what size room should i ask for?

[lovespoohbear]

I am planning a trip in 2010 with a total of 10 people going and I wanted to get a villa at akl. I would be renting from someone because I don't own dvc. So my question is what size villa do I need to get? Would renting be cheaper than getting a few "regular" akl hotel rooms? Thanks for the help.

 

[Donald is #1]

For 10 people you will either need to rent a Grand Villa or a 2 bedroom (sleeps 8) plus a studio. If you don't need to all be in the same unit, then it will be cheaper to rent multiple units instead of a Grand Villa.

Here is the occupancy per villa at the AKV

Studio = 4
1 Bedroom = 4 or 5 in some cases
2 Bedroom = 8
Grand Villa = 14 (if I read the floor plan correctly)

 

[JimMIA]

I agree you are going to want to look at multiple units, rather than a Grand Villa. GV's are going to be very difficult to get in the best of circumstances.

Also, I hate to be the one to rain on your parade, but a group of ten (presumably a family gathering?) is hardly a DVC owner's dream rental. We see all sorts of threads here about our own family members canceling out of long- and extensively-planned vacations and leaving the owner in the lurch. A large group rental is extremely risky for the DVC owner, and I find it hard to imagine an owner renting for a group like that...but stranger things have happened.

In addition to a DVC rental, I'd look at regular CRO reservations, and I'd also look offsite.

Those options may not actually be more expensive than a DVC rental, depending on when you are going. The thing that makes DVC tough sometimes is that Friday and Saturday night stays are about double the Sun-Thurs point costs, and that drives the overall price way up. You didn't say when you're going, or how long you're staying, but if there is a weekend in your plans, DVC may not be the way to go.

 

[CarolA]

I can see someone renting to the group of 10, but you need to be aware then when 4 of them back out... you probably won't get your money back. IF I were to do this, I would request payment fairly early and make it "non refundable"

 

[Deb & Bill]

Get everyone to make their own reservations and save your hair.

 

[DVCBdwalk98]

For 10 people you will either need to rent a Grand Villa or a 2 bedroom (sleeps 8) plus a studio. If you don't need to all be in the same unit, then it will be cheaper to rent multiple units instead of a Grand Villa.

Here is the occupancy per villa at the AKV

Studio = 4
1 Bedroom = 4 or 5 in some cases
2 Bedroom = 8
Grand Villa = 14 (if I read the floor plan correctly)

I agree with "Donald", multiple units are better than a Grand Villa and much cheaper. There are more beds to sleep on as opposed to "sofa beds" which is more comfortable for everyone. 10 people in one Villa can be a scary situation and turn out to be a regrettable versus memorable vacation. I believe all will be much happier in the end. You can request when making your reservation with the vacation club, that all of your rooms be near each other/on the same floor. Then again at check-in, notify the front desk person to put your rooms near one another. Sometimes they forget or don't know all the details of your party, so it's best to kindly remind them of your request. Especially important if you all don't check-in at the same time or on the same day!

 

[crisi]

Listen to Jim and Carol - although I disagree with Jim, you'll find an owner to work with. Understand the cancellation policies with DVC before arranging a family vacation. Even if your family "would never cancel" things come up - our family vacation was put on hold this year when my sister started chemo - fortunately plenty of notice to switch plans, but we had been managing points for several years to get enough for a family trip and are going on an awkward trip this year to keep the point management intact. Our previous trip with family involved my mother in law and her husband - after months of date picking and planning, he informed us he 'had to work.' We brought along her sister and all worked out in the end - but it wasn't smooth. If someone loses a job, gets ill, gets pregnant and doesn't want to travel - you may find yourself out a significant amount of money.