How Far in Advance To Contact Resort, and What to Ask?

[Beefnot]

I'm going to be going on my first exchange (via II) in a few weeks and am looking to have a most enjoyable experience with the family. I was wondering, how far in advance should one call a resort that they've exchanged into to:

(a) Validate the reservation
(b) Confirm bldg/room assignment
(c) Request different bldg/room assignment, if desired
(d) Obtain list of resort activities

Are there other details that should be addressed as well?

 

[susieq]

I usually call the resort a few weeks in advance to confirm any questions I might have that I haven't found answered either on their website, or in reviews, (ex: hair dryer/iron/ironing board in unit?). I also ask for a unit on an upper floor, (no one above, cell reception, view), close to whatever, (in our case, hot tub - or pool, playground, etc..). Have a great vacation!!

 

[hjtug]

Unless I have urgent questions, I usually confirm one week in advance. A couple of resorts told me they don't get the II exchange details until the week of the exchange. Of course, it can never hurt to put in special requests earlier if a resort will let you do that. Some resort websites list activity schedules.

 

[MuranoJo]

I usually call them about 2 weeks ahead and put in a request for a certain location or view. Never hurts to ask. Even as exchangers, we often get what we want, but haven't had much luck getting oceanfront in HI as an exchanger.

 

[Beefnot]

Ok I will wait a couple more weeks to put in a call. Oh, and I am going to ask about early check in too.

 

[sandkastle4966]

never hurts to ask, but dont hold breath on specific room requests AND early checkin......most resorts are on a tight schedule to meet the 4 pm checkin with everyone checking out at 10 am

 

[hjtug]

You can always arrive early, which we often do. We go directly to the resort first and let them know we have arrived. Then we usually go to the grocery store to stock up. You can also hang out at the pool or elsewhere at the resort. Once you are there, many resorts will take a contact number and give you a call when they have a room ready.

 

[Art]

Ok I will wait a couple more weeks to put in a call. Oh, and I am going to ask about early check in too.

Because most resorts do their clean-ups in an orderly fashion, there is a real probability that the early check-in request will take priority and you will get the first one that is ready rather than the resort rearranging its schedule to clean your unit first.

Art

 

[Beefnot]

Because most resorts do their clean-ups in an orderly fashion, there is a real probability that the early check-in request will take priority and you will get the first one that is ready rather than the resort rearranging its schedule to clean your unit first.

Art

That makes sense.

 

[hjtug]

Because most resorts do their clean-ups in an orderly fashion, there is a real probability that the early check-in request will take priority and you will get the first one that is ready rather than the resort rearranging its schedule to clean your unit first.

Art

At an exchange last week, we called from the airport saying that we would be there in an hour and were told they couldn't help us for an early check in. But when we arrived at the front desk they took our number and called us when they had a unit available. Each resort or system has different procedures.

At some resorts exchange confirmations are for specific units. If you look at the "unit number" line on the II confirmation, it will usually have something generic like 1BDR. But we had an exchange last fall that said A130. When we tried to request oceanfront we were told that we would get a specific unit and that there was no flexibility. Fortunately it turned out to be oceanfront.