Do you think this would work? DSV1 plan...

So I'm a tennis fanatic, and have been told that there are 20 courts (including clay and grass) at the DSV and it's a perfect spot to go to the Pacific Life Open each year in early March...that would be the main reason for owning, to go to the Pac Life open each year as well as play tennis and relax. We live in San Diego so it's an easy drive up the freeway for us.

I assume March is the high season (Platinum?) so questions are:

1. Would I need to buy platinum at DSV1 to ensure I could get the days I want for the tournament? I must get the tournament dates or the purchase isn't really worth it to me. How much risk that I'm going to miss out some % of years? I've read about having to get up at 5:00 AM and start dialing...

2. If some years I wanted to get less than a week at the time of the tournament, is that going to be too difficult to do? I presume you can't reserve partial weeks far in advance. I'm not sure my wife will buy into a full week every year.

3. Will I be able to trade off my other week (split my week via lock off) easily to go to other locations at peak times? I still have two kids at home and for the next five to maybe 10 or so years they will likely still be vacationing with us and bound by school vacations/holidays... I keep hearing differing accounts...but am worried about comments that it's hard to trade Marriot for other sites. My neighbors used their mom's Marriot TS in Palm Springs (I think it was the DSVII) and disliked the Marriot system enough that they bought at the Starwood Rancho Mirage for themselves. I'm going to have a detailed talk w/them about their experience but their initial comments have me concerned.

4. Does the studio lockoff include a kitchen/kitchenette? In a floor plan I saw the studio looked quite tiny w/out any kitchen facilities...seems like a low-value trade if I was trying to trade that for another location.

5. Does the 13 month rule mean that if I bought a second week anywhere else, that I could book a week at DSVI 13 months out for the tournament week, and then book the other week at another location?

6. In general, do the units work like the Starwood lockoffs? You can take them together as one week, or split them and do two weeks at consecutive or different times?

Thanks...been doing a lot of reading but this is still pretty new to me.

1. If such a tournament means high occupancy, then yes, you'd likely have to own in that season. Be aware you might have difficulty reserving that week, even if owning the season. Others may have the same idea as you

2. I don't know if MDS (that's DSV1) has a partial week option. If it does, in order to get maximum benefit, you'd want to reserve the remaining days at another time during your season or they'd be lost. There are restrictions on how partial week reservations are done. The resort would be your best source of info on that.

3/4. Lockoffs will trade decently and often pull larger units in flexchange, but I wouldn't count on it. I haven't been to MDS, but the lockoffs at Shadow Ridge (Palm Desert) are tiny and basically have a wet bar with a microwave. IMO, a Fairfield Inn (cheap Marriott hotel) is much nicer. No way I'd put a family in one. My wife wouldn't even stay in one

5. Second week must be in the same season to utilize the 13 month rule. It doesn't have to be at the same resort. For example (bad example, cost-wise), you could own gold at Newport Coast and reserve both NCV and MDS (the season you desire) 13 months out, consecutively or concurrently.

6. Yep, IME.

Be aware MDS does not have ROFR so you could get a distress sale pretty cheap. MPD (Desert Springs Villas II) has ROFR so Marriott could take a cheap deal. MDS also has free access to the Marriott Hotel facilities there. MPD guest can utilize it for a fee.

There are numerous TUG'ers who own in Palm Desert/Springs and will likely be very helpful. Welcome!

Pat

Thanks very much, that's great info. I'm hoping other MDS owners will chime in about availability at that time of the year in general.

TUG Talker said:

Thanks very much, that's great info. I'm hoping other MDS owners will chime in about availability at that time of the year in general.

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1. Yes you must buy in that season if you want to be assured. At DSV I its called "Red" season...I also enjoy playing and watching tennis. I own at DSV I. One of my tennis friends also has owned at DSV I since it opened. He goes to the tournament every year and has gotten it reserved every year. He does call exactly one year out at 6am in the morning. He only owns one unit (no 13 month call) I have not yet tried to reserve that week. I have only owned for three years and we have reserved the Easter break week each year. Again I am calling one year out.

2. Yes you can reserve 4 days and 3 days (Mon-Thur, and Fri-Sun). There is I believe a $89 fee for that (or similar amt)

3. Yes you can trade off your lockoff. We got Hawaii last year during the 60 day window. But generally if your want to go somewhere good allow 1 year. Less time is needed if during the school year.

4. Lockoff kitchen is really just good enough to eat breakfast in. Small refrig and Microwave. Just a little better than a hotel room with no room cleaning service...

5. Yes, the second week would be the week after the tournamnet.

6. I have no idea

So far we love our DSV I timeshare...Its a great place. Do buy a Red Season though if you want to go during the prime time of the year.

cp73 said:

1. Yes you must buy in that season if you want to be assured. At DSV I its called "Red" season...I also enjoy playing and watching tennis. I own at DSV I. One of my tennis friends also has owned at DSV I since it opened. He goes to the tournament every year and has gotten it reserved every year. He does call exactly one year out at 6am in the morning. He only owns one unit (no 13 month call) I have not yet tried to reserve that week. I have only owned for three years and we have reserved the Easter break week each year. Again I am calling one year out.

2. Yes you can reserve 4 days and 3 days (Mon-Thur, and Fri-Sun). There is I believe a $89 fee for that (or similar amt)

3. Yes you can trade off your lockoff. We got Hawaii last year during the 60 day window. But generally if your want to go somewhere good allow 1 year. Less time is needed if during the school year.

4. Lockoff kitchen is really just good enough to eat breakfast in. Small refrig and Microwave. Just a little better than a hotel room with no room cleaning service...

5. Yes, the second week would be the week after the tournamnet.

6. I have no idea

So far we love our DSV I timeshare...Its a great place. Do buy a Red Season though if you want to go during the prime time of the year.

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Thanks...appreciate your reply very much, great to hear from a happy owner and a tennis player/fan.

I'm glad to hear that the lock-off studio at least has a mini-kitchen, at first it looked like it didn't even have that.

Can you tell me anything about the courts there? Things like have you played on the grass or clay courts, are they all in one spot or spread around through the hotel and resorts, cost per hour, etc.? I've looked at the web site and couldn't find that information.

We own at Shadow Ridge. I reserve the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament week every year at the 12 month window. Now I realize our resort is not sold out but I doubt that is the most popular week. Other popular weeks include Bob Hope Golf week, President's week, Spring break, etc... I've never had a problem. We've own at Shadow Ridge since 2003. I use to rent the week via Marriott for lots of money. Now that Marriott rental program is not profitable, I'll probably try to rent on my own.

ciscogizmo1 said:

We own at Shadow Ridge. I reserve the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament week every year at the 12 month window. Now I realize our resort is not sold out but I doubt that is the most popular week. Other popular weeks include Bob Hope Golf week, President's week, Spring break, etc... I've never had a problem. We've own at Shadow Ridge since 2003. I use to rent the week via Marriott for lots of money. Now that Marriott rental program is not profitable, I'll probably try to rent on my own.

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Thanks, ciscogizmo1...very good info, I appreciate it.

Could you stop by my thread ("What makes you crazy about Marriot" and provide any feedback you might have?)

Also, great to hear from another tennis fan! My wife is rolling her eyes a bit about going to the Pac Life open every year (she's not quite as besotted with tennis as I am). How has your family managed it? Do you take the full week every year?

re no. 6--we own both starwood mission hills and dsv-1. the two work simarily in split weeks. have you read Tug starwood primer by mr. seenett? xlnt detail and very user friendly. starwood mh lockout much better than dsv-1. we just spent week with 3 in dsv-1 -- no sink to wash dishes, have to use bathroom sink. dish supply skimpy--bought paper dishes and bowls. only microwave, no stovetop. no washer/dryer--but they are available near some pools. request end unit on lockoff to avoid looking over parking lot.

Adding....

1. It appears that you have correctly concluded that, although the chances are good, there is no way to "ensure I could get the days I want for the tournament." That depends on how many others are also trying to reserve the same week at 6:00 a.m. on the day reservations open.

2. For most resorts that do have the split-week option, you can divide your week into one stay of four nights during mid-week and one stay of three nights on a weekend. Two separate weekend stays are not permitted.

5. To reserve at 13-months, the second week must be reserved at whatever resort your second week's ownership is and must be for the same week or an immediately adjacent week to the MDS week you reserve.

TUG Talker said:

Can you tell me anything about the courts there? Things like have you played on the grass or clay courts, are they all in one spot or spread around through the hotel and resorts, cost per hour, etc.? I've looked at the web site and couldn't find that information.

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I always play on the regular courts (concrete ?) and they are very nice. I have played on the clay a couple of times. They do have two grass courts which I have not played on. Looks like too much work. The resort also does a nice job of finding someone for you to play with if you need a partner. They have a big list of locals that they call from to get matches. I have found that the typical player at the resort is pretty much an amateur and not a regular club player. But they can match you up with someone in the neighborhood. The courts are great and its a full service tennis facility.

Its a great resort to play tennis and also to watch at the Pacific Open.

cp73 said:

I always play on the regular courts (concrete ?) and they are very nice. I have played on the clay a couple of times. They do have two grass courts which I have not played on. Looks like too much work. The resort also does a nice job of finding someone for you to play with if you need a partner. They have a big list of locals that they call from to get matches. I have found that the typical player at the resort is pretty much an amateur and not a regular club player. But they can match you up with someone in the neighborhood. The courts are great and its a full service tennis facility.

Its a great resort to play tennis and also to watch at the Pacific Open.

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Thanks! The ability to bring in locals to hit with is a great option...though my kids are getting so good that they can give me a good match as well now.

Re: DSV1 - I'm attracted to the number of courts available, the variety of surfaces, and the access to the JW Marriott facilities along w/the Villa ones...my wife would enjoy the spa. Also, it seems the DSV1 are the largest villas, and I felt cramped at Shadow Ridge.

I presume DSV1 is sold out, right? I'd actually like to get a preview visit with them. We did visit Shadow Mountain, but I was underwhelmed by the villas...too much noise from adjoining units, and as noted they seemed small, and they are obviously not co-located w/the other Marriott properties.

Cathyb said:

re no. 6--we own both starwood mission hills and dsv-1. the two work simarily in split weeks. have you read Tug starwood primer by mr. seenett? xlnt detail and very user friendly. starwood mh lockout much better than dsv-1. we just spent week with 3 in dsv-1 -- no sink to wash dishes, have to use bathroom sink. dish supply skimpy--bought paper dishes and bowls. only microwave, no stovetop. no washer/dryer--but they are available near some pools. request end unit on lockoff to avoid looking over parking lot.

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Yup...I'm torn. I'd agree that the Starwood villas seem nicer than the Marriott ones (and larger)...the small lock-off in the Marriotts do look like they are really tight. If Mission Hills was a mandatory resort I think I'd be going that way, but it's voluntary so all my trading would have to be via Starwoods modified II process.

I just posted a long post about how upset we were with the reservation system at the MDSV-I as we tried three years on a row to make reservations for a week in late February or early March. It took us three weeks of trying and two of the three ended up to be the tennis weeks that you would like to get. That was only by accident that we ended up with these weeks so there is hope for you.

We loved the Villas I because they have beautiful far away views and the condo is very large and comfortable to share with family or friends. They are in the process of refurbishing them too so they should be nice again for several years to come.

Only once did we lock-off our unit and made an exchange with the lock-off to the NCVs which was a very nice exchange. I love the Marriott resorts but not their reservation system.

PS. Here are a few pictures I once posted for another TUGger who asked about the size of a lock-off unit at the MDSV-I. Our friends stayed here and found it very comfortable but they used the whole condo with us too.

TUG Talker said:

Thanks...appreciate your reply very much, great to hear from a happy owner and a tennis player/fan.

I'm glad to hear that the lock-off studio at least has a mini-kitchen, at first it looked like it didn't even have that.

Can you tell me anything about the courts there? Things like have you played on the grass or clay courts, are they all in one spot or spread around through the hotel and resorts, cost per hour, etc.? I've looked at the web site and couldn't find that information.

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Tennis complex is in one place, located between Villas I and the hotel.
I am not up to the minute current on price, but not long ago first hour of play was complimentary, each additional hour was $5.