Enjoying My Timeshare

[weleftmn]

It seems the threads lately have been on the negative side. While I know Wyndham has a negative side, as do all companies, We enjoy using our Wyndham points.
In the vein of the Wyndham Has Ruined Us thread. What do you enjoy?
I will answer for my family.
We love the space we get. Having bedroom(s), kitchen, living room changes vacations for us. I am an early riser while my wife likes to sleep in.
The staff at the resorts are friendly and very accomodating. They even switched out the furniture for us when the steam cleaning scent caused a migraine for my wife.
We spend most of our time at Bonnet Creek, we love Bonnet Creek.
We like to give stays to friends/family and let them have some fun. (With the warning to say no to sales presentation).
We like spending time with our adult kids on vacation.
We like the variety of resort options.

 

[55plus]

We like and use what we own. We're Platinum and use our points to snowbird in Florida for 5 to 6 months in the winter, and all at half points. Summer trips to Nashville and Wisconsin Dells too.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We really love timesharing, but some of the best timeshares that we enjoy the most are not Wyndham. Most are mediocre, some are superior, but generally it's not the best of the best.

 

[dgalati]

My list as follows.
1) 1 Bedroom or larger rooms w/kitchens, washer and dryers
2) Cost is less then a cheap hotel room with no resort fees or taxes
3) RCI exchange gives me options outside of Wyndham at a lower point cost
4) The time together with family and memories at each resort
5) The many locations that I have seen and learned about that I would not of traveled to without the use of Timeshares
6) I agree on the staff at many locations- they take the extra effort to make your stay extraordinary.

 

[PhilD41]

Thanks @weleftmn we greatly enjoy our points as well. My parents actually bought the points, but they are now in a trust with my brother and I as well. As a family of 7, it is hard to vacation in hotels, especially with younger kids and one with special needs. Wyndham has allowed us to travel and visit places we would would have never been able to. The kids favorite is WI Dells currently. My wife and I travel out to places like FL and AZ to get away now and then. We live in the midwest and the Galena property is wonderful for short weekend trips with a kid to spend some time with them. We also like providing get-a-ways for close friends when we can.

It isn't perfect, and I would love to figure out how to connect with renters to help offset the MF for my parents, and for when it becomes my responsibility. I am grateful I have found TUG to help in this. I do firmly believe it has been a positive asset for our family and I am glad my parents saw it's benefits. We have also, apparently, gone to all the wrong resorts. Out of 10-15 "updates" only two have been really high pressured and most are usually interesting even if a little long. I think our record is in and out in 1 hour 40 minutes. We make a game of seeing if we can get it even close to the promised 60 minutes.

Regardless, our lives would not be as enriched as they are without Wyndham (or something like it). This is what we have though, and we think it has been wonderful.

 

[aandmrun]

It is nice to hear about the positive side of timeshares instead of all the negative comments. We have enjoyed our timeshares for over 20 years now and it has been a great joy to be able to vacation with our grandchildren. The resorts always have plenty of family activities and the accommodations allow for privacy when we need it. Now that our grandchildren have grown, my husband and I still enjoy the fact that we can travel without being rushed. A week at each location allows for exploring the area as well as kicking back in the unit. I believe it is the people that buy on impulse, while on vacation, that seem to be the ones that are most unhappy.

 

[bestpal38]

I love my timeshare. I hate wyndham sales people, but a firm no means you don't need to deal with them. I did not purchase mine, I inherited it. Everyone else in the family said no, I did some research and took it. I have added 3 resale contracts. I'm VIP gold, and ,ake the best use I can from it. My favorite room ever, was a 2 bedroom presidential at Canterbury, in San Fransisco. I have 3 rooms booked in Nashville in April, where I wil be playing in a hockey tournament, and several of my family members, and friends are coming!! I love the resorts I've been to, and looking forward to some resorts I haven't been to yet. As for my family that said no? Well let's just say they are a little jealous right now. The only negative thing I have to say about Wyndham, is they have shady sales practices, based on lies, and half truths, which I do not appreciate in a company.

 

[drepublic]

My list as follows.
3) RCI exchange gives me options outside of Wyndham at a lower point cost

I need to investigate and spend some time learning more about RCI. So far I have managed to use all of my points each year.


My List:

1. Memories with my immediate family. We're going to places we wouldn't normally go to and way more often. I couldn't justify a Season Pass to Disney Parks without Time Shares. Bonnet Creek's value season including Thanksgiving Week an incredible value when you look at the cost of other nearby hotels that week...just wish I started on the Resale Game first.

2. Prime Locations with Large Multiple Rooms with Kitchen/Washer/Dryer at a lower cost than nearby hotels and no parking or resort fees. Thinking mainly of Presidential Suites at Bonnet Creek and Clearwater but their deluxe rooms aren't too shabby.

3. This one is weird but it in a way forces me to plan vacations a year in advance as my family travels at Peak Times and we enjoy Presidential Suites. I have found the planning process to be fun and enjoyable and I like having control of booking and canceling as I see fit and my needs change, or random discounts pop up more than two months out I can rebook at a lower point cost.

My wife looked at me puzzled when I told her yesterday that it's time to book Clearwater 2021 Spring Break and I asked her what time of room we want. As Clearwater is a heavy point use vacation I really spent some time looking at where else we wanted to go that year as to what type of room as I wanted as I love the Presidential Suites. This sparked a conversation between us about whether or not we want Disney Annual Passes for 2021 and that would affect maximizing stays at Bonnet Creek. So we decided to spend 5 nights at Clearwater then 3 nights at Bonnet Creek Spring Break week to hit a waterpark and a Disney Park after the beach as we're in Florida anyway. Also I can shoulder vacations some nights at a prime hotel for location or ammenities and some nights at Wyndham Resort.

4. I can create memories for my extended family renting them my points at my cost or below subsidizing their trips. My Dad is sending my brother and his family to Disney World this summer using my points at Bonnet Creek this summer. I booked it months ago but for a brief time (thanks to this forum) someone pointed out that there was a steep discount on Deluxe Rooms at Bonnet Creek so I re-booked my brother's rooms saving my Dad some money which he then (at my suggestion) bought more days of tickets for my brother at the parks. Also I have a 4 Bedroom Presidential Suite and a 2 Bedroom Deluxe booked for Christmas Weekend this year for my family and extended family but will spend 5 days in a 2 Bedroom Presidential Suite before everyone shows up...so all week in Presidential Suites Christmas Week in Orlando wrapping up our annual Disney Pass.

 

[hjsweet2002]

We love our Wyndham Vacations. They have allowed us to make priceless memories with family and friends. We woukd not travel as much if we did not have Wyndham.

 

[jwalk03]

We absolutely love timesharing, and have stay at Wyndham most frequently! Having separate bedrooms and a kitchen makes traveling with our 7 & 2 year olds soooo much more enjoyable! We can put them to bed and still enjoy the living room or the balcony alone. We also save a fortune on food on vacation by utilizing the kitchen for breakfasts and snacks and some dinners too. I can spend about the same on groceries on vacation as we do for a week at home!!

I also helped my in-laws purchase resale Wyndham contracts (after showing them how to rescind a developer bought purchase) and now every year for Christmas they gift their adult children their spouses and grandchildren a family vacation somewhere. Much better Christmas present than toys that get lost and broken by January! We are going to Smugglers Notch this July for the first time and can’t wait! My family and I have a trip to Disney planned for next month complete with a Bonnet Creek stay.

 

[Travel1]

Ditto to all the points made above. We are members of the Worldmark Club (by Wyndham) and love the timeshare system. In addition to the comments made above, the Worldmark/Wyndham timeshares have allowed us to experience and visit new areas that we would normally never consider, and its a pleasant surprise to see how nice some of those areas turn out to be.

 

[OutSkiing]

We love traveling so much more and staying in wonderful, roomy suites with great views. Sometime with 'downtown' ambiance and convenience and sometimes in beach territory. The time with family is invaluable. Our 8 year old daughter loves the pools and loves traveling with us. She almost always makes pool friends wherever we go.

And knowing that we can book whatever we want without thinking of dollars is a big plus. My wife can get on any time she pleases and book .. no financial stress to me as the maintenance fees are a fixed cost. She usually does the longer term planning 10-13 months out to get ideas rolling (and rooms booked before they are gone). I agree the staff at most resorts is awesome, and the rooms are usually super clean. We've explored non Wyndham sites through the RCI exchange and will do more of that in the future as well.

Bob

 

[Rolltydr]

1. We love the comfort of Wyndham properties.
2. We love the space it gives us to share time with each other and also the room it gives us to have our own space. I’m an introvert and need to be able to have some alone time. Wyndham gives us the space for both.
3. Wyndham staff has always been eager to provide whatever we need. They’re always very professional and helpful. Yes, the Sales staff can be a pain if you let them. We don’t let them. They understand a firm no and leave us alone.
4. The timeshares allow us to stay in familiar surroundings while discovering new places. It’s always nice to “come home” to our condo.



Harry

 

[Braindead]

Great thread & posts!! What a breath of fresh air !
Our entire family love the resorts & resort staff.
We’ve all made & continue to make so many cherished memories!!
Spacious units with a full kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms have spoiled us for life.
Bonnet Creek has been the best making Disney so much fun for the grandkids.
Is every aspect of Wyndham perfect? Of course not but the negatives are the last thought on our minds while enjoying our stays at the resorts!!!

 

[JudiZ]

As a rather recent Wyndham owner, we have been to Austin, which took more than our one year of our 231K points, planning a trip to Smuggs in late June and, while I was booking a two bedroom at Bonnet Creek for friends and us, discovered the units on sale and got two one bedroom units instead (for less than 5,000 points more). I bought Wyndham to supplement the weeks we already used and owned. I retired this past summer and my husband's office can be anywhere so we are looking forward to increased travel. Wyndham certainly makes less than one week travel easier and we're are now looking forward to 2021 - thinking New Orleans and Washington, DC area with Wyndham. 2022 - San Francisco for sure. We bought our points resale after reading these boards and being able to give it informed consideration.
Judi

 

[BDMX2]

I like that it has broadened our horizons! We acquired our resale Wyndham with pretty much the intent to stay at Bonnet Creek (which we had rented numerous times) and occasionally at one of the DC area locations.

Once we started looking at the options and realized we could go elsewhere for some variety, we've been to some new places! We've stayed at Kona, Ocean Ridge, La Cascada, and Long Wharf. Four places that were not even on our radar a few years ago! Well, Hawaii was at some point, but having Wyndham points to use pushed us to go for it.

We're very happy with our ownership!

 

[dgalati]

I like that it has broadened our horizons! We acquired our resale Wyndham with pretty much the intent to stay at Bonnet Creek (which we had rented numerous times) and occasionally at one of the DC area locations.

Once we started looking at the options and realized we could go elsewhere for some variety, we've been to some new places! We've stayed at Kona, Ocean Ridge, La Cascada, and Long Wharf. Four places that were not even on our radar a few years ago! Well, Hawaii was at some point, but having Wyndham points to use pushed us to go for it.

We're very happy with our ownership!

Although I sold my ownership in Wyndham I still plan on using timeshares as a way of traveling. This is Exactly what happened when I bought in. Many places I visited multiple times and that I may have not seen - San Antonio, Austin, Sedona, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor, Mid Town 45, Bonnet Creek, All the Pompano Beach resorts, Clearwater Beach, Chicago Grand, Nashville, Destin, Palm Shores Beach, Portland. Many interesting places to visit along with the history of areas.

 

[NHpauls]

We cringe when we have to travel and stay at hotels. We do it if we have to but we love, love, love timeshares. Even the mediocre ones. As long as they don’t stink (and one did!), they are clean, and the beds are good, we don't care about the rest. It’s always about location and what new things we’re gonna see when we’re there! And the 2 we return to every year (where we own) since we love them both so much and share time with family.
WE LOVE TIMESHARING !! Best investment we made in our 45 years together!

 

[bobmnu]

It seems the threads lately have been on the negative side. While I know Wyndham has a negative side, as do all companies, We enjoy using our Wyndham points.
In the vein of the Wyndham Has Ruined Us thread. What do you enjoy?
I will answer for my family.
We love the space we get. Having bedroom(s), kitchen, living room changes vacations for us. I am an early riser while my wife likes to sleep in.
The staff at the resorts are friendly and very accomodating. They even switched out the furniture for us when the steam cleaning scent caused a migraine for my wife.
We spend most of our time at Bonnet Creek, we love Bonnet Creek.
We like to give stays to friends/family and let them have some fun. (With the warning to say no to sales presentation).
We like spending time with our adult kids on vacation.
We like the variety of resort options.

I have owned and used timeshares for over 35 years. I am consolidating my ownership to two companies, Bluegreen and Shell Vacation Club (now a part of Wyndham). Timeshare has allowed us to vacation in paces we could only dream of. Traveling with a family usually requires two rooms in a hotel and you always seem to be crowded and eating out every meal gets expensive. I have friends who own a cabin, or RV. In my situation I don't have to get the place or RV ready to use and I don't have to spend a day getting it closed up either. They tell me that they don't have to pay the big maintenance fee every year, but they still have to pay taxes, repairs, insurance and storage. If something go wrong in my unit I am not spending my vacation time dealing with it. When you own multiple weeks or points you have options you don't have with a cabin or RV. So far this year my son spent 10 days in HI with his family, my daughter and friend are spending a week in AZ enjoying the warmth and sun and I am traveling with my other daughter and grand daughter to the Carolinas for a business and pleasure trip. We are meeting my brother and his wife. I have also used my points to gift to other family members and friends. Considering what I paid for the timeshares and the yearly fees I am getting a great value.

 

[TheHolleys87]

We've enjoyed our timeshares as well as my parents' (which have now come to me). In addition to multiple Disney trips, our family enjoyed lovely accommodations with full kitchens and laundry facilities pretty much all over the US, and now that we're retired and not bound to work or school schedules, DH and I are looking forward to visiting even more places.

 

[silentg]

It nice to read all the positive comments about timeshares. We have been timesharing since 1981 and with the exception of a few places, it has been great. We only have 3 timeshares now, but have owned 10 different resorts over these years. We have exchanged thru TUG, RCI, II, DAE and VRI. Currently have 3 TPU on RCI have to use by June.
We are going to Arizona in April thru twoTUG exchanges. Very excited, we have not been before.
Met lot of nice people during our travels. I always like Timeshare travel .
Silentg

 

[WinniWoman]

We like having the space and the locations. I particlualy enjoy the pools. In the past we have really enjoyed the activities offered as well. But we are not Wyndham owners, though Wyndham runs sales at our Smuggs resort. Our other timeshare is Innseason managed (used to be VRI)..

 

[pauljeffrey10]

Our timeshares are so much better than being squeezed into hotel rooms with family and kids.
Every Wyndham timeshare we have visited from Vermont to St Thomas to San Francisco, with Avon CO, Park City, Steamboat Springs, New York, Clearwater FL and Atlantic City in between have been beautiful accommodations.
We have been timeshare owners for over 25 year with home resorts in Sedona and Smuggler's Notch. A lifetime of memories at all of them.
This past winter we stayed at our "home" resort unit at Smugger's Notch, VT and three generations skied together - Me, with 50 years of skiing fun, my son with 26 years skiing at that resort and my grandson, age four, for the first time. Memories that will live on forever!
(By the way, the fact that our Smuggler's Notch timeshare purchase included 20 years of lift tickets for the entire family when we visit there was a BIG bonus!)

 

[Travel1]

(By the way, the fact that our Smuggler's Notch timeshare purchase included 20 years of lift tickets for the entire family when we visit there was a BIG bonus!)
[/QUOTE]

Don't find deals like that anymore....wow, that's quite the bonus!!

 

[nerodog]

Me too !! I have been able to share my stays with friends and I also like the space and kitchen area . I've really enjoyed using the timeshare as a base and getting to know a place. I've done my research and have exchanged into some beautiful places and have met lots of nice people.