world passport collection

[caspersmom83]

Can anyone recommend a carribean location in the World Passport Collection. They all look so nice? How hard is it to get a reservation less than a year out?

Thanks
Laura

 

[Daffydee]

We stayed at the Royal Islander on St. Maarten last July and loved it. We didn't book until May of that year. It's always worth a try.

 

[Dean]

Can anyone recommend a carribean location in the World Passport Collection. They all look so nice? How hard is it to get a reservation less than a year out?

Thanks
Laura

Top choices would include Westin St. John, Marriott's in Aruba, Reef Resort Cayman's, Royal Resorts Cancun (yes it's Caribbean LOL) and a couple in Key West. There are many other nice resorts. Depending on when and where, you should generally look a full year out. Some options would be much easier, cheaper and a better value than others. Westin would be the hardest in this group. Some of the top resorts would be easy and likely a better value to rent some of the time. Xmas to Easter is Prime time but summer is busy also.

Some would at St James Club Antigua and Hyatt Dorado (PR) to the above list but I'd put them a notch below overall.

 

[caspersmom83]

Thanks for the ideas

 

[Danthesand]

Has anyone actually ever gotten (or know of someone who has) the Westin St. John through the World Passport program??

I'm asking because I've read that trades into that resort are really, really hard to get. This is supposely due to the fact that a "basic" purchase at that property easily runs into the serious five figures level ($75K plus), and that as a result, very few Westin members ever give up any weeks there (to get into any of the world passport resorts, one of their members has to offer to trade the specific week you want).

Again, I'm really curious to learn if anyone DVC member has ever gotten into the Westin St. John through the World Passport program, and if so, during what time of year. I've always dreaming of us staying there during winter vacation....

 

[Dean]

Has anyone actually ever gotten (or know of someone who has) the Westin St. John through the World Passport program??

I'm asking because I've read that trades into that resort are really, really hard to get. This is supposely due to the fact that a "basic" purchase at that property easily runs into the serious five figures level ($75K plus), and that as a result, very few Westin members ever give up any weeks there (to get into any of the world passport resorts, one of their members has to offer to trade the specific week you want).

Again, I'm really curious to learn if anyone DVC member has ever gotten into the Westin St. John through the World Passport program, and if so, during what time of year. I've always dreaming of us staying there during winter vacation....

I believe so but do know that some non Westin people have traded in over time so no reason to think it's not possible with DVC if one is realistic, flexible and plans ahead. DVC would probably remove it from the list if it was that unavailable. But it will require a gamblers mentality to have much of a chance.

Lets say as as DVC member I made up my mind I wanted to go to this resort. Maybe this year, next or even once over the next 5. I'd put in a request for all unit sizes and weeks that would work over the next 2 years then wait and see what happens. After 4-6 months I'd adjust my dates out to 2 years and take any weeks off that I knew I couldn't make. I'd just keep it going indefinitely the way DVC works. If I recall, the members there can't deposit until 6 months out so one must be flexible. At least with DVC you get the chance to say yes or no once they call you and your only risk is the $75 exchange fee which is still likely to be refunded in most cases. IMO, this is the way to exchange DVC anyway. Take the top resorts during peak times and keep it going until you're successful.