Timeshare Traveler Episode 75... Studio Timeshares should all have Kitchens

[Clifbell]

Ok, this is a pet peeve of mine. I expect a full kitchen to be in every timeshare and this includes Studio units. I will except a mini kitchen with a two burner stovetop, a medium refrigerator, dishwasher, and all the necessary cooking stuff.

I paid a lot of money to own timeshares. I don't want to stay in a hotel.... I want to stay in a timeshare for the money I paid... And the key thing that a timeshare has is the ability to cook!!! We need to get this message out.

Timeshare Traveler Episode 75... Studio Timeshares should all have Kitchens

Map of all my timeshare reviews

 

[moonstone]

I agree! I wish there was a filter on the RCI website to choose only show full kitchen units when searching. Since we tend to cook and eat in our unit for most meals I like to have a full kitchen. We have booked mini kitchens on occasion when there was no unit with a full kitchen available. The last 2 places we stayed that had mini kitchens had a 24inch stove with oven, apartment sized dishwasher and a full sized fridge with an ice maker which was good, except there was only about 18 inches of counter space! We drive to almost all of our timeshare stays so when booking a mini kitchen I sometimes bring my electric fry pan and the Instapot or a crockpot. I also have a microwave vegie steamer in the timeshare box and various other cooking must haves.

~Diane

 

[Clifbell]

I agree! I wish there was a filter on the RCI website to choose only show full kitchen units when searching. Since we tend to cook and eat in our unit for most meals I like to have a full kitchen. We have booked mini kitchens on occasion when there was no unit with a full kitchen available. The last 2 places we stayed that had mini kitchens had a 24inch stove with oven, apartment sized dishwasher and a full sized fridge with an ice maker which was good, except there was only about 18 inches of counter space! We drive to almost all of our timeshare stays so when booking a mini kitchen I sometimes bring my electric fry pan and the Instapot or a crockpot. I also have a microwave vegie steamer in the timeshare box and various other cooking must haves.

~Diane

I appreciate how you are always prepared... But it is frustrating you have to be that prepared.

 

[pedro47]

Ok, this is a pet peeve of mine. I expect a full kitchen to be in every timeshare and this includes Studio units. I will except a mini kitchen with a two burner stovetop, a medium refrigerator, dishwasher, and all the necessary cooking stuff.

I paid a lot of money to own timeshares. I don't want to stay in a hotel.... I want to stay in a timeshare for the money I paid... And the key thing that a timeshare has is the ability to cook!!! We need to get this message out.

Timeshare Traveler Episode 75... Studio Timeshares should all have Kitchens

Map of all my timeshare reviews

Your feelings are justified.IMHO.

 

[beejaybee]

Full kitchen in a studio would be terrific, but we can deal with the shortcomings if the timeshare is in a location where we've always wanted to visit, e.g. ,Wyndham Taos.
OTOH, never would I exchange into a hotel unit!

 

[dioxide45]

In most cases, we knew what they were offering before we bought the timeshare. When buying into Marriott, most know or should know that their studios suck. When you exchange in or book in the amenities are usually spelled out. Yes, not having a kitchen isn't great, but that doesn't make it not a timeshare. Timeshare isn't defined by the amenities, it is defined by the ownership structure. There are timeshares in NYC where there is no kitchen and they are simply hotel conversions. We just have to understand what a property has or choose not to book it.

I know some properties have added ovens to units after the fact, but for the most part I don't want to see significant MF increases to better appoint a studio kitchen. I think there are a few things they can do to make them better at little cost either now or in the next round of updates. Larger sink (too small to easily wash large plates), provide at least four place settings (I don't want to have to wash dishes between meal courses) and last install an apartment size refrigerator with an icemaker (I don't like going to get ice).

 

[Clifbell]

In most cases, we knew what they were offering before we bought the timeshare. When buying into Marriott, most know or should know that their studios suck. When you exchange in or book in the amenities are usually spelled out. Yes, not having a kitchen isn't great, but that doesn't make it not a timeshare. Timeshare isn't defined by the amenities, it is defined by the ownership structure. There are timeshares in NYC where there is no kitchen and they are simply hotel conversions. We just have to understand what a property has or choose not to book it.

I know some properties have added ovens to units after the fact, but for the most part I don't want to see significant MF increases to better appoint a studio kitchen. I think there are a few things they can do to make them better at little cost either now or in the next round of updates. Larger sink (too small to easily wash large plates), provide at least four place settings (I don't want to have to wash dishes between meal courses) and last install an apartment size refrigerator with an icemaker (I don't like going to get ice).

You make a great point about maintenance fees... What I find interesting is that the timeshares with the highest fees are the ones that have the worst Studios. Marriott has much higher fees than WorldMark, but WorldMark studios are more likely to have a full kitchen than Marriott. This is a generalization... For example, I love the Parlor at the Marriott Kauai Beach Club which is really a studio. But having to know which tower to stay in on Maui at Marriott for a ONE Bedroom to have a kitchen... That is a lot to know.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Well, don’t book at Peacock Suites in Anaheim - no cooktop or oven, even in 1BR, just microwave & toaster. DH and I had to buy microwaveable meals for breakfast, which was okay, just not what we prefer.

And DVC’s new Resort Studios at the Villas of the Grand Floridian don’t have a kitchenette at all. They’re simply converted hotel rooms and have a beverage cooler, a single-cup Keurig coffeemaker, and a microwave (the microwaves weren’t installed until after that building opened and may or may not have been part of the original plans). Toasters are available on request.

 

[Clifbell]

Well, don’t book at Peacock Suites in Anaheim - no cooktop or oven, even in 1BR, just microwave & toaster. DH and I had to buy microwaveable meals for breakfast, which was okay, just not what we prefer.

And DVC’s new Resort Studios at the Villas of the Grand Floridian don’t have a kitchenette at all. They’re simply converted hotel rooms and have a beverage cooler, a single-cup Keurig coffeemaker, and a microwave (the microwaves weren’t installed until after that building opened and may or may not have been part of the original plans). Toasters are available on request.

Yep... I stayed at Peacock Suites and didn't like the cooking. I did like the rooftop Grills. I won't go back to Peacock Suites as there are better alternatives within walking distance.

 

[mdurette]

I agree! I wish there was a filter on the RCI website to choose only show full kitchen units when searching.
~Diane

There is.....click advanced filters

 

[Sandy VDH]

I agree with the exception of NYC. I can live without a kitchen in NYC, but I do appreciate the mini fridge. My neice is weird, she likes cold leftovers for breakfast.

 

[Rolltydr]

I understand your frustration since you want to cook. However, we’ve been timeshare owners for about 8 years now and I don’t believe we have ever cooked a meal. Possibly a light breakfast once or twice. I don’t cook much at all and when we take a trip, DW is pretty adamant that she’s on vacation, too!

 

[Clifbell]

I understand your frustration since you want to cook. However, we’ve been timeshare owners for about 8 years now and I don’t believe we have ever cooked a meal. Possibly a light breakfast once or twice. I don’t cook much at all and when we take a trip, DW is pretty adamant that she’s on vacation, too!

A lot of people are like you.... I am in the opposite camp of always cooking... But I am unusual in that I am in timeshares full time (or always on vacation ).

 

[moonstone]

There is.....click advanced filters

View attachment 61098

Wow! Where are you seeing that? I always use the Advanced filters to choose unit size, number of nights... and have never seen anything about kitchens. It doesnt matter if I search for an exchange or an Extra Vacation, with my points or weeks account, that choice isnt there. Are you signing in through some other portal (ie: Wyndham) first? I just sign in directly to RCI.
This is a screen shot of the advanced filters I see.

~Diane

 

[moonstone]

I understand your frustration since you want to cook. However, we’ve been timeshare owners for about 8 years now and I don’t believe we have ever cooked a meal. Possibly a light breakfast once or twice. I don’t cook much at all and when we take a trip, DW is pretty adamant that she’s on vacation, too!

I guess I am weird, I prefer to cook our meals rather than go out to eat. I do enjoy a dinner out for my birthday or our anniversary or the occasional lunch out when we are sightseeing far away from the resort. Heck, when we were planning our honeymoon and had a choice of a fancy hotel room or a less fancy 1 bedroom unit with a full kitchen in my then employers owned hotel in Sarasota, I chose the 1 bedroom unit with a kitchen. I even cooked a turkey dinner for just the 2 of us since it was the American Thanksgiving week. When our 3 kids were little I could have a pan of scrambled eggs cooked in less time than it took to get all the kids dressed and ready to go out. I figure we save enough by eating in to enjoy even more vacations as our weekly grocery bill is less than the cost of 1 nice dinner out. To each their own.


~Diane

 

[mdurette]

Wow! Where are you seeing that? I always use the Advanced filters to choose unit size, number of nights... and have never seen anything about kitchens. It doesnt matter if I search for an exchange or an Extra Vacation, with my points or weeks account, that choice isnt there. Are you signing in through some other portal (ie: Wyndham) first? I just sign in directly to RCI.
This is a screen shot of the advanced filters I see.

~Diane

Maybe we have different RCI portals??? I'm just using a regular RCI Weeks account - no affiliation. When I click on advanced filters - this is what I see

 

[TheHolleys87]

Maybe we have different RCI portals??? I'm just using a regular RCI Weeks account - no affiliation. When I click on advanced filters - this is what I see
View attachment 61127

I too see the Kitchens options with my Weeks account.

 

[moonstone]

Maybe we have different RCI portals??? I'm just using a regular RCI Weeks account - no affiliation. When I click on advanced filters - this is what I see
View attachment 61127

I too see the Kitchens options with my Weeks account.

Well I'll be! I do see that but only on my weeks account! Thanks! I haven't exchanged or booked anything with that account in years because we always go to our own home resort and I use our points account to book Extra or Last Call weeks. Actually, I probably haven't even logged into that account in well over a year. Now why cant RCI add that to the points search?

~Diane