RCI doesn't "have timeshares" - it is an exchange network. I'd assume if someone is giving you use of their timeshare to trade, they would also have loaned you a copy of the directory that lists all properties by region.

But you just can't pick a place and automatically get it - you (or rather your family member) has to put in a request. If it is a very popular place you might not get in.

So - first get together w/ the timeshare owner and go over which areas look good to you and then start the process. There are hundreds so you'd need to narrow things down a bit before anyone can help you much.

I have the book - and we have put in our dates. I understand we need to be flexible on location. I was just curious about experiences others have had - if we're fortunate enough to be choosy on a location. Thanks!

" I was just curious about experiences others have had"

Your experience depends on the specific resort. They can be so very different. Some are deluxe,purpose built resorts, some are essentially converted motels, some are totally unique, some are cookie cutter, some are well run/some not, some are HUGE, some are small.

Sort of like asking "What was your experience staying in a hotel in Florida?" - Sort of depends on which hotel.

Not being difficult here - but there are so many options (hundreds really) that no one can give you much help. Maybe a way to go about this is to decide which resorts are on your short list (probably a pretty long list since you have flexibility) and then ask about those specific places.

A sister-in-law gave us her share and we used it for Vancouver, BC.

This was about our 15th choice. We are not resort people and most of the choices were resorts.

We have used into many times in the US, Italy, UK and New Zealand. Can't always get first choice, but if you are willing to be flexiable on dates and locations, you can do well. We've done about a dozen RCI exchanges and never been disappoionted yet.

the webiste will show you availablity at the various locations in the area you are interested in. ou can put in a range of dates (up to 10 weeks, I think) and an area, and it will give you a list of units available.

www.rci.com

You may need their log-in to be able to do this. And they must have already "deposited" their week.

There will be 2 fees to pay---an exchange fee and a transfer fee (since you are using it instead of the RCI members).

We have been to several RCI resorts in Hilton Head and have loved them all. If you have the names of some you can stay in, I will be glad to give my reviews. We have found we always like the gold and silver crown ratings.

nlg - I was looking at the Disney Hilton Head Resort. What do you think about going there with teens?

We haven't been to the Disney Resort, but from what I have read it gets very good reviews.

Hilton Head has great bike paths all around the island-if you and your family like to ride bikes and there are many good restaurants. The beach is nice for walking and you can also ride bikes on the beach.

We have stayed at the Monarch at Sea Pines, Waterside, Egret Point, The Cottages and will be staying at Southwind in Shipyard later this month. All of these are nice-most of the condo's have two or three bedrooms.

I might be mistaken, but I seem to remember that when we sat through a presentation a few years ago we realized Disney's Hilton Head Resort didn't have beach frontage. I think the the great Hilton Head beaches are actually 'across the street', so to speak. I believe Disney provided a shuttle to the beach though.

Bowsprit - yes, that's the only down side I see to the Disney property, but we have teenagers so it wouldn't be as bad as trying to transport little ones back and forth. I'm still on the fence about HH as a summer family vacation spot.

When we were on Hilton Head, we stopped in to see the WD Resort and we were deeply disappointed. We are Disney Vacation Club owners and have stayed at multiple WDW Vacation Club properties--Beach Club, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge--and all were superb! The HH property was just not in the same category with Disney's usual level of resort. Also it was *so* in the middle of nowhere on the island. I would skip it.

HH in the summer months is really sticky, humid, oppressively hot, in my opinion. I can't tolerate the heat and humidity of the southeast in the summer; I don't know if this is a consideration for you, too.

We stayed at one in Key Largo and really liked it. If the kids are interested in snorkeling it might be an idea they would be happy with.

We've done three RCI trades, all excellent experiences - Sedona, Orlando & San Diego. I used the RCI website and read all the online reviews before selecting a property. I was lucky and always go my first choice (of course I put in my requests almost a year ahead).

I have a timeshare through RCI. Last summer in July I went to the Berkshires in Massachusetts and stayed in Vacation Village in the Berkshires (#6057). I really enjoyed myself. There were lots of families there who seemed to be enjoying themselves. I am not sure what teens would like to do there, they can be pains in the butt.

There is hiking, arts, museums (I loved the Normal Rockwell museum), swimming (pool - I don't know about lakes), cute New England towns, roadside ice cream places out the wazoo, I think Jiminy Peak has an alpine slide.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. I remember there seemed to be a good amount of availability in the resorts in the Berkshires

Jiminy has an alpine slide. Lots of other activities as well - Mt Biking, skeet-shooting, etc. There are a few lakes around there but not sure if I would swim in them but some people do (lots of old GE property around). Definitely lots of hiking - Mt Greylock, bunch of State Forests, Monument Mountain.

I believe Oak n Spruce in Lee is also RCI and that would be a good location for Berkshire County.

Thank you everyone! That has sealed the deal on not going to HH.I also appreciate the suggestion of Bershires in MA. I will look into. It looks like RCI has a lot of options in FL, so I'm considering that as well. I would like to stay around St. Pete - thinking we can enjoy the beach and maybe a day trip to Busch Gardens or Disney??? I will look at all ideas - so appreciate any others!

Other than the excellent suggestion in MA, are there are resorts you recommend in FL or Myrtle Beach? I'm shying away from a week a full week staying at Disney. Even if our lodging is covered - that seems like a very expensive week. What about someplace along the gulf coast? I mentioned St. Pete above, or Sanibel Island? Thoughts? I saw Tradewinds in the panhandle area. I liked some of the planned activities for the teens. Anyone been/heard of that spot?

blueslipper, I'm just curious: Where's your homebase?

We own a timeshare and we often give a week to friends or family to exchange with RCI.
What we have found easiest is to call RCI and ask them what they have available for the week and location you want.

The reason I say this is often we will spend literally hours, sometimes days deciding on locations and places and nothing is available. I've had to say in desperation, what do you have in the entire East Coast. Nothing? How about the entire West Coast? Nothing? When will something be available?

Or you can tell them the general date range and the general location and ask them to keep you posted with what comes available. For example I will say the month of April & anywhere in the Caribbean. Then they will contact me when something comes up, and I can decline or accept. If I decline they continune to contact me until something I like pops up.

Some areas are easier than other locations. It is a tricky process because the timeshare swap you are interested in may be up for trade a year in advance or a month in advance. It depends of when the timeshare owner puts it up for trade. Some people wait until the last minute.

Wow, I am amazed at that level of customer service! They will call you when something comes up? Almost unheard of in this day and age.

Still no luck on finding anything available! Bowspirit - our home base is IL. RCI has an ongoing search going for us - we can only do two searches so we have it on the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic. I guess part of the problem might be that it's a "white" week, plus we only have one week we're having them search. I'm not sure what a "white" week means - I should have asked.

I believe that "red week" is the highest ranking and so when one is trading a red week, the choices are better. My guess would be that white week is a lower ranking, but just guessing, did you try googling it?

A "White week" has the lowest trading priority. I have found that to get something in the areas that you are looking you need to book almost a year in advance and I have a red week. I stayed at a property in Williamsburg, VA that had availability pretty much all the time. There are a few large properties in Williamsburg. It was very nice. Things to do on the property, in Williamsburg, and just 2 hours away from DC. We drove to Alexandria and took the Metro into DC. Also near Norfolk,VA.