Are there timeshares that are mostly stress-free to book?

As a Starwood owner who gets up at 4:55 AM :zzz: to try and book a week at 12 or 8 months out, is there a timeshare or system out there that is relatively simple to book?

I find that if I can drag myself out of bed and redial and redial until I get a human, I can usually get my reservation, but my heart is racing and the blood pressure is up while I am waiting. After all, that reservation timestamp is super important for the best views, etc. Then I can't go back to sleep .

My sister, who owns HGVC, tells me that she never has to wake up that early to call, and that she hasn't had any problem getting the week she wants. She thinks it's ridiculous that I wake up to call at 5AM!

I also own DVC, and so far have found it fairly easy to call (although I don't like the call day by day deal) and they have a good waitlist system in place (and I get to sleep an hour later until 5:55 AM !).

A friend owns Shell points and is having trouble booking a week. I've read about Marriott's system. I haven't heard any horror stories about booking with Hyatt points...

So, is there a timeshare or system out there that is really pleasant to book?

Probably a fixed week is the least stressful.

I own at Polo Towers in Vegas. It's a fixed week resort, but it has a float option. You're guaranteed your week every year, but if you don't want to use it, you can book any week in the resort 59 days from check in. No trade fee, etc.

Not perfect, but a pretty good compromise I think.

Hilton is great -- don't feel stress at all for booking Home Resort. You get all the benefit as resale except for Elite.

Wyndham has worked for us

Wyndham (the group formerly known as Fairfield) has worked well for us with a very laid back approach. Example: for the Y2K New Years week, when everyone was snatching up reservations 10-12 months or more ahead, we waited until late September/early October before making our request. When I went to FF I asked what they had for points in south FL that week and they had at least 4 choices. In fact we ended up taking a 2 bedroom, penthouse unit at Royal Vista - one of the best resorts in the Ft Lauderdale area - and it was a great Christmas/New Years stay. That is just one of many peak time reservations we have made easily with Wyndham over our 12 years of ownership. We have stayed at every resort we requested, during the time(s) we wanted with the single exception of Seawatch. That seems to be the only Wyndham resort that does require a special effort to obtain during the three prime summer months.

I feel the ease of use originates from the knowledge in the ownership that there is no need for a mad grab of time - to do so would result in using up your points. Better to wait, size your use to what you need and don't just grab things "because they are there". It leaves great vacations available for everyone even as the use date gets close. Very easy to use and low pressure.

deniselew said:

...I haven't heard any horror stories about booking with Hyatt points...

So, is there a timeshare or system out there that is really pleasant to book?

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The Hyatt system is a piece of cake for booking. You have 6 months to decide if you want to stay in the unit/week that you own. If you decide not to use it, it converts to points and you can use those points in a variety of ways. Once you decide where you might want to stay, you just put your name on a request list. Those requests will almost always be granted 6 months prior to the week you request. The earlier you get on the request list, the better you will do. Get on a list 12 months in advance and it's almost a sure thing.

There is never an instance where you have to get on the phone at some ridiculous hour just to get a shot at something you own.

Kal said:

The Hyatt system is a piece of cake for booking. You have 6 months to decide if you want to stay in the unit/week that you own. If you decide not to use it, it converts to points and you can use those points in a variety of ways. Once you decide where you might want to stay, you just put your name on a request list. Those requests will almost always be granted 6 months prior to the week you request. The earlier you get on the request list, the better you will do. Get on a list 12 months in advance and it's almost a sure thing.

There is never an instance where you have to get on the phone at some ridiculous hour just to get a shot at something you own.

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Hi Kal,

I didn't realize that Hyatt had a "list." Do you know if Hyatt owners have success listing Hyatt Highlands Inn at 12 months out & getting it for a summer week?

...or, you can move to the East Coast and wake-up at 8:00 am
..just kidding..

Oddly enough and for all the trouble they have with other things, RHC is very easy to book. We get NYC every summer and go two times for 3-4 nights each time. It just requires a phone call. You can also check availabiity online before you call if you want to have a backup plan.

Royal Resorts

We own fixed weeks, fixed units at the Royal Sands. You don't even have to call at all, just show up! Each of teh Royal Resorts are the same, makes it very easy, as long as you purchase the week that you want.

Mike

I think as expansion continues there will be less stress . It seems that already some of the most popular starwood resorts are getting easier to book.When more new and interesting properties open I think owners will want to check them out and move from visiting the same resort every year.I personaly would like to visit all the resorts Starwood has to offer and go somewhere different every year

I've had very good luck with my HGVC. Often I can get high demand areas 6 months out. There is a web page that shows all available inventory so yes it's stress free.

deniselew said:

As a Starwood owner who gets up at 4:55 AM :zzz: to try and book a week at 12 or 8 months out, is there a timeshare or system out there that is relatively simple to book?

I find that if I can drag myself out of bed and redial and redial until I get a human, I can usually get my reservation, but my heart is racing and the blood pressure is up while I am waiting. After all, that reservation timestamp is super important for the best views, etc. Then I can't go back to sleep .

So, is there a timeshare or system out there that is really pleasant to book?

Click to expand...

I would guess that in the Starwood system booking at 12 mos. out at your home resort is actually pretty simple--unless you're trying for a real hot week. I bet you'd be able to book without trouble later in the day. The problem is we Tuggers tend to be a little obsessive. We'd be too worried that the extra few hours would mean that we might miss out on a prime view or even miss getting the reservation entirely. We'd rather get up at 5 am (for us West Coasters), than take that chance. I bet if you owned Hilton, you'd still be making that reservation at the first possible moment (and I'd be right there with you!). Now it would be nice if the Starwood reservation line opened a little later--even 6 am would be more civilized than 5 am!

Any Starwood owners out there who booked at 12 mos. out but later in the day? Did you have any trouble getting the reservation?

Now, 8 mos. out, with one of the more popular resorts, especially at a peak time is another matter entirely.

Glorian

The problem with Starwood is that you can't booked on-line. Hilton and Marriott can check on-line for availability.

grgs said:

Now, 8 mos. out, with one of the more popular resorts, especially at a peak time is another matter entirely.

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Yes, those first few seconds in the morning are crucial. I can't believe that my friend who owns WKORV-N actually got a 2 bedroom lockoff at WKORV. She probably wouldn't have had any luck if she'd called at 5:05 AM!

For HGVC, calling at 9 month out, does inventory disappear in seconds, say, at HHV, for a summer week?

deniselew said:

For HGVC, calling at 9 month out, does inventory disappear in seconds, say, at HHV, for a summer week?

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Just checked.. There are still some inventory for 4th of July week.for HHV, No problem with Bay club. Limited inventory and dates for HGVC Waikoloa

deniselew said:

Hi Kal,

I didn't realize that Hyatt had a "list." Do you know if Hyatt owners have success listing Hyatt Highlands Inn at 12 months out & getting it for a summer week?

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You can get on a list 18 months out from the date you want to check in. Study the Hyatt system, it is very hard to completely understand but once you do you can get great value for the money you spend. Take care

I don't want to plan 8 months out .18 months is just way out for me

I never have problems booking the week I want at my timeshares.

Transit said:

I don't want to plan 8 months out .18 months is just way out for me

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IMO It's hard to be successful in timeshares if you are not a planner. The only option that works well for those that aren't willing to play the system are fixed week type options though most any system will work for those that usually travel what is truly off season.

WorldMark is a piece of cake to book. You can see everything that is available and all owners have access to anything available within the rules. And, you can do it all online. Free guest certficates and no cancellation fees. Immediate confirmation available and sent via email after booking.