Anyone stayed at Four Seasons residence club, Scottsdale?

[Debs Hill]

Has anyone else traded there?! Looks nice on the website, but would like some first hand reviews of resort and area!
Deb

 

[Dean]

Has anyone else traded there?! Looks nice on the website, but would like some first hand reviews of resort and area!
Deb

There are a couple of members who have stayed there, hopefully they will post. I hear it's phenomenal and would definitely take an exchange there if it worked out otherwise. The reviews on it are quite impressive.

 

[Debs Hill]

That sounds promising....................so, lets here from anyone who has stayed there!! How long were you on the waitlist, or did you get an immediate match? Is the weather nice in April, warm enough to swim?
Debsx

 

[phyllisnnj]

Four Seasons Residence Club in Scottsdale at Troon North is fabulous. I love this resort. I've stayed here in the summer but April is definitely warm enough to swim. I've never traded into it.

I would think anytime between late May - early Sept is probably the easiest time to get a trade because they normally offer greatly reduced rental rates to owners during this time of year. Hopefully someone else can speak to availability the other times of the year.

Here's some additional information:
http://www.fourseasons.com/residenceclubs/scottsdale/index.html

FYI... the resort is located outside of town. Choose "Local activities" from the link above to get an idea of distance.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We have stayed at the Four Seasons residence club in San Diego. I have never stayed anywhere nicer in my life. The DVC resorts have beautiful furnishings, but the Four Seasons is a step above. The people who worked there knew our names right away. The service was top knotch. We plan to go to Scottsdale as soon as we have the frquent flyer miles. We traded our Marriott timeshare thru II, not out DVC points.

 

[Debs Hill]

So, what is the weather like in the summer, is it bearable?!! If we didn't go in April we'd been looking at start of July!

Tell me more!

 

[raiders]

Tried to book Four seasons, nothing available all summer.Same with westin in Saint Johns. Very dissapointing.

 

[Dean]

Tried to book Four seasons, nothing available all summer.Same with westin in Saint Johns. Very dissapointing.

With those type of choices, you need to start looking a FULL year out and then be prepared to wait until a month or two before to give up. It's the exchange system at work and it's much like drawing to make an inside straight. I'm not sure why it would be disappointing if they were not available, why would one expect them to be. I'd guess the chances of matching these above a studio for that time of year as very slim even if looking a full year ahead and letting it ride for a long time.

 

[Debs Hill]

We have put in a search for April 2006, but no luck so far!! Also have a search in for Portugal in July. 2006.......also no luck!!!

What have other's experiences been of getting which resorts they want?!!

 

[Debs Hill]

We are now waiting for a trade in April or July 2006...........anyone else out there had any luck at getting in?!! Or the one in Carlsbad?!!

 

[phyllisnnj]

The earliest that Four Seasons Residence Club owners can make reservations is at the 12 month period. I'm not sure if you will find availability before that time. April also might be a hard time due to Easter/Spring break. I would try May, Sept & Oct too for both Four Seasons locations if you can

So, what is the weather like in the summer, is it bearable?!! If we didn't go in April we'd been looking at start of July!

Tell me more!

Summers are very hot in Scottsdale. No humidity but temps in the 100s and very little breeze. It's ok in the early morning and evenings but I won't suggest any extended outdoor activities during the day. You'll need plenty of liquids. But if you can take Orlando in the summer, I think you can handle Scottsdale in the summer. Also at the higher elevations (such as Prescott, Sedona & Flagstaff) you can enjoy the outdoor activities because it's not as hot

Here are the avg temp in Scottsdale from weather.com

Good luck

 

[dyingtodisney]

We have only visited DVC resorts since becoming members.
We are thinking of planning a trip for summer 2006 which at that time would include myself,dh,dd10 and ds7.The kids have done really well driving to Florida from Texas and to save $ we were thinking of doing an exchange we could drive to.
What would be some good options that the kids might enjoy? I'd love to hear some of your past experiences on trading...

 

[Dean]

We have only visited DVC resorts since becoming members.
We are thinking of planning a trip for summer 2006 which at that time would include myself,dh,dd10 and ds7.The kids have done really well driving to Florida from Texas and to save $ we were thinking of doing an exchange we could drive to.
What would be some good options that the kids might enjoy? I'd love to hear some of your past experiences on trading...

CO or Utah come to mind as good trade options that are close enough to drive, or at least as close as WDW. And possibly places like Branson though I don't think any trades are worthy of DVC there. For winter, I'd include Arizona as well. Specific resorts include the Marriott's excluding Vail, the Hyatt's, Franz Klammer lodge, St. James Place and the like.

 

[phyllisnnj]

The earliest that Four Seasons Residence Club owners can make reservations is at the 12 month period. I'm not sure if you will find availability before that time. April also might be a hard time due to Easter/Spring break. I would try May, Sept & Oct too for both Four Seasons locations if you can

Forgot to mention.....

I've read many times on the Timeshare User Group board that folks were able to exchange into the Four Seasons. But keep in mind that Four Seasons Residence Club owner pay $1,500+ or $1,800+ in yearly maintenance fees for a one or two-bedroom unit so trading into Interval International (II) is not a great value for owners. Also Four Seasons is starting to offer better trade options outside of II through direct trade agreements. So I would try to be as flexible as possible with your dates. I'm sure these units are snatch up as soon as they become available within II via ongoing II searches or sightings posted on the Timeshare User Group board (membership required to view sightings).

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks for all your posts! So, if members can'r make reservations until the 12 mnth point am I unlikely to know about availabilty until after then? How does it work?!!!!! Help! Will try adding some more dates and see if that helps!

 

[Dean]

Thanks for all your posts! So, if members can'r make reservations until the 12 mnth point am I unlikely to know about availabilty until after then? How does it work?!!!!! Help! Will try adding some more dates and see if that helps!

IF, and I repeat IF, you match, expect it to be between 2 and 6 months before the visit. II can't give you what they don't have. There WILL be other II members in line AHEAD of you as some units become available. This group ahead of you will likely include other Four Seasons owners, top Marriott owners, top Hyatt owners, and a few others that deposit top resorts at top times. Your chances will be greatly diminished if you require a 2 BR and enhanced if you can take a studio. For one resort, you really should give them a min of 8-12 weeks to chose from but in this case, I'm not sure I'd consider 20 weeks as being flexible.

 

[phyllisnnj]

Another option is to rent your DVC points then use the cash to rent from an owner. However, just like it states on the Rent and Trade board, there is an element of trust required for these transactions.

Here are some websites with 2005 rentals
My Resort Network
Timeshare User Group Rental Classifieds
Redweek.com (requires $10 membership) Redweek also has an optional 3rd party escrow service thru Chicago Title

 

[Debs Hill]

No luck so far! ha!ha!
Does anyone know anything about the one at Carlsbad? Is it supposed to be nice? What is the area like?

 

[Dennis O'Dell]

Four Seasons Residence Club in Scottsdale at Troon North is fabulous. I love this resort. I've stayed here in the summer but April is definitely warm enough to swim. I've never traded into it.

I would think anytime between late May - early Sept is probably the easiest time to get a trade because they normally offer greatly reduced rental rates to owners during this time of year. Hopefully someone else can speak to availability the other times of the year.

Here's some additional information:
http://www.fourseasons.com/residenceclubs/scottsdale/index.html

FYI... the resort is located outside of town. Choose "Local activities" from the link above to get an idea of distance.

That's probably because no one wants to say here with 110 degree temperatures. From a cost perspective, it's the cheapest time to come to Phoenix. Winter and Spring Training season are usually the most expensive times.