amy241
TUG Member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2017
- Messages
- 450
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- 225
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- Resorts Owned
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HGVC Sanibel Cottages (Affiliate)
Marriott Ko ‘Olina
It really depends on what you're looking for. In the future, I'm hoping to split my stay between the Hilton and the Marriott.
Hilton has the location advantage. You're right in the middle of everything with easy access to dining, cultural activities and entertainment. I've been going to HHV since 2000. I'm also a Lagoon Tower owner as well. Honestly I never found the HHV pools inviting. I did the HHV lagoon and Paradise pool once when my nieces came to HHV in 2014. It's not like the Hilton pools on the Big Island.
Marriott has done an outstanding job from a destination resort perspective. If you're planning to hang out at the resort then this is the one. Beautiful landscaping, enough beach area, pools and hot tubs for the resort size. It could use better onsite dining options. Just stick with the ocean view rooms and avoid the mountain view rooms since there is a good chance you'll get a parking lot view.
Of course, Disney has the features the kids want. I loved Aulani when it first opened. They did a fantastic job with that resort from a Hawaiian theme perspective. It was at 51% occupancy during our initial stay in 2012. It was nice and relaxing. I shared pics on TUG (link). In 2014, I brought the extended family back for my 2nd visit and what a mad house. It was like night and day. My nieces had a great time but they over built and don't have enough space.
If you were to purchase a unit today, knowing what you know, where would it be -- HHV or Marriott Ko Olina? I've been reading about the traffic congestion in Honolulu and I don't recall it being that bad many years ago but it has likely gotten worse since I was last there. I would opt for the Marriott property, if traffic were not so terrible, thinking we could always drive into Waikiki when we wanted, but it really sounds like it is difficult driving through Honolulu. And no one likes to sit in traffic on vacation . . .