Spin off thread: How do you handle sharing your room with extended family/friends?

[cruisehopeful]

Spinning off from the thread regarding help deciding on a new purchase.

Seems like it's not uncommon to invite extended family/friends to stay and then they act like it's their vacation and don't contribute to anything and/or complain about stuff. It's been my experience that people don't always value things that they don't pay for.

I developed a strike one policy. Creating excessive work or spending for me once is a final straw. I'll still go places with them, but they aren't allowed in my room and I will only pay for my own food.

On a positive note, I had a couple friends stay with me in a Residence inn last week. I booked the room on nominal costs and used rewards points and Chase travel points to cover most of it. The three of us ate out and took Lyft often and whoever pulled out their wallet first paid. We had a good time and I think we likely all evened out. When we were at the airport heading home, we talked about how it worked nicely, but if we had more people, it might have been more work. I suggested an app called Splitwise that keeps track of what we spend. We wouldn't have to pay each other or split bills, but we'd enter what we spend and everyone can see what everyone paid and who's turn it was next.

 

[VGCgroupie]

The app is a cool idea!

The thing with inviting people on a timeshare stay, so many people don’t realize the true cost and maintenance costs of timeshares and they tend to think it somewhat free.

 

[CarolynFH]

When we invite someone to share our DVC timeshare, it's almost always family. When we issue the invitation, we tell them we'll provide the lodging and one table service meal a day. They're responsible for their own park tickets, transportation, other meals, and of course souvenirs. That has worked well for us. Frequently our guests will treat us to a meal, pick up the cost of groceries for the room, or otherwise contribute financially on a voluntary basis, but we don't expect it or ask for it.

We haven't had anyone ask to use our membership otherwise, and we haven't offered it to anyone other when inviting them to come with us. If you search this forum you'll find multiple other threads reporting other owners' experiences, and unfortunately there are some very sad stories of owners being taken advantage of.

 

[zavandor]

The app is a cool idea!

The thing with inviting people on a timeshare stay, so many people don’t realize the true cost and maintenance costs of timeshares and they tend to think it somewhat free.

Yep, I had that experience. Still had a good time with friends traveling with me, but a little bit of appreciation would have been nice (and I mean a thank you, not money).

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yep, I had that experience. Still had a good time with friends traveling with me, but a little bit of appreciation would have been nice (and I mean a thank you, not money).

Was it my adult daughter who joined you? Sounds like it.

 

[Sandisw]

When I have guests staying in the same villa with me, even if I had to go to a larger unit, I do not charge them anything. I even sometimes gift rooms when I am not there.

If we order groceries, we either split it, or each pays for their own amount. Depends on the group.

If they ask do they can pay, I just tell them to buy me a drink or something if they want but it’s my gift to them.

And most do! But if they don’t? I’m fine because it was my choice.

Now, there are a few who I wouldn’t want to travel with again! Lol

 

[atthebeachclub]

I’m not sure that I will often share, but I *might* split a studio in the future with a work friend if there are years the rest of the family can’t go. I think I would probably ask for half of what it cost me, approximately.

Still a good deal! I’m not covering anyone’s meals or other costs though. LOL. I love the idea, but there is no way.

 

[Mouseforward]

I make family ( other than parents) pay for their park tickets , transportation , and food. I don't charge for the room.

Parents get everything paid ( room/flights/tickets/limo) except they tend to pick up the check at restaurants.

Other than family can pay 100% of their costs and get their own room, I don't share rooms with friends as I need my alone time.

 

[Girlstar30]

Well as I posted on another thread I got burned with money before.

Let's see what else, ah yes I went with a friend to Puerto Rico last year that takes daytime "naps." We were sharing a room and yet she expected to be able to shut the door and take these power naps daily. She also got upset when we went out during these naps to a rum tasting she apparently wanted to go to. Then was upset that we didn't want to go. Again.

Then there was the arguing over a catamaran in St. Kitts. Should a $2000 catamaran be split by person or party? Well the single person thought it should be per person ofc and threw a fit thinking she should pay $285 and go on this catamaran she couldnt afford otherwise. Even the children under 10 should be counted as paying guests apparently.

My cousin that we travel with is wonderful, but her kids are, well kids. They're loud, they chase each other around, and their parent doesnt enforce a bed time. That's pretty unpleasant for people that arent used to being around young children. So last time we stayed at seperate hotels, but now that we're DVC we invited them and were going to give 2 bedroom lockoffs a try at poly, Vero beach, and Riviera. I actually am missing one night on the Iockoff for Vero beach and have a dedicated 2 bedroom as a backup. Im scared the dedicated is a bad idea but we will see. I hope the lockoffs will at least block out some of the noise issues we had last time.

My wife also requests we go on some vacations just the two of us. If it was up to me I would bring my cousin's every time (and they would be more than happy to attend ) but i respect that its my family and not hers and she's not as excited about that idea as me next year we will go to wdw as a couple and then aulani with the extended family again. I think going twice a year, once a year just us and once with family is a good compromise.

I don't split bills with people because ive found over the years that many people do not match my generosity. I dont invite people with the expectation that they will pay for the rooms and for that reason I am very selective from now on and probably wont invite anyone else I know for the time being. Been there, done that. I prefer a peaceful trip with my wife than bringing along the single friend that wants to meet someone to bring back to the room and hook up with or go to bars at night (Yes I have those friends too )

 

[CraigInPA]

If I'm taking a non-adult (such as a grand niece or nephew), I'm paying everything for them (meals, tickets, flights, limo, etc...).

If other adults are coming with us, I'm just providing the room. It's their responsibility to pay for meals, tickets, flights, limo, etc... I make it clear when I offer the room that they will be paying for everything but the room itself. I also try to give people a budget for all of that up front, so that it's clear that this is not a totally free vacation for them.