Best is relative with cost (# of points) and trade power in mind. Lodge Alley Inn and Big Cedar will likely have the strongest trade power all else being equal. CMV and Boyne are good options for many as are the MB resorts in general. One thing to keep in mind is that many weeks you can reserve at not allowed to be deposited to II or RCI though they can often be deposited to the independent exchange companies. There are two limitations in reserving a week to deposit, the exact unit in question and the start date of the unit. One is that either BG or the exchange companies decide which units can be deposited and which can't. BG says it' II/RCI and vice versa. My info suggests it's BG. The reason appears to be that they want to keep the resort ratings up so they only want to give the best units for exchange. That means that a large number of 1 BR (most) and almost no studios are depositable, Big Cedar being the exception. While there may be an exception, I am not aware of a standard side 1 BR that can be deposited with II/RCI. Harbour Lights 1 BR nor hotel side are no longer depositable since about Feb, 2007 for the 1 BR, prior to that for the studio. Also, no 1 BR units at Shorecrest are depositable from what I've been able to find out. Most 1 BR at CMV are likewise not depositable from what I get from BG.
The other issue is that you must match the fixed week of the unit in question to deposit it even if it would be otherwise. If the unit in question is a fixed week starting Sunday and you reserve Fri to Fri, it is not depositable.
With RCI is likely doesn't matter much for silver crown vs gold crown. The unit size, demand of the week and other rating factors are far more important. It matters a little more with II for select vs Premier. The way to get a unit is to make preliminary decisions based on this and similar info as to what unit size, seasons, resort and dates you want to deposit. Then call BG and see if that unit type can be deposited and if so, if they can find a depositable unit. Tell them specifically you want to deposit it and they'll see if they can find one for you. You'll then need the dates, unit # and resort code to deposit with RCI.
