I agree with TotoToo. We LOVE our Fairfield timeshare points.
Make sure the ownership is already in FairShare Plus points and not just a fixed week. Otherwise, it's no different from any other fixed week at any other resort. Then you'd only want to buy it if you loved the home resort and planned to vacation there, in that week, most years.
The FSP points offer the option of vacationing at any of their resorts without added fees, especially if you have enough points and you are able to plan 9-10 months ahead of travel each year. Then, they have a nice variety of good resorts and they continue to expand. There are more in the southeast U.S. than any other region. If you live in the southeast or you like to vacation in the southeast repeatedly, consider it. See
Fairfield Resorts' website for all of the destination locations.
We have been to the following FF resorts:
Flagstaff, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Ocean Walk, Daytona, FL
Bonnet Creek, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Cypress Palms, Kissimmee, FL
Star Island, Kissimmee, FL
Grand Desert, Las Vegas, NV
Mountains, Lake Lure, NC
Sapphire Valley, Cashiers, NC
SeaWatch, Myrtle Beach, SC
Westwinds, N Myrtle Beach, SC
Glade, TN
Nashville, TN
Smoky Mountains, Sevierville, TN
Alexandria, VA (by Wash., D.C.)
Governor's Green, Williamsburg, VA
Kingsgate, Williamsburg, VA
Patriots Place, Williamsburg, VA
Haven't had a bad stay yet!!! The flexibility is great - but the complexity needs to be learned too, if you want to get the most out of it. People who don't want to bother to learn the ropes don't get as much out of it. They risk losing points or paying excess fees. So consider your own needs.
If it's in points... if you would use it largely within the FF system... if the price is reasonable for a resale (2-5¢ per annual point)... if it's an amount of points that would suit your needs... if the home resort trades with the exchange company you prefer (most use RCI, a few use II)... if you don't mind learning the ropes... THEN I'd say go for it!
It's a great system for the right people. HTH!
I have always stayed in Marriott timeshares. I know Marriott is family/kid friendly. What about Fairfield? Any opinions one way or another?
The newer FF resorts are very, very similar to MVC resorts. (We used to own a Marriott fixed week and sold it because the FF points had so much more flexibility and a more reasonable cost to maintain.)
The older FF resorts (under a dozen - the ones with fixed weeks) are simpler, with fewer kid-friendly amenities. Those are all sprawling golf-centered mixed-use communities comprised of retirement residential neighborhoods, resort condos, country clubs and plenty of tennis/golf onsite.
But the newer FF resorts generally have very good activities and amenities for all ages. Our family has loved them. Our kids are now 15, 15 and nearly 17. We've been vacationing at FF resorts for about 8 years and they still love it, whether or not they are able to bring friends along on a given trip. HTH. Feel free to PM with other questions.
