What Should I Buy For Fun in the Sun?

[FunInTheSunForever]

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?

Anywhere sunny with warm, clear tropical water and safe for the family.

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?

Use home resort. Interested in buying more than one home resort.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico, Asia Pacific

Note: Concerned about violence in Mexico and would appreciate feedback on this

4) How many people do you usually travel with?

2 adults and 2 children

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?

School schedule

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?

Yes

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?

Yes and often we take 2 week vacations at a time several times a year

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?

4-5 star

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?

Any amount

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?

Not an issue

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?

Yes

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?

Yes

 

[GT75]

Let me responded and hopefully others will add their perspective too. I can only address (familiar with) HGVC, Hilton Grand Vacation Club. It does meet your cost and accommodation level. The biggest negative I see with HGVC is limited number of resorts. Of the resorts which they do have, many are in the same location. Other than that, I think that it is a great system which we really enjoyed. I am not sure where you are located. If you are on the East Coast or Southeastern part of states, then I would suggest looking at Myrtle Beach as your home resort, I would really like to suggest Hilton Head Island but I think that it is still too new for resales yet. You could also look at Florida. If you are near West Coast then there are 3 in southern California to consider, Carlsbad Seaspointe, MarBrisa & Palisades (just be careful because these are GPR affiliates, so ensure the resale week can be enrolled in HGVC).

You would need about 7000 to 8400 points in HGVC system for a typical 2-bedroom. I would suggest, purchasing platinum season. This will be higher buy-in cost but lower MF (maintenance fees)/points ratio over the long run. I am not sure of the age of your children, but even so they will grow.

HGVC has resorts (including affiliates) in all locations which you are interested in except Caribbean. Comparing HGVC, we are probably the weakest on number of locations. But I would say that our strengths are, 1) MFs reasonable, 2) reasonability able to book other resorts within HGVC using club bookings, 3)good quality, 4)resale owners treated well.

We have travel to Los Cabos Mexico the last 4 years in February via HGVC booking an affiliate agreement they have with Fiesta Americana- Los Cabos. It is one of favorite trips of the year. We have always enjoyed this trip and have felt very safe will in Mexico.

 

[Theiggy]

Have you ever been to Aruba? It’s my favorite island in the Caribbean. I’m on the east coast so it’s only a 4 hour direct flight. The island is safe, water is beautiful and lots of things for the kids to do. My kids prefer Aruba to Disney world! We just bought at the Marriott Aruba Surf Club. Great resort with a lazy river. Cheap resale weeks are available and the 2 bedrooms lock off to make 2 weeks or deposit two weeks to trade. I can’t comment on much else bc I’m new to timesharing but thought I’d throw out Aruba as an idea. It’s great for families.


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[RNCollins]

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?

Anywhere sunny with warm, clear tropical water and safe for the family.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico, Asia Pacific

Note: Concerned about violence in Mexico and would appreciate feedback on this

4) How many people do you usually travel with?

2 adults and 2 children

Hi FunInTheSunForever,

You mention that you would like clear tropical water. The Caribbean has very nice beaches. Aruba is more or less out of the hurricane belt.

You don’t mention where you are from or how old your kids are. I would suggest maybe a location with activities for the kids: Myrtle Beach, Daytona Beach, maybe Harborside in the Bahamas (But Harborside MF are very expensive).

Mexico and Orlando/Kissimmee are easy to trade into, so there is no need to buy there.

You might want to consider getting 3 bedrooms if possibble... The kids might want to bring a friend along or a grandparent could join you.

 

[taterhed]

You, my friend are the 'easy' kind of recommendation.

Here's my suggestion:

• Buy a Marriott Grande Vista MGR. That's MGR (Florida Club) not MGV (non-club).
• Get a 3br Platinum annual use.
• Lock-off the unit every year. Give's you two vacations plus the plethora of Accommodation Certificates
• Join Interval International and learn how to really, successfully use the on-going exchange and instant-exchange.

A Marriott Grande Vista 3br will give you access with priority over non-Marriott owners, to properties in Interval.

• Aruba
• St Kitts
• Maui
• Kauai
• Oahu
• Thailand
• France

Resale cost of 1 unit (3br Florida Club) is under $9k, annual MF's about $1700
You need to factor exchange costs and upgrade costs (studio side) but you don't sound concerned about $200-300 week, max, in extra costs.

If you feel you need more than that, consider buying another Marriott week in a location you really want to vacation at every year: Maybe a US beach location (Florida) or California or Hawaii (only to use, not to trade). Also, consider buying an 'every other year' Marriott week in a location that you really will use every other year (again, Hawaii or ???)

When you join Interval, get Platinum. This will give you access to shortstays; exchange for up to 6 days and get 2x exchanges out of one week.

Is all this easy, no. Is it possible? Yes. Trading is rewarding, but takes time, knowledge and energy.

Buy the same thing in points (MVC destination points) you'd be looking at $35K plus (resale) for just one week--depending how and when you used the points..

That's my thoughts. Lot's of info there.....

 

[Theiggy]

You, my friend are the 'easy' kind of recommendation.

Here's my suggestion:

• Buy a Marriott Grande Vista MGR. That's MGR (Florida Club) not MGV (non-club).
• Get a 3br Platinum annual use.
• Lock-off the unit every year. Give's you two vacations plus the plethora of Accommodation Certificates
• Join Interval International and learn how to really, successfully use the on-going exchange and instant-exchange.

A Marriott Grande Vista 3br will give you access with priority over non-Marriott owners, to properties in Interval.

• Aruba
• St Kitts
• Maui
• Kauai
• Oahu
• Thailand
• France

Resale cost of 1 unit (3br Florida Club) is under $9k, annual MF's about $1700
You need to factor exchange costs and upgrade costs (studio side) but you don't sound concerned about $200-300 week, max, in extra costs.

If you feel you need more than that, consider buying another Marriott week in a location you really want to vacation at every year: Maybe a US beach location (Florida) or California or Hawaii (only to use, not to trade). Also, consider buying an 'every other year' Marriott week in a location that you really will use every other year (again, Hawaii or ???)

When you join Interval, get Platinum. This will give you access to shortstays; exchange for up to 6 days and get 2x exchanges out of one week.

Is all this easy, no. Is it possible? Yes. Trading is rewarding, but takes time, knowledge and energy.

Buy the same thing in points (MVC destination points) you'd be looking at $35K plus (resale) for just one week--depending how and when you used the points..

That's my thoughts. Lot's of info there.....

Why Florida Club?


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[taterhed]

Florida club would allow you to complete a reservation at the other Marriott properties in the FC (notably beach properties) at 6 mos. Since you're looking for blue waters, it would enable another option for a beach week.

Not a requirement, but a thought. The faq for Florida Club is here: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156392

 

[Theiggy]

Florida club would allow you to complete a reservation at the other Marriott properties in the FC (notably beach properties) at 6 mos. Since you're looking for blue waters, it would enable another option for a beach week.

Not a requirement, but a thought. The faq for Florida Club is here: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156392

Thanks for the info


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[Theiggy]

Thanks for the info


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Also what does the 3br lock off to? A 2br and studio? (Sorry to hijack this post)


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[taterhed]

3br MGR/MGV is 2br plus studio. Yes.
Grande Chateau, Lakeshore Reserve and DSV I (I think) have either 2br plus 1br or 1br plus 1br (DSV)

edit: deluxe unit is at the Enclaves....(MR2)