New Guide Book - Interval International

[Alysa]

I just received my new member guide book and it looks great. I just have one question. The resorts listed in Eastern Canada were ones I had never heard of and when I checked them out online, I thought they looked nice, but not really the 4-star type of thing that I had thought Disney said they carried. I also was shocked to see the desparity between the actual cost of staying at these places and Disney's point estimate. Has anyone ever stayed at these resorts or other Interval International locations in America or Europe? My DH and I had planned to make a trip to England and Italy to stay in a couple of these places but now we are doubtful about finding the quality and value we have become accustomed to. Any II reviews or reports would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. If I have said anything amiss or offended anyone at all I apologise. I really hope I have not as it was not my intention in any way.

 

[maryisme]

Hi Alysa,
I think I can answer part of your question. We own a timeshare in Cape Cod and are members of Interval International (II). We have used II many times for getaways and exchanges. I have found that the quality of the II resorts really fluctuate from poor to luxurious. Before exchanging, research the particular resort you want thoroughly. For example, with our Cape Cod timeshare we have exchanged into the Dolmen in Malta (listed in DVC's guidebook also) and found it to be mediocre. However, by Malta's standards it is considered a luxury resort. Trust me when I say that it does not compare to our Home Away from Home resorts.

Hope that helps.

Mary

 

[downontheBW]

I've found the best information on the Timeshare Users Group (TUG) web site. It does cost $15 for the first 12 months, then $10 per year after that, but it is well worth it. I really enjoy looking through all the possibilities. At first, I only researched timeshares available through MS, but after I had been on wait lists for a while, I decided I'd try doing a direct exchange with another TUGger and have one lined up with someone who owns Four Seasons Aviara (one of the few that are comparable to DVC).

The link is: http://tug2.net/.

Happy hunting!

 

[ralphd]

Agree with downontheBW- TUG is the place to go for resort reviews and ratings. The $15 is worth the cost. You will also be able to use the forums to ask questions about the resorts and other timeshare subjects.

ralphd

 

[Dean]

ditto TUG.

I think DVC members need to understand some things with exchanges. No resort will be like a DVC resort and few will match the quality of DVC. Take the Can resorts. Intrawest and Marblewood might come close in some ways but not in others. The other 3 resorts are all standard resorts that last year didn't rate even a picture for any of them. This year, only Logos Land has an actual listing with a picture but not Calabogie or Condorama. There are likely some 100 or so resorts that will meet the standards set by DVC and only part of them are in II. You can take the Four Seasons, Royals, top Marriott's, Ritz (actually above) and a few others and have most of the list that would truly measure up. This means that few exchanges will not be a trade down for DVC members. The points costs is around the same as the same size unit for a week at DVC.