A Bargain - Our First Stay

[phil1ben]

We stayed at HGVC South Beach for a few days which was our first stay since our resale purchase in February. Our home resort is South Beach. All I can say is that our purchase was a bargain. We have stayed in South Beach before and normally paid $300-700 per night and the accommodations were no better. We had 2 one bedrooms. One for my wife and I and one for my two teenage sons. They were adjoining so we could open the connecting door and all be together in one very large area with two kitchens. The location was perfect right on Ocean Drive overlooking the beach. Nothing more relaxing then sitting on the porch watching people stroll down Ocean. We have no plans on using another HGVC facility - just spending long weekends at SB and the occasional week. Plus we can purchase during Open Periods for last minute stays. The only negative was poor Internet access which they were repairing as we were there. Also, if we stayed longer we would need to do something about the chaise lounge rental fees but all in all I could not be happier with our purchase. This was a bargain and I may be looking to add points so we can go even more often. However, it seems that prices have increased about 50% since we bought earlier in the year.

 

[vacationhopeful]

.. However, it seems that prices have increased about 50% since we bought earlier in the year.

That might be South Florida is desirible for Winter; your Feb purchase was when the vacation plans had been set or used; planning for 2012 was not yet important to many.

Nice to here you really liked your decision on that TS.

 

[Talent312]

We spent 5 nights there recently. I agree that the location on SoBe is great.

Having spent the first 17 years of my life in Miami, I know first-hand that there's so much to do and such a fascinating mix of cultures that you may never tire of the place.

 

[Carolyn]

Do all the units overlook the beach?

 

[Talent312]

Do all the units overlook the beach?

No. This resort occupies two side-by-side, historic art-deco buildings -- Ocean Plaza & The McAlpin. In both, the units are located on each side of a single central hallway running from the front to the back of the building. Thus, only two units in each building, on each floor, have a view of the beach.

The remaining units have views of the hotels next door. However, these have less street noise.
There are roof-top public patios which overlook the beach, one of which has a spa.

For TripAdvisor photos and reviews, see:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser..._Club_at_South_Beach-Miami_Beach_Florida.html

 

[pianodinosaur]

HGVC South Beach is now on our to do list. Glad you folks have had a good time.

 

[Talent312]

 

[phil1ben]

As I understand it, two of the two bedroom units in each building have ocean views. As to the increase in price, it seems that 7000 point Platinum packages are now going for $12,000-$13,000.00 (needed to pass ROFR). That would be a 50% increase in what we paid about 9 months ago. I may be wrong but that is what I am seeing for HGVC owned facilities.

 

[rjp123]

I bought 4800 pts in SoBe in April of 2010 (resale). Prices have doubled on this size unit since I bought back then (talk about a STEAL!).

We stayed for the first time in March 2011 - fantastic resort, great location, I love SoBe and would be happy to go there every year although I have booked HHV for 10 days in March 2012 (although I messed up the point rescue by booking before I rescued some of the points so it looks like 2000 points will be expiring this year unless I can sneak to Vegas before Xmas).

Seems like they are still "fixing" the internet. This has been a recurring problem for a few years apparently at this resort. With the budget meeting I voted to fully fund the reserve fund and hopefully they will fix this nagging issue.

Back to SoBe in 2013. Love it there.