San Francisco Trading Power

[winnipiseogee Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close winnipiseogee]

I'm thinking about buying a floating week at either the Donatello or Fishermans Wharf in San Fran. We would use it about 50% of the time but want to make sure that we have strong trading ability when we don't. Anyone care to comment about the relative trading strength of either location? We would buy a one bedroom suite at either location.

Thanks!

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

There are no one bedrooms only Studio/4 at Donatello. Shell now trades with II and that is very new. I don't believe anyone could give you a trade power answer at this point. It is a city location so I imagine it would be decent.

My understanding is the MFs are pretty high and to see Fishermans Wharf was always a very rare occurance back when they were RCI affiliated.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

I'm thinking about buying a floating week at either the Donatello or Fishermans Wharf in San Fran. We would use it about 50% of the time but want to make sure that we have strong trading ability when we don't. Anyone care to comment about the relative trading strength of either location? We would buy a one bedroom suite at either location.

Thanks!

winnipiseogee - San Francisco has year round global demand and a small supply of space that gets traded, as most owners use their time rather than trade. Simply put, this means San Francisco has "Very High" trading power.

Shell Donatello and Club Donatello (There are two associations in the same building) are only large hotel room units. If there are more than 2 people for your 50% usage here in SF, then you would need to consider Suites at Fisherman's Wharf.

If it is only for no more than 2 people when you come here, then you may want to consider Shell Donatello, or Club Donatello. Club Donatello was the original timeshare, occupying the top 3 floors of accommodations, with the lower floors being a regular hotel, until Shell Group purchased the hotel portion and timeshared it.

If you are interested in the Club Donatello, the original units sold for around $19,000 per week about 22 years ago. There are some resales available at incredible value pricing from the HOA.

If you buy a Shell or Club Donatello unit, and use SFX for your exchange... in resort areas you will be upgraded to a one bedroom sleep 4, plus other benefits.

Either way, SF will give you great trading power.

Hope this helps,

Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

I am looking at similar situation. Not trying to hijack thread, but I am looking at Fisherman's Wharf and Wyndham - both primarily because they have one bedroom units.

I do own WM points, but not impressed with what their SF resort looks like on the internet. My big kids will be staying there this week, so I am sure I will have a better idea after that. That is another option for you may want to look at.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

I am looking at similar situation. Not trying to hijack thread, but I am looking at Fisherman's Wharf and Wyndham - both primarily because they have one bedroom units.

I do own WM points, but not impressed with what their SF resort looks like on the internet. My big kids will be staying there this week, so I am sure I will have a better idea after that. That is another option for you may want to look at.

And just to hijack the thread even further... Presley, WM SF is a boutique type building with a a lot of character and history. It was previously the Juliana Hotel. Very close to Chinatown. WM remodeled it. I thought it was quite lovely when we stayed.

*****

edited to add for OP: WM does have 1bds sleeps 4 in SF..along with studios.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

And just to hijack the thread even further... Presley, WM SF is a boutique type building with a a lot of character and history. It was previously the Juliana Hotel. Very close to Chinatown. WM remodeled it. I thought it was quite lovely when we stayed.

*****

edited to add for OP: WM does have 1bds sleeps 4 in SF..along with studios.

As you may be well aware, SFX was founded as a result of about 300 SF timeshare owners supporting us by banking their weeks in the begining which helped launch SFX. Because of the huge demand for SF, this space was used as a trading block to parlay into space in other prime demanded locations. It was a concept of you have the trading power of a block, rather than the trading power of one. As the saying goes, "there is strenght in numbers".

You will find that each and every one of the timeshare properties in SF have their own unique character and personality. They are all very different, and it comes down to your personal taste and preferences.

They are all in good locations. Many people love staying at the Club Donatello because it is the closest to Union Square, just one small block. The others have some hill climbing (except Suites at Fisherman's Wharf which is in another part of town).

Hope this input helps. If you have any other questions about the properties, I will my best to assist.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

Hope this input helps. If you have any other questions about the properties, I will my best to assist.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

Since you offered....

Which locations would you suggest for purchase that have at least one full bedroom? Are any of the systems easier to do several short stays vs one week stays (other than WM)? I wonder if I should just be patient and wait for a 2bedroom Fisherman's Wharf.

Mark, do you take studios from WM SF for deposits? What about the rooms WM lists as hotel style? It's all confusing to me as I tend to think of Timeshares as being little apartments.

StressCadet, you make WM SF sound very nice. Do you remember which room category you had? It seems like when I look, they always have "less desirable location" available and that just sounds gross. Whether it is gross or not, I don't know.

[winnipiseogee Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close winnipiseogee]

Hijack away!!! We weren't wed to any specific timeshare - we just want time in SF. Interesting on the Donatello as the unit listed on EBAY right now is called a one bedroom/one bath but who trusts timeshare resellers?

Its tricky because I'm an RCI points member and if I understood correctly RCI would only give me 24,000 points for depositing the Donatello week which seems way low.

I'm going to check out the WM mentioned - we'd much rather something with a lot of character.

Although the Donatello looks nice with a kid in tow we need the extra bedroom.

If I buy a unit there is it easy to deposit with SFX and get good trades on the east coast &/or europe?

Thanks for all the info!!!

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Since you offered....



StressCadet, you make WM SF sound very nice. Do you remember which room category you had? It seems like when I look, they always have "less desirable location" available and that just sounds gross. Whether it is gross or not, I don't know.

I booked 2 units for us and family. Both 1bds with 2 baths. My personal unit was Top Floor. I booked that because those units..in the past...had 2 actual beds instead of 1 bed and a sleeper sofa and I had two teens with me. This isn't so anymore. It was also a lot smaller than the other exact unit that family members had on the 6th. Their living area was HUGE!!

Another quirky thing about top floor is our floor was slanted. I didn't mind but others might. You also have to take a small set of stairs as the elevator only goes to 7th floor. Top floor doesn't mean view either necessarily so stay away from that category.

I thought I was booking a "good unit" by picking top floor but in reality the unit on the 6th floor was superior.

The units had a small fridge, bar sink, microwave?? cant' remember, dishes, glasses, etc.

The property itself had a laundry room (I used it) a small fitness area., vending, a fireplace and computer in the lobby area..felt like a cozy living room. Nice staff. Very helpful. It will be interesting to hear your kids' impression. Which category did you book for them?

I also had a unit that week at Powell Place (Thanks Mark!! ) As Mark already stated, each timeshare property is unique, well located, and has it's own character or flavor. My family members REALLY liked Powell Place. It was a studio but there were only 2 of them-so it worked out fine. They liked have their "own apartment" in the city. They don't timeshare so it was a really neat experience for them.

I booked and/or exchanged for all 3 units during 4th of July week of '10. I thought I did pretty well for a holiday week.

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

Which category did you book for them?

Special needs studio - only because I booked for them on guest bonus time, so that was my only choice for a 4 night stay. Can't beat the price. I think I paid $160something for all four nights. I will ask them to email room pics to me when they get there.

Maybe I should just stick with WM for SF. I was concerned that the small rooms wouldn't have any type of kitchen, but it looks like they do. A fridge and a microwave are good enough.

If I choose to fly and not rent a car, any idea how much a cab would be to WM from the airport?

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

If I choose to fly and not rent a car, any idea how much a cab would be to WM from the airport?

I found some great information on the SFO website.

SFO - San Francisco International Airport - taxis to San Francisco

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

I found some great information on the SFO website.

SFO - San Francisco International Airport - taxis to San Francisco

There you go.

You can also take BART from the airport but there is a bit of luggage schleping involved. We drove because we visited WM Windsor first..DH dropped us/luggage off and then parked at the Colma Station and took BART in. He did the reverse on the way home..Took BART, picked up car and then picked us/luggage up at WM and drove home.

Of course this is all because I'm cheap. LOL. It cost 6.00 a day to long term park at the Colma station vs the parking garage across the street from WM at like 35.00 a day. I never missed my car once.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Maybe I should just stick with WM for SF. I was concerned that the small rooms wouldn't have any type of kitchen, but it looks like they do. A fridge and a microwave are good enough.

I just went to confirm on the microwave since I didn't remember. Yes, mini fridge, micro, toaster, coffee maker, dishes/glasses. Think of it as a small wet bar. There are candid (taken by owners) resort photos on WM Owners. The SF album has pics of a special needs studio-it's probably very much like what your kids will have.

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

Thanks, both. The taxi fee is much lower than I expected.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

There you go.

You can also take BART from the airport but there is a bit of luggage schleping involved. We drove because we visited WM Windsor first..DH dropped us/luggage off and then parked at the Colma Station and took BART in. He did the reverse on the way home..Took BART, picked up car and then picked us/luggage up at WM and drove home.

Of course this is all because I'm cheap. LOL. It cost 6.00 a day to long term park at the Colma station vs the parking garage across the street from WM at like 35.00 a day. I never missed my car once.

There was more information on the SFO website on transportation from the airport into the city besides just cabs.

If you do decide at any point to park at BART like stressy did, just be aware you need to prepay for the parking on the BART website, and print out the parking pass for your car. Here is the info from the BART website:

Airport/Long Term Parking
Airport/Long Term Permit parking is an exception to BART's 24-hour time restriction. Airport/Long Term parking is available for $5.00 a day at all East Bay BART parking lots (except Coliseum, Richmond and West Oakland) and for $6 per day in the Colma, South San Francisco, San Bruno and Millbrae BART parking lots. Airport/Long Term Program permits can be purchased for periods up to 60 days.

Reservations for Airport/Long Term parking with start or end dates ocurring on Saturday or Sunday will not be charged for those dates. (See Extended Weekend Policy). However, reservations for Airport/Long Term parking which begin and end on weekdays must pay for the Saturdays and Sundays if those days occur within the reservation period.

A limited number of Airport/Long Term spaces are available in the station Permit parking area. Spaces are guaranteed until 10 a.m. After 10 a.m., any unoccupied parking space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Buy your Airport/Long Term Parking Permit online now at Pacific Park Management/Parking Carma, which offers an easy, convenient and secure way to purchase with a credit card. Permits MUST be purchased online and in advance. Permits cannot be purchased AT the BART stations. Availability is limited and subject to prior sale, so you are encouraged to purchase as early as possible. Identify the dates and location desired and if availability exists you purchase using your major credit card, then download and print the permit which you will display on your dashboard when you park.