Manhattan Club for Four Seasons

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

I am new to II and am trying to arrange a springtime exchange to Four Seasons Aviara. So far I have been unsuccesful and I assume this must be due to trade power issues. Would a Manhattan Club reservation for late November be approximately an eqivalent exchange?
I am interested in exploring direct exchnage options.
Thanks for any advice.
happymum

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

I am new to II and am trying to arrange a springtime exchange to Four Seasons Aviara. So far I have been unsuccesful and I assume this must be due to trade power issues. Would a Manhattan Club reservation for late November be approximately an eqivalent exchange?
I am interested in exploring direct exchnage options. Thanks for any advice.
happymum

I've not been to FSA but have heard about it and seen pictures. I've been to TMW, not in the II units. If you're talking Thanksgiving and Macy's Parade/Rockettes/Xmas shopping, maybe, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Four Seasons Aviara Units are usually seen online for May and October.
Late November in NYC is very desireable as the Thanksgiving to New Years time is a busy one in NYC.

I have traded into FS 2BR using a Marriott Gold week for the first week of May.
If you are talking about THIS May you might be a little late - but put a request in and see.
Do a "Request First" so if you don't get the trade, you still have your week to use or rent or to deposit if you would like.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

If you own a MC Penthouse that trades through II, do a request first for FSA. II doesn't get many MC deposits so you might not get what you want.

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

I am new to II and am trying to arrange a springtime exchange to Four Seasons Aviara. So far I have been unsuccesful and I assume this must be due to trade power issues. Would a Manhattan Club reservation for late November be approximately an eqivalent exchange?
I am interested in exploring direct exchnage options.
Thanks for any advice.
happymum

You never know! Someone might direct with you. MC at Thanksgiving is a nice week to offer for April/May FSA.

Why don't you put a wanted add in the classifieds here and Craigslist <both SCal and NYC> and see what you get?

as mentioned previously one is almost always RCI and they other II so would be a tough exchange unless you caught a exchange-opportunity" which do come up every once in a while.

I've bee seeing Villa L'Auberge in RCI for May 2008 which has been killing me and mioght be an attractive alternative to FSA for you.

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

Thanks for the advice!

Thanks everyone . I really appreciate the suggestions!
Lawren. I wasnt familiar with Villa L'Auberge at all, but you are right. It sounds perfect for what I am looking for!

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

Villa L'Auberge is not in the Four Seasons category. It's in the beautiful village of Del Mar...and it might be perfect for you...but it's VERY different from Four Seasons Aviara.

A few of the differences: The villas at Four Seasons are huge. The villas at Villa L'Auberge are quite small...especially considering it's upscale reputation. Four Seasons is secluded and quiet in a very nice residential area.

The units at Villa L'Auberge, in contrast, are located RIGHT on the heavily-used train tracks. Some units have a view of the ocean...but it is cluttered with power lines, passing trains, a run down motel, etc. right in your line of sight. You are much closer to the ocean at Villa L'Auberge...but you can't walk directly to the beach from your villa. You have to walk up a steep hill past some very dated 1970s condos, around a corner, down a hill, and over the railroad tracks.

At the Four Seasons, there are huge grounds including the hotel and the villas. At Villa L'Auberge, the grounds at the condos are non-existent. You just have the two small buildings with a very tight parking lot between them. The grounds of the Inn are separated by the aforementioned 1970s condos. It's not a great set up...certainly not the romantic, idyllic scene I had pictured in my mind.

Finally, the villas at Villa L'Auberge are not air conditioned. That may or may not be an issue for you. But it can get warm in San Diego...even at the beach. And the trains are even louder with the windows open.

Steve

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

Villa L'Auberge is not in the Four Seasons category. It's in the beautiful village of Del Mar...and it might be perfect for you...but it's VERY different from Four Seasons Aviara.

A few of the differences: The villas at Four Seasons are huge. The villas at Villa L'Auberge are quite small...especially considering it's upscale reputation. Four Seasons is secluded and quiet in a very nice residential area.


;;;;

Finally, the villas at Villa L'Auberge are not air conditioned. That may or may not be an issue for you. But it can get warm in San Diego...even at the beach. And the trains are even louder with the windows open.

Steve

Steve Your points are all well taken. The OP is looking for a difficult exchange with a deposit into II with a primarily RCI trading resort. Many of the VL'A units have views and being in DelMar has quitea few pluses. This was offered as a VERY nice RCI alternative to consider.

Must have been pretty hard to squeeze in The world-class resort grounds feature two ocean view pools, a full-service European spa, lighted tennis courts and an open-air fitness pavilion. in between the 2 buildings and the parking lot huh?

FWIW, you may have not been to VL'A recently:
All units are equipped with central air conditioning and heating, and non-smoking units are available upon request.

Although May on the coast shouldn't be an issue.

Here are pictures of the remodeled units circa 2006: http://www.villalauberge.com/modelunit.asp

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

Must have been pretty hard to squeeze in The world-class resort grounds feature two ocean view pools, a full-service European spa, lighted tennis courts and an open-air fitness pavilion. in between the 2 buildings and the parking lot huh?

FWIW, you may have not been to VL'A recently:
All units are equipped with central air conditioning and heating, and non-smoking units are available upon request.

Although May on the coast shouldn't be an issue.

Here are pictures of the remodeled units circa 2006: http://www.villalauberge.com/modelunit.asp

Lawren,

Apparently, the resort has added air conditioning...which it needed. However, I have to ask if you have ever been to the resort? If so, you would know that the Villas are on their own tiny parcel of land which is down a steep hill and past the old condos from the Inn. The pools, spa, tennis courts, and open-air fitness pavillion are all located at the Inn.

I may not have been to the Villas recently enough to know that they have added air conditioning. But apparently you have never been there. Pictures don't always give an accurate view of a place...which I think is the reason that people come online and ask people who have actually visited.

Steve

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

Lawren,

Apparently, the resort has added air conditioning...which it needed. However, I have to ask if you have ever been to the resort? If so, you would know that the Villas are on their own tiny parcel of land which is down a steep hill and past the old condos from the Inn. The pools, spa, tennis courts, and open-air fitness pavillion are all located at the Inn.

I may not have been to the Villas recently enough to know that they have added air conditioning. But apparently you have never been there. Pictures don't always give an accurate view of a place...which I think is the reason that people come online and ask people who have actually visited.

Steve

Steve I have not stayed there but have been on the grounds. I like to stay at timeshares when I vist my Dad. Yes the grounds are separated and again your points are valid. It is definately NOT FSA.

To say that there are not any grounds besides a parking lot is misleading.

I would stay there in a heartbeat if a week came up that we could use and I have no qualms whatsoever of offering this resort as a good alternative to the OP.