Rebranding : does it devalue the deeded week HRC properties?

[Scavanjer]

I see that Hyatt Residence club will be rebranded as Hyatt Vacation Club. To me, the various deeded weeks and points only portfolio purchase programs are already confusing. What do you all think of the rebranding to Hyatt Vacation Club? Do you think this devalues deeded week ownership or doesn't it matter?

I used to have a sales manager that said "where there is confusion, there is opportunity". It certainly seems to me that this the approach with this rebranding effort. Thoughts?

 

[mjm1]

From what I gather from some other posts HRC was originally known as HVC, so they are simply returning to the original name. I’m not sure that will make much, if any, difference.

To me the biggest issue is that each resort maintain the standards that were originally set for Hyatt resorts, while managing the maintenance fees at a reasonable level.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[rdc]

I would agree with mjm1. Originally called HVC, so don't think that makes much of a difference. The key is they maintain the standard the Hyatt name brand is known for (at reasonable fees). They never were the largest chain, but always know for upscale quality.

 

[ScoopKona]

Former Hyatt salesperson here.

The reason Hyatt works so well is that it was engineered to keep people from gaming the system. Procrastinators and people who change their minds often don't do well. The various deadlines and rules keep the system flowing smoothly.

The fact that the resorts are often "the only game in town" keep the trading power up.

That being said, nothing positive has happened since Marriott took over.

 

[AJCts411]

Marriot , as any corporation does everything for a profit. The name change is for profit, although it escapes me how...perhaps they are bundling HRC and Welk into a profitable business to sell?

 

[RunCat]

Marriot , as any corporation does everything for a profit. The name change is for profit, although it escapes me how...perhaps they are bundling HRC and Welk into a profitable business to sell?

IMO, it is an odd arrangement for Marriott to have a branding agreement with a competitor. HRC and Welk, combined, may be big enough to spin off into a separate company.

 

[dioxide45]

IMO, it is an odd arrangement for Marriott to have a branding agreement with a competitor. HRC and Welk, combined, may be big enough to spin off into a separate company.

The overall company of Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC) isn't the same as Marriott International (the hotel company). So they aren't really competing in the sense you may be implying. I think at some point we will see Marriott Vacations Worldwide change their name. Kind of like HMSHost (that company that operates a huge number of food and retail in airports and along highways). HMSHost used to be owned by Marriott International many years ago. In 1996 Marriott split into two companies. HMSHost at the time was actually named Host Marriott Services and later changed their name to remove the reference to Marriott.

Today, Marriott Vacations Worldwide simply licenses the names of the brands to be able to market and operate timeshare resorts under those brands.

 

[dioxide45]

Marriot , as any corporation does everything for a profit. The name change is for profit, although it escapes me how...perhaps they are bundling HRC and Welk into a profitable business to sell?

THe name change was to better align the two names (Welk and HRC). In the end, it really doesn't change much for the owners. The issue will be for perspective resale buyers to understand if they are buying a HRC property or a former Welk. The former likely having higher resale values.

 

[Mongoose]

It will be interesting to see how the differentiate the the HVC from each other after the rebranding. If it wasn’t confusing enough now Hyatt and Hilton both have HVC acronyms officially or not.

 

[AJCts411]

THe name change was to better align the two names (Welk and HRC). In the end, it really doesn't change much for the owners. The issue will be for perspective resale buyers to understand if they are buying a HRC property or a former Welk. The former likely having higher resale value

My understanding is that Hyatt..no longer sells ownership weeks, only portfolio points...the value of which is another topic. Hyatt IMO actively discourages week ownership.

 

[Mongoose]

My understanding is that Hyatt..no longer sells ownership weeks, only portfolio points...the value of which is another topic. Hyatt IMO actively discourages week ownership.

They still do in HI. Not sure about the other nine HPC resorts.

 

[dioxide45]

My understanding is that Hyatt..no longer sells ownership weeks, only portfolio points...the value of which is another topic. Hyatt IMO actively discourages week ownership.

Hyatt though now sells two kinds of points. The Hyatt portfolio points, which is made up of points derived from the legacy Hyatt resorts, then platinum points which are what Welk used to sell.

 

[ScoopKona]

Marriot , as any corporation does everything for a profit. The name change is for profit, although it escapes me how...perhaps they are bundling HRC and Welk into a profitable business to sell?

They can't call Welk "HRC" because it isn't the same system. And they already have all the trademarks and artwork for HVC lying around because that's what it was called when I was working there.

They're saving money and getting Lawrence Welk's name off the property.

 

[dioxide45]

They can't call Welk "HRC" because it isn't the same system. And they already have all the trademarks and artwork for HVC lying around because that's what it was called when I was working there.

They're saving money and getting Lawrence Welk's name off the property.

Welk name was changed months ago to HVC. How can they not change Welk to HRC because they aren't the same system but yet change HRC to HVC even though HVC isn't the same system either.

 

[RunCat]

The overall company of Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC) isn't the same as Marriott International (the hotel company). So they aren't really competing in the sense you may be implying. I think at some point we will see Marriott Vacations Worldwide change their name. Kind of like HMSHost (that company that operates a huge number of food and retail in airports and along highways). HMSHost used to be owned by Marriott International many years ago. In 1996 Marriott split into two companies. HMSHost at the time was actually named Host Marriott Services and later changed their name to remove the reference to Marriott.

Today, Marriott Vacations Worldwide simply licenses the names of the brands to be able to market and operate timeshare resorts under those brands.

Yes, understood that. And, your suggestion to change the name of the host company from VAC to perhaps Vacations Worldwide, and keeping Marriott Vacations and HVC as subdivisions, makes sense.

 

[Mongoose]

Hyatt Residence Club never really sounded like a vacation resort destination, more like an extended stay hotel like Residence Inn by Marriott.

 

[RunCat]

They can't call Welk "HRC" because it isn't the same system. And they already have all the trademarks and artwork for HVC lying around because that's what it was called when I was working there.

They're saving money and getting Lawrence Welk's name off the property.

Interestingly, Hyatt has not been added to the name of any of the previous Welk resorts. The HVC branding is in the building and on the employees badges. But, none of the resorts have the Hyatt name attached to them.

 

[Mongoose]

Interestingly, Hyatt has not been added to the name of any of the previous Welk resorts. The HVC branding is in the building and on the employees badges. But, none of the resorts have the Hyatt name attached to them.

It won’t be until they meet brand standards.

 

[happytotravel]

Late to the conversation, but curious about the Hyatt Residence Club changing its name to HVC? The same name as the rebranded Welks? Has there been mention whether or not HVC points (old Welks) can be used to pick up Hyatt residence Club units? Is Marriott trying to blend their two hyatt systems? I happen to own two HRC deeded diamond weeks and 300,000 Welks (HVC) points. Not a fan of the latter now that it has been bought by Hyatt (Marriott), and love my HRC weeks.

 

[dioxide45]

Late to the conversation, but curious about the Hyatt Residence Club changing its name to HVC? The same name as the rebranded Welks? Has there been mention whether or not HVC points (old Welks) can be used to pick up Hyatt residence Club units? Is Marriott trying to blend their two hyatt systems? I happen to own two HRC deeded diamond weeks and 300,000 Welks (HVC) points. Not a fan of the latter now that it has been bought by Hyatt (Marriott), and love my HRC weeks.

So far, no news on any integration between the systems. However, I suspect Marriott Vacations Worldwide is working on something. It could take them years though. They took a long time to finally come up with something to integrate Marriott Vacation Club and Vistana. I suspect the next change they will make will be a recalibration of Welk point allocations. Perhaps a 100 to 1 or whatever number. Then they may later allow some integration where Welk owners can deposit into the HPP program (I suspect there is an exchange company there). This might require some enrollment fee or a new purchase of HPP points. Something will change at some point. They are just getting started.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

They still do in HI. Not sure about the other nine HPC resorts.

Hawaii is almost sold out though so not for long.

 

[Kal]

Hawaii is almost sold out though so not for long.

The most recent number for sold HKB is 75%

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

Kal that's what they quoted a yr ago so sales must have slowed

 

[Kal]

Kal that's what they quoted a yr ago so sales must have slowed

The the last reading I received. No telling where they are in April 2023, but I doubt they are sold out.

 

[vacationtime1]

Hawaii is almost sold out though so not for long.

The most recent number for sold HKB is 75%

HKB has been in active sales for more than nine years. I heard the pitch in November, 2013 https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hyatt-maui-timeshares-tour.202615/

If HKB is only 75% sold out after nine years of a generally strong economy, it will be at least a couple years more before it is.