[/B]HGVC resorts in Southwest Fl [/B]

[dreamweaver89 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dreamweaver89]

We are owners of an HGVC timeshare at International Drive Orlando which is a truly gorgeous resort so we are a little spoiled when comparing to other HGVC properites. We would like to try a beach resort next summer and need to hear from someone familiar with the HGVC properties on Marco Island/Sanibel/Captiva/Hutchison Island. We are not familiar with this area at all. Our kids are 16 and 13, we want a laid back vacation on the beach and a nice pool, not in an area that feels congested and busy. Thanks for any advice or help.

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

We own at Charter Club on Marco and 2-PBC on Hutchison Island (plus Seaworld, and brand X in Cancun), and have stayed at Eagle's Nest on Marco. PBC tends to have an older crowd, but a very friendly management sttaff & members; you feel like you know everyone after two days. Marco Island offers more for the teens, and I find the Charter Club staff to be more friendly. I too would like to hear about Sanibel/Captiva HGVC.

[Linda VH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Linda VH]

We have always loved Marco Island. We would go every year (bridge tournament at the Rad) and try to stay at Charter Club. If that was messed up from when they were 1 in 4 we would do Eagle's Nest 2nd. I think they are both very nice and am really missing Charter Club this year. We love the restaurants and the beach (bring your shoes though as there are lots of shells). There are water sports for your kids and golfing off island.
We're not going this year as the Rad is closed so the bridge tournament moved to the Naples Grande boo hoo!

[JuneB Member Find all posts View Profile Close JuneB]

We own at Hurricane House on Sanibel and at South Seas on Captiva and have stayed at most of the others on Sanibel. Hurricane House is my favorite because of the large unit but mostly because of the location on the beach. However I don't think it would be my choice in the summer with children. The pool is very small (I go in fall with few children there) and there aren't many activities. They do have free golf.

Sanibel Cottages and Casa Ybel both have large pools. South Seas will probably have the largest of all but I don't think it is completely rebuilt yet from Hurricane Charley.

[KenK Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close KenK]

It's pretty laid back on Sanibel. Marco is a bit more alive....but also not like Myrtle Beach.

I think you might be happy in those places posted above. They will also prove t spoil you.

Remember that some of the units may be built on stilts ( posts) and there may be many stairs involved.

Next summer? Plan NOW! Any beach in Fl (esp S FL) will be hot. Water temps on either coast will be in the mid to high 80s F. Sand will burn bare feet. If on the west coast (Sanibel or Marco), you will need cheap beach shoes, as broken shells make up most of the beach sand at the water line.

Even if you stay on the Atlantic Coast, you need foot protection from the hot sands.

If you drive, bring a big beach umbrella and chairs. Some resorts charge for the use of their stuff. Bring sun protection, keep bottles of water in the trunk, and bring up gallons to drink. Some do not like the water from S Fl faucets.

Buy foods before you go over the bridge (if Sanibel/Captiva) to save on tolls. Wal MArt has cheap beach shoes for about $1.98. They have oversized umbrelas for $13.99 and reg size for $9.99. (BUY THE BIGGER....even 2 if you take up a lot of sand room.

The beaches will be much more comfortable than Orlando in summer, but the sunburn comes in about 15 minutes if you are not careful.

[dreamweaver89 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dreamweaver89]

All good things to know... Hadn't thought about the hot sands. We have been to St. George Island on the panhandle in the summer and didn't scorch our feet. Thanks also for the advice on the beach umbrellas and chairs. I am going to keep an eye on the rebuilding situation at South Seas on Captiva. It may be difficult to get anything reserved in that area. Thanks for the help.

[roadsister Member Find all posts View Profile Close roadsister]

I appreciate all the info on this also....always learning something

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I Meant to Answer Earlier

I have been going to SW Florida for 30 years, and have been studying the resorts fairly closely for the last 15 years.

I have searched availability for January for 10 years and recorded the results for 4 1/2 years.

There was a similar question on another forum, asking about FMB resorts, which I answer yesterday.

HGVC is clearly the only major player that has been committed to SW FLorida. I would be confident with the blanket statement that we would prefer to stay at any HGVC SW Florida resort over any non-HGVC SW Florida resort. It would be hard to be disappointed with any of them.

Another consideration is that SW Florida is not an area that has had a lot a recent resort development, say like Orlando or Branson where new resorts continue to go up or old resorts continue to be added to. The SW Florida resorts are well-established and except for after hurricanes there seems to be no effort to upgrade or enlarge them.

[dreamweaver89 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dreamweaver89]

I just called HGVC this morning and found there are only TWO availabilities on Captiva/Sanibel/Marco for the whole summer, and NOTHING for March. Am quite discouraged with HGVC - it is very hard to use our points in summer or during spring break unless we go to Orlando. Am wondering if anyone else has the same frustration. Trading into RCI seems even more difficult, and we couldn't book as far in advance so there seems to be no point in even trying.

[jjking42 Member Find all posts View Profile Close jjking42]

Surf club on Marco is getting a complete interior redo this fall so be sure and grab that one if you can. My only complaint is that the second bedroom does not have a tv for the kids. You will need shoes for the beach. the water is warm and the sailboats at the charter club are free for hgvc members.