Mucho Points for Trade to II

[David in Manassas]

I've been on the waiting list for months for peak week trade into II properties (week of new years). Today I called member services and asked them to expand my search for other properties. On of the properties that popped up was the Marriott Fairway Villas at Seaview. I'm sure the property is great and I know it is a holiday week, but when I found out it was going to 263 points I was shocked. My use year is in March so I think that had something to do with it. MS insisted that I must trade in a high week to get the property. I have to decide in 24 hours...but do you think 263 points is a little high for a week in New Jersey in the winter????

Hoping that the resident expert Dean reads this...

David Manassas VA

 

[sgtpet]

no.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

What size unit are you trading into? How does the point total compare to the same size unit during a holiday week at DVC?

Have Fun!

 

[jel0511]

Now, I've never been to this property and don't know much about it, but based on it's location, I'd have to say that's a big waste of points. I'm from NJ and this place isn't even on the beach!!! It's approx 20 minutes from the cloest beach and ATlantic City. I don't know what could be exciting to do around here (my brother lives nearby) for New Years, unless you REALLY want to go to Atlantic City for New Years.

 

[David in Manassas]

Thanks for letting me know there is nothing to do...I kind of figuered that...but I'm sort of in a bind. I thought maybe daytrips to PA for skiing, Philadelphia and maybe one day in NYC, although my kids don't like to go there.... I've get 310 points to use with a use year that ends in February..the most I can bank now is 165...so I have to do something with those points. Kids in Virginia don't get February break so I will have to burn them somehow....

Thanks for your notes...

 

[jel0511]

Dave - If that's what you thinking, any of the ski areas from that place will be at least a 3 hour drive into PA. That time share is located in South Jersey, you'd have to go bascially into Philadelphia and then head north towards the ski areas. NYC would be approx a 2 hour drive from there and Philly a 1 hour drive. Just some info if you do decide to go. Where this time share is located is basically part of the Jersey Shore area, albeit not on the shore. I'm sure this place is hopping in the summer, but in the winter, very quiet. My brother has lived in that area for 7 years now, and in the winter it's very quiet, with not much to do.

 

[sgtpet]

Definitely no. You are nowhere near any ski resort or NYC for that matter. I went to this location 2 years ago and I was completely unimpressed. Bad location.

Do not do it. Go anywhere but there.

I live in NJ. My in laws have a beach house in Wildwood Crest, NJ. I would rent that over spending points at this resort in a heartbeat.

 

[David in Manassas]

This is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for....thanks guys...I guess NJ is definitely a no go....back to the waiting list for TN I guess....

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by David in Manassas
One of the properties that popped up was the Marriott Fairway Villas at Seaview. I'm sure the property is great and I know it is a holiday week, but when I found out it was going to 263 points I was shocked.

Take a look at http://www.vacationclub.com/en-us/vc/resorts/FW/aboutresort.asp

All units at Marriott's Fairway Villas at Seaview are 2BR units, so the way that the agreement between DVC and II works, Member Services needs to deposit a comparable week in a 2BR at a DVC resort. They're probably using a Dream Season week in a 2BR at OKW (middle category of the five seasons). Trading a mid-season DVC week for a holiday week at a snazzy new Marriott Vacation Club resort is not a bad exchange -- but only if you really want a 2BR and it's a place that you'd really like to visit.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Ummm...why not try for one of the resorts in Vermont or New Hampshire and do a ski week? Or can you go for the Sagamore? Boston? Charleston, SC? Even staying in New York and using it as a spring board to ski at Hunter, Windham, or Belleayre would be an improvement.

If you were exchanging within II itself this would be a low season week that you would be able to get with 60 days notice.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by doubletrouble_vb
If you were exchanging within II itself this would be a low season week that you would be able to get with 60 days notice.

It really depends on the resort. At many Marriott timeshare resorts, New Year week is Platinum floating week or even a "Platinum Plus" fixed week. Often, a New Year holiday week is red (high season) in the II book, even at places where other winter weeks are green (low season).

At the more desirable resorts (in terms of quality, location, and winter climate), New Year weeks are in high demand by owners and by exchangers who may have put their request in a year or more in advance.

The New Year holiday weeks that "pop up" at this late date are usually going to be for places that aren't great places to stay in the winter, even though the quality of the resort meets the high standards of the DVC exchange list.

Dean may have some insight about waiting until you're within the 60 day window. I vaguely remember reading something about being able to do a Flexchnge with a DVC studio, even if you're trading into a 2BR. But I may be mistaken. And the pickin's would be even more slim by then. But you could be lucky if someone had to cancel a desirable week unexpectedly, and you happen to be checking with Member Services at the right time.

 

[Dean]

I'm not sure I can wax eloquent on this resort but I'll add what I can. The resort has gotten some mixed reviews mostly because of location. Apparently there is a lot in the area but not much very close. The buildings and units appear to be very nice and c/w the top Marriott's.

Personally, I can't see staying there for a winter week at this price but that's me. Someone else might think otherwise. This is gold Season for that resort which equates to HH in Spring and Fall. I'm surprised it wasn't adventure of 218 through DVC. Frankly, I'd call them back and tell them that if you're considering it at all. This is definitely off season for the resort even if it is a holiday.

 

[David in Manassas]

Interesting that you are talking bout a lower point level. When I pressed the MS operator this morning on how high it was..she told me she was going to see if she could exchange it for a November week at Hilton Head (which I assume would be at a lower point value)...I was on hold for a relatively long time (over 5 minutes)..then when she came back she said no....I would have to pay the 263 points if I wanted it.

Seems like something like this would be cut and dry...makes me wonder if there is a back room somwhere

David

 

[PamOKW]

The resort has a terrific reputation and is only minutes to the bay area casinos -- Harrah's and Trump. The Boardwalk is probably less than 30 minutes. NYE reservations are at a premium throughout the AC area so that's probably why it's so high. However, the real draw of this resort is the golf. It was formerly the top golf club in the area for many years (you might see a picture of it somewhere in the BWV's nostalgia. LOL!) Golfing in NJ in December is probably not something to count on. There's a place called Smithville just up the road from this resort that is kind of interesting but, once again, it's a lot better when it's not freezing.

Philly is about an hour away -- NYC would be more like 2-2 1/2 and not something you'd want to be doing in a snowstorm.

 

[Lisa P.]

Have you considered banking what you can and using the rest for a 1BR deposit to II (for a future exchange) or maybe renting the excess points out to someone seeking a winter visit to WDW or the beach? Have you checked availability to see what is possible for a guest seeking a DVC trade? What about using some points for a Concierge Collection stay for your family?

For a New Year's trip this year, there are reasonably priced rentals out there. Here's a link to some TUG Rental Ads (scroll down), including some resorts for "week 52" which normally includes New Year's Eve (note the check-in date). If you rent out points and use the proceeds to pay for New Year's lodging at a timeshare for your family, this could work well and still provide space and comfort above that of a New Years priced, small hotel room - even if it's not DVC quality accommodations.

At RCI online, I can see a bit of availability online for 1BRs in various parts of the southeast... Lake Lure NC, Crossville TN,. There are 2BR's (sleep 6) in at Powhatan in Williamsburg VA and at the Fairfield resort in Fairfield Glade TN. Perhaps II has similar options if you expand your search a little. I would not think it worth so many points as quoted above but maybe a direct exchange for fewer points or a good rental deal would work for you. Feel free to email me with questions or for suggestions about this. HTH!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Regarding the Marriott property - it is very nice, but in the winter.............. I don't know, especially for all those points. Then again, if it is your ONLY option you could find stuff to do. As someone said, the main draw for the Seaview Villas is golf. December is probably a no go for that. NYC, skiing - too far. The Seaview resorts (a historic hotel of America - shares the property with the Villas) is very nice. There are a couple of nice restaurants. Two indoor pools between the two resorts. An Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa on property. Cape May is about 50 minutes away and is very nice during the holidays - Victorian Christmas stuff. AC casinos very close. All the Villas are 2 br and are very nice. Good luck finding something that works for you.

 

[Dumbo]

263 points is Old Key West, Dream Season, for a 2 bedroom villa for a week.


Dumbo

 

[Dean]

I sent you a PM with another suggestion.

 

[Lesley]

I will agree that Seaview has a poor location. It really isn't very close to anything (other than my SIL's house....) From the road the resort does look nice....but its pretty much the only thing in the area that does. Granted, there's Smithville...but that's not really anything to write home about, especially in winter. And from year to year Smithville changes a lot....I've seen it like a ghost town at times when most of the shops were not rented out.

And its definitely not a place to stay to visit PA....we rarely if ever go down there for just a day trip.

They do have nice holiday house tours in Cape May....but its kind of far from Seaview!

 

[David in Manassas]

You guys are just so nice to help me out. Based on all your recommendations and the fact that I think my 3 teens would be bored at that location in the winter, I guess we will pass this up. I'm hoping my search for TN,NC or PA comes through. As a fall back we have 5 nights booked at OKW, I just would rather not have to drive all the way to Florida this year (and I'm not going to mention to 1000 bucks for the park passes for the 5 of us either...

David in Manassas VA