Which to buy Lahaina or Napili?

So I posted a couple days ago that I was thinking about buying an EOY unit in one of the newer towers and folks were kind enough to point out that I could get an annual use unit for the same price if I went outside of Marriott. So now, we are thinking annual unit since EOY's are very hard to find. But my budget is low for this purchase, and I will have to fund it through savings until I can sell my DVC points next year, after our big New Year DVC finale trip. I say that to point out that I can't afford $20K or more to buy an ocean view or ocean front. So, we are looking at island view in Napili or mountain garden in Lahaina towers. I am seeking advice on any differences between the towers, views, problems reserving or anything that I might consider. Here is a brief list of what I think I know from reading posts here:

1. Napili only has IV rooms, and Lahaina MGV. Is that correct?
2. Lahaina would be good as it is close to the big parking lot, which is where we usually end up having to park, but farther away from Whalers and the beach we go where it is sandy and not rocky.
3. Originally wanted Napili because it is closer walking to the beach we like and Whalers, but if we don't find a parking spot in the little lot, we are walking anyway from the big lot. We go out of the resort every day.
4. Lahaina is closer to the ocean than Napili - not sure this matters because we don't use the beach in front of MOC, we walk down a bit. With my view category options, is there any reason why closer is better?
5. Resale prices seem to be more expensive at Napili than Lahaina. Not sure if that is just what is in the market today, or if that is normal. If normal, why?
6. Anyone have experience in the IV or MGV rooms in terms of noise level from the parking garage or road, or any other issues or positives?
7. Finally, I need advice on view since we have never stayed in the new towers. Is one any better than the other?

Other than that, any other advice or experience would be helpful. Thank you!!

If you are not buying ocean front (either tower) or ocean view (Lahaina only), then the choice to me is very clear. Mountain/Garden view in Lahaina is far superior to Island view in Napili, and some Mountain/Garden view units even have some partial view of the ocean.

Thank you BocaBoy - do you have any pics of either one by chance?

I agree with BocaBoy.

We like the Lahaina tower too because you can hear the waves plus there is a nice green area in front of the tower where you can hang out in the shade. Parking is a lot easier too because there is more space.

Here are a few photos of a few Mountain/Garden views on different floors. The same thread shows other views too like of the Napili tower, etc.

http://tugbbs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1927854&postcount=117

The Napili tower has only mountain views but has a much wider beach in front of the tower plus it is closer to the pool bar, Starbucks and the Whaler Village. Some owners prefer that as that has been posted in several threads over the years.

Here are the MOC view categories for the whole resort in Lahaina.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-fDpxt2c/0/O/i-fDpxt2c.jpg

Thank you Emmy - those were great pics from the parking lot. I also went to the original thread and saw the pics from an actual balcony on the 10th floor, very impressive for that view category!

One of the things these pics pointed out is the building next door. I believe that is newer, and I didn't know it was there. I think its fine that it is thee, but I couldn't remember what was there so my curiosity was getting the best of me. Now I know.

Thanks again!

5infam said:

Thank you Emmy - those were great pics from the parking lot. I also went to the original thread and saw the pics from an actual balcony on the 10th floor, very impressive for that view category!

One of the things these pics pointed out is the building next door. I believe that is newer, and I didn't know it was there. I think its fine that it is thee, but I couldn't remember what was there so my curiosity was getting the best of me. Now I know.

Thanks again!

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The building next to Lahaina Tower is the new Hyatt timeshare. It opened less than two years ago.

I agree with Emmy and BocaBoy. We stayed in a Mtn/Gdn view in the Lahaina Tower and enjoyed the view. I would definitely opt for that over island view if I could afford the upfront difference. MFs are the same.

Good luck.

Mike

mjm1 said:

I agree with Emmy and BocaBoy. We stayed in a Mtn/Gdn view in the Lahaina Tower and enjoyed the view. I would definitely opt for that over island view if I could afford the upfront difference. MFs are the same.

Good luck.

Mike

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Thanks Mike - Interesting enough, the annual MGV units out for sale right now are listed as being less expensive than the Island view units in Napili. Not sure why that is. Which is why I was asking if Napili is a better tower for some reason than Lahaina, just based on price.

Others will have to chime in here, but there are 2 lines of Gardenview rooms on the South side. The **11 line is GV only up to the 6th floor (these are the rooms next to the OF rooms on the South side) and the **13 line, which are the corner rooms in the side/back. The corner rooms are GV all the way up to the tenth floor. The 11 line are dedicated 2 BR's and the 13 line are lock-offs. There are also 5 lock-off GV rooms on the N side (up to the third floor, facing the pool).

I don't know if GV is sold as either dedicated 2BR's and lock-offs, or are they all sold as lock-offs and it depends on what you're able to reserve at time of reservation?

We're looking forward to going for the first time on an exchange I managed to nab . Good luck with your purchase!

We own an ocean front week in these towers. It doesn't seem that you can actually buy into one of the two (Napili/Lahaina) unless you are buying a fixed week. You can end up in either of them. (And we have) We prefer the Napili tower because it's quieter, but have no problems with the other tower. Same thing with the older units. You may buy a unit that is technically in one of the towers (Moloka, Lanai, etc) but you can end up in any of them that satisfies the view. Ownership of the week only guarantees a reservation in the season, and view that is purchased, but not location, unless it is a fixed week.

m61376 said:

Others will have to chime in here, but there are 2 lines of Gardenview rooms on the South side. The **11 line is GV only up to the 6th floor (these are the rooms next to the OF rooms on the South side) and the **13 line, which are the corner rooms in the side/back. The corner rooms are GV all the way up to the tenth floor. The 11 line are dedicated 2 BR's and the 13 line are lock-offs. There are also 5 lock-off GV rooms on the N side (up to the third floor, facing the pool).

I don't know if GV is sold as either dedicated 2BR's and lock-offs, or are they all sold as lock-offs and it depends on what you're able to reserve at time of reservation?

We're looking forward to going for the first time on an exchange I managed to nab . Good luck with your purchase!

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Thank you for bringing up the lock-off issue. When I spoke to a Marriott sales rep, I was told that the deeds don't necessarily specify lock-off. One has to be available at the time of booking. If it is, then you can lock it off. If not, then you can't. Not sure if anyone who owns in these towers knows for sure?

I also saw the 5 units on the north side. Room location is always a crap shoot no matter how far in advance you make your request. I imagine those rooms would be a bit noisy because of parking lot traffic and the pool and walkway there, but we usually get a room by the slide at the main pool when we go, so we are used to some noise.

Congrats on your exchange!!!

drlee said:

We own an ocean front week in these towers. It doesn't seem that you can actually buy into one of the two (Napili/Lahaina) unless you are buying a fixed week. You can end up in either of them. (And we have) We prefer the Napili tower because it's quieter, but have no problems with the other tower. Same thing with the older units. You may buy a unit that is technically in one of the towers (Moloka, Lanai, etc) but you can end up in any of them that satisfies the view. Ownership of the week only guarantees a reservation in the season, and view that is purchased, but not location, unless it is a fixed week.

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I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the reason you can be placed in either tower is only because you have Ocean Front. OF is the only view category that both towers have. Lahaina has MGV, Napili has IV. Only Lahaina has OV, both have OF. So that is why I am asking about which tower may be better and why people think so. In my case, we can only afford IV in Napili or MGV in Lahaina. It would be a lot easier for me if they were interchangeable.

Thanks for your other input about Napili being quieter. That was always my guess, but I wasn't sure. It probably matters too where your room assignment is I am guessing.

Lock-off rooms

Regarding the question about lock off rooms. If you have Lahaina 2 bedroom ocean view, not all of the rooms lock off. The non lock off rooms face east toward Lahaina. When you are making the reservation on the Marriott system you can choose 2 bedroom or 2 bedroom lock off. Only problem is the confirmation doesn't specifically say that it is a lock off. I got put in the non lock off rooms it wasn't bad it is nice to have a second door when you have non- immediate family guests.

We prefer Lahaina vs. Napili, but not by much. Since we are OF, take that into consideration.

We prefer Lahaina because:
Closer to the cabana we prefer
Easy access to parking, which has more blue placqard options
Closer to most items we use within resort

Remember, rooms preferences are more likely honored the earlier you make your reservation, so reserving 12+ and 13+ months out will help maximize your IV or MGV location.

Check out all the pictures in the link below in case that helps...

Personally, the fact that about half (or close to that) of the GV rooms have at least a partial ocean view would be the deciding factor for me.

GaryDouglas said:

We prefer Lahaina vs. Napili, but not by much. Since we are OF, take that into consideration.

We prefer Lahaina because:
Closer to the cabana we prefer
Easy access to parking, which has more blue placqard options
Closer to most items we use within resort

Remember, rooms preferences are more likely honored the earlier you make your reservation, so reserving 12+ and 13+ months out will help maximize your IV or MGV location.

Check out all the pictures in the link below in case that helps...

Click to expand...

Thank you Gary - those are tremendous pictures! Makes me wish I was back in Maui right now. Looking at what was there before the Hyatt, and now after, is certainly a difference. I would have been pretty bummed if I bought and didn't know they were building that tower there. There is still some good potential for ocean views on the balcony of the MGV villas, but I am guessing it was nicer before that tower went up. Good reason to own OF if you can do it - no one is building anything in your way.

I was really leaning toward Napili towers, but for the same money or a bit less, I could buy at Lahaina and have the possibility of getting some ocean views. Basically what m61376 said, and others, is helping me make my decision.

Now I have to figure out how much I want to pay, and then find the seller. I did look at the ROFR website, which says a Lahaina MGV should go for at least $12,700 to pass ROFR. In talking to a resale agent, he was telling me that there should be more inventory coming up in the next 60 days, as people decide they don't want to pay maintenance fees. Thus there may be people looking to sell for less. Any thoughts on that strategy and/or the ROFR target?