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West FL resort availability

Mizzou39

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Jun 18, 2019
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Location
Wellington, FL
Resorts Owned
HGVC - Tuscany, HGVC Parc Soliel
I am in the process of purchasing an interest at HGVC Tuscany and am awaiting finalization (yes, thanks to what I learned here it was purchased resale).

My question is how difficult is it to get reservations at west FL HGVC locations (meaning Marco Island, Captiva Island, etc.) during non-peak times? Kids are starting college in the fall so my wife and I will be able to travel while school is in session.

Second, how difficult is it to book reservations and non-HGV resorts in the FL Keys during non-peak times?

We live in South Florida so have the ability to take long weekend trips with relatively short notice.

Thank you!
 

Jason245

TUG Review Crew: Expert
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No exp with the keys.. but I have found it is always best to book west coast of fl 9 months out if dates are fixed.. generally between 6 and 9 months out they book.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 

hurnik

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For the keys, you can only get them (via Hilton) via RCI exchanges. I'd say you want to put your request in at least 18 months in advance. When I had my OGS in for The Galleon, and it "matched" I called to confirm it with RCI and the rep was shocked I even got it (July 4th week, but it's so hot there, it's "low season") and asked how far in advance did I have to put the request in.
You can always rent from an owner (at the Galleon anyway) fairly easily, as there's a FB group, especially in "low season". But I wanna say a 1 BR was going for like $1,800 or something for a week (ouch).

Not sure about II.
I think one time there was a few "sightings" on the TUG for The Galleon via II.

I know historically the west coast ("gulf" area in HGV website) is hard to get, but I just checked online:
(I can't remember if they're *all* bookable online or not).

There's a few days currently for Eagles Nest and that's it (there's a few 2-night available for some others, but since min. stay is 3 nights...)
A few 3-nights in Nov. for Eagles Nest and Marco Beach (Charter Club)

Hope that helps!
 

Anthony Schmid

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Dec 13, 2016
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Location
Orlando, FL
Resorts Owned
Grandview at Las Vegas, Elara a Hilton Grand Vacation Club, The Jockey Club, Hilton Grand Vacation Club at Coylumbridge, Hilton Grand Vacations at Craigendarroch, Hyatt Residence Club at Coconut Plantation, DVC Saratoga Springs
its near impossible to get a week in the florida - gulf area. those are fixed weeks that owners actually use. about 20% of those units are in HGVC . You may want to consider buying unto one of the units. Platinum weeks run about 15K ish
 

GTLINZ

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
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I think one time there was a few "sightings" on the TUG for The Galleon via II.

I know historically the west coast ("gulf" area in HGV website) is hard to get, but I just checked online:
(I can't remember if they're *all* bookable online or not).

There's a few days currently for Eagles Nest and that's it (there's a few 2-night available for some others, but since min. stay is 3 nights...)
A few 3-nights in Nov. for Eagles Nest and Marco Beach (Charter Club)

Hope that helps!

The issue with the west coast HGVC units is that they are afflilates. A HGVC built unit automatically comes available at 9 months out if the owner does not make their "home reservation" between 12 and 9 months out. An affiliate unit is basically a fixed or floating week that does not come into HGVC inventory unless the owner turns it in (or the resort does for whatever reason). And you will find a relatively high percentage of these affiliate week owner who do not opt into HGVC. So the bottom line is that the inventory pool is much smaller. And the inventory can show up 1-2 months out before the owner hits some deadline to NOT be able to turn the unit in for points. So you have to keep looking. But if you travel off season (May, Oct-Nov) the points are lower and your chances are much better.

I have been able to find and book a unit at 2 different Marco locations in offseason (sep-nov) but I had to work at it. The last one was much easier because I saw online it was coming available a little over 9 months out because of the new online feature.

The good news is that you live in FL and can be flexible. Since HGVC requires a min 3 night reservation, there is often 2 night stays that you will see online that cannot be booked until 30 days out or less for CASH (open season rates - 2 night minimum). We have used open season rates to book stays at HGVC units (mostly Orlando) with another couple and save our points.
 

Talent312

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
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HGVC & GTS
We've found weeks in Marco, and a few days in Sanibel-Captiva.
But they're far and few between. Your dates need to be flexible.

It's a bit like looking for parking space on a college campus.
Your permit is merely a license to hunt & take what you can get.
.
 
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