Trying to understand the resort ratings?

Hi:

I am a newbie and I am trying to compare some resorts. I don't even get the basics on this site. Such as "gold crown" "premium resort" "points"?
Some of the "premium resorts" have a higher score out of 10 then the "gold crown".
I also don't understand the last column Last reviewed (I think) and then has a number of days?
Please if someone can point me towards an existing thread that explains reviews it would be much appreciated. Or explain it here if there is not one.
Thanks
Joanne

The exchange companies, have each have their own rating system.
"Premier Resorts" is Interval's top rating.
"Gold Crown" is RCI's top rating.

Points - Some exchange companies use points for trading - primarily RCI, but there are others. In other words, you deposit your timeshare and it converted to a certain number of points that you use for trading.

The TUG ratings are the Avg. rating by timeshare owners who have visited the resort - they have no direct relationship to the way the exchange companies rate their deposits.

The last column on the TUG chart tells you how old the most recent review is.

The TUG scale is a rating of 1-10 and is based on the following:

10 World class resort with everything included. Should be the best resort you have ever seen! Most are self-contained vacation destinations. Everything is in perfect order. There should be very few ratings of "10" given.
9 A great resort with everything except a major extra (e.g., golf or skiing being off-site). Beautiful units with fabulous decor. This should be among the 2nd to 4th best resorts you have seen.
8 A good resort with a great location. Still has top quality units and furnishing with on site recreation and activity director. An excellent exchange.
7 Above average resort but missing some extras and charges for the extras they do provide (e.g., tennis, bikes). Units might be a little smaller, not quite as plush but still very nice.
6 This resort is nice but just one step above average. Has planned activities, but units may be older. Does not have many activities or full time director. An ok exchange, but wish it were better.
5 Average resort. Nothing special but OK. Would not go there again.
4 Below average.
3 Below average.
2 Awful. Avoid if possible. Has old furniture, poor service, no extras, poor location, would not trade into again.
1 Awful. Avoid if possible. Has old furniture, poor service, no extras, poor location, would not trade into again.

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I think it's a bit on the high side. If they were letter grades, this is how I would rate them:

10 = A
9 = A-
8 = B
7 = C+/B-
6 = C
5 or lower = D or F - Likely to have major flaws - be very careful and do your research before you go there.

Thank you, that is very helpful

jmdickie said:

Hi:

I am a newbie and I am trying to compare some resorts. I don't even get the basics on this site. Such as "gold crown" "premium resort" "points"?
Some of the "premium resorts" have a higher score out of 10 then the "gold crown".
I also don't understand the last column Last reviewed (I think) and then has a number of days?
Please if someone can point me towards an existing thread that explains reviews it would be much appreciated. Or explain it here if there is not one.
Thanks
Joanne

Click to expand...

There is another good way i use to compare hotels , not only hotels but other things as well , through google maps as there are reviews about the hotel too .

If you want real good, down to earth reviews JOIN TUG for the review section alone.

The review section has proved to be very valuable to me. Not only will it give you a rating but why? There will be many ideas of what things to do in the area and why they liked it, etc.

Some Gold Crowns really arent gold crowns and some lower ratings say a 7.5 is wonderful.
I will give you a couple of examples.
Longboat Bay Club in Florida. 1700 square foot units. No granite counter tops and not fancy at all. Very clean. Gold Crown. Now why would it be rated that high. The balcony overlooks Cranes bay and you walk across the street to the Gulf 17 miles of wonderful beach. Its quiet and no planned activities for children. I did the grandma vacation with grandchildren only and we only got in the car 2x. Once to buy more ice cream and once to check out another beach and buy cheap souveniers.

Banff Gate Mountain Resort. Not GC. Rustic. Clean but nothing about the resort is fancy. Very little planned activiites. Why did I jump on that resort 2 years out. Well, you are smack dab in the middle of the Canadian Rockies. Secluded so you have to watch out for wildlife. Soooo much beauty it will make you cry.

You will learn to look out for the things that are important to you and your family and they will become your Gold Crowns or top choices.

Thanks everyone.
I am pretty excited to have found this site and others. I have found the "reviews" section very helpful already.

jmdickie said:

Thanks everyone.
I am pretty excited to have found this site and others. I have found the "reviews" section very helpful already.

Click to expand...

You are still showing as a guest - if you have joined TUG, this is how you change your status - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92692

Not sure why I am showing as guest? When I follow the instructions and links you have provided. I get a message saying something like "you have already provided your username and password" ?

Our records show that you have already registered under the name of jmdickie. If you have lost your password, click here. If you would like to modify your profile, click here.

The above message is what I get from BBS ?

jmdickie - When I posted that message you were showing as a guest. You are now showing as a member (look under your blue user name) so you are good to go!

Yes, thank you I did finally figure it out. Now I have something new to explore:whoopie: