Interval International

[Dopey Sharon]

I was just checking the points chart for stays using II, and from what I'm gathering...you would need 124 for low season, 144 for mid season and 160 for high season, to stay at a one bedroom for a week. I'm thinking about buying into BCV with 150 points. From some posts here, a lot of people say it's not worth the exchange to stay other than at a DVC resort, but it seems to me, I wouldn't have a problem doing that. What gives?

 

[Dean]

Sharon, you'll almost always get more value using points at a DVC resort than the other options. Of course their your points and you must decide what's best for you. The 1 BR exchange costs under the new system are overall somewhat lower than before. The 2 BR options are slightly higher and the studio exchanges (available but not listed) are significantly higher. II is not Disney and the options vary in quality and experience so you would need to get information if you were planning an exchange. Do you have any specific questions?

 

[Dopey Sharon]

No, not really. Well, has anyone stayed at an II exchange in Aruba? If so, where did you stay and was it nice? If anyone stayed anywhere in the Caribbean, where did you stay and was it nice? Since it will, most likely be, my DH and I, we would only need a one bedroom, so that works out well for us. Thanks!

 

[Dean]

The Caribbean resorts that are somewhat equivilent to DVC and on the II-DVC list include the Westin (St. John), Marriott (Aruba), Royals (Cancun), Royal Reef and Grand Caymanian (Cayman's), Hyatt (PR) and St. James Club (Antigua). All of the Royals by name are acceptable, the other Royal is Vacation Club International and though nice, is below the standards of DVC. That's not to say that most of the other options will not give you a good vacation, most are very acceptable in their own way.

I have owned at La Cabana in Aruba and while it is nice, I don't think it's a good value with the current exchange costs. It was a good value due to the studio costs and set up previously but now I don't think it is.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Thanks, Dean!

 

[Doug Wolfe]

In general, I have seen several positive reports in the past from DVCers who have done exchanges into the Marriott properties.