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Best value for dollar w/ lower MF in South Carolina?

mkrumpe

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First time timeshare purchaser here - been doing alot of research and price comparisons both on TUG and other sites. I have my hands on a couple of different silver and gold Marriott properties in Hilton Head... and do think that I can make a decent deal as far as the upfront cost. My only confliction is the Maintenance Fees. Irregardless of the property, anything Marriott on Hilton Head has 900 - 1000 in Maintenance fees. Granted you're getting a nice property and its is very tradable, and the amount of money to purchase the deed aside, for $1000/year I can practically pay for 5 - 7 days at a nice high end hotel just about anywhere. Granted, not a "resort", but still.

I'm not saying that I'm turned off from the whole timeshare idea - Im just conflicted now. It seems that Marriott has a lock on the nice and more desirable resorts on Hilton Head... and it seems that Hilton Head is the most desirable in South Carolina as far as trading goes (correct me if I'm wrong)...

So I put this question out to the board - Is there another property in South Carolina (any area HHI, Edisto, Myrtle) where you have lower Maintenance Fee's, good quality and good to high trading power?

I guess this really is the million dollar question for anyone considering timeshare purchases, eh?
 

FlyerBobcat

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.... for $1000/year I can practically pay for 5 - 7 days at a nice high end hotel just about anywhere. Granted, not a "resort", but still....

Expanding that a little, for $1000/yr... Can you get SEVEN nights at a nice high-end hotel/resort -- WITH 2 bedrooms and a full kitchen?
(Maybe if you look at timeshare rental/getaway options at non-peak times...)

If you don't need or want the 2-BR, kitchen, washer/dryer, extra space, etc, then TS'ing might not be best for you.

Good luck (again!!!)
 

mkrumpe

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That spurs a thought - Do any of the Marriotts have any 1 bedrooms on Hilton Head that thus then have lower maintenance fees?
 

FlyerBobcat

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That spurs a thought - Do any of the Marriotts have any 1 bedrooms on Hilton Head that thus then have lower maintenance fees?

Executing on that thought would significantly reduce your potential trading power.

But the answer is NO, based on looking at this Marriott MF history sheet.

http://www.tug2.net/advice/marriottmf.htm

(Found under ADVICE section, then go to Marriott Vaction Club section, then to the Maintenance Fee item)
 

wackymother

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Executing on that thought would significantly reduce your potential trading power.

It would reduce your trading power with II, and Marriotts trade within II. (RCI isn't so size-sensitive.)

On the other hand, if the OP doesn't NEED a 2br, then not being able to trade a 1br for a 2br isn't a big concern. And does it really reduce "trading power" or just the ability to trade a 1br for a 2br or larger unit?
 

richardm

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You may also want to take time to consider either Lodge Alley or Church Street Inn located in Charleston.. You can find a smaller villa type, and likely have better exchange potential since the specific area isn't flooded with timeshares.

You'll want to avoid the points sellers (bluegreen and festiva) at either location if you want the specific home resort rights. It may take a little time, but you should be able to find a seller with a grandfathered week. Your choice of closing agent will be EXTREMELY important with either of these, to make sure you aren't buying a point ownership.
 

Steve

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Royal Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island

First time timeshare purchaser here - been doing alot of research and price comparisons both on TUG and other sites. I have my hands on a couple of different silver and gold Marriott properties in Hilton Head... and do think that I can make a decent deal as far as the upfront cost. My only confliction is the Maintenance Fees. Irregardless of the property, anything Marriott on Hilton Head has 900 - 1000 in Maintenance fees. Granted you're getting a nice property and its is very tradable, and the amount of money to purchase the deed aside, for $1000/year I can practically pay for 5 - 7 days at a nice high end hotel just about anywhere. Granted, not a "resort", but still.

I'm not saying that I'm turned off from the whole timeshare idea - Im just conflicted now. It seems that Marriott has a lock on the nice and more desirable resorts on Hilton Head... and it seems that Hilton Head is the most desirable in South Carolina as far as trading goes (correct me if I'm wrong)...

So I put this question out to the board - Is there another property in South Carolina (any area HHI, Edisto, Myrtle) where you have lower Maintenance Fee's, good quality and good to high trading power?

I guess this really is the million dollar question for anyone considering timeshare purchases, eh?

Check out Royal Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island. It's a Gold Crown Resort, trades with both RCI and II, and is located only a block from Marriott's Barony Beach Club. All villas are 3 bedroom, 3 bath, and they are very nice. The maintenance fees are also pretty reasonable...about $730 per week. (They also offer an optional golf & tennis package which increases the fees about $100 per week....but it is optional and I don't have it.)

The purchase prices are also very reasonable...much cheaper than Marriott. Take a look at this eBay auction for a floating gold week. (Note that gold season includes weeks 22 and 23 which are platinum at Barony.) Compare the price of Barony...and the fees...to Royal Dunes. Then look at the quality and read the TUG reviews. I think Royal Dunes is an outstanding value. It just hasn't been "discovered" by TUGGERS yet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hilton-Head-Isl...0|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1308|301:1|293:1|294:50

Steve
 
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mkrumpe

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That does sound promising - I will definitely look into it. Do you know if it trades well?

Check out Royal Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island. It's a Gold Crown Resort, trades with both RCI and II, and is located only a block from Marriott's Barony Beach Club. All villas are 3 bedroom, 3 bath, and they are very nice. The maintenance fees are also pretty reasonable...about $730 per week. (They also offer an optional golf & tennis package which increases the fees about $100 per week....but it is optional and I don't have it.)

The purchase prices are also very reasonable...much cheaper than Marriott. Take a look at this eBay auction for a floating gold week. (Note that gold season includes weeks 22 and 23 which are platinum at Barony.) Compare the price of Barony...and the fees...to Royal Dunes. Then look at the quality and read the TUG reviews. I think Royal Dunes is an outstanding value. It just hasn't been "discovered" by TUGGERS yet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hilton-Head-Isl...0|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1308|301:1|293:1|294:50

Steve
 

Steve

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That does sound promising - I will definitely look into it. Do you know if it trades well?

Royal Dunes trades great in II, and a bonus week is offered for deposit.

I haven't checked it with RCI, but I'm sure a 3 bedroom, 3 bath Gold Crown Resort on Hilton Head Island will trade pretty well in RCI.

Steve
 

Steve

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Steve,
Am I correct in assuming that getting the bonus week (AC?) depends on what week you own/deposit?

Yes, it does depend on the week that you deposit. However, I own a floating gold week and it is interesting that II offers me a bonus week even without me typing in the actual week I have reserved. So I think most of the gold season weeks qualify. (Of course, all of the platinum weeks would qualify as well.)

Steve
 

krmlaw

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I just purchased a 3 bedroom 88,500 annual RCI points (Presidental Villas, Surfside, SC) for a $1 on ebay.

The MF are only $607.
 

rickandcindy23

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Wyndham Founder; Disney OKW & SSR; Marriott's Willow Ridge,Shadow Ridge,Grand Chateau;Val Chatelle; Hono Koa OF (3); SBR(LOTS), SDO a few; Grand Palms; WKORV-OF (2),Westin Desert Willow.
I dislike hotel rooms and cannot get anything at a hotel to even come close to a timeshare, especially a Marriott timeshare. There are whirlpool bathtubs in the Marriotts, big enough for two, and space that you don't get in a hotel.
 
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