Looking for advice from anyone with first-hand knowledge of Poconos timeshares

[Angeldisa]

We are contemplating accepting a "free" deeded timeshare membership for The Villas at Tree Tops, Bushkill resort. It is a 2 bedroom (1 bedroom + a studio lockout-total of 2 1/2 baths and sleeps 8). The 2012 usage (as well as the MF of $688) would be ours (as either 1 week for both units, or 2 weeks split between the two). Seller will pay all transfer fees (not sure about closing costs, this was not specified). It is on a flex-week schedule, weeks 21-39, (summer weeks - which is actually when this timeshare would be most valuable to our family).

We have also inquired on this forum about similar timeshares available (another for points at Tree Tops, and one with 2 set weeks in the Endless Mountains area), as we are not sure what is the best direction to go in. I'm inclined to think that a lock-out may be the better value, versus a standard 2 bedroom? This would be our first timeshare commitment, and we are looking for any words of wisdom/advice/pros/cons etc. Thanks so much

 

[DanM]

Eh. The lockoff makes sense and if you like the resort and expect to use it then it's not a bad deal. As a trader you would want to split the lockoff units and if you could reserve and deposit a midsummer week get about 33 TPU in RCI or two exchanges out of II. It's good that it trades with both. But the cost per TPU is $20 which is a bit high and the Poconos just aren't in that much demand to get special value with II.

Basically, you can do better unless you really want to go to the Poconos. In the Poconos, it's probably a good choice because of the lockoff and trading with both RCI and II.

 

[Ridewithme38]

You should rent there a couple times before deciding to buy

 

[Larry]

We are contemplating accepting a "free" deeded timeshare membership for The Villas at Tree Tops, Bushkill resort. It is a 2 bedroom (1 bedroom + a studio lockout-total of 2 1/2 baths and sleeps 8). The 2012 usage (as well as the MF of $688) would be ours (as either 1 week for both units, or 2 weeks split between the two). Seller will pay all transfer fees (not sure about closing costs, this was not specified). It is on a flex-week schedule, weeks 21-39, (summer weeks - which is actually when this timeshare would be most valuable to our family).

We have also inquired on this forum about similar timeshares available (another for points at Tree Tops, and one with 2 set weeks in the Endless Mountains area), as we are not sure what is the best direction to go in. I'm inclined to think that a lock-out may be the better value, versus a standard 2 bedroom? This would be our first timeshare commitment, and we are looking for any words of wisdom/advice/pros/cons etc. Thanks so much

It's been over twenty years since we were there and some of the units were even old way back then, but we had a great time in the Poconos which was within driving distance of where we live. We actually went for three years in a row for the last week in August after our kids finished summer camp. What we liked most about tree tops was that we were able to use facilities at the nearby Fernwood hotel, including free nightly entertainment.

I also notice that you live in Pennsylvania and when we were there we met several families that bought a summer week and were also allowed day usage at the resort. They lived less than a 1 hour drive and used it several times a year on weekends to use the pools, golf course, mini golf, nightly shows etc. They also used it for day trips during the winter to go skiing, snowmobiling and use of indoor pool at the hotel.

Since you are in PA this might work very well for you, just make sure you can still use facilities when not staying at the resort.

 

[Angeldisa]

thank you...that's very helpful and gives us some things to think about

Because the Poconos are about an hour and a half driving distance from home and we are a family with 2 young children, we've decided to make this our "go to" vacation spot for the forseeable future (at least the next 5 years). Its such an easy drive, very inexpensive, and so many different activities, its really the perfect fit for us as a family, which is why we are even considering it. And I know this particular resort has been going through renovations so... (of course, our dream timeshare, the Marriott Surf Club Aruba, is a bit out of reach for us at this point...)

 

[Patri]

I also think it is a good fit for you. Some years you just won't have time for a full week there, so if you split and deposit half, you can still use a 1BR side for as many days as you can get away.

 

[Ridewithme38]

:It is a 2 bedroom (1 bedroom + a studio lockout-total of 2 1/2 baths and sleeps 8).

Be careful with "Sleeps 8" when you have two kids, its possible that this is just two beds and two pull out couches....When these kids get older, it may end up being an issue who gets the bed and who gets the couch, with places i don't know, i always try to book a bedroom for each person, just in case the 2nd bedroom doesn't have two beds

I don't know the setup at TreeTop so can't confirm or deny the room setups, but its something you should call and ask about

 

[Larry]

Be careful with "Sleeps 8" when you have two kids, its possible that this is just two beds and two pull out couches....When these kids get older, it may end up being an issue who gets the bed and who gets the couch, with places i don't know, i always try to book a bedroom for each person, just in case the 2nd bedroom doesn't have two beds

I don't know the setup at TreeTop so can't confirm or deny the room setups, but its something you should call and ask about

When we stayed there way back when with 3 Kids. We had 2 Bedrooms downstairs where we stayed with our son who was about 10 years old. The second level had a kitchen and living room with a queen size sofa bed. but it also had an open loft area one flight up a spiral staircase from Living room. The Loft had two single beds where my two daughters who were in their teens stayed and even though it had no door to loft, beds were set back so they had privacy.

 

[timeos2]

I thought most (all?) of those resorts were RTU types - the deeds had an end date not all that far in the future now?

As for the resort it was old & rather beat when we stayed there over a decade ago now (doesn't seem possible!). But we enjoyed the area & didn't mind the units (but would NEVER cook in those rather gross looking kitchens).

It will never be a fancy resort area as it is in the woods but could have used upgrades & care they didn't seem to be planning on doing.

 

[momofone]

midsummer week get about 33 TPU in RCI or two exchanges out of II. It's good that it trades with both. But the cost per TPU is $20 which is a bit high and the Poconos just aren't in that much demand to get special value with II.

Just curious. How do you find the TPU in RCI for a timeshare. Also, how is the cost per TPU figured? Also, what is a good cost per TPU? thanks.

 

[Angeldisa]

I'm weighing everyone's words of wisdom carefully...thanks again

Rent before buying - I agree it may not the wisest decision to buy into a vacation resort we've not rented at, let alone even visited. We are still deciding if we are feeling wise this month or not. We're very familiar with the Poconos though, so our expectations are definitely not inflated. But it so darn hard to ignore that first impulse to just go for it!! Especially when you see the words "free". But regardless, nasty kitchens are a bit of a deal breaker anyway. Its one of the biggest reasons for going with a timeshare unit. Otherwise we would just fork out $1200 to spend a week in a state park camping-cabin, cooking over an open fire!

Sleeping arrangements - good point, was not really looking that far into the future (my babies are 3 and 3 months, and I prefer to not yet visualize the moody, privacy-seeking teens they will undoubtedly morph into), Yes, it's 2 bedrooms with only 1 bed per and 2 pull-out couches, which would be suitable...for now. A 2 bedroom unit with sleeping loft would be great, but not what is being offered in this deal, unfortunately. I look at it like the lock-off unit is the trade-off for more suitable bed arrangements. Especially knowing that we can share the units with another family that we plan to vacation with and split the maintenance fee...that's really the appeal right there. 7 night stay for @ $356 per family. And if its got fairly (??) good trading potential with both II and RCI then we haven't backed ourselves totally in the corner as far as future vacation plans, right?

That being said, this is not a deeded timeshare, like I initially assumed. The seller said it is basically just a transfer of a membership which expires in 20 years or so (no closing costs because there is no deed to transfer). So is there any other downside to this that I may not be aware of? (other than the increasing maintenance fees).

 

[SOS8260456]

There is an auction on ebay right now for Shawnee Wyndham points. Personally the Poconos are not for me (maybe because I am too close to it). However, the points could give you some extra options. It is just a thought. The Wyndham points would open you up to possible internal trading at other Wyndham resorts or even weekend getaways.

I agree with the other posters that there is not much within a good driving distance from this area. We frequently use our Wyndham points to go to Newport, RI, but I wouldn't want to own there because the maintenance fees are too high.


I always tell my husband, we need to move just 3-4 hours further south and then think of the weekend options available to us!!!

Someday........

 

[sjuhawk_jd]

We are contemplating accepting a "free" deeded timeshare membership for The Villas at Tree Tops, Bushkill resort. It is a 2 bedroom (1 bedroom + a studio lockout-total of 2 1/2 baths and sleeps 8). The 2012 usage (as well as the MF of $688) would be ours (as either 1 week for both units, or 2 weeks split between the two). Seller will pay all transfer fees (not sure about closing costs, this was not specified). It is on a flex-week schedule, weeks 21-39, (summer weeks - which is actually when this timeshare would be most valuable to our family).

We have also inquired on this forum about similar timeshares available (another for points at Tree Tops, and one with 2 set weeks in the Endless Mountains area), as we are not sure what is the best direction to go in. I'm inclined to think that a lock-out may be the better value, versus a standard 2 bedroom? This would be our first timeshare commitment, and we are looking for any words of wisdom/advice/pros/cons etc. Thanks so much

Your description of the timeshare is a bit off. There are no 2 bedroom lock-offs at this resort. You can not get 2 weeks in this ownership. Bathrooms are also only 2 and not 2.5 as listed by you.

RCI TPUs for a summer week deposit is only about 20 and not 33 as reported by someone else. I own a week here.

 

[Angeldisa]

Your description of the timeshare is a bit off. There are no 2 bedroom lock-offs at this resort. You can not get 2 weeks in this ownership. Bathrooms are also only 2 and not 2.5 as listed by you.

RCI TPUs for a summer week deposit is only about 20 and not 33 as reported by someone else. I own a week here.

Thanks for your input...what I wrote was "2 bedrooms", not a "2 bedroom lock-off". The seller states that this membership is for a 1 Bedroom with 1.5 baths, plus the Lock-off Unit (a studio), giving us 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths total. According to the resort website, this is called a "Flex Unit". http://treetopsfairwayvillas.com/tfv/2011/07/tree-tops-villas-floor-plans/ Have you visited the resort recently? Why not 2 weeks if it is a lock-off? Is the seller mispresenting this in some way?

 

[Angeldisa]

There is an auction on ebay right now for Shawnee Wyndham points. Personally the Poconos are not for me (maybe because I am too close to it). However, the points could give you some extra options. It is just a thought. The Wyndham points would open you up to possible internal trading at other Wyndham resorts or even weekend getaways.

I agree with the other posters that there is not much within a good driving distance from this area. We frequently use our Wyndham points to go to Newport, RI, but I wouldn't want to own there because the maintenance fees are too high.


I always tell my husband, we need to move just 3-4 hours further south and then think of the weekend options available to us!!!

Someday........

I will take a look at this too..thanks! We live south of the Poconos and there are many places we'd love to hit up between here and Disney, but with 2 in daycare right now, low maintenance fees are the priority