• 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!

Looking for pros/cons for Westin Flex (and Aventuras)

CTG

newbie
Joined
Aug 15, 2019
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
1
We are 5star and own in Nanea and Lagunamar and enjoy the properties and have discovered Kierlands and Avon, CO as our young family starts to enjoy new outdoor activities. A recent pitch for Aventuras got into doing our homework found this BBS talking about Westin Flex. Would love thoughts of those here on pros/cons for buying into (potentially selling back some SOs used to get us to 5star) for program.

Also, any exprience/thoughts re Aventuras also welcomed.
 

DannyTS

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
5,753
Reaction score
3,076
Points
348
why would you want to do it? Assuming your WLR weeks are platinum, I do not see any advantage for you
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
Major Cons:

1) It is FAR more expensive than buying the equivalent deeded TS on the resale market.
2) All of these programs are voluntary - no Staroptions on resale.
3) The MF are higher than the equivalent deeded TS.
4) Mexico has far more supply than demand - there is no reason to buy there.
 

jabberwocky

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2016
Messages
2,829
Reaction score
2,583
Points
348
Resorts Owned
SVR, SDO, WKORV-N, Westin Flex, HGVC (BLVD)
If you already have developer purchased weeks that have SO's I would not trade them in for the Flex program based upon what you have. MF's will most likely be higher for not much incremental benefit.
 

CPNY

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2019
Messages
7,508
Reaction score
4,393
Points
349
Resorts Owned
Harborside Resort at Atlantis
SVV - Key West/Bella
WKV
Regal Vista at Massanutten
Keep what you have. Don’t even think about it. Man, they ar relentless in buying back deeded weeks
 

DannyTS

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
5,753
Reaction score
3,076
Points
348
Major Cons:

4) Mexico has far more supply than demand - there is no reason to buy there.
The Westin Lagunamar platinum season is a great option if you want to go there in the prime season and they rent well in excess the MF so the supply cannot be that great for the resorts that are in demand. I assume you are just referring to the Westin Aventuras.
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
In my opinion the resorts in Mexico are not strong rentals, and there are better options for the OP. I would not buy in Mexico period, but I certainly woudn't buy if I was going to have to rent it some of the time.
 

DannyTS

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
5,753
Reaction score
3,076
Points
348
In my opinion the resorts in Mexico are not strong rentals, and there are better options for the OP. I would not buy in Mexico period, but I certainly woudn't buy if I was going to have to rent it some of the time.
Since you do not own Lagunamar and since it seems there is a negative bias about Mexico in general I am not sure if one should place too much weight on this comment.
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
That's interesting: Just curious - how many times have your rented your Lagunamar timeshare and how much did you net after you paid your maintenance fee and any rental costs?
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
This is what my bias is based on: According to the Travel Demand Index, Christmas and New Years should have the highest rental demand at Lagunamar, but look at the Redweek Ads for 2019 Christmas & New Years: Christmas is only 4 months away, and only 6 out of 47 Redweek listings have rented:

Screen Shot 2019-08-15 at 2.18.07 PM.png


Redweek Listings:
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $2,500 ($357/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $4,050 ($579/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $3,500 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $3,450 ($493/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/28/19 8 $2,000 ($250/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $2,700 ($386/night) Ocean view 1 1 5 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,500 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,500 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $4,500 ($643/night) Oceanside 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,350 ($479/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 RENTED!
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,450 ($493/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $4,200 ($600/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/29/19 8 $2,800 ($350/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,499 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $1,600 ($229/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–01/04/20 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $1,550 ($221/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $1,600 ($229/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $2,175 ($311/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,700 ($529/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $2,000 ($286/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $2,500 ($357/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,300 ($471/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/22/19–12/29/19 7 $3,400 ($486/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/22/19–12/29/19 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/22/19–12/29/19 7 $3,900 ($557/night) Oceanside 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/22/19–12/29/19 7 $3,900 ($557/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/24/19–12/28/19 4 $1,199 ($300/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/27/19–01/03/20 7 $4,200 ($600/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/27/19–01/03/20 7 $2,800 ($400/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $4,500 ($643/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $2,200 ($314/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 RENTED!
12/28/19–01/01/20 4 $1,000 ($250/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 RENTED!
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $4,000 ($571/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $2,500 ($357/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $1,750 ($250/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 RENTED!
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $3,800 ($543/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $3,800 ($543/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $1,500 ($214/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $3,200 ($457/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,550 ($507/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 RENTED!
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,500 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 RENTED!
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,850 ($550/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,700 ($529/night) Water view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
 

byeloe

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Messages
1,063
Reaction score
370
Points
444
Location
Ontario
That's interesting: Just curious - how many times have your rented your Lagunamar timeshare and how much did you net after you paid your maintenance fee and any rental costs?
Can't disagree with the redweek results.(not sure that the rented units always get posted, mine did not) Personally I have rented out my Lagunamar three times for an average of 2x maintenance fees
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
Great job on your rentals - impressive! I agree that sometimes Redweek Ads don't get taken down. But in most cases, if you have a popular rental, you will be getting bombarded with inquiries and you will either take the Ad down to stop the emails, or you get a notification from Redweek that people are complaining about you, because you didn't take your Ad down. So my guess is that the majority of the listings are still active.
 

DannyTS

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
5,753
Reaction score
3,076
Points
348
This is what my bias is based on: According to the Travel Demand Index, Christmas and New Years should have the highest rental demand at Lagunamar, but look at the Redweek Ads for 2019 Christmas & New Years: Christmas is only 4 months away, and only 6 out of 47 Redweek listings have rented:

View attachment 13424

Redweek Listings:
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $2,500 ($357/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $4,050 ($579/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $3,500 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $3,450 ($493/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/28/19 8 $2,000 ($250/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/20/19–12/27/19 7 $2,700 ($386/night) Ocean view 1 1 5 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,500 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,500 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $4,500 ($643/night) Oceanside 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,350 ($479/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 RENTED!
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,450 ($493/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $4,200 ($600/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/29/19 8 $2,800 ($350/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,499 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $1,600 ($229/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/21/19–01/04/20 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $1,550 ($221/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $1,600 ($229/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $2,175 ($311/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,700 ($529/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $2,000 ($286/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $2,500 ($357/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/21/19–12/28/19 7 $3,300 ($471/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/22/19–12/29/19 7 $3,400 ($486/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/22/19–12/29/19 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/22/19–12/29/19 7 $3,900 ($557/night) Oceanside 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/22/19–12/29/19 7 $3,900 ($557/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/24/19–12/28/19 4 $1,199 ($300/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW BOOK
12/27/19–01/03/20 7 $4,200 ($600/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/27/19–01/03/20 7 $2,800 ($400/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $4,500 ($643/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $2,200 ($314/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 RENTED!
12/28/19–01/01/20 4 $1,000 ($250/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 RENTED!
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $4,000 ($571/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $2,500 ($357/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $1,750 ($250/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 RENTED!
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $3,800 ($543/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $3,800 ($543/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $1,500 ($214/night) Ocean view 0 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/28/19–01/04/20 7 $3,200 ($457/night) Ocean view 1 1 4 VIEW POSTING
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,550 ($507/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 RENTED!
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,500 ($500/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 RENTED!
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,600 ($514/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,850 ($550/night) Ocean view 2 2 8 VIEW BOOK
12/29/19–01/05/20 7 $3,700 ($529/night) Water view 2 2 8 VIEW POSTING
I see many weeks listed at 3 times the MF. Those owners do not want to rent. They just think they will use the week but for that price, if somebody bites, they can stay home and watch TV. These listings show nothing about how many owners have rented. In any case, I am not claiming that the demand or the price are as high as Hawaii but I do not agree with what seemed an apocalyptic picture
 
Last edited:

byeloe

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Messages
1,063
Reaction score
370
Points
444
Location
Ontario
I guess I meant "marked as rented" rather than taken down. I have definitely not been bombarded with inquiries. I am glad I was able to rent but it definitely has not been easy. A couple within 60 days of check-in. The third was almost 1 year out, for President's week 2020.
Fortunately we are prepared to use the week if it doesn't rent
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
Yes, that is what I mean too: taken down = marked as rented. When you cancel your Ad, it isn't actually physically removed.
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
I see many weeks listed at 3 times the MF. Those do not want to rent. They just think that they want to use the week but for that price, if somebody will bite, they can stay home and watch TV. These listings show nothing about how many owners have rented

The 6 listings marked RENTED! show how many owners have rented on Redweek - 6 out of 47. That does not indicate a strong rental market. YMMV
 

DannyTS

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
5,753
Reaction score
3,076
Points
348
The 6 listings marked RENTED! show how many owners have rented on Redweek - 6 out of 47. That does not indicate a strong rental market. YMMV
Did you know that those that rent multiple weeks never take them down unless they rented the last one?
 

DannyTS

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
5,753
Reaction score
3,076
Points
348
And by the way, how many times have you rented at 3 times the MF? If that was the case, the price for resale Hawaii would be going through the roof. Not the case, they have been coming down
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
Dan - How many times have you rented your Lagunamar timeshare?
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
Wait - first you posted that they WON'T rent for 3 times the maintenance fee and then you posted that they do? Which is it?

I see many weeks listed at 3 times the MF. Those do not want to rent.
And by the way, how many times have you rented at 3 times the MF?
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
And by the way, how many times have you rented at 3 times the MF? If that was the case, the price for resale Hawaii would be going through the roof. Not the case, they have been coming down
You are absolutely right about this - this was my first timeshare purchase and it was a huge mistake to buy from the developer. Now I try to help other people not make the same mistake that I did. There is never a good reason to buy from the developer.
 

DannyTS

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
5,753
Reaction score
3,076
Points
348
Wait - first you posted that they WON'T rent for 3 times the maintenance fee and then you posted that they do? Which is it?
What I was saying was that they will NOT rent for 3 times the MF and probably neither can you or other owners at other resorts.
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
I'm not clear on your point: Are you saying that Lagunamar will rent for 3 times maintenance fee, but Maui and other resorts won't?
 

DannyTS

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
5,753
Reaction score
3,076
Points
348
You are absolutely right about this - this was my first timeshare purchase and it was a huge mistake to buy from the developer. Now I try to help other people not make the same mistake that I did. There is never a good reason to buy from the developer.
I was referring to the Hawaii resale prices that have come down as well. If the rental business was that good that would not happen.


In any case, I stand by my opinion, Lagunamar is a great resort and the platinum season has great usage value, great exchange value (just exchanged a studio for a 2 bdr next summer at Westin Nanea), decent rental value. I am fine if you believe that is not true.
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
So, it sounds like you have never rented your Lagunamar timeshare?
 
Top