Curious - What resort benefits do you get as an owner?

[scooooter]

I am curious about what kind of benefits people get at their resorts for being owners?

As an example, do any of the resorts offer free wi-fi connection? What about craft activities for the kids? Free tubes for lazy rivers? Any special rates for golfing for owners?

I am curious because we have family who own at Fairfield and I've heard stories of free wireless connection and free craft activities for the kids. Even free tubes for lazy rivers!


We own at Orange Lake, and while we really do love the accommodations and the resort, we are getting a little irked at all of the added fees. We do get discounted rates for golf and can make tee times in advance of the general public. But, we have to pay $50/week for wireless and that is not even available if we are staying in the West. The fees for the tubes at the Lazy River in River Island are absolutely outrageous! We are here right now and the single tube rental rate is $7, the double is $10 and they no longer give you the $2 back when you return it, they don't even give you a $2.00 credit to the hippo ride or the arcade lie they use to. Now you get $1 refund with the double tube only. Wow does this add up when you have a family of 5. And, we own a 3 bedroom at River Island - we still get no break on the tubes! Here's the kicker. You are not allowed to bring your own tubes into the lazy river. They will kick you right out. We didn't know that and thought we were so smart buying our own tubes and bringing them. Nope! Got told to get out immediately. When I asked why, they said it was for safety reasons, so they could control how many tubes were in there at one time. the funny thing is, when I asked how many were allowed in at one time, they didn't have an aswer for me, and there were literally stacks and stacks of them that were not even being used. Sure didn't seem like a safety issue to me, seems more like a way for them to make money.

Now, I just read that we can go to the campfire that we've always gone to, but we have to pay for the milk/s'mores that use to be given for free? :annoyed:

I understand that costs need to be covered and I understand that they've got to make money or the are not going to be in business for long. But, seriously - $10 to rent a tube for a day? Why at least can they not give owners a break? I feel like we're being whacked at both ends - maintenance fees going up AND activity fees going up. Yikes! Is all of this typical of timeshares?

 

[pjrose]

We do not pay directly for wireless, towels, sports equipment, "welcome" parties, or activities at the Royal Resorts - there is sometimes a small fee for crafts to cover the price of the materials. However, we for sure pay for those things through our maintenance fee, whether we use them or not!

 

[timeos2]

Nothing is free

IF the items are paid for in the annual fees then they should be free to all - exchange guest/renter/owner. If they are not - WiFi is one that at many resorts still isn't considered to be a "everyone needs" amenity that even owners are charged for - then all guests/owners/renters should be charged if they choose to use those features. The worst is the resorts like DVC (which started the practice) and Manhattan Club among a few others that charge exchange guest ONLY a "penalty fee" for things that the owners already paid for in their fees and they just are taking more money from the guests. All of THOSE owners should have a similar penalty fee tacked on by any resort they trade into even if no one else gets a charge (just to make things fair).

Most resorts try not to charge too many nuisance fees as it tends to lower scores. $50 is OUTRAGEOUS for Internet use. I can see the tube fee as the majority of guests / owners wouldn't use that thus it should not be included in the annual fees.

In the long term I still think owners at OLCC (or maybe the Holiday Inn Resort soon?) are going to be unpleasantly surprised when the cost of all those amenities start to be charged back to the owners. So far they have been covered by the Developer but that won't last for ever (and neither will the amenities - wait until THEY have to be replaced - $$$$$). Nothing is free and the costs eventually end up with the property owners.

 

[Jbart74]

At Morritts in Grand Cayman owners (who purchased from the developer) receive 20% off water-sports, onsite SCUBA, and a few other things that everyone is charged for. WiFi is free for owners but is not for guests or exchangers. All of these are NOT dependent on taking any tours or visiting any update meetings. There is no lazy river or waterslide type attractions onsite so that doesn't apply here.

The sales reps also have 20% off coupons for most island attractions and many restaurants. Those can be obtained by anyone staying on property, but they put you close to the 'Update hook." You don't have to attend, but it seems to help. Being an owner makes it easier to get the coupons without going through the usual TS motions.

As far as I can remember, the activities such as water aerobics, beach vollyball, scavenger hunts, Mudslide pool relays and others are free for everyone staying onsite.

Owners can also get deeply discounted tickets from the sales reps to the weekly theme dinners like Bar-B-Que on the beach, Lobster night, etc.

Everyone gets a couple free drink tickets for the first night at the resort from the reps.

 

[applegirl]

With Marriott we get discount golf rates and discount at the Spa as well as occasional Spa specials.

Janna

 

[BocaBum99]

I've always found that bonus time or the ability to rent last minute inventory for a cheap rate is extremely valuable for owners of certain resorts or resort groups.

 

[Jbart74]

I've always found that bonus time or the ability to rent last minute inventory for a cheap rate is extremely valuable for owners of certain resorts or resort groups.

I forgot to mention that as owners at Morritts we do have a virtually guaranteed "bonus week" every year should we choose to visit twice. It is billed at the cost of MF only for whatever size unit we want any time of year.

 

[scooooter]

oh wow! This is all great information, very helpful.

I appreciate hearing everyone's point of view as it does help me to be able to look at things from a different angle.

We do have a welcome night where there is free munchies like nachos, popcorn, pretzles, etc, and the beer is 2 for 1, I believe???? No discount on the luau or any of the other activities, unless there is something that I am not aware of.

 

[UWSurfer]

HGVC has free wireless at it's resorts, some activities depending on the location (Waikola/Bay Club has $1 Mai Tia nights coupled with hula dancers). Discounts vary from location but usually require a tour or owners update. I forget what owners get, if anything at our particular resort owned other than being greated with "Welcome home". HGVC LV Hilton will issue a pool/day pass to owners

San Clemente Inn has free wifi, limited activites...nothing too special (movie night, orientation morning and drawings, bingo afternoon when enough people are interested). Resort usually tries to place owners in renovated units as half the property is renovated. They are doing the upgrades slowly to stay within budget and not trigger an assessment. Owners have day use access of the facility.

Gardens of West Maui charges $40 for a week of wired internet (through the local cable tv company) or $9/day. Activities like Lei making, hula dance instruction, ice cream social and burger cookouts (some held down the road at Sands of Kahana), and on site concierge/activity planner. Discounted activities by approximately 30% IF you do the owners update or tour at Sand of Kahana. They are selling Tahiti Village in Vegas. Resale owners of Consolidated Properties are excluded from the discounts (it will appear in their computer). Other resale owners...don't ask...don't tell. Owners might hear, "Welcome home." Owners won't be placed in building one...which houses the office. It is closest to the neighboring roosters next door.

Summer Bay Desert Club Las Vegas charges for wifi access (unsure how much), and is getting settled into their new digs. Free shuttles to/from the strip a block or two away. Activities unknown.

Personal note: Broadband access via wireless companies is becoming more common place and the Palm Treo phone often can double as a wireless broadband modem. I have the service for and from my employer and it's a life saver when at places which charge for wifi. Here at Gardens, I'm getting speeds which rival my home wifi using the treo as my connection. Pretty cool.

 

[bobcat]

HGVC has free wireless at it's resorts, some activities depending on the location (Waikola/Bay Club has $1 Mai Tia nights coupled with hula dancers). Discounts vary from location but usually require a tour or owners update.

San Clemente Inn has free wifi, limited activites...nothing too special (movie night, orientation morning and drawings, bingo afternoon when enough people are interested)

Gardens of West Maui charges $40 for a week of wired internet (through the local cable tv company) or $9/day. Activities like Lei making, hula dance instruction, ice cream social and burger cookouts (some held down the road at Sands of Kahana), and on site concierge/activity planner. Discounted activities by approximately 30% IF you do the owners update or tour at Sand of Kahana. They are selling Tahiti Village in Vegas. Resale owners of Consolidated Properties are excluded from the discounts (it will appear in their computer). Other resale owners...don't ask...don't tell.

Summer Bay Desert Club Las Vegas charges for wifi access (unsure how much), and is getting settled into their new digs. Free shuttles to/from the strip a block or two away. Activities unknown.

Personal note: Broadband access via wireless companies is becoming more common place and the Palm Treo phone often can double as a wireless broadband modem. I have the service for and from my employer and it's a life saver when at places which charge for wifi. Here at Gardens, I'm getting speeds which rival my home wifi using the treo as my connection. Pretty cool.

Day pass to use the pool, gym, spa, indoor pool, beach bar, etc.

 

[ocowner]

...an easy walk to the beach.

 

[rhonda]

Here's ours:

• DVC when staying on our points: Free internet; pool hopping privileges; free movie rentals; and various Disney discounts.
• Grand Pacific Palisades: Free internet during stay; year-round "day use" of pools, fitness center, sauna, recreation center, etc.; discounted RCI membership; on-property RCI office; discounted RCI exchanges across all Grand Pacific Resort (GPR) managed properties; exemption of RCI 1-in-4 rule for GPR properties; right to book bonus time at GPP; free "owner level" membership in ResorTime for booking discounted reservations across a large group of resorts; invitation to attend a great party at the annual owner's meeting each spring.
• Warner Springs Ranch: free "day use" of resort grounds, hot springs pool, cold pools, tennis courts, golf, equestrian and other amenities; all guests may access free internet in the lodge. Various owner's socials and "work days" are scheduled throughout the year. Owners also receive discounted room rates and various other discounts on food/beverage, spa services, hair salon, and other venues.
• Worldmark: right to book bonus time w/in Worldmark's resort collection; as "Gold Members" (20k+) we have a special phone line for reservations and receive one free movie rental per reservation at most WM properties.
• Seapointer: well ... none that we know of ... haven't been there.

As for Warner Springs Ranch -- yes, owner dues include free golf (if walking; small fee for cart) and free equestrian for independent riders. If I had an airplane -- I think I could ask for free tie-down at the ranch's private airstrip. Day use is available during the appropriate "use months" of owner's account. Full owners are year-round and those with half shares are either "odd or even" months.

 

[rickandcindy23]

When I stay at my own Wyndham Fairfield resorts, I don't have to pay a Guest Certificate fee. My guests have to pay $99, more than RCI and II charge--by far. Is that a benefit?

 

[Janette]

Day passes. Since we leave nearby, we feel like we have country club privileges on the beach.

 

[Present]

Charter Club of Marco Island

At CCMI you get free sailing lessons, free use of sail boat, wind surfing or kayaks...as an owner or a HGVC exchanger

Right now WiFi is free but spotty, they are hard wiring the units so who knows if there will be a charge in the future?