This guest post was provided by Tom Tessin. He runs FindAirlineCards, an airline reward / travel blog helping travelers save on a daily basis.When I first heard about timeshares, I always thought about scams. I thought about the hard pushing salesperson, as well as if it’s really worth it with all the fees. After doing some research, I have found that there are some great opportunities out there when it comes to timeshares.
Today, I wanted to showcase on some comparisons with hotels vs.
timeshares. They both have their advantages, but I will let you be the judge on what is going to work best for you and your vacations.
Timeshares - Cheaper in the Long Run
A timeshare is going to be an upfront payment, which many people don’t like, but if you buy them second hand on the timeshare resale market, you can find that you can get up to 80% off, which is a fantastic deal. From my studies online, it looks as if as you can recoup your money over 10 years time, making it a worthwhile investment, seeing a hotel will increase in price over time.
- Nice Amenities with a Timeshare
Yes, there are nice hotels that allow you to have a kitchen and everything else, but generally they are hard to come by. What you’re going to find with a timeshare is that you’re going to get some of the best hotels when it comes to traveling. If you book early enough, you can get the hotel stay during peak times. You will find that many of your timeshare condos have full bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, balconies, washer / dryers and more.
- You’re not Limited
While at first you may think that you are limited to just the resort you purchased, you actually have a wide range of choices through timeshare exchange. If you want to visit different places, simply choose a web site, such as RedWeek.com, to post your property up for exchange and browse their selection to find your new travel destination for just one vacation or do it every year and see the world.
Hotels- No Annual Recurring Fees
Something that could be considered a drawback with a timeshare is the recurring annual fees. You’re going to have to pay taxes, maintenance fees, as well as a transfer fee (in some cases) if you do decide to sell in the future. If you travel each year, you will find that these fees will be worth it, but if you skip a year here and there, a hotel stay might be better for you.
- Flexibility of Days
With a timeshare, you have to travel weekend to weekend with a full 7 day stay. Often times airfares are cheaper when you fly mid-week so with a hotel stay, you can be much more flexible in choosing which days and how long you’d like to stay. Plus, you can be more spontaneous in your travel arrangements by using a hotel. Ready to take a trip? Just make a reservation at the drop of a hat. Even with timeshare rental, it would be hard to make a quick reservation with only a few days notice.
If you are considering buying a timeshare, always make sure that you do your research. They more you know, the better educated and informed decision you can make that will suit your vacation needs now and for years to come. And, if timeshares are something you’d like to try, rent one first at your favorite resort and make sure it’s a good fit before you put your money down.
Have you noticed that in life if it isn't one thing it's sure to be another? Or as comedienne Gilda Radner famously noted "It's Always Something." Airline travelers are being hit right and left with one extra fee after another these days. Nobody likes it, but we're all getting used to it.
Now comes the word that many hotels are jumping on the same bandwagon. With occupancy at all time lows, hotels are attempting to make up lost revenue by adding extra charges, some up front and some hidden.
As you read through this partial list, keep in mind that if instead of staying in a hotel you purchase a
timeshare resale, or vacation in a
timeshare rental, most if not all of these extra fees will mean absolutely nothing to you.
- Charged for telephone calls you don't make, for smoking in a non-smoking room when you didn't, for unordered movies, etc.
- Extra charge for a towel by the pool, and you're not allowed to bring one from your room. If you take the pool towel back to your room, you're charged again.
- Business Center - even if you don't use it, by staying in the hotel that has it you are charged a Business Center fee.
- Fitness Center - same here - if you never set foot in the fitness center or gym you can still be charged a fee just for it being on the premises.
- Safe. Even if you don't use it, you can be charged a fee to cover the cost of providing a safe and the insurance policy that covers the contents.
- Water. The special "gift" of a bottle of water left in your room can cost you up to $6.
- The "complimentary" newspaper left outside your door, whether you want it or not, can cost you another fee for the "convenience."
- Housekeeping and bellman gratuities. Even if you are a considerate guest and always plan on appropriate tipping, many hotels automatically tack on $30 to $50 to cover the gratuities anyway.
- Energy surcharge. Intended to recover the rising costs of providing electrical power, this charge can add $3-$6 dollars a day to your bill. Can you believe it?
- And watch out for this one! Mini bar - no not the insane charges for each thing you actually consume. We're talking about an "unstocking charge" for each item that you move to find a place for your own things, or even if you pick something up just to look at it. Sensors in the bar record your action and add the product's fee to your room bill.
Vacationing with a
timeshare starting to look pretty good? You Bet!
Do you know the difference between a timeshare rental and a hotel room? Most people don't realize that timeshare units are so much different than hotels and it’s especially noticeable when traveling with a group of four or more. Instead of trying to fit everyone into ONE single hotel room, or paying more to try and arrange adjoining rooms, you get more space and more home-like amenities that make your travel experience much more enjoyable for families. Here’s the comparison:
Hotel:- One room with a bed and a bathroom
This setup is particularly difficult for families with young children. You know how it is, once you put the kids to sleep, you have to go to sleep too because everyone is in one room.
Timeshare:- One, two, or three bedrooms
- A central living room (usually with a sleeper sofa)
- Dining area
- A complete kitchen with full-size stove, oven, microwave, and dishwasher, as well as dishes and utensils
- Washer and dryer
- One, two, and sometimes three full bathrooms
This is optimal for family travel because parents can put the kids to bed in one bedroom and continue to enjoy the rest of their evening in the additional living areas.
Save Money with Timeshares:Plus, think of the cost savings being able to prepare meals in the full kitchen in your room and not needing to eat out three times a day. In addition to the additional space, you will pay less for a timeshare rental than you would pay for the same room on a travel website. Timeshare owners can list their rentals online and offer them at any rate they wish, since they own the week. If you’ve never tried renting a timeshare before, you should compare prices. As you look at listings on a timeshare rental Web site, the number of bedrooms shown are almost always actual rooms off of the main living area. A studio or hotel-style accommodation would be listed as having zero bedrooms. Because they're typically equipped with sleeper sofas, a one-bedroom will usually sleep four people comfortably.
Get More:Many timeshare resorts offer complimentary children's and family activities such as game night, movie night and even arts and crafts. Movie rentals are also an option with VCRs or DVD players in the units, so families can save money on entertainment as well. And, most have at least one (if not more) swimming pools at the resort and are often near: water parks, miniature golf courses, standard golf courses and theme parks to keep the family completely entertained. For your next family vacation,
timeshare rental is truly is the best way to go.
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