II Exchanges in W. Canada

[Bojo]

Does anyone have any ecperience with the resorts listed for II exchange in Western Canada? We are interested in those around the Baniff area. (Fairmont Hot Springs; Radium Hot Springs: Canmore)
Are we too late to try an exchange for summer 2003? Any advice on II exchanges will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dean]

I don't have any direct knowledge but most of the Western Canadian choices are good but not necessarily up to DVC standards. Most all are rated in the 8.5 range that are 5*. One thing to keep in mind is that in areas where there aren't a lot of choices, DVC lowers their standards and inlcudes lessor resorts. The ones I saw that are not 5* resorts are Holiday Park, Kelowna and Mountainside, Whistler. The top one is likely Club Intrawest, Whistler. Bighorn Meadows seems fairly new with no TUG reviews. There are other 5* resorts in Western Canada that are not on the list, mainly the Worldmark resorts and seem to be good but not great resorts but in great places.

Another issue is that one can reserve Club Intrawest directly with points. There are a lot of Fairmont listings right now for all 3 resorts but no 2 BR units. I only saw one other listing for Western Canada for June and July.

You may want to go to Timeshare Users Group where they have a Canadian BBS with people that will know tons more than I would about this area. They also have ratings and reviews but you must joing for $15 to read those.

 

[Bojo]

Thanks for your reply, Dean. After a bit of research, it appears we may be better off not using points and just find lodging in the area(s) we want to visit.

 

[Betty X]

I would recommend The Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. I live about three hours away and it is a really cool place to go. Great shopping, skiing, sight seeing etc. Check out their website at www.Fairmont.com. The hotel has a lot of history and has really great architecture. I think the spa at the hotel is the number two spa in the world!

 

[debster812]

I cannot speak as to the comparison between these resorts and DVC, but my husband and I stayed at the Banff Rocky Mountain resort (an II property) and it was really nice. Everything you would need for a vacation home. It was just the 2 of us in a 2BR that slept 8!

It is some of the most gorgeous country I have EVER seen, and we are just waiting for our son to get a bit older before we go back. Between the hiking, walking, etc, and the long flight, it might be a bit much for a 5YO.

Good Luck wherever you decide.