• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Harborside Exchange- Should I Keep It?

Seaport104

Seaport104

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
1,523
Reaction score
273
Points
294
Location
NJ
I woke up this morning with a II confirmation to Harborside 1 BR for end of April. I had completely forgotten about this request and have a week booked for Marriott Aruba the following week (can't do both- unfortunately).

I can't go for the full week either way, just 4-5 nights. Please help me decide between the two (so grateful to have such a problem).

- How far is the beach from Harborside? One thing I love about Marriott Aruba is the beach is the beachfront location.
- How much more expensive is Bahamas than Aruba?
- Which has better onsite beaches?
- How difficult was this exchange? I used a non-Starwood. If it's super difficult, maybe I should keep it since I may not get this opportunity again?

Thanks and Happy Holidays!!
 
Weimaraner

Weimaraner

TUG Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Messages
1,475
Reaction score
23
Points
398
Location
Michigan
I know what you mean about having a tough decision! I have RCI and II accounts and matched Aruba Surf Club and Animal Kingdom for same week in Feb. I've got both because I can't decide but will likely keep Surf Club due to weather but it's tearing me apart.

1. harborside is a TOUGH exchange. And end of April? Like WOW! And from what I've heard April is good time to go.
2. I love both Surf Club and Harborside. Surf Club is much more convenient to beach. At Harborside you will have to take bus and hike it. I went to beach once at Atlantis and they had some very aggressive vendors. I was trying to get a nap and had one vendor stop to talk to me while my eyes were closed and another was selling a whistle he would blow everytime he walked by. Haven't been bothered at Palm Beach in Aruba.
3. Nassau is shorter flight for such a short trip.

Maybe airfare could be the decision maker? How many people are going? Kids (ages)? Don't you wish you could do both? :)
 
Last edited:
Seaport104

Seaport104

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
1,523
Reaction score
273
Points
294
Location
NJ
Weimaraner said:
I know what you mean about having a tough decision! I have RCI and II accounts and matched Aruba Surf Club and Animal Kingdom for same week in Feb. I've got both because I can't decide but will likely keep Surf Club due to weather but it's tearing me apart.

1. harborside is a TOUGH exchange. And end of April? Like WOW! And from what I've heard April is good time to go.
2. I love both Surf Club and Harborside. Surf Club is much more convenient to beach. At Harborside you will have to take bus and hike it. I went to beach once at Atlantis and they had some very aggressive vendors. I was trying to get a nap and had one vendor stop to talk to me while my eyes were closed and another was selling a whistle he would blow everytime he walked by. Haven't been bothered at Palm Beach in Aruba.
3. Nassau is shorter flight for such a short trip.

Maybe airfare could be the decision maker? How many people are going? Kids (ages)? Don't you wish you could do both? :)
Click to expand...

For harborside, it would be me, hubby and 19 year old daughter. If Aruba, just me and daughter (hubby does not want to go to Aruba since we are already going in August using our week there for a family vacation with grandma).

Airfare is slightly cheaper to Bahamas $440 versus $500 but I would lose the exchange fee on the Aruba so net wash in my eyes since I did not purchase E-plus at the onset.
 
Seaport104

Seaport104

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
1,523
Reaction score
273
Points
294
Location
NJ
Weimaraner- I just realized you own at both HRA and Aruba Surf. I own at Aruba Ocean Club but have never been to Bahamas. Since you are familiar with both, how would you compare the two?
 
DeniseM

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,763
Reaction score
9,164
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
For the most part, people vacation at Harborside to enjoy the Atlantis waterpark and other amenities. That's really the resort focus, rather than the beach.

The week you got is a very difficult exchange.

I'm guessing that you will have many more opportunities to go to Aruba in the future.
 
Last edited:
Weimaraner

Weimaraner

TUG Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Messages
1,475
Reaction score
23
Points
398
Location
Michigan
I've only been to Harborside once vs 6 times for Aruba. I obviously love both for different reasons. we're going to both in 2015. Since you are going to Aruba anyway later in year, why not try something different?

Food is expensive in Bahamas. We had Foodstore2go deliver food and we went out for dinner. They have a shuttle to grocery for a small fee (wish Marriott did that in Aruba). There are great restaurants walking distance at Harborside. They have a meal plan but many say it's not woth it. In Aruba we take car or taxi to grocery to stock up.

Have you checked which type of room you have at Harborside? The small ones don't have a balcony. The views aren't always great at Harborside compared to Marriott which is view driven. bUT there is sooo much to do at Atlantis. Swim with dolphins? Kiss a sea lion? Go to marina village? Eat at a celebrity chef restaurant? Gamble? And the water park? Amazing! I think there is a teen only nightclub.We never even left Atlantis to check out Nassau.

You might not have the chance to trade another non Starwood for such a prime week. Most people end up with cooler Jan Feb or Sept when school is back in.
 
Last edited:
Seaport104

Seaport104

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
1,523
Reaction score
273
Points
294
Location
NJ
Weimaraner said:
I've only been to Harborside once vs 6 times for Aruba. I obviously love both for different reasons. we're going to both in 2015. Since you are going to Aruba anyway later in year, why not try something different?

Food is expensive in Bahamas. We had Foodstore2go deliver food and we went out for dinner. They have a shuttle to grocery for a small fee (wish Marriott did that in Aruba). There are great restaurants walking distance at Harborside. They have a meal plan but many say it's not woth it. In Aruba we take car or taxi to grocery to stock up.

Have you checked which type of room you have at Harborside? The small ones don't have a balcony. The views aren't always great at Harborside compared to Marriott which is view driven. bUT there is sooo much to do at Atlantis. Swim with dolphins? Kiss a sea lion? Go to marina village? Eat at a celebrity chef restaurant? Gamble? And the water park? Amazing! I think there is a teen only nightclub.We never even left Atlantis to check out Nassau.

You might not have the chance to trade another non Starwood for such a prime week. Most people end up with cooler Jan Feb or Sept when school is back in.
Click to expand...

I did check and unfortunately have the regular/smaller one bedroom but it's an exchange so I can't complain.

The more I thought about it, the more I kept thinking I have to be crazy to past this up! Yes, Aruba is always an option for me since I own there and my husband also pointed out that we are already going week before Labor Day. I just wanted to get to that Aruba Ocean Club oceanfront room sooner rather than later!

Do 2 bedrooms ever get deposited from HRA?
 
DeniseM

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,763
Reaction score
9,164
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
Seaport104 said:
I did check and unfortunately have the regular/smaller one bedroom but it's an exchange so I can't complain.

The more I thought about it, the more I kept thinking I have to be crazy to past this up! Yes, Aruba is always an option for me since I own there and my husband also pointed out that we are already going week before Labor Day. I just wanted to get to that Aruba Ocean Club oceanfront room sooner rather than later!

Do 2 bedrooms ever get deposited from HRA?
Click to expand...

It is rare, and when they do, Starwood owners usually get them, because they have first priority for all Starwood deposits in II. Just like the Marriott to Marriott priority in II.

Here is the floor plan for the small one bedroom:

harborside-atlantis-phase-I-one-bedroom-villa.png
 
Weimaraner

Weimaraner

TUG Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Messages
1,475
Reaction score
23
Points
398
Location
Michigan
i've only seen a 2 bed hRA in cooler months AND with the starwood preference.
 
Seaport104

Seaport104

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
1,523
Reaction score
273
Points
294
Location
NJ
DeniseM said:
It is rare, and when they do, Starwood owners usually get them, because they have first priority for all Starwood deposits in II. Just like the Marriott to Marriott priority in II.

Here is the floor plan for the small one bedroom:
Click to expand...

Thanks Denise! The II confirm has unit #1726 and I read in previous posts that Sunday check-ins in either Building 1 or 4. Does the unit # indicate it was from a Phase I deposit and I would be in building 1? Which building is better?
 
DeniseM

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,763
Reaction score
9,164
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
Starwood doesn't use the unit number on your II confirmation - your unit will be assigned by the front desk at check-in.
 
PamMo

PamMo

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
5,238
Reaction score
3,080
Points
648
Location
Missouri
You own in Aruba, so try Harborside! The first time we went, DH and I were assigned a small 1BR corner unit with a balcony in Phase II, and it was great - even though we overlooked the bridge and it was considered a less than desirable location. We spent so little time in our room, it really didn't matter where we were located.
 
Seaport104

Seaport104

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
1,523
Reaction score
273
Points
294
Location
NJ
PamMo said:
You own in Aruba, so try Harborside! The first time we went, DH and I were assigned a small 1BR corner unit with a balcony in Phase II, and it was great - even though we overlooked the bridge and it was considered a less than desirable location. We spent so little time in our room, it really didn't matter where we were located.
Click to expand...

Looks like my 1 BR confirm is the smaller 1 BR unit without a balcony but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get the 1BR Premium with a balcony.

End of April is my first vacation after months of long hours at work so I usually go someplace familiar but Harborside is on my list of places to go... I hope I don't come back wanting to buy a Harborside unit :hysterical:
 
tschwa2

tschwa2

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
16,018
Reaction score
4,680
Points
748
Location
Maryland
Resorts Owned
A few in S and VA, a single resort in NC, MD, PA, and UT, plus Jamaica and the Bahamas
Although they don't assign units until check in they would not change you from the small 1 br into the larger 1 br.
 
Ken555

Ken555

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
14,577
Reaction score
5,691
Points
898
Location
Los Angeles
Resorts Owned
Westin Kierland
Sheraton Desert Oasis
Seaport104 said:
Looks like my 1 BR confirm is the smaller 1 BR unit without a balcony but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get the 1BR Premium with a balcony.
Click to expand...


Call and request a corner unit. Don't expect them to fulfill this request but if you get it you'll be pleased. It's slightly larger than the standard units and has a balcony. I actually prefer it over the premium unit.


Sent from my iPad
 
Seaport104

Seaport104

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
1,523
Reaction score
273
Points
294
Location
NJ
Ken555 said:
Call and request a corner unit. Don't expect them to fulfill this request but if you get it you'll be pleased. It's slightly larger than the standard units and has a balcony. I actually prefer it over the premium unit.


Sent from my iPad
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! I will certainly do that a couple of weeks before. Does Starwood send out a pre-arrival form similar to Marriott? This would be my first time staying in Starwood so I'm not at all familiar with their process.
 
Ken555

Ken555

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
14,577
Reaction score
5,691
Points
898
Location
Los Angeles
Resorts Owned
Westin Kierland
Sheraton Desert Oasis
Seaport104 said:
Thanks for the tip! I will certainly do that a couple of weeks before. Does Starwood send out a pre-arrival form similar to Marriott? This would be my first time staying in Starwood so I'm not at all familiar with their process.
Click to expand...


Don't wait. Call tomorrow.


Sent from my iPad
 
tschwa2

tschwa2

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
16,018
Reaction score
4,680
Points
748
Location
Maryland
Resorts Owned
A few in S and VA, a single resort in NC, MD, PA, and UT, plus Jamaica and the Bahamas
My understanding is that they take no requests from II exchangers.
 
Sicnarf

Sicnarf

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
399
Reaction score
107
Points
404
Location
Chicago
We've been to Aruba 2x and Harborside 4x, and if you are looking to relax at the beach then Aruba would be the choice but if you want lots of action (casino, dancing, movie, water park - free) then definitely go to Harborside. For a fee, Atlantis also has great hang outs place for young adults and kids.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top