Forgot my reminder, still snagged a gulf property this morning.

[buzglyd]

I noticed yesterday there was a Seawatch on the Beach available in May. This resort requires a 7 day reservation. I set a reminder for 9 PM and didn’t have my phone near and totally forgot. I woke up this morning and figured it would be gone. I logged in and there it was! I booked it!

We’ve stayed in some of the Marco and Sanibel properties but never Ft. Myers beach. Looking forward to it.

 

[rapmarks]

I think you will love it

 

[silentg]

Very nice!

 

[chriskre]

It just got remodeled so it’s nicer now. The beach is quite a trek away so get a beach cart.
Staff is very friendly and helpful.
But the no seeums were really bad when we were there in October.
Hopefully they are better in May.
The island is looking much better.
Have fun.


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[JohnnyO]

It just got remodeled so it’s nicer now. The beach is quite a trek away so get a beach cart.
Staff is very friendly and helpful.
But the no seeums were really bad when we were there in October.
Hopefully they are better in May.
The island is looking much better.
Have fun.


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Yikes ... no seeums are no fun ... we really need to research the seasons for these critters. We really haven't hit the Florida HGV/HGVC resorts but plan to some day. Figured late fall, winter, and early spring is the best time. Maybe more winter and spring to avoid the no seeums and the storms.

 

[buzglyd]

We stayed a week in Marco Island at Crystal Shores first week of June and didn’t really have a problem with them.

 

[jp10558]

So you can book these "external exchanges" online? I never see any availability for my resale HGVC contract - I just figured I had to call in.

 

[buzglyd]

So you can book these "external exchanges" online? I never see any availability for my resale HGVC contract - I just figured I had to call in.

Yes. It’s different now because they have to be 7 day reservations.

 

[dayooper]

So you can book these "external exchanges" online? I never see any availability for my resale HGVC contract - I just figured I had to call in.

Yes. It’s different now because they have to be 7 day reservations.

Not only the reservation window, many owners do not even place their deeds in the HGVC system. The SW Florida resorts are voluntary. That means it’s the owner of the weeks choice to enroll their week into the HGVC system. Since the only weeks in the system are those that trade their weeks in for points, there has to be owners that not only have enrolled their week, but also traded into the system.

 

[dioxide45]

Not only the reservation window, many owners do not even place their deeds in the HGVC system. The SW Florida resorts are voluntary. That means it’s the owner of the weeks choice to enroll their week into the HGVC system. Since the only weeks in the system are those that trade their weeks in for points, there has to be owners that not only have enrolled their week, but also traded into the system.

Just for my curiosity. Are these fixed or float weeks? If fixed and one of the owners doesn't make their reservation before 9-months out, does it instantly become available for club bookings? If there is a pool of enrolled weeks, how are those allocated for club bookings? Do owners at these properties have to make a club booking before their week actually gets allocated for other club point availability?

 

[buzglyd]

Just for my curiosity. Are these fixed or float weeks? If fixed and one of the owners doesn't make their reservation before 9-months out, does it instantly become available for club bookings? If there is a pool of enrolled weeks, how are those allocated for club bookings? Do owners at these properties have to make a club booking before their week actually gets allocated for other club point availability?

Many questions. They are a combination of fixed and float. Winter weeks are fixed and platinum weeks in the system. They also have a Flex program which is float and the point value will be based on whether it’s Gold or Silver season. Week 51 is available in Flex and has Platinum value.

What I think some people do is try to rent their week and failing that, they either us it or put it in the HGV system.

 

[JohnnyO]

Yes. It’s different now because they have to be 7 day reservations.

I just reserved

PLANTATION BEACH CLUB AT IRP ... has anyone ever been there?​

Early May 2027. It was 7 nights. Interesting thing is I read the cancellation policy and it said I had up to 31 days out to cancel. Well it is the only reservation I do not have the choice to cancel it on-line. I have to call in to cancel it. I called HGV CSR to confirm it was cancellable and she said it was. She also thought it was strange I couldn't do it on-line. She guessed it was because of the IT switchover.

Important Information​

• BEFORE YOU BOOK: This resort is currently available for 7-night stay only.

 

[chriskre]

We stayed a week in Marco Island at Crystal Shores first week of June and didn’t really have a problem with them.

Marco isn't as bad as Fort Myers for some reason.

 

[chriskre]

I just reserved

PLANTATION BEACH CLUB AT IRP ... has anyone ever been there?​

Early May 2027. It was 7 nights. Interesting thing is I read the cancellation policy and it said I had up to 31 days out to cancel. Well it is the only reservation I do not have the choice to cancel it on-line. I have to call in to cancel it. I called HGV CSR to confirm it was cancellable and she said it was. She also thought it was strange I couldn't do it on-line. She guessed it was because of the IT switchover.

Important Information​

• BEFORE YOU BOOK: This resort is currently available for 7-night stay only.

I have been there. It's a nice place.
If it's a 2 bedroom the units are 2 story with the 2nd bedroom downstairs with the laundry unit.
Not handicap friendly at all for the people staying in the 2nd bedroom.
The 1 bedroom are 1 floor units.
The resort itself is nice.

I haven't been in about 5 years so not sure if they have remodeled since, but they were decent when I was last there.
I went during covid and the red tide was terrible so I ended up catching pneumonia.
The area is very sleepy with not much to do but I don't want much to do when I go to the beach.
You have access to the Marriott Hotel but we didn't use it.
I'd go back but only in the 1 bedroom units if going with anyone elderly staying in the 2nd bedroom.

 

[chriskre]

Yes. It’s different now because they have to be 7 day reservations.

Are you sure?
I still see lots of orphan nights on the website and it was letting me book 5 nights at a few places.
What resorts are requiring 7 night reservations?

 

[chriskre]

So you can book these "external exchanges" online? I never see any availability for my resale HGVC contract - I just figured I had to call in.

You used to have to call in but now they are available online.
Have been for about 2 years now.
But the inventory is very limited so you have to check often.
It changes daily sometimes so check often.
I have gotten lucky finding what I want by checking often.
It's not like Orlando or Vegas you have to keep checking and
be flexible in the resort options and season.

 

[buzglyd]

Are you sure?
I still see lots of orphan nights on the website and it was letting me book 5 nights at a few places.
What resorts are requiring 7 night reservations?

I’ve clicked on some of those orphans and it always said not available.

 

[chriskre]

I’ve clicked on some of those orphans and it always said not available.

When you click on them for open season they are available. If you click on them too early they won’t let you book them as open season and if only 2 nights then can’t be booked as a club reservation unfortunately. I wish they would change that.


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[buzglyd]

When you click on them for open season they are available. If you click on them too early they won’t let you book them as open season and if only 2 nights then can’t be booked as a club reservation unfortunately. I wish they would change that.


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Hmm. I’ll keep that in mind. I’m on the other side of the country so Open Season in Marco really wouldn’t work for me unless I’m already in Florida.