Giving Westin Desert Villas, Palm Desert

[BJRSanDiego]

With Covid we've been juggling exchanges, deposits, expiring units, etc. A longer-term request "hit" and we are once-again in a re-juggling mode.

So, we had mid January reservation at Westin Desert Willow (Palm Desert) that ended up in conflict/overlap with a DSV1 unit. So we offered it (the reservation) to a close relative. 2 hours later they called us. (Very good sign). They were delighted and told us a bunch of their plans to use that week. Wahoo! That tells me that they aren't likely to back out.

[redacted] So, we were really frugal and developed some "street smarts". Our mantra was "Use it up, make it do, wear it out, or do without). My Mom, RIP, saved Wonderbread wrappers to use to wrap my school lunches. We really didn't at the time have a lot to spare money-wise. But today, we aren't so financially restricted, but the DNA still persists. SO - - when I have a reserved week and cannot use it, it puts a knot in my stomach thinking that it might go to waste. I don't mind NOT using it myself, but I don't want to see it go to waste. This idea is THOUROUGHLY engrained in my DNA. Give it away, but don't throw it away. So, I offered it to my SIL and her husband. And they JUMPED at the offer. THAT made my day! It doesn't matter much that I can't use the reservation but it make me feel good that people that I love will enjoy it.

How do you fellow tuggers address things like this?

 

[dioxide45]

I think you are referring to The Westin Desert Willow in Palm Desert? If you are giving it away, it should be easy enough. No ROFR there that I know of. Reach out to LTTransfers to get the party started. https://www.lttransfers.com/

 

[controller1]

I think you are referring to The Westin Desert Willow in Palm Desert? If you are giving it away, it should be easy enough. No ROFR there that I know of. Reach out to LTTransfers to get the party started. https://www.lttransfers.com/

IMO, OP is talking about giving away the previously reserved week when unable to use it, not giving away the ownership.

 

[dioxide45]

IMO, OP is talking about giving away the previously reserved week when unable to use it, not giving away the ownership.

Oh, I see it now. It misunderstood. If the OP offered it up to them for free, then let them have it for free. If they want to work out some arrangement for payment of MFs or partial payment, then so be it.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Oh, I see it now. It misunderstood. If the OP offered it up to them for free, then let them have it for free. If they want to work out some arrangement for payment of MFs or partial payment, then so be it.

They offered to pay me my sunk cost. But I had offered it to them gratis. I felt better giving it away than recouping my sunk cost.

But in retrospect, I should probably have asked some low amount like $100 just so that they have some "skin in the game." A few times before I have given away expensive concert tickets to an event only to find that the person ultimately never used them. I found the same thing regarding no skin in the game when organizing a (free) company Christmas party for a couple hundred people. People would RSVP that they were coming but ultimately never showed up. They didn't have "skin in the game". I think that the no-show rate was 30-40%. Then we started charging something like $10 per person. (Incidentally, we used the $ for raffle presents). But the no-show rated dropped to essentially zero.

 

[dioxide45]

They offered to pay me my sunk cost. But I had offered it to them gratis. I felt better giving it away than recouping my sunk cost.

But in retrospect, I should probably have asked some low amount like $100 just so that they have some "skin in the game." A few times before I have given away expensive concert tickets to an event only to find that the person ultimately never used them. I found the same thing regarding no skin in the game when organizing a (free) company Christmas party for a couple hundred people. People would RSVP that they were coming but ultimately never showed up. They didn't have "skin in the game". I think that the no-show rate was 30-40%. Then we started charging something like $10 per person. (Incidentally, we used the $ for raffle presents). But the no-show rated dropped to essentially zero.

I would agree. Charging something would be better, but if they don't use it I guess you aren't out anything more than you were before. THough it feels better knowing something went to someone who used it vs someone who wasted it.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

An update. My SIL and her husband DID use the unit in January and thoroughly enjoyed it. It also gave them the opportunity for my SIL to visit with her mother and father last month. Her father passed today, so it was good that she could see him that one last time. (Today is a very sad day for my wife and myself). But it makes me pleased that they used the unit, they really enjoyed themselves and were able to visit with my FIL.

My SIL's husband had a great time golfing on the Westin course, which he praised as one of the best courses he had ever played.

I have since booked a 2 BR Desert Willow unit for the end of this year. We're looking forward to it.

 

[Bill4728]

Sorry for your loss.

Re WDW I thought it was a nicer resort than DSV so why give it up to go to DSV?

 

[VacationForever]

Sorry for your loss.

Re WDW I thought it was a nicer resort than DSV so why give it up to go to DSV?

Depending on who you ask. Westin Desert Willow rooms are super tiny. We much prefer DSV.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Depending on who you ask. Westin Desert Willow rooms are super tiny. We much prefer DSV.

My SIL and hubby got a 1 BR deluxe. According to Westin's website, it was 820 square feet, which seems to be similar to DSV2 1BR. But it felt smaller. The Living Room, dining room and kitchen seemed smaller than at DSV2.

The regular 1 BR unit is only 600 s.f. - - perhaps the people thinking that the rooms are "super" tiny were in the regular 1 BR (l.o.) unit?

 

[VacationForever]

My SIL and hubby got a 1 BR deluxe. According to Westin's website, it was 820 square feet, which seems to be similar to DSV2 1BR. But it felt smaller. The Living Room, dining room and kitchen seemed smaller than at DSV2.

We have stayed at Westin Desert Willow, Mission Hills, DSV 1 and 2 and by far, WDW (premium/large) is the smallest of all 4 properties. It is as though they took Westin Kierland floor plan and took off 30% of the depth of the room, i.e. from door to balcony door.

Moreover, kitchens in Westin properties are not as well-stocked as Marriott properties.