Redweek has Vidanta resorts rental option but I heard vidanta is not allowing guests certificate.

[BA11]

HI,

I am looking to book Grand Bliss at vidanta Nuevo Vallarta. One of my friends who owns timehshare/II was trying to book it for me but realized in fine prints that vidanta is not allowing guests certificates.
So, I thought to search on redweek and was seeing multiple listing for luxxe, bliss and grand mayan etc. and most of them are verified listings.
However, before moving forward with that booking thru redweek, i wanted to know if someone can throw some light on vidanta restrictions and people can use their certificates/points/etc. for guests using guest certificates? Can anyone throw some light/experience etc.

 

[WorldT]

Exchange and owner reservations are two very different things.
1. The listing on Redweek should only be done by the owners at Vidanta. They will book directly with Vidanta and add you as a guest.
2. The booking through II is an exchange. The rules are different. But once in a while there is an exception. Your friend should read through the exceptions in II to see if you can use it. If not, your friend can check RCI if they have an account. The last time I checked in RCI, there was a limited time exception that allowed for guest certificates depending on when you book and when you travel.

 

[BA11]

Thanks a lot! That really helps.
I am just very new to this timeshare world. And I liked vidanta at the given price so thought to enquire more as it may help me in future bookings as well thru RedWeek.
Is there anything I need to be aware of before booking thru redweek.
The listing is verified so I am not able to find owners details I guess.

 

[hurnik]

Thanks a lot! That really helps.
I am just very new to this timeshare world. And I liked vidanta at the given price so thought to enquire more as it may help me in future bookings as well thru RedWeek.
Is there anything I need to be aware of before booking thru redweek.
The listing is verified so I am not able to find owners details I guess.

You should be able to contact the owner of the listing (I think even verified, it will get to the owner who listed it) and inquire if this is an Owner's week vs. Exchange. Generally, IMO, the dead give away is if there's a Resort Fee. Then you know it's an exchange. Owner's weeks, AFAIK, aren't subject to a resort fee (there may be TAXES but I'm talking resort fee).

 

[theo]

Is there anything I need to be aware of before booking thru redweek.
The listing is verified so I am not able to find owners details I guess.

A listing being "RedWeek Verified" means that the advertiser's ownership (or "membership", if it's just a RTU contract) has already been independently confirmed with the resort by RedWeek, so there is really no practical need for you to find or know "owner details" on your own for a “verified” listing on RedWeek.

"Exchanges" (whether obtained from II or RCI) can / will never be "verified" by RedWeek, since a resort will obviously have no record of non-owner / non-contract holder names. For that reason, it could be argued that it is wise to always look at "unverified" RedWeek listings with some skepticism, since it could mean that someone is attempting to rent out a week obtained by "exchange" from RCI or II. Rental of exchanges is expressly prohibited by both RCI and II and you may not want to risk finding yourself caught in the middle of a prohibited transaction and risking your occupancy.

Just some food for thought, fwiw.

 

[BA11]

You should be able to contact the owner of the listing (I think even verified, it will get to the owner who listed it) and inquire if this is an Owner's week vs. Exchange. Generally, IMO, the dead give away is if there's a Resort Fee. Then you know it's an exchange. Owner's weeks, AFAIK, aren't subject to a resort fee (there may be TAXES but I'm talking resort fee).

So, it's managed by redweek I guess it's a full service listing. Also, resort fee is not listed on the listing but I asked the customer care and they said there will be 150 resort fee payable at the resort.

 

[WorldT]

I am not sure what the customer service rep is referring to.
1. Owners do not pay resort fees. (See post #4).
2. If you were going on an EXCHANGE, the resort fee depends on the size of your unit. The cheapest is $250.
3. There is a state tax. Maybe that is what the rep is talking about?
Mandatory State Lodging tax is 5 %, . Cash or Credit is accepted.

 

[BA11]

Is it okay to share the screen shot of that listing here so that you experts can weigh in. I guess till it seems to be fine.

 

[BA11]

I am not sure what the customer service rep is referring to.
1. Owners do not pay resort fees. (See post #4).
2. If you were going on an EXCHANGE, the resort fee depends on the size of your unit. The cheapest is $250.
3. There is a state tax. Maybe that is what the rep is talking about?
Mandatory State Lodging tax is 5 %, . Cash or Credit is accepted.

Could be. Will ask again.

 

[WorldT]

If it is verified and protected, then Redweek is giving you a guarantee that they have verified it as someone has already stated. There is nothing that we can see on the main page that will give us any confirmation. The resort fee is not mentioned on the Redweek advertising.
If it is verified and protected, then the only thing that can beat that is if you personally know the owner. If you like the price, go for it.

 

[BA11]

If it is verified and protected, then Redweek is giving you a guarantee that they have verified it as someone has already stated. There is nothing that we can see on the main page that will give us any confirmation. The resort fee is not mentioned on the Redweek advertising.
If it is verified and protected, then the only thing that can beat that is if you personally know the owner. If you like the price, go for it.

Thanks a lot!
as per the comments here, the listing looks fine and hopefully all goes well. I will request to book and wait for the confirmation.

 

[WorldT]

I should add this in the event that you are not familiar with Redweek. They are the giant in the timeshare owner rental and sales business.

 

[dioxide45]

I thought that any verified listing is confirmed to not be an exchange? I didn't think they would verify an exchange as a rental.

 

[WorldT]

The would not. And Redweek is familiar with RCI and II policy that their exchanges cannot be rented.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Hi @BA11 & @WorldT ,@dioxide45 ,@hurnik ,@theo

The one addition I would add is that Redweek is owned by Arrivia [ previously International Cruise and Excursions]
Arriva / ICE has had a long term relationship with Vidanta.

There are rental listings on Redweek that come from their parent company & are verified and protected by Redweek.
Those listings typically list a restriction of one rental every 24 months due to the special nature of the offer and a phone number of 844 914 1492.

From what I have seen most of these "Arrivia" listings have specific dates available in the next 90 days during non-peak season

IMO : Vidanta builds / has built for peak season [Christmas to Easter / snowbird season- when they are at or close to capacity] . This leaves availability between late April & mid December. Since they build in Pesos and collect most income in $ USD- this model seems to work for them.
IMO : the dollars generated by the Vida Sales are used to build and expand the Vidanta Resorts.

Note: I have set up my Redweek filters to send me notifications for all Puerto Vallarta listings.
I generally get a daily Redweek new listing notification e-mail & many are listings of Vidanta brands.

 

[hurnik]

Hi @BA & @WorldT ,@dioxide45 ,@hurnik ,@theo

The one addition I would add is that Redweek is owned by Arriva [ previously International Cruise and Excursions]
Arriva / ICE has had a long term relationship with Vidanta.

There are rental listings on Redweek that come from their parent company & are verified and protected by Redweek.
Those listings typically list a restriction of one rental every 24 months due to the special nature of the offer and a phone number of 844 914 1492.

From what I have seen most of these "Arriva" listings have specific dates available in the next 90 days during non-peak season

IMO : Vidanta builds / has built for peak season [Christmas to Easter / snowbird season- when they are at or close to capacity] . This leaves availability between late April & mid December. Since they build in Pesos and collect most income in $ USD- this model seems to work for them.
IMO : the dollars generated by the Vida Sales are used to build and expand the Vidanta Resorts.

Note: I have set up my Redweek filters to send me notifications for all Puerto Vallarta listings.
I generally get a daily Redweek new listing notification e-mail & many are listings of Vidanta brands.

Wow, didn't know that ICE is now Arriva. I've not looked at those listings on RW, but wonder if they have the "resort fee" or not? If they DO, then it does make it much more difficult (IMO) to determine if you're getting an Exchange vs. Owner week. Although in theory the "verified" means Redweek has done due diligence, but given their shoddy business practices in the past, I wouldn't count on it.

 

[WorldT]

I believe you are referring to this type of listing with the words below. It does not include a notice of extra resort fee since it is coming from Vidanta. Vidanta is able to modify that as needed including in this case, adding $500 resort credit. When I exchange via RCI this past March, they waived the resort fee.
Here is a listing that would be coming from the resort.

Limited Time Offer: $500 Resort Credit applied at check-in to use onsite for food, drinks, golf, spa and more!

For questions or help booking this offer, call 844-914-1492.

Due to the exclusivity of this offer, guests can only book 1 unit per rolling 24 months. Guests may book a second unit for an additional couple. This is an exclusive offer available only to guests residing in the United States, Canada, UK, AUS/NZ, or Europe. Guest name needs to match travel documents at check-in.

 

[rpennisi]

I am not sure what the customer service rep is referring to.
1. Owners do not pay resort fees. (See post #4).
2. If you were going on an EXCHANGE, the resort fee depends on the size of your unit. The cheapest is $250.
3. There is a state tax. Maybe that is what the rep is talking about?
Mandatory State Lodging tax is 5 %, . Cash or Credit is accepted.

I have made exchanges into Vidanta using weeks that I have deposited into HGV's Destination Exchange. These exchanges have a $150 resort fee (in addition to some taxes) for every exchange, (whether Grand Mayan or Grand Luxxe) and unit size (one or two bedrooms, etc).

 

[WorldT]

I have made exchanges into Vidanta using weeks that I have deposited into HGV's Destination Exchange. These exchanges have a $150 resort fee (in addition to some taxes) for every exchange, (whether Grand Mayan or Grand Luxxe) and unit size (one or two bedrooms, etc).

@rpennisi When did you do the last exchange at that price? The prices have steadily been going up over time.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Wow, didn't know that ICE is now Arriva. I've not looked at those listings on RW, but wonder if they have the "resort fee" or not? If they DO, then it does make it much more difficult (IMO) to determine if you're getting an Exchange vs. Owner week. Although in theory the "verified" means Redweek has done due diligence, but given their shoddy business practices in the past, I wouldn't count on it.

Hi @hurnik - I misspelled the corporate name. It is Arrivia.
I re-googled the name and the name change from ICE was in Nov. 2020. Arrivia then bought Redweek in Sept. 2022

We bought our Mayan Palace membership in 2006 and were given a year or two of free ICE membership and SFX membership.
Vidanta also works with Third Home, HSI & other travel portals. [ In addition to RCI & Intervals]

Structurally - all Vidanta "owners weeks'"are float weeks and members who bought since 2006 generally have the "pay on use only addendum"in their RTU contract. This allows Vidanta to put the "same week" on multiple platforms because as the developer they control the inventory [and own inventory]

IMO - the resort fee structure(s) are in place to give income to their " hotel side" ; since there is no MF being paid by an owner unless
the owner books a week. [for personal use or to rent] .

 

[rpennisi]

@rpennisi When did you do the last exchange at that price? The prices have steadily been going up over time.

Several days ago. I made 2 two bedroom suite exchanges for NV Grand Luxxe using DEX. $150 resort fee for each plus 5% state lodging tax and a small sanitation charge.

 

[pittle]

Several days ago. I made 2 two bedroom suite exchanges for NV Grand Luxxe using DEX. $150 resort fee for each plus 5% state lodging tax and a small sanitation charge.

You will love it! I have stayed in Building 2 every time I have been there. I like it because it is easy to get to the pools, La Plaza, and anywhere else. We only took the shuttle when going to the taxi stand.

 

[rpennisi]

You will love it! I have stayed in Building 2 every time I have been there. I like it because it is easy to get to the pools, La Plaza, and anywhere else. We only took the shuttle when going to the taxi stand.

We have stayed in GL building two twice before, once in a 2 bedroom unit, once in a one bedroom unit. Is your thinking that we will get building 2 again? I would love that to be the case. I was wondering if I should (when it gets closer to going) request building 2?

 

[pittle]

Back in November, they sent us to building 4 to check in, so I thought that we might be there, but once I was adamant about not taking an update, they assigned us to Building 2. We were on the 2nd floor so it did not matter which side we were on because we were not high enough to see the ocean. While roaming around, I discovered that all the floors from 4 up were Platinum level - I am Gold level, 3rd floor would have been the highest I could have gotten. I got the same unit in April on the 2nd floor.

When we arrived in April, the guy that was loading our bags from the taxi said I was in the nicest building - Building 1, but after declining again, we were sent to Building 2 and got our bracelets then. The first time we went in 2014, we were in Building 2 but on the 6th floor ocean side. We could see PV, the river, and the ocean. I do like the pools by building 1 and Punta the best and it is a short walk to get there from Building 2.

You could call closer to the date. They supposedly assign rooms earlier in the week before you arrive. A lot of people like Buildings 3, 4,and 5 as they are newer. But they are so far from everything.

I'm kind of use the philosophy that my grandson's preschool teacher taught him - "You get what you get and don't have a fit." (That was for treats and when we chose souvenirs for him to take to his class from our vacations to Hawaii or Mexico.) Unless the room is dirty or in disrepair, I am fine. After a full day in the sun,being on the shady side in the afternoon is just fine!

Right now, I am in Puerto Penasco and we are on the first floor golf course side. I can see the estuary, mountains and golf course while typing this. Last year we were on the side with the ocean and overlooking the pools. My daughter-in-law is turning 50 this week, so I wanted to do something to celebrate.

 

[TheHappyWanderer]

If you rent a Vidanta week on Redweek does anyone know if it would count toward your once every 3 year restriction you get on exchanges? I mean is Vidanta going to say "Hey we show you stayed here in 2024 (via Redweek) so you you can't exchange here via II until 2027"?