Marquis Villas Resort

When using a timeshare, who cleans it and is it usually equipped with everything a person needs?

We are looking into using a friends timeshare for vacation in June. Would anyone recommend this over a hotel? Or would a hotel be the way to go?

Public Comments

1. it really depends on the person whom you are renting from. if it is someone reliable and you know their home is nice and clean then i would say go for it. time shares are usually much more fun than hotels because you can cook and all that stuff. it saves money. it depends if the time share owner furnishes the home or not. usually they are. no one would let you stay in a home without a bed or furnisings. the owner most likely cleans it or has someone do it. hotels are nice but if you are looking for a fun and more comfortable experience i would go with the time share
2. I love timeshare because they are pretty much your home away from home, they are similar to apartment living, with full kitchens, some have washer/dryer in units to do laundry, they are fully equipped with pretty much everything you need. I specially like using my timeshare when I go somewhere because of the full kitchen, it's a lot cheaper then eating out 3 times a day! As far as cleaning, the timeshare owners already pays a fee for cleaning, however I always somewhat tidy up behind myself and try to leave it the way I found it (of course I'm not scrubbing the bathroom or anything, but pick up the trash, throw away the rest of the items in the fridge, put the dishes in the dishwasher). If you are not going to clean after yourself - that is fine too - but leave a tip. Most units wil have a tip envelope for that purpose. Hotels can be nice, but without a doubt timeshare is better! And at least you know what you to expect, some hotels are not as nice as they show online! - pictures can be very deceiving (I know this oh so well! haha) (oh another perk about timeshare are the following should this be of interest to you: a gym, free/cheap b-fast, cheap movie rental, board games you can borrow, some will have rec rooms with pool tables/ping pong you can use for free) Bottom line really it's cheaper and in today's economy every dollars counts!
3. I would always recommend a timeshare over a hotel room. You will have everything you need except for food. You will have all the dishes, silverware, pots, pans, and utensils for cooking. Additionally, all the towels, laundry detergent, dish soap will be there as well. The only thing you need to do is the shopping when you arrive. When you check in, ask if there is a discount grocery store in the area. You need to be prepared for the sales pitch that you will get. I have included an article on ehow.com for you as well in the links.
4. 1) The Resort will offer daily maid service 2) It will be fully furnished and equipped.
5. I have stayed in quite a few timeshare resorts and they all provided the cleaning service after we left. We were responsible for taking out the trash and loading the dishwasher before we left. It will probably be equipped with washer/dryer, full kitchen including utensils, and fully furnished. BUT, be sure to check it out before you check in. Sometimes you will not get a full kitchen and laundry facilities will be in a common area. No doubt, the size of the rooms and the amenities will be far better than a hotel in comparison.
6. Definitely use the timeshare. Some places have timeshare hotel rooms, like in San Francisco. But, they're mostly like fully furnished and outfitted condos, some with full kitchens and laundry facilities in the unit. I've owned a studio timeshare in downtown San Diego for about 10 years that I have never stayed in. I trade it each year for some other place, and have been shocked and amazed at the quality of accomodations I get for it. The best was a beachfront 2BR/2BA condo right across the road from Poipu Beach on Kauai. The only thing you need to prepare for as far as things to buy or bring are food items and toiletries. All of the kitchen items and utensils will be there. You'll have all the detergents, towels, dishrags, and paper towels. And, maybe a coffee maker with a day or two worth of coffee packs. But, you'll probably have no spices, salt and pepper, that kind of thing. The bathrooms will be kind of like in hotels, where they provide you with little soap cakes and bottles of shampoo. Otherwise, the toiletries are all up to you. They generally clean it once a week between guests, maybe changing the towels some time during the week. And, this may cost extra depending on the resort. Also, they do ask for a credit card up front for incidentals. And, some places are subject to local transient occupancy taxes. You should ask your friends what to expect. They should be able to tell you what you'll need to bring and where shopping is nearby for the types of items you'll need to provide. But, you'll love staying in a timeshare. It's just like living in a condo for a week. You also don't have to worry about the sales pitches. They'll probably offer you some little bonus, like free dinners or whatever, to attend a presentation. Just say no if you don't want to be bothered. Besides, even if you're interested in getting a timeshare, never buy it from the resort itself. You can get them about 45% to 50% cheaper buying them resale from a private party.