Four Seasons Pacifica vs. Four Seasons Aviara

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

Is there a big difference between these two resorts? I know Pacifica is managed by VRI and is in San Clemente vs. Carlsbad. Since they are both 4 Seasons, aren't they part of the same family? Are they of the same quality, cost (both purchase and MF), and trade power?

I seem to see lots of posts about Aviara but practically nothing on Pacifica. Why's that? Do owners exclusively use their units and not trade?

[DDI Par Member Find all posts View Profile Close DDI Par]

djyamyam (What a great name!)

The Four Seasons Aviara is an actual Four Seasons property, which is the top-of-the-line timeshare in the U.S., or maybe the world . . . TUG rates their two resorts at Aviara and Scottsdale as #1 and #2 in the U.S. . . . I think most of their later resorts are fractional ownership, like their resort in Punta Mita, just outside of Puerto Vallarta, MX . . .

Four Seasons Pacifica is a small resort in San Clemente and managed by VRI, and is not related at all with the Four Seasons hotel/resort group . . . They just chose a name for the resort that is similar.

The Four Seasons hotel/resort group has maintenance fees that are quite high compared to other timeshares . . . We have stayed twice at Aviara on exchanges and the units are extremely luxurious . . . If you choose to purchase there, we have seen some resales that are somewhat reasonable to some that are pretty outrageous.

I have not seen a resale for Four Seasons Pacifica on any resale websites, so obviously owners must love the place. I don't think it is near the beach, but Aviara is also a 5 minute drive down to the beach in Carslsbad.

To exchange into Aviara you definitely need a good trader, but weeks do become available, more likely in off-seasons . . . Since Four Seasons Pacifica is a small resort and owners seem to use their weeks rather than deposit them, I think an exchange into it is highly unlikely, especially when owners at VRI managed resorts are given priority for any exchange requests.

DDI Par