Thinking of Purchasing More HHI Points, But...

[DisneyStarWisher]

We own a couple of small contracts at HHI, and right now are using them for some family trips and some trips for just the two of us. We want to continue the family trips indefinitely if possible, but we will eventually probably need a 2 BR and a studio to accommodate everyone. We have enough points to do that every 3 years, which is the plan. Staying at the DVC resort with our family is a must, just for the atmosphere and the activities. But we would also like to stay about 3-4 weeks out of the year just the two of us, once we both retire. Originally, we thought about just adding on more points to do that, but since our most recent trip last week, we have been talking about how we would be ok owning another timeshare on the island. We love the island, not just the DVC resort. And maybe this would be a cheaper option. We love the Shelter Cove area. I have looked up some information about the Marriott. I think there are two timeshares there: Harbour Point and Sunset Pointe. Does anyone have any information on those two timeshares? Would that be a cheaper option than adding on DVC points? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Dean]

We own a couple of small contracts at HHI, and right now are using them for some family trips and some trips for just the two of us. We want to continue the family trips indefinitely if possible, but we will eventually probably need a 2 BR and a studio to accommodate everyone. We have enough points to do that every 3 years, which is the plan. Staying at the DVC resort with our family is a must, just for the atmosphere and the activities. But we would also like to stay about 3-4 weeks out of the year just the two of us, once we both retire. Originally, we thought about just adding on more points to do that, but since our most recent trip last week, we have been talking about how we would be ok owning another timeshare on the island. We love the island, not just the DVC resort. And maybe this would be a cheaper option. We love the Shelter Cove area. I have looked up some information about the Marriott. I think there are two timeshares there: Harbour Point and Sunset Pointe. Does anyone have any information on those two timeshares? Would that be a cheaper option than adding on DVC points? Any help would be appreciated.

IMO there are better timeshares than the DVC resort on HHI, you might consider trying one of the OF Marriott ones before buying. What's best depends on a lot of variables that you'll need to consider. Renting a condo will likely be the cheapest option for a month a year but I'll throw around a few others thoughts to get you thinking about options. You could buy a condo and rent it out the rest of the time which would likely only make sense if you're preferred time to visit was outside the peak rental season but then renting a condo would be cheaper still if non peak time. HHI is our preferred vacation spot, we own 8 summer Marriott weeks there as well as a condo on the beach. I used to own Harbour Pointe, it's not my favorite. Sunset Pointe is newer and nicer but the views are not as good. It's unlikely you could get the same villa for 4 weeks with HP, SP is floating time so that is more possible. You may want to look at a fractional in the area, I know Harbourside III has fractionals, I think they are quarter shares on a rotating basis. You could likely pick one up in the $35K range but I'm not sure how much cheaper the fees are in that situation. If you're OK with a studio for just the 2 of you, that's maybe 400 points a year just for that for 4 weeks a year or maybe close to $20K to buy in and $2500 a year in fees. Of course you could get more creative with timeshares by buying somewhere else and trading in but that's not a great option for HH during peak times and requires a level of knowledge and risk taking that most are not willing to do.

If you do decide on buying HP/SP, you need to delve into a whole different timeshare world to educate yourself. Since HP is fixed weeks and fixed units, the specific unit is very important. They have 4 villa types ranging from roughly 900 sq ft for the D villas to close to 1300 square feet for the A & B villas. HP has 3 building, all of the villas in the check in building and across the harbourside of the horseshoe shaped building are A & B. All of the ones on the side of the horseshoe shaped building are D villas and I'd avoid them for your purposes. The other building on the water has all C villas, just under 1000 ft IIRC. I'm happy for anyone to contact me privately on this matter, I can pull out the exact square footage, which ones have fireplaces and even which villa type a given unit # is if looking at a specific villa.

There are some other fractionals on the island as well though I don't think there are others in that exact area.

 

[kniquy]

We own AKV and I had been contemplating adding a smaller contract at HHI - with the recent jump in maintenance fees i am glad that my offer did not go through. You might want to consider the rental market instead of locking yourself into yearly maintenance fees. After someone on this board mentioned just a traditional rental (not even a DVC rental) I started pricing out that option. A DVC purchase would not have saved me much money in the long term I would look at some of the rental sites VRBO or homeaway where you can rent either homes or condos. This might be an option which will be less expensive and would give you the flexibility to explore either other areas of the island or even other areas of the country. I would serious research this option. I am sure many properties have the ability to do a monthly rental - which would fit your needs.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Thanks for all the information! So much to consider! I think both of you are correct in that it would be cheaper to just rent a home/condo. And then I wouldn't be locked in to something. I checked out some rentals on VRBO. Dean, we would be fine in a studio just the two of us, even for a month. But with a rental, we could get something larger. I also like the idea of being able to travel after 2042. Hopefully, we will still be in good enough health to be able to do so. The whole Marriott timeshare idea intimidates me! All I know is DVC, and I can tell that Marriott is much different! We will both be retired in three years, so that gives us time to really research and figure out what is the best for us. Thanks again.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for all the information! So much to consider! I think both of you are correct in that it would be cheaper to just rent a home/condo. And then I wouldn't be locked in to something. I checked out some rentals on VRBO. Dean, we would be fine in a studio just the two of us, even for a month. But with a rental, we could get something larger. I also like the idea of being able to travel after 2042. Hopefully, we will still be in good enough health to be able to do so. The whole Marriott timeshare idea intimidates me! All I know is DVC, and I can tell that Marriott is much different! We will both be retired in three years, so that gives us time to really research and figure out what is the best for us. Thanks again.

The rental is likely the best option for HHI for a month. Usually the weekly rental prices can be reduced for a full months though more off season than not Any timeshare in intimidating at first but as you learn it becomes easier. The advantage of renting is also you can get the size you need. Maybe a small 1 BR for this trip or a 3 BR for a different trip. But if you're retired and willing to learn and work the timeshare system, one can really do well with Marriott's and other timeshares as well. If you have pets, pay attention to that, that's one of the reasons we bought a condo, to have options for about 3 months a year when we do retire.