Once you’ve decided upon your next vacation and the exact destination, besides transportation, the most important thing to consider is where to stay. Since there are so many different types of accommodations, how do you choose the one that fits you and your family’s needs the best? Read on as we offer up the pros and cons of timeshare vacation homes, vacation clubs, or hotels.
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Best Types of Accommodations
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From hotels to motels, timeshare vacation homes to vaca, travelers can choose between myriad options for the best types of accommodations.
Cost and availability are usually the only real determining factors for most. You always want to have basics, such as transparency about costs, direct contact with consultants helping individuals, and value for money.
The best type of accommodations comes down to what you want from your getaway, what you enjoy, and what you prefer to avoid.
If you dislike nature, you aren’t going camping. If you get seasick, then a cruise is not for you.
To help you decide, read on as we compare timeshare vacation homes, vacation clubs, and hotels for what best suits your vacation needs.
Timeshare Vacation Homes
While the cost of vacations gets increasingly more expensive, a set schedule for annual travel for you and your family might be a priority. Then a timeshare might be the answer for you. I have several friends and acquaintances that are very happy with their timeshare vacation homes.
Timeshare vacation homes offer ownership in a specific property, although it only allows each timeshare owner a set number of days or weeks throughout the year.
Many timeshare providers now offer a bit more flexibility to use their timeshare days (or points) to trade points to vacation when and where you want. However, despite these benefits, timeshare vacation homes can be costly, long-term investments — and potentially a long-term headache.
Historically, the timeshare industry is rife with scams and smooth-talking con artists. The contracts are often vague, and most people have no idea what they are getting themselves into. Be sure to have a lawyer go over your contract first though. Don’t make any hasty decision, and if the salesperson is pressuring you to make a decision, walk away.
Put some thought into whether a timeshare is really right for you and your family. Balance the short-term satisfaction with the long-term cost.
Another option is to rent from someone who owns a timeshare.
Vacation Clubs
Vacation clubs sound great at first. You pay a fee and have access to a bunch of vacation spots. What could possibly be wrong with that? Then you read the fine print, and you start to notice a couple of curious details. Examples are Marriot Vacation Club, Club Wyndham, Disney Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations Club, and Four Seasons Residence Club.
A shared deeded ownership allows some degree of right to use a property or accommodation, but you don’t actually own it. It’s a floating week contract and can be occupied by each party.
Hold on a second, is this a timeshare?
In almost every respect, yes, it certainly is.
The only real difference is that there is no deeded property negotiated in the contract. The rest of the pitfalls remain the same. In fact, in recent times, the two terms have become interchangeable.
Just like timeshare vacation homes, I have many friends who recommend vacation clubs.
Hotels
If you listen to a timeshare sales pitch, it is easy to believe that hotels are the sharks of the vacation industry. Yes, a once-off visit may seem pricey, but in the long run, you will likely save money. You will also be spared a lot of stress.
A hotel visit is at your own leisure. You decide when and where you go and for how long. It is a straightforward transaction that does not lock you into any hidden contractual fees and obligations.
You decide on the price range that you prefer, and depending on this factor, you can customize your experience and change things up every year.
Hotels offer package deals, and when you take some of the included extras into consideration, you may find that you are saving more than you think.
Timeshares do not offer packages and no inclusions.
Vacation clubs may bring you in proximity to such amenities, but they are hardly included.
Bottom line is that booking a hotel is still the most flexible, cost-effective way to enjoy your vacations in comfort, without all the risks associated with timeshares and vacation clubs.
Consider these 4 Things to Look for When Choosing a Hotel.