You’re worried about Marriott Kauai and we hear you. What this means for hotel guests and timeshare owners?
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You’re worried about Marriott Kauai and we hear you. What this means for hotel guests and timeshare owners?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Just yesterday I canceled Kauai Marriott Beach Club for Maui Ocean Club in April. I’m sad that this beautiful resort we own may never be a viable option for us again. We have had No communication from Board of Directors. It’s unacceptable.
More than that we have friends who worked for Marriott there and we are so sad that this is happening to them.
BEV F…
Why do you say that – the only part affected is the hotel. I posted twice yesterday about the reality of the situation and can’t wait to see the renovations end of 2021 when we come back in January 2022. (We’ll be there for three weeks in July/August 2020 as well.)
As a follow up to my comment… I did email the usually on-site Owner Relations Manager who normally responds within a day or two as we know each other personally. Granted, she might be on holiday vacation but I have yet to hear from her. KBC owners – we were the second owners to purchase and have owned there since June 1995 – have heard nothing from Marriott Vacation Club International which is the management of the timeshare units. If we don’t hear anything by the first of the year, I’m going to contact “Executive Complaints” at MVCI. Also, having been on the Board of Directors for one of the MVCI properties (Canyon Villas), I also have a personal connection with the MVCI Vice President who was on the Board during my tenure. I’ll certainly post the minute I hear anything!
Hi Barbara.
Thanks for helping!
Aloha.
Thank you Beat of Hawaii and Barbara M. We ended up staying at another resort on Kauai in October and went over to the Kauai Beach Club to try and speak with someone but no one had any answers. The only employees visible were security, front desk check in and Kauai Beach Club check in. Look forward to hearing your update as I’m curious how the common areas will also be handled between Sonesta hotel and Marriott timeshares.
Hi Lee.
Thanks. We will definitely update this story as we learn more.
Aloha.
LEE T…
The employees you usually see on the property are all Marriott Hotel employees. We get used to seeing them as “our” staff (i.e., KBC owners) but the only KBC staff are the ones in Owner Relations – everyone else is Marriott Hotel staff and the “hotel” was closed as far as I know. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out!
Thanks Barbara M. The Marriott employees were like visiting family every time we came back to stay. It was convenient having the service of a bellman take your luggage and groceries to the room and valet service since the parking lot is so far from the entrance. We had a huge increase in maintenance fees for next year. Please encourage MVCI to be more transparent with what access owners will have to the common areas and since you mentioned Sonesta is improving the pool and public areas, are owners having to share in the costs for this upgrade too?
I loved going to the Kauai Lagoons and playing golf there! It seems that The Timbers has had a negative effect on this Marriott!
I wonder what are the options for timeshare owners?
LINDA…
Timbers is viewed by the Marriott KBC owners as a pathetic attempt at misusing that “top of the hill” geography and certainly has not had any effect, none the less “negative” effect on the Marriott property. There is no competition. There is no similarity. There is no beach at Timbers!
Thanks
Thanks for the heads up regarding the Kauai Marriott. Any information on the Maui Marriott Ocean Club on Kaanapalii Beach?
Hi Jon.
That property is unrelated in terms of ownership and would not be impacted.
Aloha.
All, I suggest first considering the fact hotel owners pay hoteliers to run their hotels, not the other way around. This sounds like a minimum revenue guarantee built in to the contact that no one ever really considered being called to the table. I’m guessing SVC is using this clause to leverage changes that will benefit SVC during this unprecedented time that has devastated the travel industry. Also, should recognize MVWC, who owns and manages Timeshare properties is a totally separate publicly traded company.
My husband and I are timeshare owners at the Kauai Beach Club and this was the first I heard of any issues. I called Marriott and they said it’s the hotel not the timeshares that are affected. They further stated this was information from a blog and it may have false information. I quickly informed them the information I read on the blog was backed up by a news release on SVC’s website, so the information has been verified.
Thank you BOH for all the timely and accurate information on travel to our favorite place. I’ve told my family, friends, and co-workers this is the place to go to get up to date information on Hawaii travel.
Hi Lori.
Thanks. You aren’t the first one to report that Marriott has denied that this is happening.
Aloha.
Wow Marriott better come through for timeshare owners. Too bad to see this as this property is my favorite place to go.
I have a timeshare reservation for the Kauai Marriott Beach Resort in March 2021. I contacted Marriott and they knew nothing about this. They said it’s fake news. Is there another source that I can use to verify thus is true?
Hotel business being pretty well crushed everywhere. Iconic Palmer House in Chicago, Roosevelt Hotel in NYC both closing for good. I would expect more marginal hotels in HI to close but this one look more of just the owner firing the management company and taking over with their own partially owned management company. Sonestas are not bad but it’s not as well known as Marriott. Part of the problem that HI government does not seem to understand is that a most people need 3-6 months to plan a vacation (get time off, etc.) and they need a predicable set of hoops to jump to be able to plan with certainty. Seems they are about to lose the Xmas holiday period if they can’t not only deliver on a clear set of travel guidelines but advertise them as well. Also a problem is that I’d be expected to keep my kids out of school for two weeks quarantine if we leave New England. A week vacation becomes three weeks out of school.
B.o.H. continues to impress on their coverage of the pandemic impacts in HI. Thank you.
Hi Greg.
Thanks! Yes we saw both of those big-city hotel closures. There is a lot more that is going to change sadly.
Aloha.
These politicians need to prioritize on the survivability of Hawaii’s economy. Shuttering tourism is an economic bomb that ultimately will hurt everyone on the island, if it continues to explode. Hawaii has such an enviable economy. Tourists spray a $1000 a day when they visit Hawaii. Where do you find that kind of fortune elsewhere in the world?
Stop putting up a political front, institute the guidelines from Dr. Fauci, and start rescuing your state out of financial destruction.
Irene F
I agree with most of your comments except following Dr. Fauci guidelines. Dr. Fauci’s lies and incompetence is the root of all this mass confusion. That’s why people are revolting!
@Lou. Please know Fauci is a scientist and scientists’ views change due to observations and measurements. This seemly flip-flopping is natural in science and can sometimes be misread of as lying. Now, sometimes politics and policies (or a manipulative leader hounding you to tell lies) do get in the mix and scientists wander away from their path and do lie, but hey, I rather have a lying scientist than a lying politician any day because scientist like Fauci have a compass to follow, namely science; but, lying politicians have been permanently corrupted by power and rarely have moral compasses strong enough to fall back on. Follow the Fauci – as this man is back on the path.
Great article on the situation regarding time shares on hawaii
Hi Stephen.
Thanks.
Aloha.
No one to blame it on but locals that detest Haole. Let them grow rice in the pools and pineapple in the flower beds.
John E.,
Apparently you don’t know much about Hawaii. First of all, we don’t grow rice here. Second, not all locals hate haoles. My son is born and raised on Kauai. He is Haole, I don’t know anyone whom “Detests” he or I.
We have been to the Island twice a year for over 10 years. The people have always treated me and my family well and I have made many friends there. So we have never had that vibe on Kauai.
Merry Christmas
If you are considering purchasing a condo, be forwarded that many condos are on the market, many with astronomical HOA dues/maintenance dues and possibly land lease fees. The land lease fees are not reported on the MLS sheets but the agents can advise you on land lease vs simple. The owners either were probably renting these to tourist…, or are getting older and don’t/can’t use them and the expense keeps going up. Houses are multimillions or rundown and need lots of work. Licensed contractors are few and if you are considering an unlicensed laborer, check for references and be supervisor. Terrible times for everyone, (especially those still working and trying to survive) that keep continuing with no end in sight. Blessings being sent to everyone. Try to stay safe, take your B vitamins to try to cope better and get counseling, if necessary… which we all need, as sometimes we can’t can’t see all our options. Retired RN
Thank you
Sad news about New Otani. I had a wonderful stay there my last time in Waikiki.
Thanks so much for your excellent reporting!
Hi Elizabeth.
Thank you. We’ve both stayed there and enjoyed it as well.
Aloha.
My love for Hawaii and Kauai began in 1966 at the Kauai Surf. Heaven. Returned 3 times, last visit 2015 with my grown children. We will return. My soul yearns for Kauai and its people.
Does anyone know if this will affect Marriott resorts in Maui?
Unfortunately I must agree with Lou B…..this is just the beginning and the people of Hawaii (and the rest of the world) need to brace themselves for the after effects of this pandemic shutdown. Eventually all the unemployment checks, stimulus checks and the ban on evictions are going to end and what comes next will not be pretty. Massive unemployment, massive evictions which will lead to large increases in the homeless population, drug overdoses and suicides. What was a bad situation for the entire world was made even worse in Hawaii when the Governor and Mayors decided to have this constant tug of war over how and when (or if ) to reopen with zero regard for the lasting consequences of their indecision. For the people who own time shares at the Marriott and all the others on the islands, I wish you much luck but I have a feeling that the “owners” may be in for a very rude awakening. I have never heard of what happens to those owners should the resort default, be sold or close completely, but I cannot imagine they would get any of their money back and I foresee a long legal battle ahead for them.
Sheryl, Unfortunately I totally agree with you and said what you stated in the beginning of you comment 6 months ago. I am seeing our town slowly being slaughtered and the worst is yet to come. Wish I had a more promising outlook. Guess all we can do at this time is to try and help our neighbors build a close nit community to help those in need as much as we can in addition to a lot of praying.
Great article and update; hadn’t heard about this until now. Stayed at the Kauai Marriott during part of our Kauai trip a few years ago and enjoyed it. All the best to BOH and everyone as we work to get through these crazy times. Stay healthy.
Hi Todd.
Thanks for your comment.
Aloha.
I love this property, statuary included. I visited here when it was a Westin and remember the wildlife and multiple golf courses. I also was fortunate to stay in a corner ocean front suite in 1996, right after the Marriott acquisition. I have been back several times over the years and bought my timeshare there in 1996. It breaks my heart that Marriott will no longer be a part of this special place. I’ll be using my timeshare there in May 2021 and I’m not looking forward to all these changes. I hate that my possible last trip here will be spoiled by this. This pandemic has changed so many things and ruined so many lives.
Dear BOH, Thank you for all your helpful information. We have been time share owners at Kauai Beach Club since they started in 1995 and also at Kauai Lagoons (I don’t know how that is affected). We have gone there every year from PA for 2 to 4 weeks and will miss it if we aren’t able to go. We’ve been to all the islands except Lanai, and Kauai is our favorite. I am incredibly sad for all the wonderful people who have worked at all the Marriott resorts that will be closed, I hope they get good jobs elsewhere.
Mahalo to you both !
Hi Kitty.
We don’t know if employees will be rehired by the new management company. Thanks.
Aloha.
we stayed there when it was the Kauai Surf…..so many movies used the area..especially Donovan’s Reef with John Wayne….Lee Marvin jumps ship & swims into the lagoon to be greeted by the islanders….so many wonderful memories of our trips to Kauai over 40+ years…..such lovely people….
Thank you
Hello, i have a reservation at Kauai Marriott coming up, Nov 5th, is my reservation still secured?
I opened the Westin Kauai in 1987 and started my Hawaii Resort Sales career at this resort. May God bless all those hotel employees waiting to get back to work.
We love Maui and have a vacation ownership with Westin Names Ocean Villas. This year we were unable to use our vacation time because of the pandemic and can not travel until we have a vaccine and this illness is under control and it is safe to travel
I was there 12.87, rained nine days, a Kona storm some said. Great property, not so great union. The storm, a forewarning perhaps. Dirty Dancing, PPV and percodan Rx helped. Aargh!
I have a reservation at Kauai martiott beach club in May
Would it still be valid?
Even with Hawaii’s “huge” spike (sarcasm) over the Summer, we didn’t have mass casualties or hospital over capacity.
What we had was those who had put off medical procedures during the Spring then used hospital beds in the Summer. And we had deaths at nursing homes. The one place we just had to figure a way to keep Covid out of.
The prevalence of Covid infection percentages per population, in States like CA, is roughly the same as Oahu. 2-3000 infections spread amongst 30 million people, is very similar to 100 infections amongst 1.4 million people. The locals theory that mainlanders are dirty rotten people is just a fallacy based on anti-tourist, anti-anything not from Hawaii mentality.
This is heartbreaking news as the Kauai Marriott has the most amazing staff. Hopefully there is time to work something out to keep the entire property Marriott.
Thanks BOH for keeping us up to date! It was here where I learned flights were being cancelled still. I called and indeed our flight was cancelled 3 days after rebooking the last cancelled flight.
Hi Lee.
Thanks for your comment and nice words. Yes, we both know people who work there as well.
Aloha.
In November,Marriott is letting go a lot of people that were furloughed! Hawaii was too late in structuring their safe reopening plans! Don’t be fooled this is just the beginning. I wish all of those effected to be safe luck finding a new job! I sincerely mean that!
If you are looking to buy a hotel or other properties this is like heaven, for the middle class its bad and its horrible for lower class
Will the Kaimana Beach still be a New Otani property after it reopens? It seems bizarre to close and go through a management change (etc) after tourists return.
Yes, we need to open for tourism but not at the peril of our ohana’s lives. My own personal feelings are the government should be taking care of rent, food and healthcare for those in need. There should be no tourism until a vaccine is found. If not, so many will get sick the island will shut down again with many more local people being sent to emergency rooms. The hospital’s will overflow with sick and diseased. Ige gonna cause an epidemic of nightmare proportions on small islands with no where to escape. Terrific work us government
Yes, public assistance for eternity is the way to go….. typical Hawaiian thinking.
Trying to stop this virus from spreading is like trying to stop the wind from blowing… Won’t happen. People will get sick as that’s what happens in nature. The diseased and elderly must be careful!
Everyone else get back to work and travel and give the elderly their space! Respect the virulence of Corona. Be responsible! It’s all we can do. Financial devastation is not an option!
Push your governor to get things rolling again in our state!!! Enough already! Don’t paralyze the able and strong!
Absolutely Ed! We live until we die! Here’s to a common sense thinker!
We know a lot more about the virus. Just how is the government going to pay for for all your needs? We are not a socialist country.
I have always said that Covid is a Socialist’s dream come true.
“We are not a Socialist Country”. Not yet, but there are many people both in Hawaii and Mainland that would like it to be. Why work hard to earn what you get when the Government can just tax the wealthy and support everyone else? With that attitude, there won’t be any wealthy any more. No more incentive to work and start new businesses. Many will vote for Socialist candidates next month. Be Careful
Exactly.. Those of us who made the decision not to “cruise” through life will be taxed more to support those who didn’t want to work for it.
We’re born equal, doesn’t mean we need to end equal. Hawaii is a perfect example of a society where many just want to get by working as little as possible.
Thanks goodness for all the people who actually apply consequential thinking. Make sure you know all the facts when you go out to vote. Hawaii cannot sustain itself without opening up. People will get sick. It’s a virus, like a bad flu, however, much has been miss reported and
a fear bomb. Fear = Control. Think about the future for our children as we all make this important decision for the direction of the country. God Bless America…including my Hawaiian home!
Who do you think will fund the government for taking care of all your needs while you sit at home until a vaccine is found? Taxpayers of other states whom you do not want?
Kaanapali Beach Hotel definitely picked the right time to do a massive remodel and add a beachfront restaurant. Since they were already going to be disrupted, being able to do it without guests has to be a bit easier.
The picture posted is not that of the Kauai Marriott as stated . This is a picture of the restaurant at the Kauai beach resort ,
I have a reservation at the Kauai Marriott Jan.20-30, 2021 using Marriott points. I wonder if the reservation is in jeopardy.
Make sure the hotel is honoring the points. They usually send emails if points will be honored in the advent of new policies at the property. Good luck. 🍀
This didn’t need to happen.
With decisions come consequences.
Bad decisions = bad consequences.
I hope Governor Ige is happy, because I’m pretty sure that no one else is.
Gotta love a politician that’s leaving office. They tend to leave a trail of bad actions behind.
Mahalo Beat of Hawaii for always having the latest and greatest coverage of Hawaii. You always have our back!
Blessings of Aloha to all.
Hi Pam.
Thanks for so many nice words of personal encouragement. We really appreciate it!
Aloha.
God Bless You Pam. You’re spot on!
This is very concerning we are owners at the resort since 1999. We have not heard anything from Marriott on this. We were reserved there for March 2021.
That’s sad. I had a Great time at the writer’s conference. I was going to go to this year’s when the pandemic canceled 2020.
I hope things work out.
Oh no!!!!!!!! I am so sorry! Unfortunately, there will be uncertainties for many businesses, everywhere in the world! (Hello Rob and Jeff!).
Hi Nadege.
Our best to you!
J/R
We have been timeshare owners at Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club for over 20 years and many of us are very concerned how this will work and how it will affect our maintenance fees. Going to be interesting to see what happens and what changes will be made under new management. Thanks for the information. We now live in Maui and I still enjoy your emails since you always have the most current information.
Hi Sandra.
Thanks very much for adding that insight.
Aloha.