Best Timeshare Other Than DVC

[bcvillastwo]

I'm curious, I know there are others on this board who own Timeshares other than DVC. I'd like any and all comments any of you have in the way of which one(s) are best and why. Plus, if you have any links to information about how they work e.g., weekly, points based, etc.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Bill K]

I guess by all the replies, DVC is the best!

 

[bcvillastwo]

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I have no doubt that DVC is best. So let me try again,

"Given the fact that DVC is the best timeshare, what timeshare would be 2nd best and why?"

Facts are facts and they are hard to argue. (lol)

 

[Minybear]

I would like to know this answer also.

We just went to a Fairfield presentation and they say they are the best due to they have around 350,000 of members (of course downed DVC which they said we have only 52,000 members) and have more selection of resorts to go to ect.

 

[spiceycat]

my opinion Marriott - but I can't afford one of these plus DVC - so I also own a timeshare in Panama CIty Beach on the gulf Landmark Holiday Beach Resort - and a South Africia (they trade very well for a minimum cost) as well as my Westgate (that is on the market)

Why is it the best - the internal trading - and there are so many Marriott timeshares - they are all over the place - plus if you buy resale from them - you get their point systems for the times when you want to visit a place that doesn't have a Marriott timeshares - but does have a Marriott hotel - now I really don't know of any large city that does not have a Marriott hotel. they also seem to have a very good airline system too - but Dean is the expert. Now if you don't need this point system - they have some excellent deals on the resale market non-Marriott.

then I think the Hilton - the timeshares I have seem - are very lovely

then maybe Hyatt - but there are so few of these - so I have not tried one myself.

I know that alot of folks on tug think that they Royal's in the Carribean are good - but I have never tried these either.

I think it just depends upon what you want - the Panama City timeshare is not a great one at all - but it is a beautiful location and I feel that it will serve my family well - you have decide what is best for your needs and budget.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I have been wondering this myself. When I retire in less than two years, I'll be getting a nice little retirement bonus (actually I'll get paid for remaining vacation). I had thought about buying a DVC addon with it; but am also considering a second timeshare. I would really like a timeshare at Myrtle Beach and am thinking about buying a resell on a Fairfield timeshare there when the time comes. I looked at the new Marriott timeshare at Myrtle Beach, but the prices are very high and with it being brand new there wouldn't be any resells I imagine. But then again I may just do a DVC addon and try to get HHI thru a resell.

 

[Lisa P.]

I agree with the idea that it depends on what you want to do with it. Some people want luxury and pampering. Some want flexibility (like a points program). Some explore a lot of destination locations. Some just want comfort, space and seclusion for family time or relaxation. Some families love tons of sports and activities. Determining your priorities makes a huge difference in what you would consider the "best."

Of course, DVC provides lovely, luxurious, fun resorts in a few delightful locations.

For fairly consistent luxury and a wide variety of locations, Marriott is excellent.

Hilton/HGVC offers a few terrific resorts in southwest FL, HI and Las Vegas.

In Cancun, Mexico, the Royals are tops for sports, pampering and amenities.

For points flexibility with a very large system of good resorts, Fairfield is wonderful on the east coast of the U.S. and WorldMark is wonderful on the west coast of the U.S./Canada (each with a few additional locations elsewhere).

Sunterra offers a lot of resorts in a very wide range of places but they seem to vary more in resort quality.

There are other points programs as well.

For Europe, there are several large companies but I don't know much about them. Hawaii has nice PAHIO and Shell resorts. Visit TUG - Timeshare Users Group to learn more about timeshares and ask a lot of questions. HTH!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If you like the quality of DVC, then Marriott is worth looking into. See http://www.mvci.com/ and click on Resorts to see where they have locations.

Marriott owners trade to other Marriott locations through Interval International (II) with a reduced exchange fee and a 3-week internal trading priority. (But to trade to top locations in peak seasons, it's still usually necessary to own something comparable.)

Consider buying at a location where you'd like to be able to take vacations often, without having to do an exchange -- especially if you plan to go at peak times. (If you don't plan to go at peak times, you can consider a Marriott location that costs less but trades well.)

Resale weeks are cheaper than developer weeks, but the good locations/seasons still cost plenty. Unlike less desirable timeshares, you generally won't find Marriott resales at super-bargain prices. And with the incentives (sometimes worth thousands of dollars) that Marriott offers on developer weeks, the spread between a resale week and a developer week may not be that large.

 

[Jimbo]

Four Seasons is probably the best. It's certainly the most expensive anyway! A for sale ad at TUG for the Four Seasons Aviaria says "Current retail price at the resort is $68,000 for 2 weeks (and you must purchase at least 2 weeks if you purchase direct from the developer)." And this person's contract is for Gold season, not Platinum, which I assume would cost even more.

$68K would buy you about 800 DVC points, so DVC is cheap by comparison.

 

[webprinter]

We own at Fairfield, Worldmark and Brookes Hill( South Africa). We have done many exchanges and our favorites are: Worldmark and Club Intrawest.

 

[Dean]

Four Seasons and Ritz (also owned by Marriott) are the top. After that it does truly depend on what you want. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so to speak. I'd agree that there's an elite set at the top that includes the above, DVC, Marriott (MVCI & Grand Residence), Hyatt, Embassy, Royals, Westin, Club International and the like. There are individual resorts also that one could add including St. James, Franz Klammer Lodge, Big Cedar, Costa Linda and the like.

While FF, Shell, Bluegreen, Hampimag (? sp) and WM have a lot of nice places, as a system they do all fall somewhat below the quality of many I've listed above. Still some are resort oriented and others are destination oriented. That and one's location makes a big difference on what's best for you. Do you want it for trading or to use? Did you buy just to get owner privildges like to use the pool year round if you live in the town? do you need a studio or 3 BR unit? One size does not fit all.

 

[jbthi]

I don't think there is one that is best (other than DVC of course ) for everyone. The best for me are my resorts on Sanibel and Captiva. They are HGVC affiliated but I don't belong to HGVC because these are the resorts I want to go to. The one I own on Captiva is GC but I don't think it should be if it weren't for the location. That is what makes it so great. You can't get much better than the lush landscaping, the trolley to take you around, great restaurants, and a beautiful almost "private" beach.

 

[mickeyc]

In addition to owning DVC we own a Mariott Cypress Harbour. It is the highest rated resort in Orlando behind DVC. I agree with the reasons cited above for owning a Mariott. I would add a couple of thoughts.

First, you can purchase a Mariott resale and save thousands. This can be done via Mariott, Resale Company such as the Timeshare Store), or private party. Second, you should go to www.tug2.net and you will obtain a wealth of information pertaining to timeshares. There is a seperate Mariott Board similar to this one where Mariott owners share information. There are also debates concerning whether to purchase a resale Mariott with or without their point system.

Finally, you should check out the tug classified section. You may find a Mariott that fit your budget. Good luck!

 

[SlyHubby]

We just went to a Fairfield presentation and they say they are the best due to they have around 350,000 of members (of course downed DVC which they said we have only 52,000 members) and have more selection of resorts to go to ect.

actually, it's 450,000

Fairfield Article

 

[KANSAS]

does anyone have any comments about Starwood group?

I find it very difficult to get into Atlantis/harborside??

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We own Starwood/Vistana, now that I fully understand how it works, its great, but in order to use less than a weeks worth of points, you can only book 90 days out. not great if you want to go to say Harborside during a school vacation for less than a week. We did it in 2002, book 12/01 ofr 2/02, it was awsome!!! But you should really buy where you want to own, just like DVC, I could get 4 nights this august at Harborside, but decided on Vero instead!