Club Wyndham Access - Clearwater Beach

[secondtwelve]

I've been introduced to the world of timeshares by my in-laws. They own MVC and I've recently had the opportunity to get familiar with that system. I'm now looking to gain an understanding of Club Wyndham given that my wife and I frequent Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach (the hotel side of the resort). The all-in nightly costs of these hotel stays has ranged from $400-$550 for our 3 or 4 night stay. We anticipate this being an annual trip for the foreseeable future. I'm looking for advice on how to use the Club Wyndham system to either (i) reduce the overall cost of this trip or (ii) have better accommodations during our stay for an equivalent cost. If we bought into CWA, would this give us ARP at Clearwater Beach? If so, is it realistic to find availability? We are flexible with our travel--we are open to visiting this resort at any time outside of the months from June to August. I know there is the advice to buy where you'd like to stay, but given the cost to purchase into this property, I'm wondering if CWA is a viable option with enough flexibility.

 

[Sandi Bo]

I don't think you need CWA. Points from any resort can be used there (so if I could find a PCB or Bali Hair or Canterbury type resale - that's what I would do - hindsight, of course). I am diligent at watching availability and have never had a problem getting into Clearwater. That said, I almost always book 15-30 days in advance and find what I want. I've stayed there in February twice, and my brother January-ish for a football game (twice also I think). Now if you want to book way out and know for sure you have it... you might need to understand CWA and use it. I do not own CWA.

 

[paxsarah]

I am diligent at watching availability and have never had a problem getting into Clearwater.

You may be the only person I've ever heard say this about Clearwater. (I haven't stayed there, so I can't say from personal experience.) I would guess it's largely dependent on how flexible someone is with dates and unit type.

 

[nerk01]

You may be the only person I've ever heard say this about Clearwater. (I haven't stayed there, so I can't say from personal experience.) I would guess it's largely dependent on how flexible someone is with dates and unit type.

I've tried a couple years to get in during the kids spring break. No dice yet. The inventory has always been gone at 10 months out.

 

[55plus]

A week ago I picked up a cancellation (15 nights) at Wyndham Clearwater beginning January 2nd. You have to flexible and stay on top of it.

 

[cbyrne1174]

I live in the Tampa bay area and can book summer/fall no problem at 10 months. If you don't have to follow the school schedule and can book Sept-Nov, then just get a deed at a low MF resort. I have never had issues getting 1 bedroom presidential units 10 months out summer/fall. You should only pick up Access if you actually have a problem booking AFTER you're already an owner.

Also look into getting a Marriott week if you travel where they are located. I'm in the process of giving back 3 Wyndham deeds so I have room for more Marriott!

 

[troy12n]

I live in Tampa too, and have stayed there a few times. You really need to book early, and forget spring break at 10 months. This is one of the few resorts that if you really want to stay at during peak times, owning deeded or access would help. It's certainly possible to get a week, but more likely not. Late August and September is peak hurricane season here, and that's kind of an aberition to find availability there. This is one of the most popular resorts out there, And inside the discount window, difficult to get weekends, just a patchwork of leftovers.

 

[secondtwelve]

I appreciate all the feedback. It sounds like there have been mixed experiences booking this resort within 10 months. I’m flexible, so I may be able to make it work without Access. But If I were to go the Access route, can you confirm that this would give 13-10 month booking priority? When I was looking at a resale on Ebay, Clearwater wasn’t listed as an advanced priority resort.

 

[bnoble]

It’s on the list here.

Resorts

Get better booking options and vacation destinations with your Club Wyndham Access ownership. Explore all Club Wyndham Access resort locations to book your next getaway.

clubwyndham.wyndhamdestinations.com

 

[troy12n]

There isn't "mixed reviews" about availability inside of 10 months... this is a known fact. Clearwater Beach is one of the hardest resorts to get time at. Some members here might have gotten lucky a time or two, or strung together stays in different rooms.

I just looked at the availability calendar, here it is...
December (granted there isn't many days left): 0 days
January: 3 whole days, the only contiguous days are not bookable because they are different rooms... so in practice, 0 actual bookable days
February: 1 day, not bookable because Wyndham removed out ability to book rooms for 1 night... and i'm still mad about that
March: 5 days, none contiguous... so 0 bookable days
April: showing 8 bookable days, the only contiguous block is 4/26-29, but when you go to book it, it won't let you, likely because they are different rooms. Again... 0 actual bookable days
May: 11 days, none bookable...
June: 13 days, none bookable...
July: 7 days, none bookable...
August: 19 days. The only bookable block is 8/15-8/18 in a 2BR Presidential or a 8/16-8/19 in a 1BR Deluxe or 2BR Presidential Accessible and 8/24-8/31 has a bunch of options
September: most of the month is available (this is peak Hurricane Season, so this is not terribly shocking...)
October: Right now the whole month is open

But you see my point... this is a hard place to get into. And yes, it IS in Access. So if you want to stay here often, that would probably be your best bet

 

[secondtwelve]

There isn't "mixed reviews" about availability inside of 10 months... this is a known fact. Clearwater Beach is one of the hardest resorts to get time at. Some members here might have gotten lucky a time or two, or strung together stays in different rooms.

I just looked at the availability calendar, here it is...
December (granted there isn't many days left): 0 days
January: 3 whole days, the only contiguous days are not bookable because they are different rooms... so in practice, 0 actual bookable days
February: 1 day, not bookable because Wyndham removed out ability to book rooms for 1 night... and i'm still mad about that
March: 5 days, none contiguous... so 0 bookable days
April: showing 8 bookable days, the only contiguous block is 4/26-29, but when you go to book it, it won't let you, likely because they are different rooms. Again... 0 actual bookable days
May: 11 days, none bookable...
June: 13 days, none bookable...
July: 7 days, none bookable...
August: 19 days. The only bookable block is 8/15-8/18 in a 2BR Presidential or a 8/16-8/19 in a 1BR Deluxe or 2BR Presidential Accessible and 8/24-8/31 has a bunch of options
September: most of the month is available (this is peak Hurricane Season, so this is not terribly shocking...)
October: Right now the whole month is open

But you see my point... this is a hard place to get into. And yes, it IS in Access. So if you want to stay here often, that would probably be your best bet

Thanks for the candid response. It’s very helpful to see the current (lack of) availability. I think this will guide my decision.

 

[Sandi Bo]

This looks bookable to me????

Unless you'd prefer the 4br pres?

 

[troy12n]

Well, yesterday those dates were not bookable. In fact, the only dates the entire month that were available when I looked yesterday were 1/10-11 and 1/27. And when I tried to book 1/10-11 (which should be bookable), it gave me the lovely "something unexpected happened" error... which means either "phantom availability", or it was two different rooms available each night, which you cannot book. Today there are 5 total days available to book 1/9-11 and 1/19 and 1/27, the latter 2 obviously not bookable because just 1 night.

So, way to try to prove me wrong by showing that someone dumped a room (probably multiple rooms) in the middle of a week, at the coldest time of the year to be here... if you want to come here for 2 weekdays in the middle of the worst time of the year to be here... well, you do you

My point still stands, Clearwater is hard to book, period. And it's a disservice to the group (misleading), especially new members, to say otherwise.

If anything, the fact that it went from zero availability for the entire month to 2 rooms being available on the same 2 nights shows how volatile inventory can sometimes be. But unless you are
retired and have infinite flexibility, that's a moot point.

 

[cbyrne1174]

Well, yesterday those dates were not bookable. In fact, the only dates the entire month that were available when I looked yesterday were 1/10-11 and 1/27. And when I tried to book 1/10-11 (which should be bookable), it gave me the lovely "something unexpected happened" error... which means either "phantom availability", or it was two different rooms available each night, which you cannot book. Today there are 5 total days available to book 1/9-11 and 1/19 and 1/27, the latter 2 obviously not bookable because just 1 night.

So, way to try to prove me wrong by showing that someone dumped a room (probably multiple rooms) in the middle of a week, at the coldest time of the year to be here... if you want to come here for 2 weekdays in the middle of the worst time of the year to be here... well, you do you

My point still stands, Clearwater is hard to book, period. And it's a disservice to the group (misleading), especially new members, to say otherwise.

If anything, the fact that it went from zero availability for the entire month to 2 rooms being available on the same 2 nights shows how volatile inventory can sometimes be. But unless you are
retired and have infinite flexibility, that's a moot point.

People up north think Jan-Feb is the best time to come because it's usually 60/70, which is tolerable to them but cold AF to us.

 

[Sandi Bo]

People up north think Jan-Feb is the best time to come because it's usually 60/70, which is tolerable to them but cold AF to us.

Works for me We even go in the water!

 

[Sandi Bo]

Couple other suggestions, too. Pay attention to issues reported here on TUG. The monthly calendar has not worked well forever. If you see an available date (one day that looks like you can't book it) on the monthly calendar, try that day for 2 days in a dashboard search. Pay attention to your dashboard filters (as you may have to reset them every search).

As I said, I am diligent. I also keep up with the ongoing idiosyncrasies of the system. Even when I'm not booking something, I'll play around and see how things are working at the moment.

When I started helping my Dad with his account, my sister had wanted to go to Bentley Brook for years, during a really hard time to book. My step-mother would look once and say, nope, not available - or they booked super early and paid full points. Once I started booking reservations, my sisters family went every year til the kids graduated from high school and always on a discounted reservation. Did I mention I am diligent and know the system?

Part of the decision is how much time you want to invest (or waste, lol, depending on how you look at it) looking for reservations. And things change. You have to keep up with how things are working. And if I am looking for a particular resort, I start watching availability, and when rooms might be released (it differs by resort). Like, I can't tell you right now what time of day rooms tend to be released at Clearwater, but if I were trying to book Clearwater, I would know that.

A bonus to being an owner is being able to string reservations together. Not that you can't as a guest, but each one needs a GC. (Not to mention I think Clearwater is owner priority all year now - not 100% on that - you'd have to check). You can book a couple nights, then maybe add on later. Or maybe book a 2nd reservation and have them combine the reservation when you check-in. That could mean you risk moving, that is also very resort dependent (how well they manage the rooms and combine things so you don't have to move). Some you can pretty much count on not moving, some you can pretty much count on you will have to move. But always a risk. Some people don't mind moving, some hate it.

Lots of moving parts. Lots to consider. In the end depends on what works best for you and your situation.

 

[secondtwelve]

Couple other suggestions, too. Pay attention to issues reported here on TUG. The monthly calendar has not worked well forever. If you see an available date (one day that looks like you can't book it) on the monthly calendar, try that day for 2 days in a dashboard search. Pay attention to your dashboard filters (as you may have to reset them every search).

View attachment 70635

As I said, I am diligent. I also keep up with the ongoing idiosyncrasies of the system. Even when I'm not booking something, I'll play around and see how things are working at the moment.

When I started helping my Dad with his account, my sister had wanted to go to Bentley Brook for years, during a really hard time to book. My step-mother would look once and say, nope, not available - or they booked super early and paid full points. Once I started booking reservations, my sisters family went every year til the kids graduated from high school and always on a discounted reservation. Did I mention I am diligent and know the system?

Part of the decision is how much time you want to invest (or waste, lol, depending on how you look at it) looking for reservations. And things change. You have to keep up with how things are working. And if I am looking for a particular resort, I start watching availability, and when rooms might be released (it differs by resort). Like, I can't tell you right now what time of day rooms tend to be released at Clearwater, but if I were trying to book Clearwater, I would know that.

A bonus to being an owner is being able to string reservations together. Not that you can't as a guest, but each one needs a GC. (Not to mention I think Clearwater is owner priority all year now - not 100% on that - you'd have to check). You can book a couple nights, then maybe add on later. Or maybe book a 2nd reservation and have them combine the reservation when you check-in. That could mean you risk moving, that is also very resort dependent (how well they manage the rooms and combine things so you don't have to move). Some you can pretty much count on not moving, some you can pretty much count on you will have to move. But always a risk. Some people don't mind moving, some hate it.

Lots of moving parts. Lots to consider. In the end depends on what works best for you and your situation.

This is helpful context as well. I appreciate the time spent to help me learn! Can you explain the points discount in your screenshots? Is this due to a status you have? Is it due to a near term booking window?

 

[Sandi Bo]

This is helpful context as well. I appreciate the time spent to help me learn! Can you explain the points discount in your screenshots? Is this due to a status you have? Is it due to a near term booking window?

Glad it makes sense, it can be like drinking water through a fire house. Still. Yes, we are VIP Founders and thus the points discount you see. I changed to resale, and this is what you'd see (if you don't have a hybrid account (we are resale and developer mix) I'm not sure if the purchase type even shows. Depending on what VIP level someone is - that discount then kicks in and we'll see what I posted earlier, unless the resort discount is better (which in reality would be never for me as our discount is 60%). Sometimes there will be a resort discount (regardless of ownership level) and that discount would show here. I doubt you'd ever see Clearwater discounted, but could be wrong.

Here's how a resort with a discount (that is offered to all) might look like - Branson at the Meadows has an advertised discount right now, I searched for Jan 1-8, 2023.
Monthly calendar search:

And what it looks like when I select to book:

 

[lotus921v]

So what is it about Clearwater that makes it such a hot commodity? Is it the resort itself? Is it extra premium? Is it because the next closest Wyndhams are in Orlando?

I’ve never been but the lack of availability is intriguing enough to where I wonder if I’m missing out on something lol

 

[Sandi Bo]

So what is it about Clearwater that makes it such a hot commodity? Is it the resort itself? Is it extra premium? Is it because the next closest Wyndhams are in Orlando?

I’ve never been but the lack of availability is intriguing enough to where I wonder if I’m missing out on something lol

It's gulf side, south, that area is in high demand. We waited for a gulf side Wyndham for a long time! And yes, the resort itself is really nice. One of the newest. There is a timeshare side and a hotel side (two buildings that join in the middle), horseshoe around a very nice pool and hot tub and amenities are shared. There are towel covers for your lounge chair - whoo hoo! Fitness center overlooks the pool and gulf. Anything you want to do is in walking distance, nice restaurants, shops, harbor area with dolphins tours, etc. But you can hop in your car and drive down the coast to some other nice restaurants and such, too. A great location. There is a limited number of rooms, too.

Crazy, but, we prefer Daytona Beach (yes, we'll go to Daytona anytime). Being beach bums is in the genes (mom is from Hampton Beach, NH - that water is NEVER warm).

Clearwater is a beautiful location and a nice treat occasionally for us. Last time we went (last February) my husband said he'd really rather go to Daytona. We find it easier to get around over on the Atlantic side, too. Less traffic, we know our way around, favorite haunts, etc. You'll hit like 4 traffic slowdowns from Tampa to Orlando. Traffic in Florida has just been awful for us our last few visits (although the roads without potholes are nice). But usually can't even figure out why the slowdown, maybe a car on the side, maybe a highway intersection. Ya'll are lucky you don't have snow and ice, I cannot imagine what I4 would look like.

 

[lotus921v]

It's gulf side, south, that area is in high demand. We waited for a gulf side Wyndham for a long time! And yes, the resort itself is really nice. One of the newest. There is a timeshare side and a hotel side (two buildings that join in the middle), horseshoe around a very nice pool and hot tub and amenities are shared. There are towel covers for your lounge chair - whoo hoo! Fitness center overlooks the pool and gulf. Anything you want to do is in walking distance, nice restaurants, shops, harbor area with dolphins tours, etc. But you can hop in your car and drive down the coast to some other nice restaurants and such, too. A great location. There is a limited number of rooms, too.

Crazy, but, we prefer Daytona Beach (yes, we'll go to Daytona anytime). Being beach bums is in the genes (mom is from Hampton Beach, NH - that water is NEVER warm).

Clearwater is a beautiful location and a nice treat occasionally for us. Last time we went (last February) my husband said he'd really rather go to Daytona. We find it easier to get around over on the Atlantic side, too. Less traffic, we know our way around, favorite haunts, etc. You'll hit like 4 traffic slowdowns from Tampa to Orlando. Traffic in Florida has just been awful for us our last few visits (although the roads without potholes are nice). But usually can't even figure out why the slowdown, maybe a car on the side, maybe a highway intersection. Ya'll are lucky you don't have snow and ice, I cannot imagine what I4 would look like.

I live in Jacksonville FL so I’m spoiled for weather. I’ll prob just need to stay there once to get it out of my system, if I can get it

 

[troy12n]

Clearwater Beach is the best resort in Florida, bar none as far as the resort facility / quality is concerned. There may be more to do for kids at other resorts (BC for instance), but Clearwater is a very high quality facility from top to bottom. It's also, to my knowledge, the only purpose built Wyndham resort facility on the gulf coast and one of only 3 purpose built Wyndham Waterfront resorts in Florida. The only other ones being Royal Vista and Santa Barbara. The rest (all of the panhandle, Ocean Walk and Sea Gardens) were purchased and/or co-owned by other entities or private owners. Majestic Sun may be another one, i'm not 100% sure about that. But it's definitely better than Ocean Walk. And you don't have to worry about running into dogs in Clearwater, which is a chronic problem at Ocean Walk and Panama City Beach.

Yes, Traffic getting to Clearwater Beach from the mainland is a nightmare, especially during certain times of year, like March-April and June-August. There's no sugar coating that. But you also don't have to deal with idiots at Bike Week... ever, or idiot NASCAR fans... ever or any of the other weird redneck events that happen in Daytona Beach. Spring Break is equally bad both places, as is "snowbird season". Ocean Walk isn't a dump, but compared to Clearwater Beach, it's like comparing a Hilton or JW Marriott to a Super 8.

 

[chapjim]

Clearwater Beach is the best resort in Florida, bar none as far as the resort facility / quality is concerned. There may be more to do for kids at other resorts (BC for instance), but Clearwater is a very high quality facility from top to bottom. It's also, to my knowledge, the only purpose built Wyndham resort facility on the gulf coast and one of only 3 purpose built Wyndham Waterfront resorts in Florida. The only other ones being Royal Vista and Santa Barbara. The rest (all of the panhandle, Ocean Walk and Sea Gardens) were purchased and/or co-owned by other entities or private owners. Majestic Sun may be another one, i'm not 100% sure about that. But it's definitely better than Ocean Walk. And you don't have to worry about running into dogs in Clearwater, which is a chronic problem at Ocean Walk and Panama City Beach.

Yes, Traffic getting to Clearwater Beach from the mainland is a nightmare, especially during certain times of year, like March-April and June-August. There's no sugar coating that. But you also don't have to deal with idiots at Bike Week... ever, or idiot NASCAR fans... ever or any of the other weird redneck events that happen in Daytona Beach. Spring Break is equally bad both places, as is "snowbird season". Ocean Walk isn't a dump, but compared to Clearwater Beach, it's like comparing a Hilton or JW Marriott to a Super 8.

Not to pick nits but I think you got this one wrong. Santa Barbara is a conversion. Hence, all units are comprised of one or two former hotel units. Studios are one ex-hotel unit; 1BR and 2BR units are both two ex-hotel units. (The space for the second bedroom is taken from the living area and the first bedroom.) This explains the 1BR/2BA configuration.

I was going to make a snarky comment about some more of your aversions -- bikers, condo owners with dogs, race fans, snowbirds (who spend a lot of money in FL), in addition to your well-known aversion to owners who rent, but I decided not to.

 

[Jan M.]

This is a results may vary situation. Are you looking for 3-4 nights Sunday-Thursday nights; not always just Friday and Saturday nights? Do you have to schedule vacation time? Are you open to going whenever or are you looking for holiday times and Spring Break weeks? Do you have to book flights and a rental car? Does a one bedroom unit work for you? Can you take advantage of what's available in the 14 days before check in?

If you only search once a month, every couple weeks, twice a week, you're going to need to rely on being really, really lucky. Success favors those willing to keep checking. Doing a quick dashboard search several times a day doesn't take that much time. If you do that it's highly unlikely you won't find stays.

 

[Jan M.]

Also don't let your impressions of resorts be overly colored by other people's opinions. Some of our best timeshare stays and memories have been at resorts other people consider "meh" or would give a hard pass to.

Case in point. This was our second year staying for two weeks over Thanksgiving at a resort through RCI. We travel a lot with the timeshares, 233 nights this year. I don't remember off the top of my head how many nights for last several years since DH retired but it was a lot. Last year, our first time there, when we got into the unit let's just say that I wasn't thinking positive thoughts about being there for even one week and we had two weeks! When I booked the resort I'd somehow missed when reading the unit description that there was no dishwasher. Really, no dishwasher! I knew we were across the road from the water but had hoped for a view of the water which we didn't have. I knew DH wasn't going to be happy about that. (They did make sure we had a nice view of the water this year.) Looking around the unit it's okay but I'm not feeling the love. So there I am trying to figure out how to tell DH I just took a really ugly belly flop off the pedestal he has me on. He considers me a timeshare and travel coordinator genius. Lol. Meanwhile he's blithely assuming it's going to be great because I booked it. After we got settled and walked around the resort I was so thankful it was one of of the rare times I'd been smart enough to keep my mouth shut and my thoughts to myself. The unit grew on me. The staff and other guests were great. We really enjoyed the resort and the area.