Earlier this fall we published our lists of the most in-demand timeshare resales and the most in-demand timeshare rentals.

Once again, Hawaii timeshares dominated both lists. As you will see in the slides below, part of the reason Hawaii timeshares are so popular as timeshare resales and timeshare rentals is because of the beauty and wonder of Hawaii itself.

But just as importantly is the fact that resorts in Hawaii are vacation destinations within themselves offering you beautiful beaches, mountain vistas, amazing serenity, and yes, even a chance to hula.

Of all the great vacation destinations and all the fantastic resorts in the world, three of the top ten most in-demand timeshare rentals are Hawaii timeshares while three of the top ten most in-demand timeshare resales are also Hawaii timeshares.

Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club in Oahu ranked as the number 2 most in-demand timeshare rental and the number 9 most in-demand timeshare resale. The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas in Maui took the number 3 spot in rentals and the number 5 spot in resales while Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club was number 6 in popularity for timeshare rentals and number 3 among the top timeshare resales.

To obtain the complete Hot 100 Timeshare Resales report, go to: here: www.sellmytimesharenow.com/media/pdf/HOT-TIMESHARE-RESALES-2011.pdf

For the complete Hot 100 Timeshare Rentals, go to: here: www.sellmytimesharenow.com/media/pdf/HOT-TIMESHARE-RENTALS-2011.pdf

Happy Labor Day Weekend! The Timeshare Authority blog hopes you are enjoying a “labor-free” Labor Day holiday.

Writing today’s blog post was a bit like writing a back-to-school essay titled, “What I Did on My Summer Vacation,” except, we’d have to call this, “What Everyone Did on Their Vacation.”

Last week we published the new Hot 100 Timeshare Resales report and the Hot 100 Timeshare Rentals report.

These reports list for you the top 100 timeshare resales and the top 100 timeshare rentals to receive offers to buy or rent at Sell My Timeshare NOW and Timeshare Broker Services. The lists provide you a true overview of how consumers are allocating their vacation accommodations dollars.

Download these two free reports and study them for yourself. Among the trends and vacations patterns you will observe is this information about the top 20 most in-demand timeshare rentals:

1. Included in the top 20 timeshare rentals are 8 Marriott Vacation Club International resorts: Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club; Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club; Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas; Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club; Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes; Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club; Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club; and Marriott’s Grande Vista
2. In addition to the three Marriott Hawaii timeshares listed above, two other Hawaii timeshares ranked among the top 20 rental destinations: Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas and Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North
3. Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake’s West Village; Disney’s Beach Club Villas and Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort are the three Orlando timeshares on the hot properties rental list.
4. Three Mexico timeshares made the list of most in-demand timeshare rentals: Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta; Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach and Palace Resorts at Moon Palace Golf and Spa
5. The remaining four timeshare resorts among the top 20 are the Manhattan Club; the Ocean Beach Club – Virginia Beach and Harborside Resort at Atlantis along Harborside Resort at Atlantis II

Find out more here:

Timeshare Resales http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/media/pdf/HOT-TIMESHARE-RESALES-2011.pdf

Timeshare Rentals http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/media/pdf/HOT-TIMESHARE-RENTALS-2011.pdf

After a long hot summer of economic turbulence and a long hard week in which the eastern seaboard, from the Caribbean to Canada, has dealt with earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding, this Labor Day weekend holiday comes as a welcome respite to many.

As we head into this last traditional weekend of summer, it’s a good time to look at the top timeshare resales and top timeshare rentals in demand with consumers. These resorts that made this list are timeshares that consumers have made popular with their offers to buy or rent as timeshare resales here at Sell My Timeshare NOW and Timeshare Broker Services.

HOT 100 Timeshare Resales and HOT 100 Timeshare Rentals

Download your free copy of the Hot 100 Timeshare Resales Report

Download your free copy of the Hot 100 Timeshare Rentals Report

Who made the top 10 on the Hot 100 Timeshare Resales Report?

1. WorldMark by Wyndham – Multi-Destination
2. Grandview at Las Vegas - Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club –  Maui Hawaii
4. Paradise Village Beach Resort & Spa - Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
5. Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas – Maui, Hawaii
6. Marriott’s Grande Vista – Orlando, Florida
7. Manhattan Club - Manhattan, New York
8. Ocean Beach Club – Virginia Beach,  Virginia
9. Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club – Oahu, Hawaii
10. Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort- Orlando, Florida

Click the image to download the report.

Who made the top 10 on the Hot 100 Timeshare Rentals Report?

1. Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club – Palm Beach, Aruba
2. Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club - Oahu, Hawaii
3. Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas – Maui, Hawaii
4. Harborside Resort at Atlantis – Nassau, Bahamas
5. Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas – Newport Coast, California
6. Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club –  Maui Hawaii
7. Marriott’s Ocean Watch Villas at Grande Dunes – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
8. Manhattan Club - Manhattan, New York
9. Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake’s West Village – Orlando, Florida
10. Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort- Orlando, Florida

Click the image to download the report

Over the next few days we will look at these resorts and I’ll share more information with you about the current trends we are seeing in timeshare resales and rentals.

How timeshare is taxed by local agencies has been a hot topic over the past year. (See Timeshare Industry Leaders Speaking Out in Support of Timeshare Owners for more on timeshare property tax issues.)

And when the topic came up at the April 13 County Council’s Budget and Finance Committee meeting in Maui, the subject was just as volatile and problematic as ever. Drawing a capacity crowd of over 200, the issue on the table was whether to raise the property tax millage rates from $14 to $19.60 per $1,000 in timeshare property value.

All the arguments against the 40 percent tax increase make great sense. Hawaii timeshare has been a huge boost to local economies, adding to the tax base, employment opportunities and secondary revenue streams as timeshare owners spend money on groceries, entertainment, restaurants, and other goods and services each time they vacation.

According to Budget Director Sandy Baz, however, the tax rate increase wasn’t proposed to garner more money, but merely to sustain tax roll revenues. Baz explains, “Proposed tax rates for 2012 were adjusted to compensate for the continued decline in property values for each classification except for the homeowner class, so that revenues remain fairly neutral. The administration is supportive of adjusting the final tax rate for all classifications, including the time-share classification, after the certification of real property values on April 19th.”

In other words, because property values have so declined in the current economic climate, a tax rate increase would merely keep tax revenues at a stable or “neutral growth” level, enabling local agencies to continue to budget a consistently as they provide police, fire, and other services that benefit both local residents and timeshare owners.

Will Hawaii Timeshare Owners Carry an Unfair Load?

The bite seems to really come in determining how to fairly distribute this property tax burden. Daniel Dinnell speaking on behalf of ARDA Hawaii, points out, “As ARDA Hawaii has previously testified, following a 69 percent increase to the real property tax in 2005, the timeshare industry is again being singled out with the largest single increase of $5.60.”

Among others speaking out against the proposed tax increase were Rob Welch of Marriott’s Maui Ocean Resort Club; Gregg Lundberg, The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas; University of Hawaii School of Travel Industry Management graduate, Michelle Rose Abad.

Part of the excitement of last week’s ARDA conference (American Resort Development Association) in Orlando was the 2011 Awards Gala. As Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA explains, “It’s about recognizing the ‘best of the best’ in the vacation ownership industry. We shine the spotlight on those individuals whose peers have nominated them for the impact and perseverance they have shown in their professional lives.”

The awards event, which was sponsored by Holiday Systems International (HSI), recognized outstanding accomplishments by companies, teams, resorts, and individuals. Here’s a rundown of the 2011 Circle of Excellence (ACE) winners:

The 2011 ACE Women on their Way Award Kimberly Johnston-Tramontana of Breckenridge Grand Vacations. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of women who continue to excel and advance in the timeshare and vacation ownership industry.

The 2011 ACE Spirit of Hospitality Award (formerly known as the Employee Award) went to Janeth Olachea of Park Plaza Resort. This award recognizes an outstanding employee within the industry who demonstrates commitment, loyalty, superior performance and willingness to go above and beyond.

The 2011 ACE Community Service Award was made to Winter Park Construction (WPC) for their Home At Last Project, designed to provide combat-wounded US veterans of military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan with custom-built, mortgage-free homes.

The 2011 ACE Philanthropic Award recognizes the outstanding philanthropic effort for a humanitarian cause by an individual or company. This year’s award was a tie between Orange Lake Resorts/Holiday Inn Club Vacations (HCV) and Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI). Orange Lake Resorts’ flagship Orlando timeshare, for over 25 years, has worked to build and maintain lasting relationships with several worldwide organizations that serve others in need, as well as with local community partners. Marriott timeshare has raised more than $71 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network over the last 25+ years.

The 2011 ACE Innovator Award went to RCI, for its Weeks Enhancement program, a plan designed for enhancing RCI’s Exchange membership programs and online customer experience. The ACE Innovator Award recognizes those within the timeshare business who have successfully implemented a groundbreaking product, service or concept.

The 2011 ACE Volunteer Award was presented this year to Tom Bell as a member of ARDA who consistently gives his/her time, energy, creativity, and talents to further ARDA’s goals and objectives. Tom has been actively involved in the timeshare industry for nearly 30 years as powerful advocate for strong and balanced timeshare legislation around the country and the world.

The 2011 ACE Employer of the Year Award went to timeshare exchange company, Interval International. The award honors an employer within the timeshare industry that demonstrates exceptional commitment to its employees. Interval International has shown 35 years of providing growth opportunities for its employees, encouraging employee involvement in activities that promote the growth of the shared ownership industry and playing active roles in timeshare related trade associations.

The Ace Project of Excellence is given to a successful project that represents months and years of cooperation between all parties involved and is considered a success not only by investors but by the owners and the local community. This year’s winner, Starwood Vacation Ownership, took home the prize for their successful timeshare project, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, which symbolizes the first introduction of the Westin brand and a deluxe vacation ownership product to the North Shore of Kaua’i in Hawaii.

Finally we get to one of the most special awards, The 2011 ACE Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s winner of the ACE Lifetime Achievement Award is Bill Ingersoll, one of the early organizers of the American Land Development Association (ALDA), which eventually became ARDA. Bill was also ARDA’s General Counsel and demonstrated leadership, professionalism, creativity, reliability and quality standards and ethics within an outstanding body of work.

Congratulations to all the winners. The timeshare and vacation ownership industry includes many talented people who commit their skills and their hearts to making timeshare a stronger more meaningful product. Thank you ARDA for honoring these recipients.

Besides the ACE Awards, ARDA awarded ARDY’s to finalists in sales and marketing; management and administration; advertising and promotion; and resort design categories. For a complete list of winners and finalists, go to www.ARDA.org/awards.

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When Sell My Timeshare NOW published its 2010 HOT List of the timeshare resales and timeshare rentals that receive the greatest number of offers to buy or rent, the HOTTEST 10 properties really attract a lot of attention.

And why not? These are great timeshare resorts you can buy with confidence, knowing that other consumers see them as “ideal” timeshare vacation destinations. If you missed the full report, published last month, you can download it by clicking 2010 HOT 100 List from Sell My Timeshare NOW.

Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North Timeshare – A Timeshare Vacation in Paradise

Today’s The Timeshare Authority Blog focuses on the Hawaii timeshare that came in as number 9 on the list: Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North. Located on a pristine area of Ka’anapali Beach in Maui, this Westin timeshare offers both ocean-view and island-view timeshare units, ranging from studio timeshares to one-bedroom, and two-bedroom lockoff units. All feature a full kitchen, luxurious master bath with whirlpool tub, and a private lanai or balcony.

Some of the popular details that make Westin timeshares such favorites include:

• Marble countertops in the kitchen.
• Dual sinks in the master bath.
• Plush bathrobes.
• LCD flat panel televisions.
• Blackout drapes for a peaceful night’s sleep.
• A 10,000 square foot Heavenly Spa.
• And of course, the signature “Westin Heavenly Beds” .

Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North have every reason to have made the list of the HOTTEST 10 timeshares, as measured by the number of consumer offers to buy or rent. And you have every reason to want to learn more about the exceptional deals available on Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North timeshare resales and timeshare rentals.

This week’s release of the Sell My Timeshare NOW HOT 100 List of the timeshare resales and timeshare rentals that are in the greatest consumer demand, is one more validation that timeshare vacation ownership is a product enjoyed by millions and millions of people.

Each year, Sell My Timeshare NOW publishes the list of the 100 timeshares for which we show the greatest number of offers to buy or rent during the previous calendar year. This industry report provides interesting information about consumer patterns, first revealing where consumers are most interested in buying timeshare and also which timeshares have proven to be a good choice if you want to buy timeshare knowing that down the road you may want to sell it on the secondary market. In sharing this company information with you, Sell My Timeshare NOW provides meaningful and transparent insight into the timeshare resale market.

Hottest 10 Timeshares on the Sell My Timeshare List

Click here to see the full Sell My Timeshare NOW HOT 100 List. Meanwhile, here’s the hottest ten on the list:

1. Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club (Palm Beach, Aruba)
2. Harborside Resort At Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
3. Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club (Oahu, Hawaii)
4. Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas (Maui, Hawaii)
5. Orange Lake’s West Village (Orlando, Florida)
6. Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club (Maui, Hawaii)
7. Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas (Newport Coast, California)
8. Marriott’s Grande Vista (Orlando, Florida)
9. Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North (Maui, Hawaii)
10. Marriott’s Oceanwatch Villas At Grande Dunes (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)

Interesting note: Critics sometimes claim that the Orlando timeshare market is oversaturated and you can’t resell Orlando timeshare, yet two of the top ten most in demand timeshares on the secondary market are Orlando timeshares and there are three more Orlando timeshare resorts ranked between 11 and 20 on the HOT List.

The marketplace becomes increasingly more interesting in a world where the ‘rules’ of business are evolving before our very eyes. In an interesting move in brand building, Westin Hotels & Resorts (which includes Westin timeshare), launched the website (www.westin-hotelsathome.com) dedicated to selling their signature products. Their guests can continue the Westin Resort luxury experience long after they have checked out of the hotel or come to the end of their Westin timeshare vacation. Westin has even aligned with Nordstrom’s so you can purchase their famous bed sheets and other signature Westin items at your local mall.

Now the branding wizards at Westin Hotels & Resorts are taking the magic of their signature “10-layer Heavenly Bed®” to a new venue, making it available to the mainstream marketplace in a way no hotelier previous has done with its branded products—they are setting up shop on Amazon.com.

A New Marketing Avenue for Westin Resorts and Westin Timeshare

Westin’s innovative direction makes them the first hotelier to launch a branded storefront on Amazon.com. They will be using the Selling on Amazon program, a part of Amazon Services, which companies of all sizes, including solo-entrepreneurs, utilize for retailing their products.

Planned as a tool for expanding the company’s ‘wellness’ message, the Westin on Amazon storefront will sell Westin’s own Heavenly Bath collection and signature line of White Tea fragrance candles and diffusers along with compatible lines including: Tea Forté, Riedel, Kate’s Paperie, and Gaiam.

The branded Amazon store launches March 1, with an introductory gift of a $100 Amazon.com gift card to all hotel guests who stay twice mid-week from February 22 to May 13 and have preregistered on westin.com/balance.

Over the years, Westin Resorts have sold roughly 40,000 Heavenly Beds, more than 32,000 sheets, 100,000 pillows, and over 10,000 Heavenly spa bath products. When you think about it, what better way to nurture brand loyalty than by appealing to your market with a relaxing sensory experience that they can enjoy on a daily (and nightly) basis?

Starwood is the parent company of Westin timeshare and of Sheraton timeshare.

Sheraton Hotels and Resorts are rolling out a new $20 million marketing campaign created to help recharge the company’s brand. Called, “Rediscover Sheraton,” the marketing campaign is intended to inspire vacationers and travelers to take a fresh look at Sheraton properties.

Sheraton’s refreshed face includes 300 new lobbies; the new wifi wired lobby lounges called Link@Sheraton; some 70 thousand new guestrooms and 100,000 new beds.

With the intent of attracting both leisure travelers, vacationers, and the millions of people who combine the two, Sheraton Resort’s rebranding includes defining themselves as the brand that:

• “Brings business suits and bathing suits together…”
• “Brings power walks and power talks together…”
• “Brings bottom lines and bottom ups together…”

The marketing effort even makes use of the word: “bleisure” a blending of the words business and leisure.

Sheraton timeshares are part of the family of Starwood resorts, which also includes Westin timeshare and other popular properties worldwide. To find out more about outstanding opportunities in Sheraton timeshare resales, click on any of the links below:

• Sheraton Broadway Plantation (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
• Sheraton Desert Oasis (Scottsdale, Arizona)
• Sheraton Mountain Vista (Avon, Colorado)
• Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort (Port St. Lucie, Florida)
• Sheraton Vistana Resort (Orlando, Florida)
• Sheraton Vistana Villages (Orlando, Florida)

Select Westin and Hyatt Resorts are improving the experience for anyone who would like to incorporate a good run as part of their resort stay.

At Westin Resorts in 30 cities, a “running” concierge is available three mornings each week to lead guests on a three-mile jog. And more than 100 Hyatt Hotels and Resorts are now providing their guests with running route maps and GPS armbands. At both Westin and Hyatt, the services are free.

While many timeshare vacationers look forward to putting their feet up by the pool, others are enthusiastic about getting involved in the sports and recreation activities that are available at most timeshare resorts. Jogging trails, biking trails, and even on-property or nearby by hiking and horseback riding are frequently available at many timeshare resorts.

Runners, not already familiar with MapMyRun.com, will find the website to be a valuable tool whether jogging at home or during travels. MapMyRun offers some 775,000 US jogging routes, which you can save to your GPS. Besides introducing you to a vast online community of runners, this website helps you track your training and even count the calories you have burned. And while all of these benefits for runners are free, City Running Tours is an excellent paid service you may want to learn more about.

The Timeshare Authority told you about City Running Tours last year in a post we did on New York City timeshares. City Running Tours offers you longer runs and run tailored to your specific requests, as well as runs along preset routes designed to maximize the experience for you both as a runner and as a sightseer.

Whether you are vacationing at a Hyatt timeshare, a Westin timeshare, or any of the many beautiful timeshare resort worldwide, don’t forget to pack your running shoes.