What are your favorite RCI properties? Looking for fun, new locations to explore

[PeakSeason]

Hey guys I’m looking to expand my horizons and check out new RCI properties. I live on the East Coast, but flying to the Pacific Northwest or Caribbean is no problem either.

What are your favorite RCI locations and what’s it like in that area? What are your favorite ways to spend your time there?

My favorites so far, in no particular order, are:

The Quarter House in New Orleans
- love the historic architecture, amazing food, and lively atmosphere

Honorable Mention: La Belle Maison Club Wyndham

Smugglers Notch in Vermont
- love driving around Vermont during early October to see the leaves change colors

Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek in Orlando
- great resort for being close to Disney, fun to hang out at the resort when you’re not feeling another park day

Smugglers Cove Resort in Anna Maria Island
- quintessential, old-Florida beach timeshare on one of the best beaches on the Gulf

Honorable Mention: Umbrella Beach Resort

West 57th Street Hilton in NYC
- great location in Billionaire’s Row just a couple blocks away from Central Park

Honorable Mention: The Central at 5th

 

[jackio]

We enjoyed Hilton District Club in DC and National Harbor in Maryland.

 

[Passepartout]

You might consider flying out to Salt Lake City and driving up to Yellowstone/Grand Teton or south to Zion and the Grand Canyon Nat'l parks There are plenty of RCI TSs, but this locale isn't about fancy eateries and bazillions of people.

 

[PeakSeason]

@jackio

I’m super excited to try out The District next year for July 4th and the 250th celebration. Availability for that week is hopefully coming up soon. National Harbor is on my radar if I can’t find availability. Which location did you prefer for walking around the immediate area?

There’s so much activity in DC that I won’t even bother asking for your favorite things to do but any recommendations on restaurants?

@Passepartout

We’re heading out to Washington state next year in August for whale watching season. I’m going to try to get into Worldmark Discovery Bay so we have the ability to roam around to Oregon or Vancouver throughout the week.

Any recommendations on locations near Yellowstone or Zion and Grand Canyon I should be keeping an eye out for availability? I’ll add it to my search list

 

[Passepartout]

@jackio

Any recommendations on locations near Yellowstone or Zion and Grand Canyon I should be keeping an eye out for availability? I’ll add it to my search list

As you know, there aren't any TSs inside the Nat'l Parks, and the park hotels are pretty dear- and are historic properties. At Yellowstone, we like the place we owned at Island Park, ID- That area was home of Union Pacific Railroad owner Averell Harriman. Just between us, there's as much natural beauty outside the park as inside. Grand Teton can be experienced from there, too- it's about 2 1/2 hours drive from SLC. As to Zion & Grand Canyon you're going to be hotelling it, but that makes your traveling more flexible- just make reservations a day-at-a-time.

 

[Pennytx]

I personally love massanutten
I have been there in winter and summer
There are tons of activities for all ages
Very reasonable to trade into or buy getaways
I prefer the regal villas section because you get a garage and are conviently located to main clubhouse and water park

 

[PeakSeason]

@Pennytx

I love Regal Vistas at Massanutten but I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting yet! I own here and it’s an incredible RCI value trader so I typically just take the points.

I’m def considering a visit but haven’t really seen much information about the area. I’m not opposed to just hanging around the resort, but what do you usually find yourself doing when you’re out and about?

 

[Pennytx]

We are here right now for four weeks
Summer they have live band concerts
Go carts, bumper cars, mini golf up near the mountain area
An indoor and outdoor water park plus multiple pools and playgrounds
Fishing canoeing water tubing
Carriage rides
Comedy club on Thursdays
Bingo on Thursdays.
Magic shows on Tuesday and Thursdays
Wine down Wednesdays with tapas at the mountain
1/2 price arcades on Thursday and Fridays
Prime rib night on Wednesdays
Filet night on Fridays
Horseback riding
Wine tasting
Multiple arts and crafts
If you pm me I’ll send you schedules etc
Winter is very different
FYI great golf, two locations
Multiple wineries within 15 minute drive

 

[Pennytx]

And if you are willing to do the timeshare walk
They will give you $300 in onsite credit

 

[PeakSeason]

We are here right now for four weeks
Summer they have live band concerts
Go carts, bumper cars, mini golf up near the mountain area
An indoor and outdoor water park plus multiple pools and playgrounds
Fishing canoeing water tubing
Carriage rides
Comedy club on Thursdays
Bingo on Thursdays.
Magic shows on Tuesday and Thursdays
Wine down Wednesdays with tapas at the mountain
1/2 price arcades on Thursday and Fridays
Prime rib night on Wednesdays
Filet night on Fridays
Horseback riding
Wine tasting
Multiple arts and crafts
If you pm me I’ll send you schedules etc
Winter is very different
FYI great golf, two locations
Multiple wineries within 15 minute drive

Wow definitely adding this to our 2027 summer adventure schedule!

 

[kwelty]

Wow definitely adding this to our 2027 summer adventure schedule!

If you enjoy history, Monticello, Jefferson's home is a little over an hour away.
https://www.monticello.org/
And on the way you can detour a little to visit Montpellier, James Madison's home.
https://www.montpelier.org/
Also the Frontier Culture Museum is about 45 minutes away, just past Staunton.
http://www.frontiermuseum.org/

Massanutten is an easy trade to get (as is Williamsburg), there is ususlly something in last call or RCI points under 10,000. I usually go in the winter for the skiing and if you are over 70, it is very cheap.

 

[PeakSeason]

If you enjoy history, Monticello, Jefferson's home is a little over an hour away.
https://www.monticello.org/
And on the way you can detour a little to visit Montpellier, James Madison's home.
https://www.montpelier.org/
Also the Frontier Culture Museum is about 45 minutes away, just past Staunton.
http://www.frontiermuseum.org/

Massanutten is an easy trade to get (as is Williamsburg), there is ususlly something in last call or RCI points under 10,000. I usually go in the winter for the skiing and if you are over 70, it is very cheap.

@kwelty

My wife and I are huge history nerds so this is perfect! Thank you for the recommendations, these are a must-see for us.

 

[beejaybee]

Even though the units have drawbacks, we loved Worldmark Marina Dunes near Monterey in California.
Wyndham National Harbor is a trade that even 3 nights there is great.
The Wren in Vail was another favorite.
To add to historical sites near Regal Vistas in Massanutten, visit Cedar Creek Battlefield.

 

[jp10558]

@kwelty

My wife and I are huge history nerds so this is perfect! Thank you for the recommendations, these are a must-see for us.

Massanutten is a real value IMO. There's also the Luray and other caverns within 45 minutes or so, which is fun. There's a lavender farm that's also a little interesting. I went there in May and October last year and I think May is a better time. October was VERY buggy. I hope to go back next year - Regal Vistas are quite nice.

If you like that sort of thing I'd also suggest Club Wyndham Smoky Mountains - I own there as a points generator in Wyndam, but I've stayed there on RCI extra vacations. You won't get the best views or anything, but the units are nice, there are elevators, it's not expensive when it shows up in Extra Vacations, and there's a million and one things to do in that area. The park is the highlight for me, but The Old Mill restaurant and the Brazilian Steakhouse are great, as is the Pizza place they advertise. Check out my video review on my YouTube (or the written one on TUG or in the forums here).

 

[jackio]

@jackio

I’m super excited to try out The District next year for July 4th and the 250th celebration. Availability for that week is hopefully coming up soon. National Harbor is on my radar if I can’t find availability. Which location did you prefer for walking around the immediate area?

There’s so much activity in DC that I won’t even bother asking for your favorite things to do but any recommendations on

The immediate area at National Harbor is really nice for walking around, with nice stores and restaurants. The squares have nice statues, and there is frequently a band playing in the evening.
We Ubered into DC after we figured out that parking lot fees and finding parking was a hassle. Mass transit is not convenient there, but it’s an easy drive to Alexandria and Mount Vernon, and into the city.

The District Club is central to the metro and is walkable to DuPont Circle. The area is not as pretty as National Harbor but it’s more convenient if you are planning to visit sites in the city. Plus they have a nice free breakfast and a social hour with finger foods and 2 free cocktails every evening. We took the Amtrak down and avoided the $70/nt parking fee. We took Uber or Lyft all over and still came out ahead. The units are small and have only a mini kitchen.

 

[Pennytx]

Massanutten is a real value IMO. There's also the Luray and other caverns within 45 minutes or so, which is fun. There's a lavender farm that's also a little interesting. I went there in May and October last year and I think May is a better time. October was VERY buggy. I hope to go back next year - Regal Vistas are quite nice.

If you like that sort of thing I'd also suggest Club Wyndham Smoky Mountains - I own there as a points generator in Wyndam, but I've stayed there on RCI extra vacations. You won't get the best views or anything, but the units are nice, there are elevators, it's not expensive when it shows up in Extra Vacations, and there's a million and one things to do in that area. The park is the highlight for me, but The Old Mill restaurant and the Brazilian Steakhouse are great, as is the Pizza place they advertise. Check out my video review on my YouTube (or the written one on TUG or in the forums here).

Do you remember the name of the lavender farm? We are going tomorrow to cross key winery and would love to go there also
Please and thanks

 

[jp10558]

Do you remember the name of the lavender farm? We are going tomorrow to cross key winery and would love to go there also
Please and thanks

I wish I did. Sadly I didn't think to make much of a note of it. I imagine if you use google maps for the Lavender place it'll come up, I think it was about 30 minutes away.

 

[missyrcrews]

You've already mentioned Smuggs, which is truly just about my favorite.

I also love the Samoset Resort. It's not about the units...they are small, yet very comfortable, and only have partial kitchens. But those ocean views. Wow! The location is nice for day trips up and down the coast. (Headed there today!)

Another resort that I didn't expect to like is Innseason Ogunquit. Again, units are nothing particularly fabulous. Location is amazing, though. Loads of little day trips to be had up and down the coast of Maine and NH.

 

[PeakSeason]

You've already mentioned Smuggs, which is truly just about my favorite.

I also love the Samoset Resort. It's not about the units...they are small, yet very comfortable, and only have partial kitchens. But those ocean views. Wow! The location is nice for day trips up and down the coast. (Headed there today!)

Another resort that I didn't expect to like is Innseason Ogunquit. Again, units are nothing particularly fabulous. Location is amazing, though. Loads of little day trips to be had up and down the coast of Maine and NH.

We’re such big fans of Maine and Vermont, and we’re trying the White Mountains in NH for the first time this October. It’s so peaceful and relaxing, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to summer here every year. Any fun recommendations near Ogunquit?

I’ve been checking for Samoset summer availability for 2025 or 2026 and I’ve come up disappointingly short. We might have to settle for April or October if we want to day trip out to the Bar Harbor area but we’re very much lobster season folks.

I definitely have my eyes set on InnSeason Falls at Ogunquit for late July or early August. I’ve been using Choice hotel points to stay at the Ascend Portland in Old Port the past couple years so I’m excited to see Ogunquit and use it as a launching pad to the rest of Maine.

It looks like RCI availability should be coming up for those dates in 6-8 weeks so fingers crossed!

 

[Huskerpaul]

We’re heading out to Washington state next year in August for whale watching season. I’m going to try to get into Worldmark Discovery Bay so we have the ability to roam around to Oregon or Vancouver throughout the week.

I own Worldmark and visited Discovery Bay a couple years ago in August. It is a fantastic time to visit. You can go to Sequim and check-out the lavander fields and Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park. We then went to Victoria BC for a week in the WM property there, which is in a great location on the harbor. You can take the ferry from Port Angeles and just visit for the day if you want to visit Victoria for a day while in Discovery Bay. You might even see whales from the ferry. Good luck!

 

[TUGBrian]

love these threads!

also here are the TUG ratings of the best RCI resorts: https://www.tug2.com/resorts/top-rated-rci-resorts

 

[twolf56]

I own at Lake Placid Club Lodges in Lake Placid, NY. They are timeshare condos, not a typical resort. Of course the whole village really is your resort. Also like Massanutten Regal Vistas.

 

[toppats]

Hey guys I’m looking to expand my horizons and check out new RCI properties. I live on the East Coast, but flying to the Pacific Northwest or Caribbean is no problem either.

What are your favorite RCI locations and what’s it like in that area? What are your favorite ways to spend your time there?

My favorites so far, in no particular order, are:

The Quarter House in New Orleans
- love the historic architecture, amazing food, and lively atmosphere

Honorable Mention: La Belle Maison Club Wyndham

Smugglers Notch in Vermont
- love driving around Vermont during early October to see the leaves change colors

Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek in Orlando
- great resort for being close to Disney, fun to hang out at the resort when you’re not feeling another park day

Smugglers Cove Resort in Anna Maria Island
- quintessential, old-Florida beach timeshare on one of the best beaches on the Gulf

Honorable Mention: Umbrella Beach Resort

West 57th Street Hilton in NYC
- great location in Billionaire’s Row just a couple blocks away from Central Park

Honorable Mention: The Central at 5th

You can't lose at Marriott's Timber Lodge in South Lake Tahoe!

 

[dblarter]

Any favourites outside United States?

 

[b2bailey]

You can't lose at Marriott's Timber Lodge in South Lake Tahoe!

Not an RCI property.