Anyone had experience with the Royal Holiday system? They seem to have resorts all over the world including some ski weeks in Colorado. Maintenance fees seems to be on the high side but was wondering if it's hard to get a reservation for peak weeks in the US (such as week 51-52 in ski resorts) in this system and if these weeks can be rented. Many of the resorts I see in their system also sold fixed weeks so I'm wondering how far in advance you can book these weeks and what kind of availability you'd have. Looks like lot of people are trying to give their Royal Holiday memberships away.
Hi Robert,
I bought RHC in 2005 and combined about 4 contracts for 90K points. I have made it work for me but I used to live in Europe and this is one of the few programs that allow me to book cities easily like London, SF, Paris, etc.
RHC has had a habit of increasing fees and have had 1 special assessment. Their NYC locations are far reduced and as of 2012 they now charge $60 / night in some properties in NYC, Maimi, London, Paris, etc. that is in addition to the city taxes in NYC that is around $50 a night. I think they also introduced a much higher transfer fee that makes it very difficult to get out of it later. It is a RTU for up to 30 years so it may end up being an obligation you don't want to have.
They don't actually own a lot of the resorts except some of the ones in Mexico but contract for hotel rooms and some TS. They might own a few intervals at a few resorts. London Allen House is likely to disappear in 2014 when the RTU they seem to own expires. There had been some increases in the points required for some locations too when contracts come up for renewal or exchange rate moved a lot.
I honestly think it would been very difficult to book a week 51 or week 52 at a ski resort since it is conditional on
1. the resort is making it available to RHC with peak times like that would be owned and not in excess inventory pool.
2. If they had it, like only 1 week each and you have all the RHC owners competing for it.
3. if points contract holiday times are a lot more points
4. not sure if weeks contract can book holiday weeks or would require an upcharge.
The availability in advance varies from from resort to resort and RHC could not or would not tell you when availability for a particular resort is likely to topen so you just have to keep calling and build up some experience when they are likely to have availability for next year which also depend on what time you are looking for next year.
I am trying to use the last of my points and having difficulty in booking places I would like to go.. They keep saying no availability in some of the places I am checking.
I suggest you search Royal Holiday or RHC since there are some discussions before.
