Want to exchange for Sandestin

[babylisa4]

Has anyone exchanged for Intrawest at Sandestin? My son is wanting to go here. I know nothing so any help you can give is valuable. Thanks in advance

 

[dvc_john]

Have never stayed there. But last fall I spent a couple of days at the Sandestin Hilton on my way to Orlando. Drove by the Intrawest. It looked very nice. Sandestin runs from gulf to intra-coastal, with the highway separating the two sides. The Intrawest is on the intra-coastal side, near marinas and a very interesting shopping/restaurant area. They have shuttles that run throughout the resort that you can take to the beach.

 

[drusba]

Have not exchanged or stayed at the Intrawest itself but have been to Sandestin 4 times. It is a very nice resort with excellent golf courses. It is also huge. The Gulf beach is the very south end and it is actually about 3 miles from south to north end. Shuttles similar to the Disney shuttles move about the resort but you can also bike or drive. The Gulf beach is very nice and water is usually warm. The restaurant that is right by the beach is very good as are those by the marina. Destin, a beach town with lots of activities and restaurants, is also nearby.

 

[tamu91]

Has anyone exchanged for Intrawest at Sandestin? My son is wanting to go here. I know nothing so any help you can give is valuable. Thanks in advance

I was looking for a same deal several months ago without much luck until I found several RCI members doing a fix fee trades on the TUG classified board under Multi Location section.
You also will find similar deals on Ebay. These are RCI members, I presume, who are willing to trade-in their weeks for a small fee I found a lady who found an opening in late August for 2 bedrooms and she wanted $950 total.
Good luck on your search and let me know how things turn out for you.

 

[spiceycat]

if you haven't done this already - there is someone on the rental/trade board asking to trade their 3-bedroom condo (not a timeshare) for a 2-bedroom DVC.

it is on the beach.

 

[jlieblaw]

I live about 5 minutes from Sandestin. We actually own a business on Sandestin property. I have never stayed at Intrawest but have stayed in one of the bayside villas. It is a beautiful area. Intrawest is near the Village of Baytowne Wharf on Sandestin and it has shops, entertainment, restaurants. Also, there is shopping on the gulf side of Sandestin and several restaurants as well. Like Disney, timing is everything when visiting here. Right now we are in peak season due to spring break and the traffic can be terrible. If it rains, everyone goes shopping and it takes 30 minutes or more to travel 5 miles. Things slow down again in May until school is out and then stays pretty hectic until Labor Day. There is a lot to do in the area and we have the most beautiful beaches. I have had some complaints about Sandestin transportation but, just as with Disney, you can't believe everything you hear. It's a great place to visit and live (and if anyone's interested in living here, we're selling a home!) Hope this helps you out some and I'd be glad to answer any questions about the area you might have.

 

[babylisa4]

Are you saying someone was wanting to trade on the DVC rental board that is part of this forum? I can't find the post. Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

yes - they were on the rental/trade board

here it is

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=773265

 

[spiceycat]

you could probably even get spring break - if you want your son down there then....

Destin is not as bad as Panama City Beach - but it is still party central at Spring Break Time.

 

[jlieblaw]

Don't come to Destin for Spring Break. My husband is with the highway patrol and they have worked at least 5 fatalities in the last week and numerous other serious wrecks that have left victims in critical conditions in the hospital. Destin in more enjoyable in the calmer times when you can actually get around in traffic to see things. Like Disney, mid to late Sept. is a great time to come here.

 

[spike@okw]

About four weeks ago I booked a 1bdr for 6 nights in August at 37 points per night for a total of 222 points. It is a little pricier than a DVC resort, but I did not have much of a problem getting the week that I wanted thru DVC. I just recently returned form Destin the past Easter weekend, and I did a drive by at the Intrawest Resort. It looked very nice and we stopped by the Baytown Wharf area and it has the feel of Disney Boardwalk area with all the shops and restaurants next to the Bay. I think jlieblaw hit it on the head with his description. I also believe Spring break is a tough time to go with the young crowds, but I did not encounter the crowds on the Sanddestin property, it gave me a very relaxed feel.
At present we a committed to the 1st week in August, and I will be sure to give you a first have review. This is our first non-Disney trip on DVC points and we are a bit nervous.