Diamond Resorts Newsletter - sent by Hilton

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Posting this here because it was actually sent by Hilton. Note the discussion of Hilton creating a new brand for some of the Diamond properties - Hilton Vacation Club. Looks as if the "Grand" will need to disappear from the title for this forum!

Dear Club Members,

Happy New Year from your Hilton Grand Vacations family! Every new year provides the unique opportunity to reflect on the past and look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Since Hilton Grand Vacations’ acquisition of Diamond Resorts in August 2021, we’ve been working around the clock to integrate both companies, including our Club programs. In fact, efforts are currently underway to bring several Diamond Resorts properties under a new Hilton Grand Vacations brand called Hilton Vacation Club as part of our phased, multi-year integration plan. As promised, we will update you as these properties transition. Please know that access to your Home Resort will not change, and you will continue to make reservations as you do now.

Looking ahead, we are planning to launch our new membership program early in the second quarter of 2022. The new membership program will provide Members access to more properties in new destinations and markets, in addition to new and enhanced benefits. As details are finalized, including program costs and fees, we will be sure to share these with you.

As the world of travel continues to evolve, The Club has been updating and improving Destination Xchange® to ensure maximum flexibility with your Points. You can now deposit Points as a Tier Credit for use on travel over the next five years or to find a new favorite spot for a relaxing escape. Your Club team is here to help you make the most of your Points — whether it’s on a once-in-a-lifetime Member Escorted Journey, a long-awaited family reunion, a return to your favorite resort or for our Events of a Lifetime.

In fact, one of our most beloved Events of a Lifetime returns as the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions starting January 20–23, 2022, at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando. The tournament brings together past LPGA Tour winners with approximately 50 celebrities, athletes and entertainers to compete for prize money. The Club Members have exclusive access to tournament event packages in Daytona and Orlando starting at 2,500 points. For more details, call The Club at 877-374-2582.

This is an exciting time for Hilton Grand Vacations and I’m happy you’re part of the family. I hope you will make 2022 a year filled with memorable travel!

Happy travels,

Stan Soroka

Executive Vice President & Chief Customer Officer
Hilton Grand Vacations

 

[dayooper]

Posting this here because it was actually sent by Hilton. Note the discussion of Hilton creating a new brand for some of the Diamond properties - Hilton Vacation Club. Looks as if the "Grand" will need to disappear from the title for this forum!

Or the Diamond Forum will need to be renamed Hilton Vacation Club and need to be moved here!

 

[PigsDad]

There will still be a Hilton Grand Vacation Club, but there will now be a new "Hilton Vacation Club" that will be more focused on the existing Diamond properties -- at least that is how I am reading it. Will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

Kurt

 

[PigsDad]

BTW, HGV members were sent a similar email today as well:

Dear Club Members,

Happy New Year from your Hilton Grand Vacations family! Every new year provides the unique opportunity to reflect on the past and look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead.

First, I’d like to say thank you. Your loyalty to Hilton Grand Vacations, and the opportunity to be part of your vacation experience, give meaning to our work and have helped us grow to where we are today. It was wonderful to welcome so many of you back to our properties in 2021. To those of you who put your travel plans on hold last year, our primary goal is to help make your travel dreams come true again in 2022.

As you consider your future vacation plans, don’t forget our new properties opened in sought-after travel destinations in 2021. Whether you’re looking to explore the Big City while staying at The Central at 5th by Hilton Club in New York, enjoy the historic charm and culinary delights during a visit to Liberty Place Charleston by Hilton Club in South Carolina, appreciate the tranquility of Maui Bay Villas by Hilton Grand Vacations in Hawaii, or walk the pristine beaches at La Pacifica Los Cabos by Hilton Club in Mexico — we have you covered. I encourage you to read more about these and other exceptional properties in our Club Traveler publications.

Looking ahead, we are working around the clock to launch our new membership program early in the second quarter of 2022. The new membership program will provide Members access to more properties in new destinations and markets, in addition to new and enhanced benefits. As details are finalized, including program costs and fees, we will be sure to share these with you.

With a new year often comes change. You may notice that some of our fees have increased in 2022. Please review the Club Reference 2022: Rules and Fees guide for further details. We’ve seen an increase in the cost of labor and wages in the last two years, especially in the travel and leisure industry, further compounded by a rise in inflation. However, to counter some increasing costs, I am happy to share that reservation transaction fees remain the same for 2022. For a summary of this year’s Club Program changes, visit our New Year’s Page on the Club website or reference the chart below for the most common transaction types.

Kurt

 

[pedro47]

There will still be a Hilton Grand Vacation Club, but there will now be a new "Hilton Vacation Club" that will be more focused on the existing Diamond properties -- at least that is how I am reading it. Will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

Kurt

What is the difference betweem Hilton Club members exchanging into Hilton Grand Vacation Club and the new "Hilton Vacation Club?"
Are the new "Hilton Vacation Club' members going to be second class Club members?

 

[PigsDad]

What is the difference betweem Hilton Club members exchanging into Hilton Grand Vacation Club and the new "Hilton Vacation Club?"
Are the new "Hilton Vacation Club' members going to be second class Club members?

No one knows as that level of detail has not yet been released.

Kurt

 

[GT75]

What is the difference betweem Hilton Club members exchanging into Hilton Grand Vacation Club and the new "Hilton Vacation Club?"
Are the new "Hilton Vacation Club' members going to be second class Club members?

Currently only a branding name change.

 

[dougp26364]

What is the difference betweem Hilton Club members exchanging into Hilton Grand Vacation Club and the new "Hilton Vacation Club?"
Are the new "Hilton Vacation Club' members going to be second class Club members?

Not second class members, but varying degrees of resort quality.

Think of it in these terms. Sedona Summit has different classes of units. I know there’s standard units and Mesa suites plus one other suite I don’t recall it’s name. The Suites at Fall Creek in Branson has standard units as well as more expensive Deluxe units. Polo Towers is actually separated into two resorts, the suites and the villas, with the villas requiring more points.

You’ll probably see the same between the “grand” resorts and the “vacation” resorts. You can say whatever you want, but most (not all) DRI resorts are of lessor quality than the current Hilton Grand resorts. It’s the main reason we left DRI and kept Hilton and Marriott. DRI fees where in line with Marriott and higher than Hilton but the quality wasn’t equal. It made the decision to drop DRI and keep the others easy for us.

I don’t see Hilton as treating DRI owners as second class citizens, but I also don’t see them elevating DRI resorts to Hilton Grand standards. It would be hard for me to believe that DRI members have forgotten how jacked the MF’s became when DRI decided to upgrade all the old Sunterra resorts. I can hear the screams now if DRI owners got shocked with huge special assessments to upgrade the DRI resorts to HGVC standards.

 

[dioxide45]

Not second class members, but varying degrees of resort quality.

I would think these "HIlton Vacation Club" resorts will probably be afforded fewer points in the new system than similar size units at a "Hilton Grand Vacations" resort?

 

[dougp26364]

I would think these "HIlton Vacation Club" resorts will probably be afforded fewer points in the new system than similar size units at a "Hilton Grand Vacations" resort?

I think that’s the assumption, but we’ll have to wait and see what the cross-over rules look like. I’d take a guess but I’ve been wrong so many times I find it’s best to just wait and see. Hilton does appear to be moving faster towards integration than MVC/Vistana, but DRI didn’t have the market presence and recognition that Westin, Sheraton and Hyatt had going for them. Maybe that will make it easier for Hilton.

What I’m most curious about is how MF’s will be affected by Hilton’s management style. We left DRI primarily because the fees were out of line with the quality. Hilton has done a fantastic job IMO of keeping MF’s in line. Will DRI fees go down? Maybe they’ll have several years of no increases? Will they take any surplus and plow it back into the resort to increase quality without increasing MF’s? This is what interests me more than anything else because the variance in quality vs fees was what drove us out of the DRI system.

 

[Eric B]

As mentioned in other threads, there's also the "Hilton Club" tier. Maybe the forum should just be renamed "Hilton".

 

[dioxide45]

I think that’s the assumption, but we’ll have to wait and see what the cross-over rules look like. I’d take a guess but I’ve been wrong so many times I find it’s best to just wait and see. Hilton does appear to be moving faster towards integration than MVC/Vistana, but DRI didn’t have the market presence and recognition that Westin, Sheraton and Hyatt had going for them. Maybe that will make it easier for Hilton.

What I’m most curious about is how MF’s will be affected by Hilton’s management style. We left DRI primarily because the fees were out of line with the quality. Hilton has done a fantastic job IMO of keeping MF’s in line. Will DRI fees go down? Maybe they’ll have several years of no increases? Will they take any surplus and plow it back into the resort to increase quality without increasing MF’s? This is what interests me more than anything else because the variance in quality vs fees was what drove us out of the DRI system.

Perhaps it is the reputation of Diamond that is hastening the name change. The faster they can get that name off the resorts, the better.

 

[dougp26364]

Perhaps it is the reputation of Diamond that is hastening the name change. The faster they can get that name off the resorts, the better.

I think it’s more about branding than getting rid of the bad taste of DRI. A lot of those that own DRI like DRI. I’m not certain that outside of timeshare that DRI has any brand recognition, either good or bad.

Hilton does have brand recognition. Getting the Hilton name on these timeshares could increase recognition plus draw interest from HHonors members towards those resorts, possibly opening up a pool of untapped prospects Hilton hadn’t been able to reach before.

DRI has always rented inventory. Now that inventory will have the Hilton name and perhaps will draw greater attention from current HHonors members as well as booking engines like orbits. As a result this could drive additional presentations/sales. In Sedona,

If I were Hilton, I’d want my name on these resorts ASAP as long as the resorts met Hilton’s standards

 

[pedro47]

I feel with the MF‘s DRI, were charging their owners/members, Hilton will have no troubles upgrading many of the old DRI resorts. I also, feel Hilton will use their resorts reserve monies wisely to upgrade many of these Hilton brand resorts. Finally, I feel Hilton will reduce the inflated management fees DRI charged their resorts.

Look for this money to go back into the new Hilton brand resorts.

This money will be used to improve the Hilton acquisition of DRI resorts. Hilton is not going purchase tools, silverware and materials from the dollar tree stores.

Hilton is not going to purchase new trucks for their maintenance staff every two years for not properly maintaining their resorts .

Hilton, IMO, is going to use the MF’s properly and wisely to enchant these new Hilton brand resorts and by using the Hilton brand buying power to purchase new quality furnishings, appliances, linens, and kitchens cookware and silverware.

I also hope Hilton will look at their new sale team and will terminate many of these employees.

This acquisition by Hilton will be a “win - win“ for all the new Hilton brand resorts and it’s owners. IMHO.

Go Hilton Vacation Club or Hilton Club.

 

[dayooper]

As mentioned in other threads, there's also the "Hilton Club" tier. Maybe the forum should just be renamed "Hilton".

If you are going to change the name of the forum, I think that Hilton Grand Vacations Forum (remove the club from the title) would appropriate as that's the name of the overall company. I think just Hilton would be confusing for newbies as they might think that Hilton Hotels is involved with the system.

 

[dioxide45]

I think it’s more about branding than getting rid of the bad taste of DRI. A lot of those that own DRI like DRI. I’m not certain that outside of timeshare that DRI has any brand recognition, either good or bad.

Hilton does have brand recognition. Getting the Hilton name on these timeshares could increase recognition plus draw interest from HHonors members towards those resorts, possibly opening up a pool of untapped prospects Hilton hadn’t been able to reach before.

DRI has always rented inventory. Now that inventory will have the Hilton name and perhaps will draw greater attention from current HHonors members as well as booking engines like orbits. As a result this could drive additional presentations/sales. In Sedona,

If I were Hilton, I’d want my name on these resorts ASAP as long as the resorts met Hilton’s standards

Rebranding does give Hilton Grand Vacations another outlet for renting as well. RIght now they couldn't put the Diamond resorts for rent on Hilton.com. After a rebrand it gives them more options to unload unsold or unbooked inventory.

 

[youppi]

If you are going to change the name of the forum, I think that Hilton Grand Vacations Forum (remove the club from the title) would appropriate as that's the name of the overall company. I think just Hilton would be confusing for newbies as they might think that Hilton Hotels is involved with the system.

I agree with you. Hilton is the hotel side parent and Hilton Grand Vacations is the timeshare side parent as per the following picture from https://s27.q4cdn.com/757306400/files/doc_presentations/FINAL-HGV-DRI-Slides-(1).pdf.

 

[dioxide45]

I agree with you. Hilton is the hotel side parent and Hilton Grand Vacations is the timeshare side parent as per the following picture from https://s27.q4cdn.com/757306400/files/doc_presentations/FINAL-HGV-DRI-Slides-(1).pdf.
View attachment 44884

Interesting that they are pegging Wyndham resorts a little below Diamond.

 

[Eric B]

Interesting that they are pegging Wyndham resorts a little below Diamond.

They also have Hilton Club resorts above Marriott. Gotta say I think the Westins I've been to have been higher quality/luxury than The District, for example. But they made the slide, so they can position them where they want.

 

[dayooper]

They also have Hilton Club resorts above Marriott. Gotta say I think the Westins I've been to have been higher quality/luxury than The District, for example. But they made the slide, so they can position them where they want.

This is just from what I hear, but The Quin and Central on 5th are supposed to be very luxurious. I don’t know much about Westin resorts either.

 

[dougp26364]

I think maybe just some, since travel and Lea sure straddles the line. I have stayed at any Wyndham resort, but the two Wyndham’s in Branson appear to be nicer than the DRI resort in that location. In Vegas it might be a toss up, but again, I haven’t stayed at a Wyndham resort……. ever.

As mentioned, it’s Hiltons chart, so they can rate their competition how they see them.

 

[Eric B]

This is just from what I hear, but The Quin and Central on 5th are supposed to be very luxurious. I don’t know much about Westin resorts either.

I'll be staying at The Quin in March, so will have another data point. The spectrum they put the resorts on is pretty subjective in any case and I might have taken into account being located in Cancun or St John as opposed to DC in the winter, but the Marriott bar would include Ritz Carlton, too. I've got to believe there's a fair amount of investor relations puffery in the world similar to how not everything you hear from a timeshare salesman is 100% true.

But back to the subject - TUG didn't change the name of the Wyndham forum when the corporation became Travel+Leisure, so I'm okay with leaving this one as HGVC. It's up to the management here on what they want to do about the DRI forum, of course, but I think it would be a bit confusing naming that one HVC when the rebranding has happened. I also think that the integration will not be tight enough to eliminate the separate forum but instead a looser one like the Wyndham-WorldMark situation. If it were me, though, I would change the order of the fora to move DRI next to HGVC and to group Hyatt near Marriott and Vistana. It probably doesn't make a difference, though.

 

[dayooper]

Rebranding does give Hilton Grand Vacations another outlet for renting as well. RIght now they couldn't put the Diamond resorts for rent on Hilton.com. After a rebrand it gives them more options to unload unsold or unbooked inventory.

The Hilton Honors app already has some of the DRI resorts loaded but not able to book. They say coming soon and are listed as Hilton Vacation Club. Mystic Dunes in Orlando is one.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I don't believe mingling the DRI forum with HGVC makes sense. Different programs and there would be too much confusion and co-mingling of content.

Vistana is still separate from MVC. Of course MVC has not rebranded nor integrated.

Perhaps rename the Diamond Forum; "Hilton Vacations Club (Formerly Diamond)" since that rebranding is happening.

 

[pedro47]

I don't believe mingling the DRI forum with HGVC makes sense. Different programs and there would be too much confusion and co-mingling of content.

Vistana is still separate from MVC. Of course MVC has not rebranded nor integrated.

Perhaps rename the Diamond Forum; "Hilton Vacations Club (Formerly Diamond)" since that rebranding is happening.

I feel the same way. Both programs are totally difference.