Marriott Custom House v. Westin St. John

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Okay, now that I don't have to buy a new car, I have fallen off the timeshare wagon and am contemplating a purchase.

Here's what I am pondering:

A 1 bedroom plat Marriott Custom House: Asking 13,500 (same one)

OR

Westin St. John, 2 bed, week 38/float, Asking: 14,999.


I am leaning towards the WSJ as it is a larger and good trader, but the price may not be as negotiable as the MCU.

Please weigh in with any advice.

Thanking you in advance.,,,

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

No way that I would buy that Westin....Very high maintenance, and not a good week for trading. JMHO.

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

Okay, now that I don't have to buy a new car, I have fallen off the timeshare wagon and am contemplating a purchase.

Here's what I am pondering:

A 1 bedroom plat Marriott Custom House: Asking 13,500 (same one)

OR

Westin St. John, 2 bed, week 38/float, Asking: 14,999.


I am leaning towards the WSJ as it is a larger and good trader, but the price may not be as negotiable as the MCU.

Please weigh in with any advice.

Thanking you in advance.,,,

Back AWAY from the Custom House....remember Branson

Also remember that the WSJ doesn't REALLY float unless you are buying in phase 2 which are all true floats from what I have heard. But phase 2 will not be priced so low even in September....that is a great price!
MFs are VERY high, aren't they? Please share the number as I am curious.
The up side is you should be able to rent this unit even in Sept to cover your MFs

The friend u met at WSJ just purchased a week EOY there, contact her for more info

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

Beags, the reason I am negative about the Custom House is because it is not a lock-off or even a 2BR - u just can do better spending your money on a different Marriott.

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

Beags......Since you seem to be able to travel during flexchange, you should buy 2 units. Buy a low end unit from Marriott, and any Sheraton that you can get for a good price.

That will allow you test both systems, and get you the preference on both. During flexchange, you will see everything, and your options will be good for shoulder season, as well.

BTW....You should be able to get a Sheraton in "Platinum Season" for a very good price. Well worth the investment, IMO.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Right now, the only thing that would concern me about the WSJ is airfare. If airfare continues to be an issue, and I'm under the assumption that it will be, how much demand is there going to be if your plans are to use this resort as an exchanger?

If you're planning on using it for personal usage and the potential for expensive airfare to get there doesn't bother you, the WSJ sounds like a better choice. Heck, I think I'd rather vacation on St. John than in Boston every year if I had to choose between the two. Assuming of course it's not hurricane season.

The other consideration I'd have is comparing the internal exchange system. With Marriott there really isn't that much benefit of being a Marriott owner over external exchanging. The biggest benefit seems to be better unit location when they're making unit assignments. Marriott generally gives preference to Marriott owners vs those exchanging in from other developers. But I would bet Westin is the same way.

I suppose one could look at the number of resorts and there locations each system has as well. Marriott does have a large number of resorts within there system. I'm not sure how many or how much variety Westin offers.

There is one other item I'm not certain is 100% true since it came from a Marriott salesman. When I was talking about exchanging our 1 bedroom LO for the 2 bedroom Barony and that we had exchanged that 1 bedroom unit (next years deposit) for a 1 bedroom at Custom House, he said it was a good trade because custom house 1 bedrooms trade as 2 bedroom units. Somehow I have my doubts about the validity of that comment but, if I was considering purchasing a Custom House unit it's something I'd look a little into a little further.

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

Beags, the reason I am negative about the Custom House is because it is not a lock-off or even a 2BR - u just can do better spending your money on a different Marriott.

Agreed.....It is not the best Marriott to get you a number of vacations. However, if that's where you really want to vacation, every year, then I guess it's worth purchasing.

Again, you can travel during flexchange, and most likely one would show up. If you're on top of things, you can grab it.

PS.....Remember, I'm seeing the current Custom House with an AC.

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

The other consideration I'd have is comparing the internal exchange system. With Marriott there really isn't that much benefit of being a Marriott owner over external exchanging. The biggest benefit seems to be better unit location when they're making unit assignments. Marriott generally gives preference to Marriott owners vs those exchanging in from other developers. But I would bet Westin is the same way.
.

The reason she wants to buy a Marriott is to get the 24 day Marriott to Marriott preference in II. It is difficult to get the 'good' Marriotts at preferred times without another Marriott to use for exchange.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

The reason she wants to buy a Marriott is to get the 24 day Marriott to Marriott preference in II. It is difficult to get the 'good' Marriotts at preferred times without another Marriott to use for exchange.

Yes, this is the crux of my existential crisis !!!
I'm on the "outside looking in" with the Marriotts !

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

Doug,

The other consideration I'd have is comparing the internal exchange system. With Marriott there really isn't that much benefit of being a Marriott owner over external exchanging. The biggest benefit seems to be better unit location when they're making unit assignments. Marriott generally gives preference to Marriott owners vs those exchanging in from other developers. But I would bet Westin is the same way.

Big difference in the two......Marriott has a 24 day preference period, which really prevents many people from trading into the system, even other 5* weeks.

Westin only has a 3 day preference period. Many, many times there are top weeks sitting online for anyone to grab. That includes Westin in AZ, Palm Springs, Hawaii & Cancun.

WSJ & Atlantis are much, much harder to get. However, the reason is because they are not deposited into II, often. That being the case, even another WSJ or Atlantis would find it difficult to trade back in.

I would not want to pay the maintenance on a 2bdrm Westin in St Johns unless I was going to use it. Therefore, I wouldn't want to own in September, because I wouldn't want to go in September.

There is nothing in II worth paying that maintenance fee for, as an exchange. IMHO

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

I would buy the Custom House, if I could get it for a good price. Here's my reasoning.

1. It serves your Marriott purpose.

2. It's a city timeshare--the ONLY timeshare in that particular major East Coast city. Over time, the demand for a Boston timeshare can only go up. Branson's demand will only go down over time. Even if more timeshares are built in Boston, there can never be the saturation there is in Branson.

3. You live in Boston, so someday you might use it yourself. No flying! Is there day use of the facilities there?

4. I just like Boston. And the location of the Custom House is so good, too. You can always rent it out.

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

I would buy the Custom House, if I could get it for a good price. Here's my reasoning.

1. It serves your Marriott purpose.

2. It's a city timeshare--the ONLY timeshare in that particular major East Coast city. Over time, the demand for a Boston timeshare can only go up. Branson's demand will only go down over time. Even if more timeshares are built in Boston, there can never be the saturation there is in Branson.

3. You live in Boston, so someday you might use it yourself. No flying! Is there day use of the facilities there?

4. I just like Boston. And the location of the Custom House is so good, too. You can always rent it out.

1. it is not a good use of the Marriott purpose - it is only a 1BR - the key is to own a 2BR L/O that also gets an AC from II.
2. True about city location.
Doesn't matter about the rest of Branson/Orlando/Williamsburg - only has to do with it being a Marriott.
3. LOL, yes, herself.
4. agree about location and rental

Wacky - while it is not an EASY trade - a Platinum Marriott owner with 13 month lead time can trade into Boston without a problem.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

You know, a while back, Lawren gave some great advice and then I forgot about it (my pointed little head gets overload) and here's what I think I will do. Rent from them (or similar) Caribbean villa rentals by WIMCO - Caribbean and Europe Villa Vacation Specialists . For a little more than the annual WSJ mf, I can get a nice villa when & where I want.

Of course, this could change from moment to moment !

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Beags, the reason I am negative about the Custom House is because it is not a lock-off or even a 2BR - u just can do better spending your money on a different Marriott.

Pat,
So if one bought an EOY Branson, would the season (silver, gold, plat) be a factor if bought for trading ?
This is so informative ! Thank you.
B.

Late edit: Never mind, I just read your info on Biskits' query and read that seasons do matter.

Do you know the story about the Vail Colorado Marriotts on ebay and why they're selling so cheaply ?

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

Pat,
So if one bought an EOY Branson, would the season (silver, gold, plat) be a factor if bought for trading ?
This is so informative ! Thank you.
B.

Not Pat, but yes, it would, as well as the size, and the actual week you deposited.

During flexchange, it wouldn't matter. I have seen bronze 1 bdrm's get 2 bdrm platinums weeks, no problem. However, outside of flexchange, it would make a huge difference. Although you would still have the Marriott preference, you would be on the bottom of the II food chain with a bronze week. Supply and demand, unit size, season, actual week, all would dictate your trading power.