Interval International - Dean-need help and anyone else who may know

Tigger7570

Happiness is OKW
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Just spoke with MS and I was inquiring about Antiqua. We are giving my son a honeymoon trip. I have plenty of time as he is getting married in 11/04, but thought since I am new to exchanges I should start to check things out. They definitely want the Caribbean. They really liked the looks of Antiqua - The St. James Club. I was just told that to make an exchange for the St. James, it has to be a two bedroom. Obviously, they don't need a two bedroom and I hate to waste those extra points - 270 as opposed to 160. He even double checked to make sure it was right, because I was surprised that it was only for a two bedroom and that you can't do a one bedroom. Has this always been true? I'm looking for suggestions about any place else that might be just as nice. They wanted a resort with a casino, beach and pool. The St. James Club seemed perfect, but if I can't do there, I'd love to find something comparible in the Carribean. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Village at St. James only has 2 BR from my understanding. It is actually attached to a hotel from what I'm told, somewhat like some of the DVC resorts. The II book lists hotel units and 2 BR units but my guess is DVC won't do the hotel unit and I doubt they'd want it in this situation. For all of your criteria and through II, I think only maybe Playa Linda, Marriott Ocean Club and maybe La Cabana will meet their needs, all Aruba. Maybe the Hyatt PR would also do but I'm not sure about beach. The Westin St. John's, Royals Cancun, Grand Caymanian and Royal Reef (both Cayman's) will meet the quality but not necessaily the Casino. I don't think there's a casino on St. John but could be wrong.

For non DVC-II trading, I'd add Costa Linda (Aruba) and Atlantis (Bahama's). Other non II resorts of quality but I don't think have a casino include Windjammer (St. Lucia), Club Ortanique (former Ciboney, Jamaica) and Sapphire Beach (St. Maarten).

I would not put the 2 St. Maarten resorts on your list that are on the II-DVC exchange listing.

I'd suggest you do this. Go to TUG and join at $15 for year one. Go in to the Caribbean site and read the reviews on the resorts above and any that interest you. Then put in two separate requests through DVC. One for a 1 BR at the resorts you decide on and a second for resorts with only 2 BR like Antigua. In the mean time contact companies like Dial an Exchange, Donita's, San Francisco Exchange, Trading Places and Platinum interchange and discuss with them what you want. Sometimes units are available a full 2 years out and some of these do request first. Also post a request on TUG for a direct exchange to the ones that interest you and contact any members listed on the direct exchange that own what you might want and discuss with them.

I've heard mixed reviews of Antigua but it does interest me also. Decide what's most important and I'd suspect beach and resort quality are it. If this is the case, I'd look closely at the resorts listed above. Ciboney is mandatory all inclusive but that might be good for a honeymoon. I'd put Aruba, Harborside and Cancun at the top personally followed closely by Antigua, Caymans and St. John.
 
Since Tigger is not thanking you, I will.

Thanks!

You are always so darn informative, I have to ask, did you do that off the top of your head?
 
when do you find time to work ?!?!?!? How many weeks a year do you spend on vacation ? Great info.
 

Dean - Have you been to the Westin at St. John? Is it hard to exchange into this resort? We absolutely love St. John but have only visited while on a cruise and just for a day. We'd love to go back for a full week.
 
As I've told you guys before, I can't visit every place. Much of the info is general knowledge I've learned over the years, some from TUG, some from II and some from Timesharing Today. Anyone of you could get the same information if you just paid attention to it over a few years, joined TUG, TST and were willing to do a little inverstigation. It usually isn't difficult to get this type of info together. The hard part is when there's a new resort, change of ownership or management or when a resort declines significantly. Besides, I enjoy discussing this specific topic and am happy to lend what I can to help fellow members at my first love, DVC. And yes Rich, it was all off the top of my head. Got to put something there as the hair has pretty much left for greener pastures, LOL.

As for Westin, I haven't been there but have talked to a number that have in one way or another. If you can get the 3 BR units there you will be in heaven, if not you may be way up the hill with quite a jaunt to anything.

I usually vacation about 2 or 3 weeks a year but try to visit as many timeshares in the area as I can. I usually do a tour or two then just walk the grounds and peak in rooms when I can. I must admit I fell down on my job in Puerta Vallarta as I didn't visit a single one outside of the one we stayed, just too difficult under the circumstances.
 
Richyams, I wasn't ignoring Dean's response. My e-mail went down yesterday and I just got it back up, but thank you for thanking him. To Dean, Thank You! Thank You! I will definitely review all the information you provided and follow up on it. Like Richyams said, you are such a wealth of information, I knew you would be able to help me. I am totally lost when it comes to exchanges and we want our son's honeymoon to be special. Thanks to you Dean, I am now headed in the right direction for the best information.
 
I just spent a couple of hours researching TUG last night, looking through the available DVC exchanges. DH really wants to go to the Caribbean for a week in the next year or so for diving, and I have conceded 160 points for this purpose. Very few NICE (rated nearly what DVC resorts are rated) resorts with 1 BR units, though, same with Hawaii. He really wanted Cozumel or Grand Cayman, but it looks like it will have to be one of the Royal Resorts in Cancun. He can take the ferry to Cozumel from there! Do you know if these are fairly easy to trade into? And it looked like it might be a better idea to consider renting off the TUG boards, I saw some 2BR for about $850 a week. Diana
 
Originally posted by Dancind
I just spent a couple of hours researching TUG last night, looking through the available DVC exchanges. DH really wants to go to the Caribbean for a week in the next year or so for diving, and I have conceded 160 points for this purpose. Very few NICE (rated nearly what DVC resorts are rated) resorts with 1 BR units, though, same with Hawaii. He really wanted Cozumel or Grand Cayman, but it looks like it will have to be one of the Royal Resorts in Cancun. He can take the ferry to Cozumel from there! Do you know if these are fairly easy to trade into? And it looked like it might be a better idea to consider renting off the TUG boards, I saw some 2BR for about $850 a week. Diana
Tigger7570, as I saig, glad to help as others have helped me over the years.

I'm not sure I totally agree with the above statements. While there are many resorts that are included that are below DVC, there are many that are not, as I noted earlier. In general it's actually easier to get 1 BR and studio units for the Caribbean and for HI. HI does have a lot of resorts that are great locations but lacking in one way or another as in the Caribbean. It is hard to beat the Royals. What time of year are you looking to go as I'd suspect late spring until just before xmas to be less than 160 points. One trick might be to try for a studio and list a kitchen with four people. You might be able to get a 1 BR for the price of studio points since all the studios there only trade for 2. I'd put in 2 requests for the royals, one for a studio and one for a 1 BR and see what happens. Still, if you can rent a good unit that you like the location for $850 from an owner, that's a much better deal that 160 points.

There are a couple of newer resorts on the table but without any info I'd be hesitatant to suggest them. Another area to consider is Key West for the Hyatt's or Galleon.
 
Originally posted by Dean

What time of year are you looking to go as I'd suspect late spring until just before xmas to be less than 160 points. One trick might be to try for a studio and list a kitchen with four people. You might be able to get a 1 BR for the price of studio points since all the studios there only trade for 2. I'd put in 2 requests for the royals, one for a studio and one for a 1 BR and see what happens.

How can we find out the peak/off/and mid seasons for resorts? Is the only way to find out by putting in a request and seeing what pops up....or is there a website that we can check out a resorts seasons???
 
Originally posted by mbw12
How can we find out the peak/off/and mid seasons for resorts? Is the only way to find out by putting in a request and seeing what pops up....or is there a website that we can check out a resorts seasons???
I don't think there's any way to find out the absolute trade value DVC puts on a resort. I have only inquired about one exchange option that would give me an idea about the new program so the info I'll provide is somewhat based on the old program and what I've learned about the differences in the new system so far. You can go to Interval's Resort Directory to get an idea. From what I've seen so far I'd assume prime time as DVC High exchange season, any time that's red but not prime time as DVC's Mid season and anytime not red as DVC's low season. For Cancun and the Caribbean that means Xmas to easter for high season and the rest of the time for mid season. You can get II's red, yellow, green seasons from the website. The prime is intuitive or you'll have to investigate. I'd be happy to give an educated guess if you have anything specific in mind.
 

















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