What are the advantages of renting timeshares over typical hotels? Timeshares are totally foreign to me. Got any experiences or suggestions?

There are several advantage to renting a timeshare unit over a typical hotel room. There are many more amenities in a timeshare property and they typically cost much less than a hotel room.

Timeshares offer much more space than a typical hotel room, which adds to the overall comfort of the party occupying the unit. There can be one or more separate bedrooms, a living room and usually a kitchen. So, stocking the fridge with food can save the visitor money because meals can be prepared and served in the timeshare unit and dining-out every night in unnecessary. The kitchen comes complete with dinner-ware and the usual amenities of home.

The cost of renting a timeshare unit on the resale/secondary market is usually much more reasonable than what it would cost to stay in a typical hotel room. Many timeshare owners are quite negotiable and deals can be made. Hotel room rates are usually non-negotiable.

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Don't feel bad, fashion passion, I'm new to all of this as well. So about prices, do you pay for just the time that you are staying there or is there a general membership fee or how does that work?

Every time you go on vacation you go to the same spot and then it costs less than a hotel? How is it that timeshare provides more comforts of the home but does n't cost as much as a hotel. Does anyone know who's maybe more experienced=?

Thanks for the tips, all! Wow, I had no idea about the advantages of timeshares and the fact that it's more economical than hotels..wow!

Since it's kind of like your "home away from home" I assume the luxury of a maid to clean up and make the bed every day is not included. =)

I wouldn't mind it if I was saving money and had a much bigger space to enjoy.

Is there any timeshare in Maui in particular you recommend? How do you do research on a property, and what are the steps to take to secure one?

Have you ever been to Maui? Another thing that I'm not sure about is what if you've never been to these places all over? What if you think you'd like Hawaii but you get there and don't? Okay maybe that's a bad example, but what about this.... what i mean to say is that when I go like shopping for a new place to live, I go look at like 10 different places or more and then make a decision. what if you're not sure if you wnat to "live" in Hawaii or Jamaica? Do you have to go visit both to make up your mind first? And what if you don't have time for multiple vacations?

You know, the more I think about it, the more I'm just not sure if this whole thing is for me. I dunno. I mean, there are so many places I want to see and go do. It seems a little limiting to just have to pick one. (Which is exactly why I'm single!) My whole philosophy in life is to try everything once (if it interests you.) If i pick Hawaii, I'd miss out on Jamaica. (and all the hot Jamaican men too!!)

Good point, Shelly! =)

Yes, I have been to Maui, and I fell in love with it instantaneously.
Perfect destination--although you're right, the world is so vast and there is so much to see and do---

But you do have to pick something, can't have it all at once (unfortunately!)

Prolly good if you just stick to vacationing or renting--no long term commitment necessary =)

I am going to continue coming here until I've made a final decision on this, but it's not looking good for me. I mean, I still have a lot of questions, but I just found out about the maintenance fees that could run up to $1000 PLUS additional fees for random damage that may call for extra cash. This just doesn't sound as promising as I once thought, unless you're really in love with a destination. FP, would you consider buying or renting anywhere else? Also, what's better about Maui than the other related islands?

My advice is to rent a timeshare before you buy. Like a test drive. If you like it then add up the costs including maintenance fees and compare it to a hotel vacation of equal accommidation. We have kids so staying in a 2 bedroom/2 bath unit with a full kitchen is much better than a hotel room with four walls and a bathroom.

Oh yeah the kitchen in them is great and most of them are newer and have great sauna tubs. We even go to our local one here for a weekender get away. As local owners the cost is nominal.

You gotta check Maui out to believe it..too amazing for words, one's gotta check it out for themselves. I stayed on the Kaanapali Beach..ocean front room. Slept with the patio door open and listened to the ocean all night. Luau cocktails, snorkeling at Molokai, whale watching, shopping on Front Street..and the locals are so warm and full of aloha. You really are a world away. The other islands are still beautiful, but the true essence and purity of the islands are lost except for Maui. The rest got into the citylife--brought the busy city to the islands--high rises, the whole works. I'd love to visit again soon, haven't been in 2 and a half years. If buying property is too pricey timeshares might be an alternative. Check it out:

http://www.visitmaui.com/