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European Timeshare Ideas for Family Reunion of 20+ people

Seaport104

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Hello All,

We have just concluded our family reunion and now it's time to plan for 2025 :)!

So far, we have done Grand Residence Tahoe (CA), Hilton Hawaiian Village (HI), Marriott Koolina (HI), Garza Blanca (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico), Marriott Aruba Ocean Club (Aruba), HGVC Oceans Enclave (SC), and HGVC Elara (Vegas). We are thinking of something different that our prior trips and Europe came to mind. Here's our wish list:

- ability to exchange into multiple units for the same week for 20+ people. Ideally we will need 5-7 2BR units. I have HGVC and Marriott with access to both RCI and Interval
- vacation needs to be end of June
- enough things to do for a week, usually book 3-4 tours/acitvities for the week. With this many people, we do not want to move around and prefer day trips from our location for the week.

Thanks in advance!
 

Hindsite

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Either the MVC to the east of Paris (MVF) or either of the MVCs in Southern Spain would be good options. There are 2 and 3 bed units to choose from and a range of ways to book, II or Abound.
I've already heard people getting June II exchanges for MVF, so don't delay in getting a request in if you choose any MVC.
The location in France is closer to the Paris Airports. If people are travelling from the US to Spain, they often have to route through Madrid, and then on the Malaga.
You will be just before the start of the peak summer season at the end of June, the weather will be warm to hot, cooler in France. With a decent deposit you should get the exchanges in II.
 

elaine

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MVC Ile de France is excellent choice-many posts here on activities-several do not need a car. You are just before summer breaks for most of Europe. Beautiful units, facilities. Easy for those who wish to then travel more in Europe. TGV train station right at Disney. Advance tickets are very inexpensive-you could actually day trip to Strasbourg. Easy to get to Reims also.
 

Hindsite

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Not sure about RCI or HGVC, but @CalGalTraveler may be able to advise on options for Portugal. The Four seasons in the Algarve are part of II, but I've never seen inventory there other than in low season.
Portugal is a good option if you can find inventory that you can get for the dates, it will be quite hot there at the end of June.
 

CalGalTraveler

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I would love to recommend Portugal Four Seasons - wonderful resort, but do not think the OP could secure that many rooms unless they rented from owners or the front desk to get the dates. with RCI or II you may get one room but then you have no control over dates.

If the OP owns HGVC affiliates Craigendarroch or Florida Gulf or HGV deeds, Destination Exchange (DEX) might be your best bet for securing multiple room weeks because it shows inventory available in HVC/former DRI properties. DEX has many properties in Europe include Vilar du Golf (Algarve), Spain mainland and islands, and other EU (Alpine Club - Austria) destinations for day trips. You would have to check out the quality as I have not stayed in any of them but have heard good reviews.

We had many wonderful Algarve (southern Portugal) day trips and food from the Four Seasons, which is close to HGVC Vilamoura. Food and hotels in Portugal are inexpensive so great for family reunion. Also a 2 hour drive to Sevilla, Spain for a long day trip possible.

It's next to impossible to trade into these TS in summer but you could rent using HHonors points and cash for the Hilton Vilamoura Hotel (the HGVC only has a few units that float in it). Much more availability. Same experience.

Another idea: How about HGVC Craigendarroch in Scotland? If not enough available via HGVC, you can rent from front office from owners, and also trade / rent from TUG owners who have summer weeks. (I own a week during your timeframe but we already traded our units into HGVC and DEX)
 

Seaport104

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Thanks @Hindsite @elaine and @CalGalTraveler for the suggestions!

I do have one deed that I can use for DEX but it's only one week. I will look into HGVC Craigendarroch as an alternative. Otherwise, looks like my best bet will be with MVC Spain or France since I have II weeks and points I can use to book.
 
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I'd be very surprised if you manage to find that many units available at any one time at the European Marriotts. Whilst end of June is not school holiday period it is a very popular time for those owners not tied to the school holidays. You'll likely have more luck with your points than you will with II however 5-7 units is a big ask.
 

Seaport104

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Thanks All! So after further discussions with he family, due to budget and/or time constraints, Europe is off the table. So we are back to having a US destination. Current thoughts are FL now. Will be posting another thread on the new topic and would appreciate any feedback! TIA
 
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