TimeSharing Today | Sep / Oct , 2024 Page 10
OWNERSHIP & TRAVEL
Maui Wowie ! ( Not the Weed )
Denée and Bryan on the resort beach .
By Bryan Felber Chula Vista , CA
Arrival at last
Wow ! My wife , Denée , and I finally made it to Maui for a real vacation . There ’ s a saying that the third time is a charm , and that was true for us . After two failed attempts , we fortunately succeeded .
The first time , I spent two weeks in the hospital due to kidney failure from an infection caused by a plate in my arm after a severe injury . So , we had to cancel our trip .
In March 2020 , we almost made it , but COVID struck . We had reservations for months , but the Governor urged people not to visit . Even though the resorts encouraged us to come , we were kicked out on the sixth day of a planned 16-day trip .
Securing accommodations This year , we joyfully made it ! As Marriott owners , we ’ ve tried repeatedly to book the Maui Marriott without success . However , we managed to secure a week at the Westin Ocean Villas North and a week at Westin Ocean Villas South . The resorts are located next door to the other .
It was a fantastic two weeks . We exchanged our one-bedroom and lock-off units from our Marriott Desert Springs II , a deeded weeks exchange that worked greatly in our favor — having heard it might have been due to the Lahaina fire delaying Westin owners from reserving their units .
Resort experience
Both resorts were lovely and met Marriott standards . The rooms were well-equipped , and the furnishings were in good condition . The Villas North generally don ’ t have ocean views , but we could see a sliver of ocean . Villas South was much better , though a couple of palm trees obscured our view . The balconies were fine unless you got one with solid walls instead of railings .
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Our biggest complaint was the charge for beach equipment — a simple folding beach chair that sells for $ 30 to $ 45 was $ 15 per day to rent — we bought three inexpensive chairs from Walmart and left them with the helpful staff when we left .
Live music delights
One of our favorite things was the live music at Villas North , also open to South Villas . Fridays featured a musician from France singing and playing mellow guitar . On Wednesdays a woman played R & B , and on Tuesdays and Thursdays , Max Angel , who grew up on the island and studied Hawaiian culture . He played many great Hawaiian songs , spoke the language , and provided cultural commentary regarding the songs and the island .
Exploring the Island
We managed to do everything we missed in 2020 . We mourn for Lahaina , but fortunately , we saw this