posted 03-29-2005 15:35               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim and Cindy:
Essie,

Our Marriott Orlando Cypress Harbour unit was a dog of a trader. Please let us know how you feel about HGVC after you try to exchange your Orlando Marriott, don't forget to tell us about all of the Marriott fees including lock off fees.

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Jim and Cindy,
Give me a call later this week (212)677-7636 and I will help you with your Marriott trades.

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Seth
My Website

posted 03-29-2005 20:59               

quote:

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Originally posted by eipheltower:
In summary, HGVC is a mediocre timeshare.

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Really? I understand you really dislike Hilton but I'm not so sure I'd go as far as to say they are mediocre TS's. I own at Hilton and Marriott and both are comparable in someways and better than each other in different ways.

I like Marriott's varied locations much better than Hilton's concentration of resorts in Florida and Vegas. I like that a Marriott managed resort is a Marrtiott managed resort, not an affiliate with some units Hilton and other units not.

Hilton, on the other hand, has a nicer convenience store on grounds that Marriott. I also like Hiltons exercise facilities a little better. Hilton far surpasses Marriott in terms of flexibilty of usage.

Jim and Cindy are right about Marriott's fee's. They seem to charge a fee for anything and everything. They also have some of the highest MF's in the industry. My 7000 point HGVC LV Strip MF's were something like $653 this year. The 3 bedroom Marriott Grand Chateau in Vegas is $1,045.

Pools, room quality and staff are all pretty much equal in my book.

So if you think that HGVC is mediocre at best, then I'm afraid you might find Marriott to be the same.

To be honest, most of what you've posted shows something of a misunderstanding of how to best maximize your Hilton unit. If you're not getting value out of it, you're bound to be disappointed.

With Hilton I've managed to exchange for a two bedroom week in Branson with enough points left over for a weekend in Vegas. That worked very well for us. I couldn't have done that with our Marriott unit or any of our other TS's.

With Hilton, I've also been able to exchange for a cruise without a bunch of exchange fee's attached. The cash value of the cruise was equal to the MF's paid. In this case, I was overloaded with timeshare time but the wife didn't have enough vacation time. I exchanged 14,000 points for a 4 night cruise in a junior suite cabin (extra large balcony cabin).

Now I know that trading 2 weeks platinum time for a 4 night cruise doesn't seem like an equal trade. But, monetarily it works out the same and it makes use of 14,000 points that we wouldn't be able to use PLUS, it gets us an extra cruise which we absolutely LOVE to do.

It's Hilton's flexiblity that allows me to tailor the program to fit my ever changing needs. With Marriott, you're going to find you don't have that sort of flexiblity.

In the end it really is just up to you as to what fits your needs and lifestyle best. However, to say that everyone who loves Hilton must be trying to sell something other than their opinion is just plain silly.

For the record, I work as an ICU nurse. Not as a salesman for any timeshare. I'm also very happty with the two Marriott's I own and have no desire to sell either of them or my Hilton unit.

posted 03-29-2005 22:45               

quote:

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Originally posted by eipheltower:

Any other unhappy Marriott owners? I am in the market for Grand Vista, & Marbella. No brokers please.

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I have a proposal: Even exchange, your HGVC 7000 point package for a Grand Vista 2 bedroom Platinum.

posted 03-29-2005 22:48               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim and Cindy:
Thanks Seth, but we sold our Marriott a few years ago.

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Hi Jim and Cindy,
Trade power for Grand Vista Platinum and Cypress Harbour Special and summer weeks have increased tremendously in the past 2 years.

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Seth
My Website

posted 03-30-2005 08:16               

quote:

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Originally posted by sethnock:
I have a proposal: Even exchange, your HGVC 7000 point package for a Grand Vista 2 bedroom Platinum.

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Well. I am interested in buying. However, I prefer to buy direct from the seller.

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Essie R.

posted 03-30-2005 19:14               

One thing that I find attractive about HGVC is that it seems very flexible - I don't have to stay for a week, etc.

It seems there are a lot of HGVCs for resale, especially in Vegas. It's hard to make sense of the pricing and I'm not sure where to start.

I'd probably buy the points for a 2-bed platinum - I think that means 7000 points, right? But I've seen some week 52s - I like that idea, but reading the forums suggests it's a lot of extra money to pay for not much extra bang for the buck.

But I like the idea of getting my New Year's Eve week every year and it's my understanding that is what week 52 means.

But it's also my understanding that for trading purposes, I'm depositing points, not a particular week, right? In that case, I'm not getting any extra lift from those week 52 points, right?

I'm also wondering about the "plus" idea. I've seen some listings on some of the sites that show a HGVC 3-bed penthouse. How would exchanges on that work?

Finally, I've been to Vegas a lot and know all three HGVC properties, but can't figure out which would be best for me. I think the Flamingo location is great, but there are no strip views, correct?

The HGVC Strip is a poor location, but I think some have strip views (I don't consider Circus Circus a strip view ).

The HGVC Hilton is a somewhat better location for getting around, but not ideal and I don't know how hard it is to get a strip view.

Any thoughts/advice?

posted 03-30-2005 19:41               

quote:

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Originally posted by prof:

I will try to answer point by point:

I've been researching timeshare purchases - haven't bought yet. Looking into Marriott, but also HGVC.

--Maybe look at Starwood and Hyatt as well. But so far in Vegas Hilton is far bigger.

One thing that I find attractive about HGVC is that it seems very flexible - I don't have to stay for a week, etc.

--Yes, it is very flexible. That is probably the greatest selling point.

It seems there are a lot of HGVCs for resale, especially in Vegas. It's hard to make sense of the pricing and I'm not sure where to start.

--And they are building more! Tower two on the Strip is in the works. Hilton is growing in three areas at this time. Vegas, Orlando & Hawaii.

I'd probably buy the points for a 2-bed platinum - I think that means 7000 points, right? But I've seen some week 52s - I like that idea, but reading the forums suggests it's a lot of extra money to pay for not much extra bang for the buck.

--Yes, 7000 points is platinum and a good place to start. But you can also get some great dealst at 5000 points/gold season.

But I like the idea of getting my New Year's Eve week every year and it's my understanding that is what week 52 means.

--I own week 52, or as HGVC calls it an event week, and yes it is New Years. I am not sure at this point if it is worth the extra I paid for it. We have owned it only a year and traded it this year already. For the future I am weighing the possibility of trading it with SFX where I think I can get greater bang for the buck than through HGVC or rci.

But it's also my understanding that for trading purposes, I'm depositing points, not a particular week, right? In that case, I'm not getting any extra lift from those week 52 points, right?

--As I stated above, I have a tendency right now to agree with you. But I think with SFX I can get a Marriott Kaui or similar which I can't do without SFX.

I'm also wondering about the "plus" idea. I've seen some listings on some of the sites that show a HGVC 3-bed penthouse. How would exchanges on that work?

--Pluses are views or higher up rooms. At the Hilton Hawaiian Village it would be super, I am not sure if it is that great at the new Strip property. I don't go to Vegas for the view.

Finally, I've been to Vegas a lot and know all three HGVC properties, but can't figure out which would be best for me. I think the Flamingo location is great, but there are no strip views, correct?

The HGVC Strip is a poor location, but I think some have strip views (I don't consider Circus Circus a strip view ).

The HGVC Hilton is a somewhat better location for getting around, but not ideal and I don't know how hard it is to get a strip view.

--Flamingo: Location, location, location +++ pool access at the Flamingo hotel.

--On the Strip, Very nice units, easy access, not much in the way of views in the current building. I think I was on the 17th or 18th floor last visit and you are right Circus Circus isn't much to look at, but it's Vegas and that corner of LV Blvd & Sahara is going to see more construction in years to come (Trump at the Frontier for example)

--At the Hilton. This is where we own, but I seldom use it. As you noted points are points in HGVC. But the pluses are, very easy to park and get around town from the location on Karen. With the new monorail, great access to strip properties. The water park is soon going to be a thing of the past which means the area is growing.

Any thoughts/advice?

DLH

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Good Luck in your search.

Sorry if you can't distinquish your quotes from my thoughts, I am not an expert poster like some here!

RE: Smoking, we are non smokers and always have requested and gotten a non smoking suite in all three Vegas properties. Though at the HHV, it is supposed to be "non smoking" but our first room had a heavy smoke oder and we were moved right away. So it worked out ok. But I was a bit annoyed to find an ashtray in a non smoking unit!

Enjoy!
Rick

[This message has been edited by ricoba (edited 03-30-2005).]

posted 03-30-2005 20:38               

I think the Strip location will eventually be good, but Circus Circus isn't going anywhere.

posted 03-30-2005 22:25               

It really doesn't matter which HGVC location you own, unless you plan on booking your week and staying for the entire week at your home resort. Then you get 12 month booking window instead of 9 months. There is A LOT of availibility in Vegas.. You have no problem getting what you want at 9 months or less. I would look at MF costs and purchase price, not location when considering where to buy. I would only buy 7000 or 4800 points.

Dave

posted 03-31-2005 06:38               

The prices on Judy's site for the week 52 event week are ridiculous.

posted 03-31-2005 07:13               

quote:

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Originally posted by prof:
If I buy platinum 7000 points how hard is it to book week 52 at one of the Vegas resorts?

The prices on Judy's site for the week 52 event week are ridiculous.

Does anybody have a 2-bed week 52 for this year that they want to rent to me?

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We're at the 9 month window right now for HGVC. I don;t have enough points left to check if week 52 is avaliable. I would be curious to know.

posted 03-31-2005 07:15               

quote:

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Originally posted by ricoba:
Dave, why 4800 instead or 5000?

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Same reason Steve said. MF"s are much less for 4800. My LV Hilton 4800 has MF's of $425.00 , 5000 points are about $600 or more.

4800 will still get you a 2bd red in RCI, without the wasted 200 points.

posted 03-31-2005 08:40               

quote:

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Originally posted by calihockey33:
We're at the 9 month window right now for HGVC. I don;t have enough points left to check if week 52 is avaliable. I would be curious to know.

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Is that why there are absolutely NO HGVC week 52s for rent anywhere? Does this mean they will start to show up soon?

posted 03-31-2005 09:36               

quote:

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Originally posted by prof:
Is that why there are absolutely NO HGVC week 52s for rent anywhere? Does this mean they will start to show up soon?

What's really interesting is that there are a LOT of HGVCs for resale in Vegas.

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Vegas has 3 HGVC properties.. so you're bound to find more resales there.

I would think they would be some week 52 for rent, from owners that have that week automatically booked. You should start seeing more in the next month or two

posted 03-31-2005 13:43               

quote:

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Originally posted by prof:
So you don't have to go for a full week on a rental? Cool! Dec 25-Jan 1 is my window, but obviously, that's not great. Dec 27-Jan 1 is much better.

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posted 03-31-2005 22:22               

quote:

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Originally posted by sbrunnert:
The reason for purchasing either 4800 or 7000 points is that the maintenance fees are based on unit size and not season. Therefore platinum weeks pay the same maintenance fees as silver weeks, so purchase only 1 bedroom (4800) or 2 bedroom (7000) platinum weeks to maximize the number of points for maintenance fee paid.

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Right of First Refusal is SIGNIFICANTLY greater for 4800 points than it is for 5000 points. You may be better off paying the higher maintenance.