blueslipper

Family is giving us a week of their RCI timeshare this summer. Is anyone familiar with properties they're affiliated with? We're considering New England, Mid-Atlantic or the Carolinas. Looking for a family vacation with teens....but are pretty open considering our gift of lodging!

janisj

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.

blueslipper

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!

janisj

" 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.

Aduchamp1

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.

boom_boom

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.

enzian

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).

nlg

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.

blueslipper

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

nlg

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.

Bowsprit

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.

blueslipper

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.

socialworker

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.

Bowsprit

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.

ccolor

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.

adnil1962

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).

vjpblovesitaly

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

tchoiniere

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.

blueslipper

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!

blueslipper

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?