HGVC vs. Starwood

[Helios]

Anyone who owns HGVC and Starwood, how would you compare the two programs as far as quality of their resorts and system in general?

 

[mcernik]

So we own both. Got both resale. Wanted Starwood originally but got ROFR'd on WKORV's 3 times so gave up trying for a bit and picked up Hilton. Both programs work pretty much the same now with the ability to roll over StarOptions now with Starwood. Hilton had that all along.

Hilton nickel and dime's you a bit more with fees for booking your room which is annoying, but o well. With Hilton you have a 9 month instead of 8 month non-home resort booking window, so you can plan a tad farther out. Hilton does have a lot more resorts. What they didn't have was a Maui property though which is why we ended up getting the Starwood membership. They are going to have a Maui resort in 2017 though so thats nice.

Maintenance fees seem fairly similar. We own an EOY with alternating years. With the Hilton one, we just have to pay the full maintenance fee on usage year, where as with Starwood, its half ever year. So one year we get nailed with 1.5 maint fee and the other .5 lol.

Resort quality seems fairly similar. Starwood maybe a touch better but very close. The real benefit with Hilton is the # of locations. They have a bunch of stuff in like Scotland, and new Italy property. Both seem to be adding new locations though.

 

[lizap]

We own Westin and have stayed at HGVC. Westins are generally more upscale (although it really depends on the resort) and furnishings are more modern, but HGVC is very nice. Starwood uses II while HGVC RCI. As the previous poster said, HGVC has more locations.

 

[canesfan]

How does HGVC treat re sales? When you say it's similar to Starwood, do they have mandatory vs voluntary resorts?

 

[GregT]

Anyone who owns HGVC and Starwood, how would you compare the two programs as far as quality of their resorts and system in general?

You have gotten excellent answers already to this question. A few other comments:

With HGVC, it is easy to borrow points from next year, and like Starwood, you can pay a fee and bank points to next year. HGVC reservations are easily changeable/cancelable online, and the system is generally very easy to utilize. I believe the MFs are lower for HGVC properties, meaning you can access other properties in the system more cost-effectively than Starwood.

Inventory availability is more predictable with HGVC, you can book almost any reservation exactly 9 months in advance, with Starwood, inventory can still be spotty at the highest demadn properties at release.

I believe the quality of Starwood properties is modestly higher than HGVC. Some of my favorite of the HGVC are older properties and they show their age. Starwood properties seem consistently very high quality, and may be the best of any of the hotel/timeshare chains.

I think the two systems work well together, and have suggested on the HGVC board that they are excellent complements, especially for Hawaii access.

Best,

Greg

 

[Helios]

How does HGVC treat re sales? When you say it's similar to Starwood, do they have mandatory vs voluntary resorts?

HVGC treats Resales and Direct Sales exactly the same with the exception that Resales do no count towards Elite Status.

You can even convert HGVC points into HH points or use them for cruises, etc. That may not make 100% sense financially, but at least it seems like it works as an even trade between your MFs and the credit you get. IMHO, this in a very good thing because of the flexibility it provides if you don't need more banked HVGC points and cannot use your points during the year.

I like the number and locations of their properties.

Thanks for all your responses.

 

[elleny76]

Hi since you own EOY I have a question. I am buying starwood SO . Its an odd year 1 bed and /or 67k points . For example Can I use 44k points in my"odd" year and pay a fee and bank the rest of points (23k SO) to the next year 'eve' year?...... thanks

So we own both. Got both resale. Wanted Starwood originally but got ROFR'd on WKORV's 3 times so gave up trying for a bit and picked up Hilton. Both programs work pretty much the same now with the ability to roll over StarOptions now with Starwood. Hilton had that all along.

Hilton nickel and dime's you a bit more with fees for booking your room which is annoying, but o well. With Hilton you have a 9 month instead of 8 month non-home resort booking window, so you can plan a tad farther out. Hilton does have a lot more resorts. What they didn't have was a Maui property though which is why we ended up getting the Starwood membership. They are going to have a Maui resort in 2017 though so thats nice.

Maintenance fees seem fairly similar. We own an EOY with alternating years. With the Hilton one, we just have to pay the full maintenance fee on usage year, where as with Starwood, its half ever year. So one year we get nailed with 1.5 maint fee and the other .5 lol.

Resort quality seems fairly similar. Starwood maybe a touch better but very close. The real benefit with Hilton is the # of locations. They have a bunch of stuff in like Scotland, and new Italy property. Both seem to be adding new locations though.

 

[SMHarman]

HVGC treats Resales and Direct Sales exactly the same with the exception that Resales do no count towards Elite Status.

You can even convert HGVC points into HH points or use them for cruises, etc. That may not make 100% sense financially, but at least it seems like it works as an even trade between your MFs and the credit you get. IMHO, this in a very good thing because of the flexibility it provides if you don't need more banked HVGC points and cannot use your points during the year.

I like the number and locations of their properties.

Thanks for all your responses.

Hi since you own EOY I have a question. I am buying starwood SO . Its an odd year 1 bed and /or 67k points . For example Can I use 44k points in my"odd" year and pay a fee and bank the rest of points (23k SO) to the next year 'eve' year?...... thanks onder:

Yes. You can bank and use in eve year or the next odd year.

 

[elleny76]

thanks so much!

Yes. You can bank and use in eve year or the next odd year.

 

[sjsharkie]

I don't own at HGVC, but most of the exchanges I've had and properties I've seen sleep 6 max in the 2BR.

Most of the Starwood properties are lockoff 2BRs and sleep 8 max.

Just something to think about if you have a larger family. Obviously, per property YMMV. For Starwood, Orlando, Harborside, Nanea, Lakeside, etc. have 2BR standard units that sleep 6, but most of the properties have lockoffs available that sleep 8.

-ryan

 

[LisaRex]

I don't own at HGVC, but most of the exchanges I've had and properties I've seen sleep 6 max in the 2BR.

This is true. Found this out when I was thisclose to booking a 2 bdrm at the Hilton on Big Island. Many of the Marriotts also only sleep 6, so you have to pay attention.

8 is tight, but it's a nice way to lower costs if you're traveling with another family.

 

[Helios]

HGVC is following SVN. They announced the spin off from Hilton. Estimated to be completed by the end of the year. HGVC will enter into an agreement with Hilton to maintain benefits.

 

[elleny76]

I bought an HGVC_grand palisades for $5k + the $995 free back in November and I still waiting for the deed.(I wish I have never bought that TS) Anyway .. I just hope GP still under the HGVC with the new "spin" which I have not idea what it will be. Now that I got to know SW I love it. Jut praying I get to enjoy some HGVC soon.

HGVC is following SVN. They announced the spin off from Hilton. Estimated to be completed by the end of the year. HGVC will enter into an agreement with Hilton to maintain benefits.

 

[Sea Six]

Starwood uses II while HGVC RCI.

Actually, it depends on the resort. Of the 4 HGVC resorts on the beach here, 3 use both RCI and II. Unfortunately for me, the HGVC I own only trades using RCI. No big deal, I get good HGVC time-shares up at Disney (Tuscany, Sea World), or occasionally even DVC resorts (mostly Saratoga Springs, but have done a Boardwalk). I don't belong to HGVC because my week (40) doesn't give me enough points to get a decent hotel. I use StarPoints when I book a hotel room.