Which Arizona Golf Resort to Buy? Rent? Trade?

[Smooth Air]

Hello, Tuggers!

We are planning a golf holiday for February, 2013. We are considering Phoenix or Scottsdale but do not know where to begin.

Of the golf resorts in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, what are your "Top 3"?

We are considering buying but would prefer to rent or exchange/trade before we buy. (own 2 Platinum Marriott weeks at a prime resort but the Phoenix/Scottsdale one does not have to be a Marriott).

Looking forward to your comments.

Smooth Air

 

[m61376]

Canyon Villas, Westin Kierlands and Four Seasons are touted as the best in the area. When I inquired about MCV versus Kierlands a few months back the sentiment seemed split, possibly tipping a bit towards MCV. Four Seasons is supposed to be the top of the heap, but cost and MF's may be a biggie there. As far as the Westin, I think value there has a lot to do with mandatory vs. voluntary (and I'm not sure which it is).

MCV is a really nice property, and guests have full use of the JW across the street, with free shuttle service.

 

[DeniseM]

Don't forget to check the TUG Reviews for that area - the resorts are ranked by TUG ratings.

That being said, I think I'd trade in at a lower cost - there are a LOT of resorts in the area.

 

[vacationtime1]

We have been very satisfied with the flexibility we have with a Westin Kierland platinum unit:

• We have used it and enjoyed using it
• We have used the StarOptions to swap for Maui, Palms Springs, etc.
• We have rented it out at a significant profit

That said, I agree with your idea of renting before purchasing -- if you even end up purchasing. You state that using the place yourself is a major factor (if the the major factor) in your decision, so first try them out to see what you like best. There is no substitute for on site research.

 

[brigechols]

For golf, I rank them (1) Four Seasons, (2) Westin Kierland, and (3) Marriott's Canyon Villas.

 

[zinger1457]

If you're going to Scottsdale for a golf vacation don't limit yourself to just the golf course at the resort you're staying at. There are so many good golf courses in the area, use golfnow.com to shop around for the best rates, they are usually much cheaper then the 'resort discount'. I agree with brigechols golf course rankings based on overall quality but if looking at value for money I might reverse the order. I can often find decent rates at the Marriott courses. Troon North golf course is excellent but will usually cost you twice as much as the Marriott, Kierland is somewhere in the middle of the other two.

 

[4Reliefnow]

What Zinger said. Go to Phoenix/Scottsdale to golf and shop around. I will send you a link to golf discount site. I am moderator at the Marriott Canyon Villas Owners group and we have golf recommendations from other owners.

I have played Wildfire and Troon and six or seven other courses. Troon is a great course, but around $180 and up per day.

Fours Season is far and away the nicest resort, Maintenance of $2,300 is insane. I would rather have 2 MCV weeks. We toured the Westin in February and I think it is a nicer resort that MCV. The rooms are a little more deluxe.

The Westin Kierland is a mandatory Starwood Points resort. This means you get points with a secondary market week purchase. The Marriott system does not allow for points on secondary weeks. This means that Westin will be easier to do internal exchange (Hawaii). My MCV week has not pulled a Hawaii exchange.

I will PM you my contact and some more information

David

 

[siesta]

Don't forget to check the TUG Reviews for that area - the resorts are ranked by TUG ratings.

That being said, I think I'd trade in at a lower cost - there are a LOT of resorts in the area.

trading into Scottsdale in feb or march is not as easy as your recmmendation sounds. This is a timeframe that may behoove someone that consistently wants to go there to buy.

For the OP about the best courses:

Estancia is my favorite course, and one of Scottsdale's most exclusive courses. Unfortunately as a private club you will have to be a member or a guest of a member to play there. When I first bought a home in Estancia a few years ago the initiation fee for the club was over $200,000 ... Now its just under $100k due to the economy.

Other great courses in the area in no particular order:

-Grayhawk
-Phoenician
-TPC Scottsdale
-Troon (you can buy a TS at FS Troon)
-Silverleaf

and my alma mater's course
-ASU-Karsten (PING founder Karsten Solheim donated majority of funds, also a asu graduate)

 

[timtax]

trading into Scottsdale in feb or march is not as easy as your recmmendation sounds. This is a timeframe that may behoove someone that consistently wants to go there to buy.

This time frame includes spring training and can be hard to reserve. I bought MCV and have often locked off the unit and received 2 great trades to 2 BR units. I am going to rent the 1br portion in 2013.