What Do Timeshare Resort Ratings Actually Mean

Timeshare ratings can be confusing, to say the least. Part of this confusion is simply due to the fact that multiple rating systems are commonly used. Part, however, is due to the fact that the importance of these ratings can vary significantly from one situation to another.

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If you are planning to buy a timeshare at a particular resort, it is possible that the difference between the rating of the property and the actual demand for it can be confusing. Sometimes the staff and sales people themselves at the resort are less than clear on the details. Therefore, it is vital that you take the time in advance to understand the meaning of the rating of the property you are considering to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Timeshare exchange companies give different ratings to different resorts. The Gold Crown, which is the most desired rating for the Resort Condominium International system, recognizes quality and assigns its ratings based on comment cards received by members who stayed at the resort. The Interval International rating program uses a similar system, but its most desirable rating is a Five Star.

Sometimes a resort may have a high rating because of an award given to it, but if it is not in demand it may be difficult to exchange its properties with those of another resort. In general, however, the benefit of a highly rated resort is to assure you that you are buying a first class resort timeshare.

You might well wonder, however, how important the ratings of a property really are when you buy a timeshare. This question does not really have a straightforward answer as the importance of a resort’s rating can vary widely from one property to another. The demand and location can, in some cases, be more important than the rating. What is important, therefore, is that you thoroughly research all relevant factors — including the rating, the location and the demand for a property — before you purchase. This will not only help ensure that you are satisfied with your purchase, but also that you know all the possibilities should you decide to trade your timeshare with another property or to sell it entirely.

One of the most misunderstood points about ratings is the idea that a property having a high rating means it automatically has an equal exchange policy with another property of the same rating. In this situation, however, you would also need to own a highly in-demand property to give yourself the best leverage for exchanges.

If you buy a timeshare in a very highly rated resort in Oregon, you will not necessarily be able to exchange your time there for even a moderately rated place in Hawaii. However, if you buy timeshare in a place like Hawaii that does not necessarily have a very high rating, you could likely still exchange it for a property just about anywhere else because of its location and demand.

If all you really care about is owning a timeshare in a location that you love and want to visit every year, then the rating, location and demand make less difference. Just choose the timeshare with the highest rating your budget can handle. If, however, you want a timeshare that will allow you to take your vacation in a different place every year, then location and demand are both vital. It is more advantageous in this situation to buy a timeshare that offers a great location, elevated demand and a high rating.