[ 2013 ] "Hidden Gem" resorts

[chriskre]

Golden Strand Ocean Villas in Sunny Isles. I'm sure "The Donald" will take a wrecking ball to it and I'll never be able to afford to stay in this area of South Florida's Riviera again. TUG Brian just shared the news in another thread.

Well you can always come up a little further north to Hollywood.
Donald hasn't set his sights there yet although Jimmy Buffet has. :annoyed:

 

[HenryT]

There's a lot of good information in this thread but the information will be hard to find.

It would be great if there was a sticky with the gems listed by state so it would be easy for people to reference.

 

[sue1947]

There's a lot of good information in this thread but the information will be hard to find.

It would be great if there was a sticky with the gems listed by state so it would be easy for people to reference.

I bet if you created that list it would be easier to get it into a sticky.

Sue

 

[PStreet1]

Worldmark Santa Fe qualifies, I think. The location is great; it's a 10-15 minute walk to the Plaza, and there are great places to eat practically next door. Units are small, but well laid out and well decorated. Santa Fe itself is a gem, but not exactly hidden.

 

[humor_monger]

I appreciate the insight as to the difference in Phase I and Phase II as I have been eyeing this resort for a while and just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Rockaway Beach Resort in Oregon is one of our favorites. All the units are 1 bedroom and face the ocean mere feet away. Most are 2 bath and all have a queen bed in the living room. Sounds a little strange, but it works. Both buildings are 3 story and no elevator.
http://www.ezrbr.com/ is the website.

Another is Mountain Retreat in Arnold, CA. I think almost all units are 2 bedroom. A golf course is wrapped around it. There are a lot of activities close by from Calaveras Big Trees State Park to Mercer Caverns, Moaning Cavern, Columbia State Historic Park, Ironstone Winery and Vineyards to name a few.
mtretreat.com/ is the website.

 

[scotlass]

Sutton Hall Club nr York (England) small number of units but all have been refurbished to a high level and the staff are delightful and efficient. This is a great base to get to the east coast of Yorkshire; then day trips round the Yorkshire Moors and Dales. We have even been up really early and had a great day in the Lake District, though next yr will be renting a self contained cottage on a farm to the east side of the Lake District.

Stouts Hill Club...what a hidden gem, we bought resale but this will be last one to go ! Well run, small number of units set in fantastic grounds. I did a review yrs ago but it is still in great shape. Family have rented thru us and all agree with our assessments. The Cotswolds area of England is full of houses to visit/gardens...close to Bath. Superb staff.

We still own at Hilton Craigendarroch (Scotland) for the moment...but it's a large timeshare area. Wonderful countryside to explore and the Hotel part is now converting their hotel units to 'timeshare suites'....

Exchanged into Barnsdale Country Club (England) and Hilton Coylumbridge (Scotland) for 2014. Although Barnsdale is a large resort/hotel..I feel this could be a hidden gem. Will do TUG reports on both.

Krystyna/Richard

Hi, tried to answer your email through TUG but it would not let me do it. I have always been intrigued by Sutton Hall and Stouts Hill Club. Had a week at Hilton Craigendarroch but had to cancel. So many timeshares, so little time!

 

[SDTexan]

Manteo Beach Resort

Manteo Beach Resort in Kelowna was a very nice surprise. Townhouses with a garage on the lake with a fishing dock to the left and a sandy beach play area to the right and a nice walkway along the lake.

Sue

First exchange for us was to Manteo Beach Resort for part of our Honeymoon. It wasn't quite summer (May) so no lake activities, but we didn't mind because there was so much more to do. The townhouse was huge and had a great view of the lake. If you are a wine lover, this is a perfect place to visit. The area is known as the Napa Valley of Canada and does not disappoint. The views from the surrounding mountains are incredible. We did ATV's, bicycle and wine tour, goat cheese farm and more wine touring.

 

[stoney]

GEM resorts in Spain and France

I am interested in locating 'gem' resorts in or near Barcelona, Spain and Adge, France. Any suggestions?

 

[TUGBrian]

while not a timeshare, I stayed in the hotel americana when in barcelona last (for a conference).

location was outstanding...although the room was very small.

I remember falling in love with the heated floor tiles in the bathroom...*sigh

 

[Passepartout]

Brian, if you are in Barcelona again, try this one: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...mper_Hotel_Barcelona-Barcelona_Catalonia.html Eixample neighborhood is OK, all rebuilt and on a square- grid layout, but we prefer the older, more jumbled-street area nearer the port/Ramblas area.

Jim

 

[Steve]

Worldmark Santa Fe qualifies, I think. The location is great; it's a 10-15 minute walk to the Plaza, and there are great places to eat practically next door. Units are small, but well laid out and well decorated. Santa Fe itself is a gem, but not exactly hidden.

Just don't try to park at the resort with anything much bigger than a Yugo.

Steve

 

[rickandcindy23]

Wrong Courtyard, but June in Hyannis is pretty special

Hawaiian Timeshare Exchange has a June 2016 week available at Courtyard Resort in Mass, if anyone is so inclined and has a deposit to get it. I would take it, but I cannot think much past 6/2015 at the moment. I should just book it. I would have to deposit something. Denise M. probably has a deposit someone could use.

Don't know if it's a hidden gem or not.

 

[Laurie]

Another hidden gem IMO, if it hasn't been mentioned: Blue Heron in Union, WA. Gorgeous location on the Hood Canal from which you can travel to Olympia NP, Mt Ranier NP, Seattle etc, large units. Consider a back-to-back week with Whispering Woods, already discussed here, which is what we did.

Hawaiian Timeshare Exchange has a June 2016 week available at Courtyard Resort in Mass, if anyone is so inclined and has a deposit to get it. I would take it, but I cannot think much past 6/2015 at the moment. I should just book it. I would have to deposit something. Denise M. probably has a deposit someone could use.

Don't know if it's a hidden gem or not.

Cindy, probably not. This resort was disaffiliated from RCI years ago due to not meeting RCI standards (not a high bar). Tho I've never seen it, there are many decent and probably better choices in the Hyannis area, and June isn't that hard to get.

 

[gkbiiii]

My Starwood Hidden Gems:

(Sheraton) Vistana Beach Club, is often overlooked, but is a nice, small property on the beach!

Sheraton PGA is a very small, charming property, that is great for golfers.