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Just like Timeshare Tip #4, which focuses on the differences in the types of view available at resorts, it’s important to do your research on pools and beaches at resorts you are considering visiting. There can be some significant variation between what different resorts offer, and it’s never a good idea to presume what the situation is.
Take the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas: This is a truly beautiful resort set on the north coast of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, but it has no beach – not something you may expect of a resort in Hawaii. The resort is set atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and, while there is a path down to a nearby bay, the ocean is hardly close by. This model of the resort shows exactly what we mean:
This isn’t something you would necessarily know without doing a little bit of research first but, if you want a beach resort on Kauai, then Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club would be our recommendation. We can also use Marriott’s Waiohai Beach club to illustrate our thoughts about pools. Whilst Waiohai has a really great location on Poipu beach, if you’re a ‘pool person’ you may be disappointed by the offering here. The pool at Waiohai is quite small and there aren’t that many sun loungers around it.
The Pool At Marriott’s Waiohai Beach ClubThe most impressive pool on Kauai is probably the one found at Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club on the east coast of the island so, if you plan on spending your time around the pool, that’s probably where you should rent.
The Pool At Marriott’s Kauai Beach ClubA similar comparison can be made with Marriott’s resorts in Aruba. While the Surf Club has a very impressive pool with a fantastic lazy river, the next-door Ocean Club has a considerably smaller (and often considerably quieter) offering. A family with children will almost certainly prefer the pool at the Surf Club while a couple or a group without smaller children will probably find the Ocean Club more to their liking.
The Giant Lazy River & Pool At Marriott’s Aruba Surf ClubIn summary: Just because a resort is classified as a “resort” doesn’t guarantee that it will have a big pool and just because a resort is near the ocean doesn’t guarantee that it will have a beach (or even easy access to a beach). Don’t assume anything, do your research before you book and you won’t be disappointed when you arrive.
You can find more photos of all of the resorts mentioned in this Timeshare Tip on our Facebook Page.
