can't escape the TOT. That's state wide BUT if you can avoid the resort fee then it's quite different to use GPX vs II. Kind of like the Manhattan Club fee that you pay with RCI but not with SFX. GPX had quite a few POP units for this summer and I'd expect to see a lot more Hanalei Bay this next year as well. Good luck!