Bonnet Creek opinions

[veenstra56]

I am a DVC member and my wife and I have been saving for an additional DVC purchase, but I have to admit that I am very interested in Bonnet Creek. I have only seen photos of the resort, but the resort looks beautiful and obviously the location is great. It also appears to be more economical than DVC.

My interest in Bonnet Creek has nothing to do with our love of DVC. In fact, my family has had nothing but wonderful experiences with DVC, but who's to say that we wouldn't love B.C. as well?

My questions are:
1) Of those who have actually stayed at Bonnet Creek, what is your opinion of it (and how does it compare to the DVC resorts)?
2) What would I have to pay for a 1 bedroom for a premium week (7 days). By premium I mean Christmas or spring break.
3) How do the Fairfield Resorts stack up?

Any other advice and/or opinions would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Janet Hill]

I own both DVC and FF. I stay at both and enjoy both. Depending on the trip (Disney, vs Universal/SW) we will choose one or the other.

Bonnet Creek rooms are bigger and are more plush. I don't like the very small dining areas of the DVC units. When we go with family at holidays, we like to have a big family dinner, and DVC units don't accomodate the large crowd very well. DVC, well they are onsite and we get EMH. I have never had a bad experience at either. The staff at BC and DVC are both top notch.

This Christmas we are staying at Bonnet Creek with extened family. There's no way I could afford DVC accomodations for the 15 of us.

IMO both are great spots and you don't have to dislike one to like the other.

 

[Lisa P.]

What would I have to pay for a 1 bedroom for a premium week (7 days). By premium I mean Christmas or spring break.

Christmas week (#51) and spring break weeks (#7-14) both normally fall during "Prime" season. A 1BR at Fairfield/Wyndham Bonnet Creek is:
20,000 points/night on Sun-Thu
33,000 points/night on Fri or Sat
166,000 points/week.

If your spring break falls in "Value" season (#15-19, after April 13 in 2007), then the figures are:
9,000 points/night on Sun-Thu
19,500 points/night on Fri or Sat
84,000 points/week.

From the developer, 166,000 FF/Wyn points would be ~$23,000.
On resale, 166,000 FF/Wyn points could be found for ~$3,500-$5,000, including closing.

Annual maint fees on 166,000 points at Bonnet Creek would run under $700 including taxes. If you buy resale points at another Fairfield location you may find the purchase price lower and the maint fees will vary quite a bit by home resort. It's possible to book Bonnet Creek with points from another home resort at the 10-month Standard (open booking) window. But you'll be assured of that Christmas reservation if you own there and reserve during the 13-month Advance (home resort owners') window.

How do the Fairfield Resorts stack up?

I think the newer Fairfield resorts are terrific - nicely furnished with plenty of amenities. They are not themed like Disney resorts, though some of the newer ones clearly selected decor and building styles to suit the surroundings. Some of the older golf destinations are nice but sprawling, homey, mixed-use communities with many vacation homes or retirement homes that share amenities at a "country club" recreation center. There are more of the newer resorts (which I prefer) than the "Fairfield Communities" resorts now.

Still, the majority of Fairfield's "Deluxe" rooms in both types are larger than most comparable DVC rooms - similar to OKW in room size. When booking a 1BR at a FF/Wyn, look for "Deluxe" in the designation since 1BR "Standard" or "Suite" rooms have fewer or smaller amenities and room sizes (they're point-savers). 2BRs and up don't have "Standard" rooms - they are pretty much all "Deluxe," with whirlpool tubs, fully stocked kitchens, inroom stacked washer/dryer, etc. Most master BRs have king beds, a few of the older places have queen. There are some 2BR, 3BR and 4BR condos called "Presidential" at the newer FF/Wyn resorts. These have seriously upgraded furnishings (usually leather LRs w/big screen tv), gourmet kitchens, bigger rooms (than many people's homes!), beautiful views and they cost more points. 4BR Presidential Suites at the newer FF/Wyn resorts are simply amazing!!!! You can tour one at Bonnet Creek and see what I mean. FF/Wyn has many excellent locations for traveling around the USA and it's still expanding, adding more every year. We like it a lot for that! Reservations generally have either a 3-night (prime season) or 2-night minimum stay.

 

[Brian Noble]

Bonnet Creek is beautiful. If you are thinking about buying, definitely join the owners' yahoo group--it is open to those considering a purchase:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fairfield_timeshare/

There is a ton of information about how the program works in the "files" section, though there are a few minor program changes in the works about cancellation windows, etc.

You should be able to buy enough points at a FF/Wyn resort for a Prime season 1BR BC week for around $3,000 or less, including closing costs, on the resale market. You will want to be patient, as the annual fees vary widely from resort to resort, and even sometimes from deed to deed for those resorts that started out as fixed weeks and converted to points later.

If you really want to go during New Years, you might need to own at BC for the 3 month head start in making reservations. Because that resort is new, resale deeds there are relatively few and far between; they trade at a premium, so figure closer to $6,000.

I just checked availability for Easter Week 2008---we just entered the standard reservation period for that week, when owners at other resorts can book BC. BC owners can book 13 months in advance, other resort owners at 10. There were 60+ 1BR units available, and even more 2BR. Christmas and New Years are booked solid at BC right now, at 7 months out.

PS: Go Blue!