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What should I buy?

CoHiker

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Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker and first time poster here. Thanks in advance for the valuable input that you are going to provide me with. Whether we go through with a timeshare resale purchase or not, I am sure we will be more enlightened with the response that we get from here.

I have been intrigued by the idea of timeshares for a long time but had stayed away mostly because of last minute vacation plans and international travels. Over the last few years, we have been more meticulous about our planning because of school schedules. So, here is my questionnaire:

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
Colorado mountains in the summer, beach destinations in the winter. An occasional spring break trip. We have a middle schooler and an elementary schooler and with the kids getting older, we have made multiple trips to Mexico, Orlando and would like to visit Hawaii some time.

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
We live in Denver, and are occasional skiers though not regulars by any means. I was thinking of trading in the winter weeks for beach destinations and taking advantage of the summer weeks.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Mexico, Hawaii, NYC, Florida, California

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
4 - rarely with another family of 4.

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
School schedule

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes, we have been forced to do this lately.

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes.

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
3 - 4*

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
About 5k but can stretch a bit based on the situation.

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
~1500

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes.

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yes.

Additional thoughts:

I have rented timeshare units through Costco travel, Amex Travel etc in Sheraton Vistana in Orlando and in Mexico (Los Cabos - I am not sure I remember the name of the resort). I like having two bedroom units since the pull-out sofa beds give me back aches. :)

I researched quite a bit into the Hyatt system and the Hilton system. I thought about summer only weeks in the Colorado mountains, but I have a feeling that they may be harder to resell should I choose to do so after 10 years of ownership. I am a member of the Marriott Bonvoy points system through their credit cards and I have found that their points system is highly devalued making it impossible to use. I am not sure if they have a different system for timeshares.


Last edited: Jun 11, 2019
 

travelhacker

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Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker and first time poster here. Thanks in advance for the valuable input that you are going to provide me with. Whether we go through with a timeshare resale purchase or not, I am sure we will be more enlightened with the response that we get from here.

I have been intrigued by the idea of timeshares for a long time but had stayed away mostly because of last minute vacation plans and international travels. Over the last few years, we have been more meticulous about our planning because of school schedules. So, here is my questionnaire:

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
Colorado mountains in the summer, beach destinations in the winter. An occasional spring break trip. We have a middle schooler and an elementary schooler and with the kids getting older, we have made multiple trips to Mexico, Orlando and would like to visit Hawaii some time.

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
We live in Denver, and are occasional skiers though not regulars by any means. I was thinking of trading in the winter weeks for beach destinations and taking advantage of the summer weeks.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Mexico, Hawaii, NYC, Florida, California

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
4 - rarely with another family of 4.

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
School schedule

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes, we have been forced to do this lately.

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes.

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
3 - 4*

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
About 5k but can stretch a bit based on the situation.

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
~1500

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes.

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yes.

Additional thoughts:

I have rented timeshare units through Costco travel, Amex Travel etc in Sheraton Vistana in Orlando and in Mexico (Los Cabos - I am not sure I remember the name of the resort). I like having two bedroom units since the pull-out sofa beds give me back aches. :)

I researched quite a bit into the Hyatt system and the Hilton system. I thought about summer only weeks in the Colorado mountains, but I have a feeling that they may be harder to resell should I choose to do so after 10 years of ownership. I am a member of the Marriott Bonvoy points system through their credit cards and I have found that their points system is highly devalued making it impossible to use. I am not sure if they have a different system for timeshares.


Last edited: Jun 11, 2019
I live in Colorado and love Hyatt. There are four great resorts here and quite a few good exchange options.

I’d recommend getting a week in Sedona at Hyatt Pinon pointe and trading in.

Reach out if you have questions.
 

bizaro86

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I think Hilton may be a good choice for you - they would be strong in all your locations, and a resale Vegas unit would be in your price range for both purchase and ongoing fees.

Vistana (sheraton/westin) have all your locations except NYC. They have lower point costs for CO summers, and better carribean options. A mandatory Orlando unit would be well within your upfront price range but might push your ongoing price range.

I think both would be worth studying a bit. There are some differences (ie Vistana's California properties are in Palm Desert whereas Hilton's are on the coast in Carlsbad)
 

vacationtime1

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WKV x2 (Scottsdale)
If you pick Vistana (which I obviously like), you will need a mandatory property worth 148100 StarOptions. Mandatory so the StarOptions transfer to you and 148100 StarOptions because Vistana's two bedroom units in Hawaii, Mexico, and California require 148100 SO's during school vacation weeks (Orlando can be had for 81000).
 

CoHiker

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I think Hilton may be a good choice for you - they would be strong in all your locations, and a resale Vegas unit would be in your price range for both purchase and ongoing fees

Thanks for this suggestion. I am looking further into this. I had looked at the Valdoro mountain resort in Colorado, but it appears to be a bit out of my reach now. The LV resorts appear to be similar to each other in terms of maintenance fees (~1k). Is there anything that sets them apart from each other?
 

CoHiker

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I live in Colorado and love Hyatt. There are four great resorts here and quite a few good exchange options.

I’d recommend getting a week in Sedona at Hyatt Pinon pointe and trading in.

Reach out if you have questions.
Love to see other Coloradoans here. I have stayed at the Hyatt Beaver creek hotel and I think it is one of the best hotels I ever stayed at.

I didn’t find any good listings for Sedona at Piñon Pointe. I will keep looking though - thanks for helping out.
 

CoHiker

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If you pick Vistana (which I obviously like), you will need a mandatory property worth 148100 StarOptions. Mandatory so the StarOptions transfer to you and 148100 StarOptions because Vistana's two bedroom units in Hawaii, Mexico, and California require 148100 SO's during school vacation weeks (Orlando can be had for 81000).

Thank you. I will have to read up on Vistana this weekend :).
 

bizaro86

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Thanks for this suggestion. I am looking further into this. I had looked at the Valdoro mountain resort in Colorado, but it appears to be a bit out of my reach now. The LV resorts appear to be similar to each other in terms of maintenance fees (~1k). Is there anything that sets them apart from each other?

Generally speaking for Hilton if you aren't using the home week the only factors are upfront price and maintenance fees.
 

Tacoma

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Surprised that no one has suggested Worldmark yet. The price and flexibility are still great even with the new rule changes.
 

easyrider

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Worldmark * * Villa Del Palmar UVCI * * Vacation Internationale*
I would suggest Worldmark as well. Especially for family use.

Bill
 
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