Are all Interval Resorts considered to be 5 Star?

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

If not, how do you tell which are considered to be 5 star in thier resort directory?

Thanks

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

No, if you own a 5 star resort and are a member of II, then you get an II Directory that shows the five star emblem on the five star resort. I am not sure how you tell otherwise.

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

No. If you own a five star, you should get a directory with the 5 * designations.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

1 star 5 star - to II its all the same

Not that it matters. The meaning of 5* is unknown. It can't be the quality as there are Marriotts that get it but other top quality resorts that don't while places I can only nicely describe as "joints" have it! It isn't for features as there are basic things that you would expect like a washer dryer in a 2 or more bedroom unit or a 24 hr front desk. The "award" seems to be another in the long line of II favors to their sought after developers and has nothing to do with the actual resort quality or lack thereof.

There is a rumor that they plan to scrap it and start over with a RCI like system that actually means something. Lets hope thats true.

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

If you own a 5 Star property, when you are online you can see that designation next to the resort name - if you don't, you won't.

And there is no apparent or logical manner in awarding that designation.
La Cabanna Beach Club (not Villas) in Aruba is 5 Star - and it is REALLY not by any stretch.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

I've tried to figure out exactly what 5* means. It may be that it is given to resorts that have an exclusive agreement with II but I'm not sure. It could also be given automatically to the big name chains like Marriott & Sheraton but I haven't checked that out either. Of course one would assume it is some kind of quality designation but the TUG reveiws show that's not right either.

Plenty of II resorts have the 5* designation but there are a goodly amount without it, too, yet are very, very nice. I was told by a VC once that a "new member" resort is unassigned for the first year. I guess it has to earn the designation somehow. Exactly how that is done is a mystery. Maybe it's purely based on demand. Who knows

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

barndweller

II does have a set criteria, for giving a resort a 5* rating, so does RCI. You may, or may not agree with their logic, but they both do have a set criteria.

I was looking for the explanation on what II uses as their criteria, but can't find it, at the moment. When I find it, I will post it.

[bsheets326 Member Find all posts View Profile Close bsheets326]

I believe ratings in RCI and II also factor in member reviews and comments, sot it's important to give resort reviews after your stay.
Brent

[Dave M Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave M]

Here's what II tells developers about its Five Star designation:

The Interval International Five Star Award® is the timeshare industry’s most prestigious distinction, giving special recognition to the highest-quality resorts.

The award criteria are comprehensive and encompass all aspects of the vacation experience. After qualification, resorts must maintain high levels of exchange guest satisfaction, as measured by a Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), and periodic on-site inspections by Interval personnel. Resorts that meet our rigorous standards for Interval International Five Star status receive an Interval International Five Star Award Plaque and have access to specialized membership and marketing materials that communicate quality.

And from an II press release awarding five-star status to a resort:

To qualify for the Interval International Five Star designation‚ resorts are evaluated according to location‚ vacation area‚ facilities‚ accommodations and guest services. After qualification‚ resorts must maintain high levels of exchange guest satisfaction‚ monitored by a Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) and periodic on–site inspections by Interval personnel.

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

It does seem very odd that unless you own at an II 5* resort you can't see which other resorts are 5* in their directory. It seems a strange thing to keep secret.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

All but one of the seven resorts where I own have the 5* designation. They are so different in terms of amenities & level of quality in terms of pools & furnishings, etc. that it is a bit confusing to me. I looked through the cataloque trying to find the criteria that Dave posted. Actually, we still have no way of knowing the value of the listed criteria. Perhaps location is more important than guest services for instance. Or whatever. It's still a big mystery.I would guess that the comment cards must have a great deal of influence on whether a given resort maintains the status.

ETA And who does II send to periodically inspect? I want that job.

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

Thanks Dave....That is what I was looking for.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Here's what II tells developers about its Five Star designation:And from an II press release awarding five-star status to a resort:

Which seems to mean there are no standards - they give it to the developers they want to woo. It has no meaning whatsoever as a measure of quality of the resort unlike the RCI awards. So don't use it as a measure of quality but it will tell you if it's a resort developer that II likes or not.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

The criteria is a bit more specific than what Dave quoted, but the tend to bend a bit in awarding 5* status. In some cases there is favoritism shown as John said, but in many cases the award is deserved. Note the part about inspections which puts some resorts off enough to not strive or request 5* status. So you really can't count of a 5* being the cream of the crop, nor can you count on standard resorts not being among those deserving of status. I really don't think RCI's system is much better, it just has more classifications. The fact that they awarded Basil Jones Resort gold crown status a few years ago, when it was never even occupied and turned out to be nothing but a fraud, is a good example. In the end, you are better off checking reviews to see what timesharers think about the resort, even though you may find opposing reports.

[Carol C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carol C]

Has Foxrun in Lake Lure been awarded 5 stars yet? With all the maint fee hikes atop special assessment they must have fixed it up real nice by now. What's taking II so long awarding 5 stars to hugely popular resorts?