Palm Springs?

[jjpenguin]

Does anyone have any info on the DVC exchanges in Palm Springs.

DH has to go for a conference and the room prices at the conference hotel are pretty steep, so we were hoping to exchange. (I know it's not the best use of points, but they have to be used by sept 2005 and this is the best way as we're not in the US)

I looked on the site and some seem very luxurious, and others seem pretty basic. As I'll be on my own some days I'd like a nice place to stay! Any ideas?

Thanks,
JJ Penguin

 

[Dean]

I haven't been but have some info on some of the resorts there Where is the convention and when is it? The Marriott's are in Palm Desert. Also, email me directly and I may be able to help you further, especially for May and beyond.

 

[TEK224]

I don't know where your conference is, but I stayed at the Marriott Desert Springs Villas (in Palm Desert) in Sept. 2004. The Villas are near the DS Hotel. It was awesome!
They have a section 1 and 2. If you can, take section 1 as it gives you complimentary access to the spa facilities at the DS Hotel (you pay for any treatments, but you can use the pool, sauna and exercise facilities in the hotel spa area).

Terri

 

[jjpenguin]

mmmmmm Sounds good, I'll call DVC now and see what availability they have...

 

[Donald-n-Daisy]

DW and I spent a week at the Marriott Desert springs Villas in September.
The rooms are huge and the resort couldn't be nicer. It is probably a 15-20 minute drive to downtown Palm Springs from Palm Desert. Marriott also recently opened Shadow Ridge as well which is also very nice, but is more about the golf course than anything else. Either way you can't go wrong and there are several grocery stores nearby if you are looking to stock your kitchen. If you have time take the aerial tram in Palm Springs up into the mountains. The view is incredible, and is a good way to escape the heat of the day if you are there during one of the warmer months.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Sounds nice, which state is Palm Spring in?

FL, LV?

Goldi

 

[Dean]

Sounds nice, which state is Palm Spring in?

FL, LV?

Goldi

California

 

[inky dinky doo]

What a coincidence! Just yesterday, we were talking about attending a conference at the Wyndham Resort Palm Springs at the end of February/beginning of March. This morning I log on to find this thread. What're the odds? I don't suppose that's the timeframe you're going, is it, jjpenguin?

Pat

 

[disney4me4ever]

We're exchanging into the Marriott Desert Springs resort in Feb. I researched it on www.tug2.net and it was rated very highly. The reviews on that website were very favorable.

HTH,
Nancy

 

[cramam]

One of my favorite cities. The weather is great and the desert Southwest scenery beautiful. You will love Marriott Desert Springs.

 

[jjpenguin]

Inky dinky doo, Spot on, 28 feb till 2 march, but we're at the Westin. I'll be the accompanying spouse, so I'll have time on my hands...

Disney4me4ever, when did you request your exchange? I called as soon as I knew I would be going and there wasn't anything avaliable.

Aruna

 

[inky dinky doo]

Too funny, Aruna! The conference I'm going to was held at the Westin in Savannah, last year, and I wondered why they didn't go with the Westin, again. I guess your hubby's conference explains it, because our dates are almost exactly the same. We check in a day earlier.

Pat

 

[Dean]

Inky dinky doo, Spot on, 28 feb till 2 march, but we're at the Westin. I'll be the accompanying spouse, so I'll have time on my hands...

Disney4me4ever, when did you request your exchange? I called as soon as I knew I would be going and there wasn't anything avaliable.

Aruna

There is a studio from 25 Feb to 4 March but unless you're going for an entire week, it doesn't make sense. Plus you couldn't write off the cost for taxes or reimbursement using points. You can't just do the "value" for those purposes.

 

[UConnJack]

We traded into the Intrawest Resort in Palm Desert (next town over, but all the same area) last winter. I can say nothing but good things about the Club Intrawest locations I've been to, especially this one. If I were to buy into another timeshare, I think Club Intrawest would be the one. They aren't as widespread as say the Marriots, but I love the feel of their places.

Anyway, here is a link to the Resort website to see if its something you'd like. We stayed in a 1-br, and I would say it was equivalent or superior to a DVC room. My wife loved the outside shower (connected to the main bathroom), I loved the top rated golf course it was adjacent to (Desert Willow). We both loved the units, the balcony with fireplaces, and the very comfy bed. Another perk abou the Intrawest resort trades is that they can be done on a nightly basis as opposed to just a 7-night block.

http://www.clubintrawest.com/newci/where/palmdesert.asp

 

[Dean]

We traded into the Intrawest Resort in Palm Desert (next town over, but all the same area) last winter. I can say nothing but good things about the Club Intrawest locations I've been to, especially this one. If I were to buy into another timeshare, I think Club Intrawest would be the one. They aren't as widespread as say the Marriots, but I love the feel of their places.

Anyway, here is a link to the Resort website to see if its something you'd like. We stayed in a 1-br, and I would say it was equivalent or superior to a DVC room. My wife loved the outside shower (connected to the main bathroom), I loved the top rated golf course it was adjacent to (Desert Willow). We both loved the units, the balcony with fireplaces, and the very comfy bed. Another perk abou the Intrawest resort trades is that they can be done on a nightly basis as opposed to just a 7-night block.

http://www.clubintrawest.com/newci/where/palmdesert.asp

If you seriously consider CI, make sure you understand their system and the fact they do not have a true home resort priority.

 

[UConnJack]

If you seriously consider CI, make sure you understand their system and the fact they do not have a true home resort priority.

The "home resort priority" isn't a priority for me anyway. I know they are on a point structure, although I admit I am not thoroughly educated as to their system.

Home resort priority is not overly important for me with Disney either. I would just as soon stay in a new DVC resort every time I went anyway. I like variety. I love Disney and DVC and am happy I bought in, it is one of the few places I like to make frequent return trips to. However, I like the ability to trade into other resorts at other locations as well. People may argue that its a waste of DVC points to trade, but there are some quality resorts out there, many I have seen that are better quality than DVC (I sometimes think DVC rides the Disney name and location, and get sloppy on housekeeping, unit sizes, etc.). Before I get flamed, I am not saying DVC isn't quality, it is and you can't argue its location.

As we're on the subject, I would actually love DVC to be a non-home resort system. Level the playing field for all resorts. Of course this just fits my personal travel style, but I know most would not want to give up their home resort and priority reservations. Plus I understand it’s conducive to the "home away from home" feeling, it wouldn't be as much if there were no home resorts.

 

[Dean]

The "home resort priority" isn't a priority for me anyway. I know they are on a point structure, although I admit I am not thoroughly educated as to their system.

Home resort priority is not overly important for me with Disney either. I would just as soon stay in a new DVC resort every time I went anyway. I like variety. I love Disney and DVC and am happy I bought in, it is one of the few places I like to make frequent return trips to. However, I like the ability to trade into other resorts at other locations as well. People may argue that its a waste of DVC points to trade, but there are some quality resorts out there, many I have seen that are better quality than DVC (I sometimes think DVC rides the Disney name and location, and get sloppy on housekeeping, unit sizes, etc.). Before I get flamed, I am not saying DVC isn't quality, it is and you can't argue its location.

As we're on the subject, I would actually love DVC to be a non-home resort system. Level the playing field for all resorts. Of course this just fits my personal travel style, but I know most would not want to give up their home resort and priority reservations. Plus I understand it’s conducive to the "home away from home" feeling, it wouldn't be as much if there were no home resorts.

That's fine as long as you want to go at times others don't. But their system makes it almost impossible to reserve top options like Xmas at Whistler as you have ALL owners competing from the first day they start taking reservations, not just the owners at that resort. Same thing to a slightly less degree for HI and CA during certain times of the year.

 

[jjpenguin]

Thanks for all your input, I've decided to use the points on my nights at Disneyland & pay the conference rate at the Westin.

Pat, maybe I'll see you around!