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Re: Redweek exchange program (by Mary D.):

arleneh20 wrote:

I am new to all this and I really appreciate the information. We have a wonderful property at the Teton Club in Jackson Hole. I am looking for 5 star properties. Are there exchange sites or places anyone has visited that would meet such criteria? I haven't been impressed yet! Anyone?

======== Gold Crown is RCI's designation that means the same as 5 Stars. What exchange clubs are you working with? Interval? RCI? Holiday Systems? Etc. They all have directories and/or on-line listings which you can look over. (I don't see your resort listed with RCI, though there are 3 Jackson Hole resorts.)

What sort of vacation experience are you looking for, beyond the lovely villas? Do you want to ski? Golf? Are you a history buff or just love great scenery? We might be better able to make suggestions if we knew more about you.

As far as just outstanding timeshares, I'd have to suggest Big Cedar on Table Rock Lake in Ridgedale, Missouri--ten miles outside of Branson. It has a variety of lodging styles, but the overall grounds and facilities are impressive. I'd guess the style might not be unlike 5 Star Wyoming! I think the Bluegreen owned Wilderness Club at Big Cedar must be in the Interval International book, since I don't see it in RCI. Other parts may be owned by other resort groups. It's big. If you bother to leave the grounds, Branson has a lot to offer--not just country music but many kinds plus water parks, Silver Dollar City theme park, etc. Actually, there are several very nice resorts in and around Branson. Fairfield's Mountain Vista was still under construction when we stayed there, but I've read glowing reviews since then. The two 3 bedrooms units we had were great.

If you are thinking of exchanging into something very high end, you may be rather disappointed because much of what is deposited for exchange is less than that particular resort's best. You'll probably notice lots of Studio units available. When half of a lock-off unit is deposited as a 1 Bedroom, it is likely to be the smaller "half". Or the one with the parking lot view. Quite naturally, the real owners get first choice over exchange guests.

San Francisco Exchange claims to accept only top resorts. I think that's the one that only accepts Red weeks--Which is a tad silly, since folks may need to travel in White or Blue seasons. We just secured a 2BR Blue (low season) in Texas through RCI for our 1BR Silver Crown White season resort in Branson. But it was exactly the dates and location we needed. We got a bonus bedroom because this was one of those resorts which have nothing except two bedroom units! MD