New Hilton Club location in Charleston

[1Kflyerguy]

Its official, they announced another new Hilton Club location:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180418006283/en/

The article states there will be 100 units, with a mix of studio, one and two bedroom units. Sales will start next year with an expected opening in 2020.

 

[amycurl]

This makes a resale contract for HGVC at HHI more attractive as my next timeshare purchase possibility....there would now be four options within an easy half-day drive from me.

 

[buzglyd]

That’s awesome. I love the Charleston area.

 

[PigsDad]

I'm guessing that it will be part of the Hilton Club / Residences properties? If so, unless you own there, you won't be able to reserve more than 44 or 60 days out.

Kurt

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I'm guessing that it will be part of the Hilton Club / Residences properties? If so, unless you own there, you won't be able to reserve more than 44 or 60 days out.

Kurt

That is my guess based on the press release. But i am not certain the average business new writer knows the difference.

 

[Arimaas]

That is my guess based on the press release. But i am not certain the average business new writer knows the difference.

I assume that based on past practice of urban areas being Hilton clubs, that this is the case as well. I believe there was an article posted here a few months ago discussing the zoning approval or something of the sort that also used the Hilton club language. And while the author of the article might not know the different structures of the Hilton club vs a HGVC resort, I’m sure the press release by Hilton uses the specific Hilton club language.

Either way I HATE that these urban areas are getting a club with in a club. I’m happy that Miami Beach isn’t a Hilton club. I’m sure if it was developed today it would be.

 

[alwysonvac]

Here’s the previous Charleston thread - https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/new-hilton-timeshare-in-charleston.269440

 

[Cyberc]

I dont get all the fuss about these "urban" locations. So far the only one which is "worth" anything is the new york locations. The DC and now Charleston they dont do anything for me, unless they add something which is really usable I dont see the different locations as a reason to buy in. Looking at the availability in DC it seems a lot thinks like I do, at least they dont book DC.

 

[PigsDad]

Cyberc, you bring up a good point. Although I'm sure the DC (and soon to be Charleston) locations will be nice, when I vacation in an "urban" location, I tend not to spend as much time in the room, and don't plan or want to cook as much as at a more typical "resort". For me, a Embassy Suites or Homewood Suites hotel is just as good, and probably less expensive. And since DC location is just remodeled Embassy Suites rooms, I don't see the point of buying there -- there are other Embassy Suites hotels in the DC area that are in much better locations, IMO (was just there in June).

I know others value these urban locations more, but I don't get too excited about them, especially at the inflated point cost and severely reduced booking windows vs. the HGVC resorts. I'll just stick to nice suite hotels in those locations.

Kurt

 

[hurnik]

Cyberc, you bring up a good point. Although I'm sure the DC (and soon to be Charleston) locations will be nice, when I vacation in an "urban" location, I tend not to spend as much time in the room, and don't plan or want to cook as much as at a more typical "resort". For me, a Embassy Suites or Homewood Suites hotel is just as good, and probably less expensive. And since DC location is just remodeled Embassy Suites rooms, I don't see the point of buying there -- there are other Embassy Suites hotels in the DC area that are in much better locations, IMO (was just there in June).

I know others value these urban locations more, but I don't get too excited about them, especially at the inflated point cost and severely reduced booking windows vs. the HGVC resorts. I'll just stick to nice suite hotels in those locations.

Kurt

Yeah, I'm with you. (Granted I live in Albany, NY so there's no reason to buy NYC).
The 44-day booking window is just too short to make anything other than a 1-2 night stay useful (I don't think I've seen a 3-night at W57 for eons).

If/when we get to DC it'll be for at least a week.
Same for Charleston (have wanted to go there).

But I guess there's enough limited inventory and interest that they're able to sell the units.

 

[SmithOp]

I’m in total agreement, prefer resort accomodations to urban. If I want to stay in a big city I’ll use a hotel, its usually a short stay anyway.

I took a presentation in NYC and it ended quickly once we told them urban vacations were not of interest to us. Apparently some folks like them.


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[Cyberc]

I’m in total agreement, prefer resort accomodations to urban. If I want to stay in a big city I’ll use a hotel, its usually a short stay anyway.

I took a presentation in NYC and it ended quickly once we told them urban vacations were not of interest to us. Apparently some folks like them.


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I would do urban locations but as a European I would want some location closer to home. I would never go to DC just for a few days. Could I do Rome I would easily do 2-3 days.

As an owner to be of West57 I would never just go for 2-3 days because of the long haul. Unless ofc I could combine it with a vaca at Orlando, vegas or another place In the US. I would do a Minimum of 5 days like an extended weekend or maybe mon-sat / sun-fri to stretch my points.

 

[Arimaas]

I just think the 44 day reservation window (unless you own) makes it not practical. I just stayed end of February At the Charleston convention center embassy suites. At a $100 a night AAA rate including breakfast, it's probably cheaper to stay in a hotel than blowing your points on an urban location. I assume they probably lack a full kitchen and w/d anyhow??

 

[ljmiii]

I dont get all the fuss about these "urban" locations...

My wife and I were actually VERY pleased with our recent weeklong stay at the HGVC in South Beach. Fabulous location - right across the street from Lummus Park and the beach with an amazing variety of great restaurants, bars, museums, etc. a short walk away. Obviously, YMMV - particularly coming from Europe - but we loved our week in South Beach in winter.

 

[Arimaas]

My wife and I were actually VERY pleased with our recent weeklong stay at the HGVC in South Beach. Fabulous location - right across the street from Lummus Park and the beach with an amazing variety of great restaurants, bars, museums, etc. a short walk away. Obviously, YMMV - particularly coming from Europe - but we loved our week in South Beach in winter.

But the Miami Beach club falls under the regular hgvc rules. Not the hilton club rules.

Also, Because of the beach, however, I don’t know if I would consider Miami Beach urban in the same vein as nyc, Charleston and even DC. Now if you told me They were building a club in downtown Miami I would say yes, urban.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I believe it works in certain cities where hotel rooms are expensive and there are occasions to repeatedly visit e.g. NYC. San Francisco would also work for us. Boston maybe.

LA, Chicago? probably not. LA has lots of attractions but too spread out. Would prefer Disneyland.

European cities? Paris, Rome Barcelona London - Yes Please!

I would visit DC and Charleston if I could make the 44 day club window work with decently priced plane tickets; I cannot imagine owning there for repeat visits. As urban hotels get squeezed with AirBnB pricing and hard to fill capacity, we could expect more owners to convert a portion of their hotel to timeshares for the steady income.

 

[ljmiii]

But the Miami Beach club falls under the regular hgvc rules. Not the hilton club rules.

Also, Because of the beach, however, I don’t know if I would consider Miami Beach urban in the same vein as nyc, Charleston and even DC. Now if you told me They were building a club in downtown Miami I would say yes, urban.

True...but 'urban' and 'by Hilton Club' are not the same thing. The Bay Forest Odawara by Hilton Club isn't urban. And for better or worse, South Beach is. You choose South Beach for the culture, restaurants, and nightlife. Yes, you might visit the beach once or thrice during your stay...but if swimming, surfing, or even sunbathing is the focus of your vacation you go elsewhere.

That said...I would agree that South Beach is closer to Waikiki than NYC (even if NYC has better surfing than either of them). And along with the other posters I find the expansion of the 'Hilton Club' outside of NYC and separate from HGVC annoying at best.

 

[Arimaas]

True...but 'urban' and 'by Hilton Club' are not the same thing. The Bay Forest Odawara by Hilton Club isn't urban. And for better or worse, South Beach is. You choose South Beach for the culture, restaurants, and nightlife. Yes, you might visit the beach once or thrice during your stay...but if swimming, surfing, or even sunbathing is the focus of your vacation you go elsewhere.

That said...I would agree that South Beach is closer to Waikiki than NYC (even if NYC has better surfing than either of them). And along with the other posters I find the expansion of the 'Hilton Club' outside of NYC and separate from HGVC annoying at best.

You bring up an interesting point. It looks like they seem to be developing The HC brand over the HGVC brand. Can we expect to see more HC locations over HGVC resorts in the future, which of course means much shorter reservation windows for non HC, HGVC members? May be a way for them to curtail resale purchase down the road for a little, since the inventory probably isn’t as plentiful as HGVC proper?

 

[SmithOp]

You bring up an interesting point. It looks like they seem to be developing The HC brand over the HGVC brand. Can we expect to see more HC locations over HGVC resorts in the future, which of course means much shorter reservation windows for non HC, HGVC members? May be a way for them to curtail resale purchase down the road for a little, since the inventory probably isn’t as plentiful as HGVC proper?

I don’t think they care about the resale market, it actually helps them keep getting maint fees paid. How many times have we read about people being sold small point eoy units that clearly cannot afford them. I know they don’t verify annual income before having someone sign a contract, its buyer beware, read the fine print before agreeing to a sales presentation.

The fees are higher in HC right? As Mr T would say, I pity the fools using HC points to book HGVC locations. I dont expect a lot of HC inventory for us second class HGVC owners.

I’m obviously not their target market, I rarely visit these urban locations. I don’t get the attraction to an HC unit over a hotel room, just to have a club lounge with free snacks and booze? I’ve stayed at W57th once, it was no better than a Hampton Inn to me.


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[CalGalTraveler]

The club fees are the same. If you are referring to the all-inclusive res fee of $120 it is totally worth it to stretch points and add flexibility. But it is entirely optional.

Most HGVC exchangers get the worst rooms on the lowest floors at W57 because all the good inventory is gone at 44 days. Owners often upgrade to more spacious 1 bedrooms and larger studios with views of NYC. If you have not stayed in one of these units it is not possible to judge W57; apples to oranges. This is akin to reviewing enitire Lagoon Tower based on staying in a 2nd floor Lagoon room facing the parking lot.

 

[PigsDad]

I don’t get the attraction to an HC unit over a hotel room, just to have a club lounge with free snacks and booze?

Book an Embassy Suites room and you also get free snacks and booze. The line is fuzzy, to say the least.

Kurt

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Agree about the District. Biggest benefit for NYC timeshare is when we have more than 2 ppl because more space is needed and meals add up.

 

[JTurner538]

I worry that they are also diluting availability of HGVC rooms with all the HC building. It's incredibly difficult to book HC rooms (in a practical since) but the HC members can still book HGVC rooms within a much larger window of time than I can book in their resorts. I fear, at this rate, competition for resorts in Hawaii, for example, will become harder without any noticable upside for "regular" HGVC members.

 

[PigsDad]

I worry that they are also diluting availability of HGVC rooms with all the HC building. It's incredibly difficult to book HC rooms (in a practical since) but the HC members can still book HGVC rooms within a much larger window of time than I can book in their resorts. I fear, at this rate, competition for resorts in Hawaii, for example, will become harder without any noticable upside for "regular" HGVC members.

Well, if HC members use more of their points to book HGVC rooms vs. HC rooms, shouldn't there end up being more HC availability to everyone? It all has to balance out in the end. Plus, I don't see HC members using their points to book HGVC rooms as much, since those points are much more expensive -- doesn't seem like a good use of their points.

Kurt

 

[JTurner538]

Yes... The rooms at HC properties will be available, but for most people, a booking window of 45 days makes it hard to impossible to plan a vacation. If they limited HC members to 45 days at HGVC properties it would all even out. They can book HGVC properties 9 months in advance whole were stuck with 45 days at their properties.

From a cost per point vantage point, most HC members shouldn't use those points for a HGVC unit. However, most timeshare users aren't breaking down cost per point. You have to remember, TUGers are a relatively small portion of the time share market .