Hyatt vs DVC Experience

[JoeM]

For those that have interest in comparative stays:

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to stay at the Hyatt Vacation Club Sunset Resort in Key West, FL. for one night. We had a “studio” room that was ok for our purposes (just 2 of us). What we discovered is that the quality of the DVC facilities far exceeded the Hyatt experience. Perhaps our impression was not fair since we stayed only one night. However, the overall experience, housekeeping and maintenance of the Hyatt facility fell far below what we have experienced with DVC. Additionally, our “studio” room was not very large and seemed much smaller than the studios we encountered at DVC. I am sure Hyatt has some better facilities around the country, but their Key West facility was a notch below what we expected. On the positive side, we did enjoy celebrating the sunset as they do each evening in Key West. The stay just made us feel more secure with the purchase we made in DVC.

 

[RLAlden]

We've stayed at Hyatt, Marriott and Fairfield Time Share Resorts and none of them compare to DVC...

 

[dvc_john]

I love my DVC and wouldn't trade it for anything.
But, to be fair, I'm currently at Hyatt Coconut Plantation (in Bonita Springs near Naples Fl.), and it is one of the nicest timeshares I've ever been at.
It has an adult pool and spa, two large free form pools with waterfalls and islands (and one is zero entry), a kiddie pool with fountains, and a long meandering lazy river for tubing. The rooms are as large or larger than most DVC resorts (except perhaps OKW). And included are daily trash and towel service, and mid-week full clean.
Hyatt Windward Point in Key West has similar size and styled rooms, and a nice infinity pool overlooking the ocean.
I own DVC, Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton, and for me, it is a nice mix of resorts and locations. (Of course, I'm retired to be able to spend this much time on vacation!)

 

[Minybear]

Recently we got an offer from the Hyatt to stay with them for 3 nights at $40 per night in Sedona AZ in their 1-bdrm unit in July. I would love to compare their 1-bdrm unit to BCV's. Of course we had to agree to attend a 90 minute presentation. We are going but we don't intend to buy into their timeshare. We like to compare our DVC to other timeshares.

How is the Hyatt timeshare compared to DVC?

Wish we were going "home" instead .

Minybear

 

[BWVDee]

I totally agree with dvc_john.
I also really love my DVC membership and would not trade it for the world. Presently, I only own a timeshare with DVC, but very good friends of mine own at Hyatt and Hilton. Both have some very, very nice resorts. Well on par with DVC resorts in regards to the accommondations, resort, amenities etc. Many of the 2 br units are much larger, more luxuriously appointed, etc., than ANY 2 br DVC villa. The resort guest amenities such as pool, dining options etc are also very high standard.
My friends paid considerably less for their timeshares than I have paid for DVC, and they own them forever (this was the deciding factor for them in not choosing DVC); their dues are lower than DVC dues, their "in network" choice of resorts is much larger than DVC.
The main obvious trade off is none of their resorts are located on WDW property. So if going to WDW a lot and staying on property is important to you, (as it is to us), then buying a Hilton, Marriott, etc., timeshare to use exclusively for WDW trips, is not your best choice. But for trips outside the land of the Mouse---there are some very nice timeshares to be had at Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, etc resorts.
I have been recently thinking of buying a timeshare outside of DVC instead of adding on more DVC pts again. We have basically enough DVC pts to use exclusively for WDW trips. The trade out value, resort selection, booking times, etc for resorts outside of the DVC network using DVC pts; is not nearly as good as what a timeshare at Hyatt, etc., will offer us for non WDW trips.

 

[Sheree]

i've put in for a trade to the hyatt key west. there are 2; one near mallory square and one before you get to town. we're trying for the sunset one. I am under the impression we're trading for a 1br and since we'll be staying a week, I hope it's nice! assuming we get it! it's another 19 months away. there's another exchange in key west and 2 in marathon that we will put in for if we don't hear about it at 11 months out

 

[dvc_john]

Sheree:
Actually there are 3 Hyatt's in Key West. Sunset Harbor is the one close to Duval St and Mallory Square. It has studio, 1br, and 2br units. Windward Point is the newest. Beach House is the one just as you enter town. Both Windward Point and Beach House have only 2br units.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for that report, JoeM. I also realized just how good we have it at DVC, when on our last trip we looked at some off site resorts. What an eye opener that was!
Although many Orlando off site resorts were not up to par, I am sure there are some nice places out there. The problem is they are nothing more than nice, fancy, plain vanilla buildings. I just love the theming and attention to detail of the Disney resorts.

MG

 

[Sheree]

john:
didn't see windward point show up on the list of properties thru II. maybe becasue it's new? or because they only have 2br units.

 

[JoeM]

Actually the Hyatt folks told us there are 4 resorts in the area.

Initally, we could not find the resort where we were staying and finally found a Hyatt that gave us directions. The Hyatt Sunset location is where we stayed. I would not recommend it unless you just want a place to sleep and need the location (walk to Duval St and Mallary Square) Also, there is no parking facility at the resort so you will need to get a parking pass for a tiered parking garage across the street from the resort (it's actually a Hilton garage). It cost us $15.00 per day (but I am not sure if a member of the Hyatt Vacation Club must would that cost). There is also another Hyatt (possibly the beach one) that appears in better overall shape, with onsite parking and the same location advantages. I would recommend trying it vs the Sunset.

I agree with all....it's nice to compare other timeshares to accurately access our DVC membership.

 

[Sheree]

i think that's the hotel, next to the vacation club. both other hyatss are away from "downtown" according to the website.

 

[Caskbill]

dvc_john here (using caskbill's laptop and sign-on)

Sheree is correct. The other downtown Hyatt is the Hyatt hotel.
Windward Point is fairly new (I was there last May, and it had been open less than a year at that time.) I'm sure it will be on dvc's II list sometime (I'm surprised that it isn't by now.) You could ask about it - maybe it's on the list, but just not on the published lists yet. Anyway, it's near the airport facing the ocean.