Why do you like timesharing?

[DaveNV]

I was trying to explain to a coworker why I enjoy timesharing so much, and it got me to thinking about the whole idea of traveling, vacationing, and what it means to me. I'd love to hear your reasons, too.

My Dad was military, and was stationed in Hawaii when I was a teenager. I was lucky enough to have lived on Oahu for five fantastic years. That was where I graduated high school, and ultimately joined the military, too. The Islands got under my skin in a way I've never gotten over, and much more deeply than anywhere else I've ever been.

I visit Hawaii whenever I can, usually for at least two weeks, and it always feels like I've come home again, even when I'm visiting an area I haven't seen before. Thanks to timesharing, each time I visit I can get more of that feeling of living in the islands again, instead of that hotel-based "I'm just a visitor here" feeling. I love that it never gets old. (I just wish the rest of me worked that way, too! LOL!)

What does timesharing mean to you?

Dave

 

[AwayWeGo]

What's Not To Like?

What does timesharing mean to you?

We like timeshare vacationing because we get spacious & luxurious accommodations for roughly Motel 6 & Super 8 costs.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[gloria]

this is what we enjoy about timesharing over motel stays:

*we have the option to prepare our meals in if we choose, so that we're not held "hostage" to HAVING to eat out EVERY meal

*my husband sleeps in and i don't, so i can leave him in the bedroom, and go about my business, without disturbing him in a traditional ONE room hotel unit...

*we like staying in ONE place for a full week, so that we get to know THAT neighborhood, AND we only unpack once...

*i'm frugal, and it's HARD to get a "nice" (and clean) motel room for what I WANT TO PAY -- if i spend $200 or better, for a room i don't want to leave the room....

that's my list for now.....

 

[SOS8260456]

I love timesharing because we get more "room" for our money. With a family of 5 this became especially important.

Lisa

 

[barndweller]

We like timesharing because it is less commitment & much cheaper than owning a vacation home. We can spend the winter in a warmer climate in a spacious condo and not spend our time on upkeep & maintenence. We can go to a variety of destinations, not the same one every time. We can share with our friends & family. And mostly because it keeps our vacations from getting dull & routine. We always look forward to the next trip since it is often to a new place. We love the feeling of a new adventure! I'm sure it will take the rest of my life to visit all the destinations & resorts on my exchange wish-list!

 

[Icc5]

Resort VS. Hotel

We look forward to going to a resort compared to spending time at a hotel. The comfort level for us is just much higher. I imagine we would get the same experience at high priced hotels but I couldn't afford those on a regular basis. They work for us and in fact I can't wait to go again.
Bart

 

[Emily]

I like the adventure of planning the next vacation. Figuring out what we can do, see, try. As our children grow and we get older, our interests change.

We do short stays (1-2 night stays) in nice hotels but staying for a week in a place that is interesting is excellant. I like the room of the units and the amenities that timeshares offer.

The bottom line . . . if you took away the amenities and the great locations . . . I still want to go to the kitchen and get my morning coffee before getting dressed or brushing my hair and I want to feed my kids cold cereal without sitting in a restuarant wasting the first 2 hours of the day.

I think we timeshare because it is a better, more comfortable way to vacation for us.

 

[pwrshift]

I'm finding as I get older, kids grown and on their own, that timesharing has less appeal to me than when the whole family went away and enjoyed all that space, and we could cook in, to travel economically.

Now it's my turn to be pampered ... with room service, maid service and turn down, restaurants & bars in the hotel and nearby, and the opportunity to be right downtown in world class urban cities around the world.

It really bugs me to waste an empty bedroom in a 2 bdrm suite, so lockoffs are great for empty nesters. But I still don't like making beds. Also don't like the thought of an old timer (not quite there yet) staying alone in a timeshare for a week when they don't come into your place until a week has passed and it's time to check out.

Brian

 

[John37130]

The only way to travel with kids

When my kids were real young, we took a couple beach vacations and stayed in hotels on the beach. We would get up in the morning, get everyone dressed, drive somewhere to eat breakfast, drive back to the hotel, change into our beach clothes and go to the beach. Later in the day, we would go through the whole process again to eat out for dinner. It was downright tiresome. After we got back from dinner, it would be bedtime for the kids so ... lights out (and TV off) very early.

Then we rented our first condo ... and our vacations have never been the same. Now, we usually eat breakfast and lunch at the condo, and eat dinner out. There's enough room for everyone to spread out so everyone isn't jammed into one room fighting over one TV. Plus, we can now put the kids to bed at night and we can stay up and relax. It makes for a much more relaxing vacation. We spent weeks this summer at Marco Island and Williamsburg. Both were great vacations, and we created some memories with the kids that we will treasure forever.

Timeshares are the only way to vacation with kids.

John

 

[taffy19]

We bought timeshares mainly to share with our family from Europe. When they came over, they used to stay several weeks so we went on vacation together and they saw more than just southern CA. They have seen a lot in the west. We stayed with them many times too but never that long if we went together.

These were happy times and we have many nice pictures of our trips long before the digital camera came out. We even shared accommodations with our very best friends but now we travel more alone so a kitchen is no longer that important because we do not want to cook for just the two of us. We still like to use our timeshares because they are where we like to go and would like to live but staying in a hotel is fine with us.

 

[Kona Lovers]

We basically go to our home resorts, but do some trading. Timeshare has allowed us extended vacations and like many have said, you can eat breakfast and lunch at the ts and dinner out, or have the option of barbecuing there at the resort for dinner if you wish. We have mostly red floaters 1-50, which makes the flexibility wonderful. We've also been able to exchange a banked week for our grown son and his wife so they could enjoy a vacation in Orlando which would have otherwise been very expensive for them.
Timesharing isn't perfect, but it works for us.

Marty

 

[BocaBum99]

Timesharing is the greatest thing ever created. It's not quite as good as the microwave oven and nowhere nearly as good as the internet or jet airplane. But, it is better than sliced bread. If I had to choose between timesharing and breaking my bread instead of having it nicely sliced, I'd be breaking my bread. lol.

Timesharing has enabled me to travel 15-20 weeks per year to fantastic places. Before timesharing, I would go away only 1 week per year with my family. Lots of travel, but only in hotels. Now, it's like my home away from home.

 

[JLB]

Because of all the nice people on TUG.

 

[laxmom]

In the first 15 years of our marriage, we only took trips to visit family. We purchased our first timeshare to force us to take a trip somewhere, other than a relatives house, every other year. As the kids got older and wanted to bring friends, the space became even more important to us. Now they give us this "look" when we are forced to stay in a hotel!:rofl:

We have made a lot of memories with our kids in some really terrific places. The oldest is married and they still plan on traveling with us eoy. That is one of the other reasons we purchased; so they would be able to continue traveling with us on occasion when they have families of their own.

 

[Linda74]

Timesharing works for me because I am forced to vacation because I am too cheap to pay maintenance fees and not use the time. So far this year, we have used the timeshares for travel in Greece, ski vacations in Vermont and New Hampshire, a few days in Vegas, a week in Mexico and are looking forward to a week in Tuscany. Eliminating a good portion of hotel fees allows me to travel further and not mind the cost of airfare and car rental so much. We can take friends and family along and always give vacation time to our children who are most happy to receive some free lodging. We have also given a week in Mexico to my daughter in law's sister as a wedding present. While we do vacation in hotels, take cruises, or travel places where timeshare does not work, I feel I am getting my money's worth when timesharing.

 

[sammy]

Sure beats cleaning 2 houses!

We have several friends who own summer homes at the beach or in Florida. They feel obligated to go there frequently,
they feel guilty when they spend extra $$ to go anywhere else,
they have to put $$ and more importantly, time , into the repair and maintenance,
and they have to clean it.

That's why we prefer timesharing to owning.

Now, why timesharing instead of hotels:
- we try places we would never pursue otherwise,
- we know we'll always be in nice resorts (thanks to TUG),
- we always have separate beds and usually separate rooms for everyone,
- we have the option of eating in whenever we choose to for the convenience or cost savings,
- we always have a frig for ice, milk, cocktails ,
- and we often have a great view and a deck for drinking them !

 

[Laurie]

Timesharing works for me because I am forced to vacation because I am too cheap to pay maintenance fees and not use the time.

Initially, this was true for me too, and it's the one thing that the first timeshare salesperson who pitched us got right - in the 20 years prior to that, I had only taken 2 trips, never feeling like I could take time away from my job. So our first timeshare purchase actually got me to stop putting off travel until some mythical time in the future. It's not the only reason we love it now - we have really grown to appreciate the more spacious accommodations, the being in 1 place for a whole week, the kitchens - but I still bank all our weeks, watch the expiration dates, and I keep thinking up new and interesting places to trade for, before they expire.

I still feel like a kid in a candy store, when it's a given that we're going to go somewhere with each trading week, and all I do is pick something! We do it far in advance, so there's always more to look forward to, and I just figure out the logistics of how to get us there later.

We've really gotten to know parts of our planet more intimately as a result, so far only US and Europe, plus a few European islands off the coast of Africa (and a day trip to Morocco) - and this travel has really changed me. If/when I decide I can deal with longer plane trips, hopefully we'll expand to more continents.

As we age, we realize that our time - being alive, not to mention being as however able-bodied as we are currently - is limited, as will be our opportunity to physically do this travel. In other words, it's not really about "using up our spacebanks before they expire", it's about utilizing our time here on earth to the maximum - before *we* expire!

 

[susieq]

What a nice comment!!

Because of all the nice people on TUG.

What a nice comment!!

We get lots of ideas and tips here, and planning and dreaming about all those destinations is half the fun!! (only half though!!) I wish we could've afforded a timeshare when our kids were little ~ we only took very few and far between vacations in those years ~ mostly to either relative or friends' houses ~ and I do regret that. My husband and I have owned our timeshare for 12 years now ~ and been to some of the most amazing places. We love having so much room ~ and usually a kitchen too ~ and the freedom to come and go as we please. I'm sure we would never have seen even half of what we have if it had not been for timeshares ~ and all the research I can do here on line. (And yes, with a little help from my friends!! :whoopie: ) It's truly the best thing we've done for ourselves!

Sue

 

[pcgirl54]

With a young family we could only afford to go camping but we traveled to many places on a tight budget,saved on meals by cooking in and it worked for 10+ years.

I wanted nice hot water,a kitchen ,nice shower and room for our three active growing boys. Hotel rooms were shrinking with 5 of us and we couldn't afford suites.

Never thought I would buy a timeshare,didn't trust the idea but chance had us attend a presentation and you all know the rest. Bought a resale Cape Cod and then Marriott. That led me to fall in love with Hilton Head.

I love all the places we can visit! Put me near the sun and the ocean and I am in heaven.
I love the extra room,the kitchen,the washer/dryer and the hot showers and 2 bathrooms/2 bedrooms.
Everything I need is already there.I do not need to bring anything but our clothes.
I can grill steaks at the BBQ. Go to the Spa,the pool or the gym without driving anywhere.
I can read or watch TV in another room without tiptoeing around. I can eat breakfast on the beach or watch the dolphins from the balcony as I read my travel brochures in my PJ's. It's all good.
I have gotten to know wonderful people on this board who have given me valuable advice to enjoy our vacations.
I know where to eat,how to get there and what tours to take because of you.
I can dream of where to go next. Then go there. Places like:
Harborside Atlantis,Westin Ka'anapali, Marco and South Seas in Captiva,Anna Maria Island,NYC Manhattan Club, Myrtle Beach and my beloved Hilton Head.

And lastly: As a mother someday I can send my sons on a wonderful honeymoon that I was not able to do.

 

[suesam]

Before we bought our timeshare, on a whim, from the developer, we only took mini vacations once or twice a year. My husband never felt he could be away from work for more than 4-5 nights. Boy have things changed! Now that we own our timeshare, which we usually exchange, we have 2 wonderful week long vacations a year. My sister in law bought a timeshare too so many years we stay with them one week and they stay with us one week.

We have gone to places we would have never gone to and have had priceless family vacations that we would not have taken. My husband just said a couple of weeks ago that buying our timeshare, even from the developer, was one of the best things we have done for our family. Our boys, 14 and 17 WANT to travel with us and are deeply offended if we do not take them along. When I was 14 there was no way I wanted to travel with my parents and stay in those little hotel rooms with no space of my own.

I have learned so much from TUG about traveling and I would not have known a thing about TUG if it was not for my timeshare! Another reason to love my timeshare.

Sue

 

[Mimi39]

I like staying in one place for a whole week, you really get to see a lot more and feel like a part of the area. Although we usually eat out anyway, I do enjoy the experience of shopping in local grocery stores.

Trying new places we wouldn't have thought of going -- I just check RCI for availability and try some place new.

Cost -- more room, less expensive than a hotel or motel. Generally the units are larger and better and the cost is less than comparable hotels. Forget even one night at Comfort Inn, etc.!!!!!!!!

Being able to include family or friends in vacation plans or give a week as a gift.

Exchanging online -- getting a good exchange is like winning the lottery, I like the feeling of winning when I get a good exchange!

 

[Larry]

Love timeshares

Gets me four weeks of free vacations a year to great destinations all over the world. We own 7 weeks rent out 3 which pays for all seven weeks. Before timeshare we only went on vacations we could drive to except when we flew to Florida a few times and Aruba, once.

Since owning timeshare we have been to Europe ( 3 times ) Mexico ( at least 8 trips including Cabo, Cancun several times, Puerto Vallarta, twice and Acapulco, Hawaii (2), Las Vegas, Florida (8) and several Caribbean islands.

We also got both of our daughters their honeymoons to the Mayan Palace (Aca)which they still talk about as the nicest resort they have ever been to.

So gotta love those timeshares !!!!!!

 

[laxmom]

And lastly: As a mother someday I can send my sons on a wonderful honeymoon that I was not able to do.[/QUOTE]


We just did this last year. We weren't able to get the trade they wanted (Atlantis) because they didn't give us enough notice but I was able to rent a week in Harborside for $215/nite. Then we used our timeshare week to get away the week after the wedding to recover!!


We have a camper but we use the timeshares more. We are thinking of selling the camper and buying another ts!

We have been to Newport Coast in California, Barony on HHI twice (loved it so much we bought there), Aruba Surf Club, Marriotts Ford's Colony in Williamsburg, Ko Olina on Oahu, and have Surf Watch on HHI, Grande Vista in Orlando and Westgate Gatlinburg planned for next year. Throw a couple cruises in there too. Oh yea, done this in the last 6 years. That's more than we did in the previous 19!!

 

[dougp26364]

1. Accomadations: Timeshare vs hotel room there is no comparison. Timeshare wins hands down but, we utilize 1 and 2 bedroom accomadations rather then studio/hotel units.

2. Timeshare has made me more focused on actually taking vacations. Before we owned timeshare, we rarely went anywhere. Now that we own timeshare I'm planning our vacations at a minimum of 1 year in advance and taking 4 to 6 weeks off per year.

3. Locations: In the past paying for an ocean front hotel room made me cringe at the price per night. For whatever reason owning on ocean front unit or exchanging into a beach front property didn't hold the same sticker shock factor. Needless to say we've greatly improved the locations we stay at vs when I was renting hotel rooms.

4. I prefer owning to renting. With owning I feel I have a little more control over my vacation time. I'm not as subject to the cycles of tourism for the area's I want to visit or the fluctuating prices. Other than the ever increasing MF's my cost's are fixed.

5. It's easier for us to own what we'll use rather than buying a second vaction home. Plus, a second vacation home is in a fixed location. With timeshare I can own multiple locations and exchange those we own for even more choice in locations.

Timeshare obviously won't work for everyone but for us it's been the greatest thing since sliced bread.

 

[ladycody]

*I feel like I'm at my vacation home...with lots of space and great accomodations...usually in places FAR above what I would have been able to afford without owning.

*I travel FAR more often because it's pre-paid for...and I get bonus time travel too for $40-60 dollars per night average for 2br condos. So I go 6 times as much as I would have otherwise for about 15-20% of what it would cost for rack rate hotel rooms for the same number of nights. (and I'd go even more if I didnt have a job and a life...LOL)

*I save a TON of money on food because we only pay restaurant prices for lunch and the occassional ice cream (with a few exceptions). We eat most bfast and dinners (bbq usually) in the unit.

*My husband and I can put the kids to bed and choose to stay up together and enjoy grown up time without fear of waking them. I can also choose to go to bed and read while he watches a fight at night...and neither of us disturbs the other.

*On a rainy day...the kids have an entire home to roam and play in...and they can play board games or video games in their room...without taking over the whole place. We can spread out between trips to the pool and game room. Not to mention the activities that many resorts have for kids/families that hotels just dont offer.

I dont know....what's NOT to like about timesharing.

PS: I've got 2 penthouse units (private roof-top sun deck with jacuzzi) in san jose del cabo for my 10 year anniversay (9 nights)that would likely run at least $400 per night each retail...so at least $7200 total retail value...and my total cost was 3.5 years worth of dues...or $2200. And did I mention...we arent paying for our airfare...the people we're bringing along are paying that...