II last minute sale offers?

[MMCD]

Does II offer them? RCI had these sales before. These are usually around $250 per the week? Of course the choices are slim pickings.

I'm asking because I'd like to visit Williamsburg on the week of July 13 for 5 nights. I asked in the Community Boards for some lodging recommendations but have received little response. I can't afford to stay anymore (still laid off) at the big names of Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, Marriott... So I've been looking at the lower tiers Red Roof Inn, Choice Motels... for a rate below $100.

I did find one called Country Hearth Inn formerly Capitol Motel at $46/night. I can't find any reviews on this hotel. However I checked the surrounding hotels and have read 50/50 reviews on services, cleanliness, and roaches.

DH does NOT want to hear anymore timeshare presentation to get cheap lodgings. We used to do this a lot before we had more than 1 kid. I don't want to do Priceline. So my other option is to rent at a fireside deal. Does DVC offer last minute sales also?

MMCD

 

[Lisa P.]

DVC has a comporate membership with II, rather than having members pay for individual memberships. So the surplus II inventory available for rent to II members is not available to you if your only II affiliation is DVC.

FWIW, mid-July does not generally turn up on getaways for Williamsburg anyhow. That's the height of their prime season. If you are looking for a reasonably priced timeshare condo rental (without a required sales tour), take a look at some of the rentals out there from owners. TUG - Timeshare Users Group has a Classifieds section where you may find listings. Make a reasonable offer (that will cover their maint fees). HTH.

Lisa P.

 

[Dean]

There are units available right now at Williamsburg plantation for $559 for a week in a 2 BR at the Williamsburg Plantation for times that would cover your dates. You could also wait until the 60 day window and likely get a unit at either that resort or the Mariott using a studio exchange. As Lisa mentioned, you could likely get a rental directly from a member also. The Marriott has free golf for members so I assume that if you were the guest of a member, you would get the free golf also.

 

[MMCD]

My parents are members of II. I'm hoping to get some info and then ask my mom to go through II. They exchanged their Royal Mayan for that week into the Marriott. My sister's family will be going with them. Together they are a party of 4/2. I begged my mom to let us crash (a party of 2/3) but she won't let me because she told me the max is 6 people. She won't cheat and have extra people in her condo. She really hates exchanging because her Royal Mayan condo sleeps 8 and don't count any children under age 18. That's why we could all fit in Cancun but not when she exchanges through II.

Dean, you advised me never to exchange!!! What is a 60 month window? I'm only staying 5 nights so I feel cheated if I have it for 7 nights and can't use 2 nights. Where are you seeing the $559 price? I've been eyeing TUG's classified so it can't be them. Plus we may have to cancel at the last minute.

I use to get Marriott's cards inviting me to go visit their timeshares for 2 nights 3 days for $129 but not have seen any anymore. I'm tempted to hear a presentation so that we can get cheap lodging. How can I get Marriott to invite me to Williamsburg?

How about Fairfield? Do they put you up in another hotel and then drive you over to their condo location to hear their presentation or do you get to stay at the condo location? How can I get them to invite me at Williamsburg?

Thanks,
MMCD

 

[Dean]

LOL, MMCD. We're really having to plan ahead now. It was 60 days, I was changing it from 2 months to 60 days but obviously something went wrong before caffeine today.

Dean, you advised me never to exchange!!! What is a 60 month window? I'm only staying 5 nights so I feel cheated if I have it for 7 nights and can't use 2 nights. Where are you seeing the $559 price? I've been eyeing TUG's classified so it can't be them. Plus we may have to cancel at the last minute.

M**, I assume your famiy already has an exchange to the Marriott in Williamsburg for that time. You might want to talk to Marriott directly about a rental. I don't know the cancellation policy but all the other options are going to commit you without a cancellation option. Depending on which phase your mom is in, you could even just rent a studio if they're in the Sequel. I don't know that I said NEVER exchange DVC but almost never is pretty close. There are few options that are a reasonable exchange but there are a few. Wiliamsburng is not one of them, it's just too easy to get otherwise.

I assume you have access to your mom's II account, if so look under getaways and put in the location and date. They must have a boat load of Williamsburg Plantation deposits to be available at that price this far out but it actually appears these units are for rental only and not for exchange. I bet II bought a block of units with the intention of renting them out, they do this at times. As you get closer, you will see other resorts that are available but you'll likely have to wait until 60 days out to get one. There are several Marriott units on the exchange side also but most efficiencies, there are other resorts available.

 

[Lisa P.]

...we may have to cancel at the last minute.

II's rental Getaway weeks are non-refundable. Most owners will refund your money for a last minute cancellation only if they are able to find another renter. So these may not be the best options for you in this situation.

How can I get Marriott to invite me to Williamsburg?

Here's a link to a Marriott owner referral offer for this resort, posted on TUG's Owner Referrals page with promotional offers.

How about Fairfield? Do they put you up in another hotel and then drive you over to their condo location to hear their presentation or do you get to stay at the condo location? How can I get them to invite me at Williamsburg?

All resorts tend to arrange for hotel lodging nearby. When you actually make the arrangements with the company, you are able to ask about staying at the resort itself. Some will permit it and if they do, some will charge an upgrade fee. It's up to you to decide what to do with their offer at that time. Most promos are for 3 days/2 nights (1 extra night free with midweek stays) and additional nights may be rented at a discounted rate.

Fairfield definitely has the reputation of being a harder sell. Marriott is a much softer sell, as timeshares go. Fairfield's brand new resort in Williamsburg is supposed to be nice. We own with Fairfield. So if you want an owner referral promo for Fairfield, please send me a private email with your name, phone # and full address, to forward to Fairfield.

potter@a-o.com