mkonly

OK, I've been submitted for a Starwood timeshare promo referral, so I am currently waiting for the call from them. Of course, I can't be sure until they call me whether they'll have availability in Maui or Kauai for the dates I will be travelling (I tried calling their 1-800 number and asking about available dates, but they wouldn't talk to me until I "had an offer"). I'm also going to research the Marriott timeshare deals and see if that is something I want to pursue. I'm still considering my other options in case these deals don't work out for the dates I need. My flights allow me to stay in Hawaii from 5/21/07 - 5/31/07 (10 nights) , which I'd like to split into 5 nights each at a resort on Maui and Kauai. It doesn't matter which one I go to first. On Hotwire, I see a 4* hotel on Kaanapali Beach (Sheraton??) for $239 for 5/26 - 5/31. That doesn't sound too bad. For my other possible dates (5/21 - 5/26), it comes up as $312, so I'm thinking going to Kauai first may be a good idea, then Hotwire the Sheraton on Kaanapali for the 2nd half of my trip. For Kauai, is it a pretty good bet (based on wins you've seen recently - I know there's no guarantees) that a Resort bid on PL would yield either the Sheraton, Marriott, or Hyatt (these are the three "Resorts" listed on Priceline non-opaque)? Any ideas on a bidding strategy for 5/21 - 5/26? PL non-opaque lists the Sheraton for $239, Marriott for $269, and Hyatt for $560. Hotwire lists: -4.5* hotel in Princeville for $443 (Resort, Beachfront, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby) -4* hotel in 4-star hotel in Lihue - Kapaa for $195 (Beachfront, Pool(s), Spa) -3.5* hotel in Lihue - Kapaa for $132 (Beachfront, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Laundry Facilities, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby) -3.5* hotel in Poipu for $229 (Resort, Beachfront, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby) Any ideas what hotels these are? Thanks again for all your help. This site is an amazing resource, especially for us first-time Hawaii travellers who are on a budget!

Lonestar, Do you have any more info on the Marriott version of this deal? I'm trying to arrange something in Kauai and Maui for my honeymoon in May. Thanks.

m3hagedorn, Did you end up bidding on Hotwire? What did you end up with? I'm thinking about trying HW for 5/26/06 - 5/21/06 for Kaanapali 4* hotel for $239

Thanks for the response thereuare. I'd be happier with one of the other resorts, but I understand how it works and that I could get The Whaler. I think I'd still like to bid, Kaanapali Beach area, 5/21 - 5/26. Max of $200/night. Thanks!

Lonestar - could you elaborate a little more on this? I wasn't able to find the threads you were referring to on the flyertalk site.Thanks!

Hello, I am considering bidding on a hotel through Priceline for my honeymoon. I'd like to spend approx 5-6 nights of my trip in Maui (Kaanapali Beach area) and the remainder of the time on Kauai. I'd like to stay in a "Resort" class hotel on both islands. I've read some posts about people who bid on a resort for the Kaanapali beach area and were disappointed when they won The Whaler (a lower-end condo complex), but I have also noted other posts from people who have won the Hyatt, Sheraton, or Westin. I emailed Priceline Customer Service about whether they still consider The Whaler a Resort on their Name Your Own Price site and (no surprise) they wouldn't tell me. I've also read posts from people who say that when they complained to Priceline about this after they won The Whaler, PL offered them a refund and admitted that The Whaler shouldn't have been offered as a Resort. I still see it on their non-opaque site classified as a Resort, however. I am looking for bidding assistance (price and strategy) for both Maui and Kauai (5-6 nights each) for the dates range listed above. Also, any tips/suggestions on which areas to stay in Kauai would be appreciated. We like beach areas, but also like relatively easy access to parks/excursions/etc. Also, is there any advantage/disadvantage to bidding on a car together with a hotel through Priceline? Should it be done seperately? Should I try to split my 5-6 nights on Maui for a better chance at a nicer hotel? Thanks!!