Are Timeshare Holidays Best for Family Breaks?
Is Holiday Ownership Worth it? Are the Vacations & Apartments Good?
Nov 3, 2009
Most holidaymakers are soon aware of the holiday touts wherever they vacation, from the scratchcard reps standing on street corners to the more sophisticated approaches that may be made via holiday reps at unsolicited in-hotel presentations.
Unsolicited junk mailings, emails and even representatives in town centres at home have also raised the profile of these types of holiday experience. But the question arising for most people, is whether or not the purchase of a Timeshare or Holiday Club Membership is a good value for money investment and if these holidays are suitable breaks for families.
Are Timeshare Vacations or Holiday Memberships Any Good?
Certainly when presented with the initial expense of buying into Timeshare or Holiday Ownership, the average holidaymaker, particularly with a growing family, recoils in horror.
After an arduous session with the Timeshare Sales Rep where every possible benefit of a timeshare holiday has been discussed in minute detail, virtually every single holiday destination has been viewed and the various options for holidaying mulled over, the initial reaction to the cost of buying in to this type of holidaying is an instinctive "No!" and a hasty retreat. However, it has to be said that the purchase of a holiday membership plan or timeshare is definitely worth further consideration.
Indeed for the 'freebie' lovers, this further consideration has given many free self catering breaks at worldwide timeshare locations, sometimes with free flights too. Some of the seasoned timeshare freebie holidaymakers even boast that they never have to pay for a holiday as they can always avail themselves of the free holidays offered by sales reps.
Whilst most people do not fall into this category, it has to be said that the opportunity to Try before you Buy can be a remarkable way of experiencing the pleasures of Timeshare or Holiday Ownership.
Some Advantages of Timeshare Ownership
Whilst by no means an exhaustive list, the following are some reasons to consider the purchase of Timeshare or Holiday Ownership:
- Accommodation is generally far superior to package hotels or self catering accommodation
- Annual fixed holiday weeks at excellent resorts
- Timeshare properties can often be former mansions, castles, luxury properties which, on the whole, are not traditional family destinations
- Many of the resorts offer vast landscaped grounds, with play facilities for children
- Golfing can often be part of a package, as many of the resorts are situated on golf courses
- Staff are friendly and helpful
- Cleaning of the apartment is regular, often daily in some resorts
- Ensures an annual family holiday
- Generally good standards of cleanliness throughout the resort, spa and pool areas
- Number of different holiday destinations available.
Some of the Disadvantages of Timeshare or Holiday Ownership
Again this list is not exhaustive, over recent years, the Dollar/Pound/Euro exchange rate has certainly forced holidaymakers to review this type of holidaying:
- Initial cost of the purchase can seem far too high
- Timeshare weeks are fixed weeks, it is not always possible to arrange a holiday at a fixed date annually even though exchanges can be available
- For Timeshare, it may be difficult to exchange weeks
- With Holiday Ownership, many of the resorts will need to be booked up to a year in advance due to their popularity
- Annual management charge, this can be very high with some organisations and it is an annual expense that will need to be budgeted
Finally, timeshare holidays can be a great way for a family to holiday, the resorts and apartments tend to be good quality and helpful staff are on hand to ensure a relaxing break.
HOL101
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