We are emailing back and forth right now for a 4 bedroom lockout. My wife isn't completely convinced yet. I am interested in this as it can be converted into 3 weeks of vacation with II and or RCI. (at least this is my understanding). We both have worked and hard are completely debt free, house and everything. Having a TS may be just the ticket to make us slow down and actually take some vacation time.
We stayed with friends at westgate villas in 2008 as they have a two bedroom with loft. It was clean and comfortable.
I am of the mind set, that if we do go ahead we shouldn't have as much worry about the bait and switch for a worse room as there are only so many 4 bedroom units.
I am concerned with all the negative feedback for Westgate but again, not sure how often we would stay there. I guessing once every 3,4 years.
We already have friends wanting to rent it from us next year.
We have been very comfortable renting vacation homes with their own pools and are just trying to weigh the pros and cons and in this particle insistent Westgate itself.
Keep them coming, thanks.
Let me (a Westgate owner- prime July weeks) comment on some of the points you and others raised.
a) Since you are buying resale the pressure tactics of the Westgate sales staff is a non-issue. You won't deal with them unless you will be 'tempted' to attend their 'owners' meeting' when you stay there. Also, let's be fair, professional sales crews in most resorts use high sales pitch. This is not unique to Westgate. Try one of Marriott's resort in Orlando ! Make sure you have some Aspirin with you.
b) You are looking for a four bdr. lock-offs. Good for you if you really need it (big family, friends, etc.) Keep in mind your annual maintenance and taxes will be considerably higher. Westgate insists on M/T being paid in advance each year before January 1st. Otherwise interest applies. You cannot trade or deposit your week (or split) with II unless your M/T are fuly paid IN ADVANCE.
I know people who, having locked-off studios, cannot get anything decent.
Also renting a four-bdr unit will be a challenge. You don't want to rent your unit to a group 15 young people and be liable for damages.
c) Its true, M/T at Westgate have been increasing every year. I don't like it either, but relative to other Orlando T/S resorts, the fees are not excessive. Again, make sure you compare M/T fees charged by the more "upscale' Orlando T/S like Marriott's, HGVC, etc. I am very familiar with ALL Orlando Marriott's resorts, we have stayed in each and every one of them using II Getaway weeks off-season. Yes, we like Getaways ! There are features we like about Marriott's or HGVC, others we don't like. But Marriott's and Hilton's M/T fees are way, WAY, higher than Westgate's.
d) Do Westgate weeks have a good trading power ? That depends on which resort and which week you want. Don't fall into a trap of expecting to 'always' get a good exchange. It depends where do you want to go, - and how flexible you are in terms of the week you want - sometimes you will score a hit. Some people feel its their 'right' to get a prime week in prime area in exchange, ignoring the fact that there could well be 500 others with the same 'right' even though there may well be, say, one deposit for every 100 requests ! Nobody can predict what you may be able to get at some unknown place at some undefined time in the future.
Our experience has been mixed, we had some excellent exchanges in the US, in Europe, even in Australia. But then we have also been disappointed with no availablity in some resorts we wanted to visit. Flexibility is THE KEY.
