Timeshare - sometimes things work out well. This isn't one of those times

Not all timeshare experiences work out perfectly. I know, that’s a surprise.

Sometimes it’s because there is a problem, like a lost reservation or major defects with the accommodations.

Sometimes it’s simply a matter of the experience not living up to expectations.

Such was the case with the recent trip to Australia taken by long time timeshare owners, Jane and Phil Baker.
Owners of two weeks with Marriott Vacation Club, one in Kauai and the other in Palm Desert. They enjoy their timeshare, and get the most out of everything their program has to offer, every few years trading their Marriott points for other travel experiences.

This past September they took a long awaited three-week trip to Australia, splitting their stays between two timeshare resorts and several conventional hotels. Relying on the Interval International catalog, they selected Worldmark Cairns Resort, a Five Star property located in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Five Stars is Interval’s highest ranking, awarded to less than 10% of all properties. The status is earned by a combination of professional inspectors visits, as well as ongoing feedback from member exchanges. Worldmark, Cairns is one of a small number of properties that can be exchanged via Interval or RCI, the other major exchange company. RCI ranks the resort as a Gold Crown, their highest designation.

Experienced timeshare travelers, Jane and Phil did considerable preparation and planning, and thought everything was under control. They began planning their itinerary more than a year in advance of their trip. In addition to requesting timeshare resorts in Cairns and Sydney, they booked hotels in both locations, in case the timeshare did not come through. They also booked hotels in other locations that they intended to visit, covering a number of dates. This gave them the flexibility to adjust their itinerary to match up to the dates that became available via the exchange company.

Six months after they began planning, their exchanges were confirmed. Contacting the resorts in both Sydney and Cairns, they confirmed that Internet service would be available. A consultant and author, this was important to Phil.

 Aah, the best laid plans. There is a lot they did right. There is much they could have done better.

The problem arose upon their arrival at Cairns. It became clear that the property was at least 20 years old, and had not undergone any type of “refreshing” in many years. The paint was worn, the grounds poorly maintained, and it simply did not give off the aura of luxury.  They expected the property to be in a convenient location, with shopping and restaurants nearby. It didn’t work out that way. They were rather distant from central Cairns, with the nearest restaurant, a fast food joint, about two miles away. The on site grocery was not stocked nearly as well as service station counter. They would have needed to rent a car if they had stayed. Internet service was available. From the computer in the office at the resort. Which was only open during business hours.

Even finding the office to check in was overly confusing.

By the time they got to their apartment, the Bakers already had a bad feeling. Entering the stuffy room (the air-conditioning had not been turned on in anticipation of their arrival), they noted what they perceived as motel quality furnishings; certainly not on par with the Marriott’s they were exchanging from; not in keeping with the Westin’s and Hyatt’s they were accustomed to staying in. Not what they would normally expect from “five star”.

Within the hour they decided to check out of the timeshare resort and stay at the Hilton Hotel, where they had kept their reservation.

They completed their trip, having a wonderful time exploring Kangaroo Island, the Barrier Reef and the rain forests.

When they returned stateside, they registered their dissatisfaction with Interval International.