WPORV Slide Show

This is a pretty random selection of picture that I took at the WPORV last week.

Brief impressions - the resort is much larger than the WKORV, but with lots of open space, it doesn't feel crowded at all. The landscape is young and still being planted, but it's going to be beautiful. Starwood is attempting to make this much more of a "destination resort" than the Maui resorts. From the landscape choices, it looks like they are trying to down-play/eliminate the "view issue." As you can see in many of the pictures, there has been no attempt to preserve views by trimming the shubbery between the property and the ocean, even when it's obviously possible. My guess is that in this location Starwood has decided to make all things equal by eliminating the ocean view issue. That makes sense, because only a fraction of the units will have a meaningful ocean view.

Would I buy here? - No!
Would I exchange my Maui unit to stay here - No!
Would I make a II exchange with my SDO unit to stay here? - In a heart beat!

YMMV!

Click on the picture to start the slide show!

Pictures look great!

Great photos, Denise ! Wow!

So do you recommend this resort for young children, ages 6 & 9? The pools look lovely!

Denise L said:

Great photos, Denise ! Wow!

So do you recommend this resort for young children, ages 6 & 9? The pools look lovely!

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Hi Denise - the pools are much larger and more elaborate than WKORV and the children's pool looks great. I think it will be a great family resort - the only draw-back will be the drive to the beach. Also, I think Princeville/Hanalei are a bit more expensive for groceries and dining out with a family. I would probably stock up in Lihue or the Safeway in Kapa'a.

Thanks for the photos.... I really enjoyed looking at them..

We'll be there next Monday so, I can't wait!!!! I love that side of the island...

A few people have asked me about views - Here's the WPORV resort map so you can see the areas pictured below.

As I said in my earlier post, I think Starwood is trying to get people to see WPORV as a destination resort, and down-play the views or lack of. Which is probably a smart move, in light of their screw up with views at WKORV-N.

This is the view from the Bluff Pool between Bldg. F & G - as you can see, the pool is built right next to the property line (white fence) and this is an area where Starwood is allowing the shrubbery to block the ocean view.



This is the view from a lanai on the bottom floor unit of Bldg. G - facing the ocean. I didn't have access to take a photo of the 3rd floor view, but this would be the best first floor view in the resort. You can see the foliage starting to block the view here as well. It looks like, the 3rd floor units at the ends of Bldgs. C, G, & F will have the best views, and they may be high enough to never be blocked by foliage.



BTW - to visit the resort, take the main Princeville Resorts exit and then take the 2nd right and go all the way to the end.

Thanks, Denise! We will be there one year from today.

Thanks for photos.
No photos of the mountains?

I remember at an owners update in Maui over one year ago,the sales pitch(lies, of course!)for the Princeville property was there they were all ocean views!

DavidnRobin said:

Thanks for photos.
No photos of the mountains?

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The mountains were hiding behind the clouds on that day. This picture was taken from the open grassy area behind the main pool, back towards the lobby, with the mountains/clouds, in the background.

We're here now and having a great time. Many of the units do not have ocean views, but I don't recall them being advertised as such. We're in a unit that's got a great ocean view so no complaints here.

The shrubs definitely block views in some areas. Not sure why they haven't trimmed or if they're even allowed to. The property is very spread out with many smaller, more intimate gathering areas (multiple pools, bbq areas, large lawns, etc...).

As for the much debated beach access issue...There is a public access trail from the front of the property. It is not maintained by Westin (and not really advertised by them as a result), but it is certainly there and ready for the taking. It's a fairly steep trail and wouldn't be great for small children or some older folks, but it's very doable for those of us who like an adventure. I timed it and it was under 8 minutes either direction from trail head to beach (or vice versa) in flip flops. Probably 10-15 minutes from door to beach depending on where one's unit is. The beach down there is a little pebbly in places, but otherwise nice with very few people. I'd say we counted about 12 today.

Thanks for the report! What unit are you in? Can you take some pictures of the trail and beach?

PLEASE write a review!