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How Would You "Tier" Timeshare Properties?

AbelowDS

AbelowDS

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Ashland, MA (15 mi west of Boston)
I'n not sure if this is the right place for this topic. I'm sure someone will move it if it needs to be somewhere else... :)

What timeshare management companies would you rate to be top tier? Which would you rate as mid-tier?
Are there other tiers (besides "Everone Else")?


For example, I might rank tier 1 as (not in any special order)
  • Starwood Vacation Ownership (Westin, Sheraton, assorted other non-branded properties.)
  • Marriott Vacation Club
  • Disney Vacation Club
  • Four Seasons Residence Club
  • Hyatt Residence Club
  • Hilton Grand Vacation Club
Thoughts anyone?

Thanks
 
I agree (except I would place Four Seasons in a tier above the others) with your top tier ranking, although there is some diversity of opinion as to the ranking within that tier.



AbelowDS said:
I'n not sure if this is the right place for this topic. I'm sure someone will move it if it needs to be somewhere else... :)

What timeshare management companies would you rate to be top tier? Which would you rate as mid-tier?
Are there other tiers (besides "Everone Else")?


For example, I might rank tier 1 as (not in any special order)
  • Starwood Vacation Ownership (Westin, Sheraton, assorted other non-branded properties.)
  • Marriott Vacation Club
  • Disney Vacation Club
  • Four Seasons Residence Club
  • Hyatt Residence Club
  • Hilton Grand Vacation Club
Thoughts anyone?

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
What timeshare management companies
Click to expand...

Are you asking about "management" companies, or the "resorts" - definitely NOT the same thing.
 
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Probably need to add Ritz-Carlton Club in that highest tier with Four Seasons...

Even with the "Hyatt" brand, I wonder if they belong in that top tier... When you look at the resort reviews, NONE of them rank highly...


Any thought on second tier?
  • Wyndham(Wynham, Worldmark),
  • Diamond Resorts (Sunterra),
  • Shell,
  • Monarch Grand Vacations Club,

DENISE - Very fair question. I Guess I'm talking about the management companies. (I figure we can always look at the the resort ratings/reviews section of the TUG Resort Database) for the individual properties.

Would you think they line up - usually - pretty well with the management companies that run them?
 
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Yes, I would add RC to that top tier.


AbelowDS said:
Probably need to add Ritz-Carlton Club in that highest tier with Four Seasons...

Even with the "Hyatt" brand, I wonder if they belong in that top tier... When you look at the resort reviews, NONE of them rank highly...


Any thought on second tier?
  • Wyndham(Wynham, Worldmark),
  • Diamond Resorts (Sunterra),
  • Shell,
  • Monarch Grand Vacations Club,

DENISE - Very fair question. I Guess I'm talking about the management companies. (I figure we can always look at the the resort ratings/reviews section of the TUG Resort Database) for the individual properties.

Would you think they line up - usually - pretty well with the management companies that run them?
Click to expand...
 
Not sure I understand your comment in the second paragraph regarding the Hyatt brand. Can you elaborate?

AbelowDS said:
Probably need to add Ritz-Carlton Club in that highest tier with Four Seasons...

Even with the "Hyatt" brand, I wonder if they belong in that top tier... When you look at the resort reviews, NONE of them rank highly...


Any thought on second tier?
  • Wyndham(Wynham, Worldmark),
  • Diamond Resorts (Sunterra),
  • Shell,
  • Monarch Grand Vacations Club,

DENISE - Very fair question. I Guess I'm talking about the management companies. (I figure we can always look at the the resort ratings/reviews section of the TUG Resort Database) for the individual properties.

Would you think they line up - usually - pretty well with the management companies that run them?
Click to expand...
 
IMNSHO, ALL of the big management companies manage the resorts to benefit the management company, and their stock holders. IMNSHO, only the owner controlled resorts have management that looks after the best interest of the owners... :p
 
DeniseM said:
IMNSHO, ALL of the big management companies manage the resorts to benefit the management company, and their stock holders. IMNSHO, only the owner controlled resorts have management that looks after the best interest of the owners... :p
Click to expand...

Absolutely can't argue with that!

Do you feel, as a general rule, however, that resort quality lines up (even loosely) with the brands that manage them? e.g., SVO probably would not take on a Pahaio property, right? :)
 
AbelowDS said:
Absolutely can't argue with that!

Do you feel, as a general rule, however, that resort quality lines up (even loosely) with the brands that manage them? e.g., SVO probably would not take on a Pahaio property, right? :)
Click to expand...

I do, and that's why I own 3 Starwood timeshares, although I don't always agree with management.
 
Im not a fan of this sort of ranking. After all if you want to vacation almost anywhere other than Orlando, Disney Vacation Club is not even in the running for a top spot. And if you want to visit Washington DC and stay in a timeshare there is only one choice, no other company can compete.

If we are talking about management companies Id have a different list than if we are talking about the "star"quality of the resorts, and still a different list if I was ranking according to locations

I think if you were to rank according to popularity (as measured by the number of owners). Wyndham is #1

If you were to rank according to value for dollars spent. Wyndham would also be in the top tier

Rank according to number and variety of locations, Wyndham is again #1
 
I think rankings like this can be valuable especially for people new to TSs and looking to purchase. Everybody has their own criteria and what they value. Wyndham obviously has value to many people, but it doesn't fit our needs or desires, regardless of the price.

ronparise said:
Im not a fan of this sort of ranking. After all if you want to vacation almost anywhere other than Orlando, Disney Vacation Club is not even in the running for a top spot. And if you want to visit Washington DC and stay in a timeshare there is only one choice, no other company can compete.

If we are talking about management companies Id have a different list than if we are talking about the "star"quality of the resorts, and still a different list if I was ranking according to locations

I think if you were to rank according to popularity (as measured by the number of owners). Wyndham is #1

If you were to rank according to value for dollars spent. Wyndham would also be in the top tier

Rank according to number and variety of locations, Wyndham is again #1
Click to expand...
 
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Wyndham locations in the US?

ronparise said:
Im not a fan of this sort of ranking. After all if you want to vacation almost anywhere other than Orlando, Disney Vacation Club is not even in the running for a top spot. And if you want to visit Washington DC and stay in a timeshare there is only one choice, no other company can compete.

If we are talking about management companies Id have a different list than if we are talking about the "star"quality of the resorts, and still a different list if I was ranking according to locations

I think if you were to rank according to popularity (as measured by the number of owners). Wyndham is #1

If you were to rank according to value for dollars spent. Wyndham would also be in the top tier

Rank according to number and variety of locations, Wyndham is again #1
Click to expand...

When you say Wyndham would be number 1 in locations, do you mean the number of locations in the US or the world?
 
Also, ability to sell should be a factor as well, IMO. Does Wyndham fair as well as the others in the top tiers? My guess is that there are some who wish they had paid a little more upfront, when they're trying to sell to get out from under escalating MFs.


ronparise said:
Im not a fan of this sort of ranking. After all if you want to vacation almost anywhere other than Orlando, Disney Vacation Club is not even in the running for a top spot. And if you want to visit Washington DC and stay in a timeshare there is only one choice, no other company can compete.

If we are talking about management companies Id have a different list than if we are talking about the "star"quality of the resorts, and still a different list if I was ranking according to locations

I think if you were to rank according to popularity (as measured by the number of owners). Wyndham is #1

If you were to rank according to value for dollars spent. Wyndham would also be in the top tier

Rank according to number and variety of locations, Wyndham is again #1
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone, ALL very valid points. Tiering depends on the criteria against which you are qualifying the companies.

I guess I was thinking in terms of Hotel ratings or cruise line ratings (Individual ships aside, it's like asking Carnival versus Regent,) 5*, 4*, etc. Just trying to get a sense of which have the highest end properties (not talking about management, not talking about location, etc.) Just overall rating of the managment company's properties themselves (which I believe includes amenities and customer service.)

I know that I can get GREAT assessments from the TUG Resort Database for individual properties. I'm just trying to get a sense for the overarching companies that manage those propeties. For example, does SVO have more high end resorts than does Wyndham? They do, and therefore I'd tier them higher.
 
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Westin has more high-end properties than Wyndham IMO (relatively) plus there is more consistency across properties.


AbelowDS said:
Thanks everyone, ALL very valid points. Tiering depends on the criteria against which you are qualifying the companies.

I guess I was thinking in terms of Hotel ratings or cruise line ratings (Individual ships aside, it's like asking Carnival versus Regent,) 5*, 4*, etc. Just trying to get a sense of which have the highest end properties (not talking about management, not talking about location, etc.) Just overall rating of the managment company's properties themselves (which I believe includes amenities and customer service.)

I know that I can get GREAT assessments from the TUG Resort Database for individual properties. I'm just trying to get a sense for the overarching companies that manage those propeties. For example, does SVO have more high end resorts than does Wyndham? They do, and therefore I'd tier them higher.
Click to expand...
 
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I think it is a good idea to have a general tier. Timeshares are drastically different and some of us, need a really good bar/restaurant onsite!

When we checked into Peacock Suites (Shell) recently, my daughter said to me, "This is really a step down for you." :rofl: We had owned DVC/VGC previously and before that, we always stayed at the Sheraton hotel. I told my kids that since we only sleep and shower in our room, Peacock Suites was fine.

Cost of buy in, going off topic, but here I go....
$20K for DVC/VGC with annual dues of $1100. to get a one bedroom in the lowest season possible - January and part of Feb.

$1. for 3500 Shell points with annual dues around $800., would get any week of the year in a 2 bedroom and still have some leftover points.

I'd rate the resorts at 5* for VGC and about 2.5* for Peacock suites. Different tiers for sure.
 
Here's what I am getting so far (in terms of general high-end-ness) of the properties???


Tier 0
  • Four Season
  • Ritz Carlton
Tier 1
  • Starwood Vacation Ownership
  • Marriott Vacation Club
  • Disney Vacation Club
  • Hilton Grand Vacation Club
Tier 2
  • Wyndham/Worldmark
  • Hyatt Residence Club
  • Shell
What else belongs in the tier 2? And do you agree about Hyatt ending up in tier 2? (Generally, their ratings in the TUG Resort database are low...)
 
Hyatt should definitely be in the same tier as Westin, Hilton, Marriott.


AbelowDS said:
Here's what I am getting so far (in terms of general high-end-ness) of the properties???


Tier 0
  • Four Season
  • Ritz Carlton
Tier 1
  • Starwood Vacation Ownership
  • Marriott Vacation Club
  • Disney Vacation Club
  • Hilton Grand Vacation Club
Tier 2
  • Wyndham/Worldmark
  • Hyatt Residence Club
  • Shell
What else belongs in the tier 2? And do you agree about Hyatt ending up in tier 2? (Generally, their ratings in the TUG Resort database are low...)
Click to expand...
 
AbelowDS said:
What else belongs in the tier 2? And do you agree about Hyatt ending up in tier 2? (Generally, their ratings in the TUG Resort database are low...)
Click to expand...
I agree w/ the previous poster that Hyatt should be in Tier 1.

Without thinking too much:

I would add Club Intrawest and perhaps Grupo Vidanta (based on resort quality) to Tier 1.

I would add Diamond Resorts to Tier 2.


Kurt
 
Hyatt - Definitely tier 1

Based on Grupo Vidanta's criminal sales practices, I can't in good conscience give them a good rating AT ALL.
 
Any ranking will be biased by what people own, the DRI contingency hasn't weighed in yet . . . .


I would not put Worldmark and Wyndham at the same level, the higher maintenance fees of WVO allow for more upscale finishes . IMHO
 
What about Westgate? Resort tier 3? Management tier 137?
 
Having owned/still own Four Seasons, HGVC and Wyndham, I would say Wyndham is the quirkiest of them all.

None of the systems are so diverse in quality as Wyndham. There are enough Prez units at top tier properties within Wyndham system to rival quality and numerical depth of Hyatt/Starwood or Hilton for that matter.

On the flip side, some regular units are so crappy in large number of properties to put them in Tier 3. :D
 
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ronparise said:
I think if you were to rank according to popularity (as measured by the number of owners). Wyndham is #1

If you were to rank according to value for dollars spent. Wyndham would also be in the top tier

Rank according to number and variety of locations, Wyndham is again #1
Click to expand...

I think the problem with Wyndham is the variability among the different resorts. Some resorts rival Marriott/Starwood while others are definitely a notch below. The top tier resorts offer a lot more consistent and predictable quality among their resorts.

I, like you, own Worldmark. Primarily it's for location and secondarily because of the flexibility and trading ability. I have no problem admitting that WM resorts, generally speaking, are a clear notch below the top tier resort systems. Fortunately our maintenance fees reflect that.
 
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