According to Lake Superior State University, "staycation" should be wiped out of our vocabulary. Others on their list included green, maverick, carbon footprint, bailout, and Wall Street Main Street. Simply put, a staycation is a vacation close to home, or using your home for your vacation lodging.

This phrase came as a result of rising gas prices and vacationers wanting to spend less by traveling less. The problem with a staycation was that it ended up being boring. Same sights, same places, same activities - might as well be at work.

Now CNN has come up with their 2009 prediction - the "Naycation" - No one goes on vacation. Their prediction for 2009 is that no one will want to go on a vacation in 2009. They even give 9 reasons people will "keep their noses to the grindstone". (Does anyone know what that means?) Why would CNN want to be the Grinch that stole your vacation?

I'd say when times are tough you need a vacation more than ever. My prediction is that in 2009 people will still go on vacation but will find ways to spend less. One of the very best ways is to cut your lodging costs by staying in a beautiful and roomy timeshare. With a full kitchen and laundry you'll save even more. If you rent a timeshare or buy a timeshare at a huge discount you will save tons of money. That equals less stress for most people.

So, I'd agree with LSSU: banish the staycation and travel.

From September 18, 2008 comes the story with the most traffic here at the timeshare blog: "Hurricane Ike and Silverleaf Timeshares". This story generated a huge amount of interest - not only from Silverleaf timeshare owners, but from those who live near the Gulf of Mexico coast. Some areas devastated by Hurricane Ike will never be rebuilt. Galveston is steadily rebuilding and will come back strong. Here's the story:

Silverleaf Resorts, Inc released a statement yesterday about their Texas timeshares that were damaged by Hurricane Ike. The Silverleaf timeshare most directly hit by the storm was Silverleaf's Seaside Resort in Galveston. When Ike made landfall as a strong Cagegory 2 storm, it produced a huge amount of damage all along the Texas and Louisiana coastline. Silverleaf Resorts, Inc stated that " While there does not appear to be any structural or substantial flood damage to the interiors of any of the buildings at the resort, wind damage to exteriors and roofs was observed as well as a fair amount of sediment and debris that will need to be removed from the resort."

Given Galveston's history with one catastrophic storm, it looks like the seawall built in the early 1900's may have prevented similar damage. Still, the process of reestablishing the infrastructure will take time. Contingencies for this type of disaster are well thought out and the owners of Silverleaf Seaside Resort can be confident that they will be able to return to their vacation resort.

Near my home is Silverleaf's Piney Shores Resort. Officials at Silverleaf say that while Piney Shores sustained some wind damage, it will be fully operational as soon as power is restored. The eye of hurricane Ike passed a few miles east of here sparing us the worst part of the storm.

Please feel free to share your Ike stories here - especially stories of random acts of kindness and neighbors helping neighbors.

The Galveston Seawall Under Construction in 1905:

Technorati Tags: Silverleaf,timeshare,galveston,texas,hurricane,ike,damage,recovery,reopen

Even www.forbes.com is getting into the spirit of the season - promoting nine great timeshare destinations where you can stay for a greatly reduced rate. They describe these nine choices like this - "good news for cash-strapped and none-too-proud vacationers willing to sit through a two-hour presentation in order to enjoy up to a week's worth of deeply discounted fun in the sun or on the slopes. If you're in that camp, here are nine gambits worth a look. ' (read the story here) With a few of their recommendations like Wyndham, Marriott, and Silverleaf they don't specify which resorts to choose but describe incentives for a budget minded traveler to stay at their resort for a seriously reduced rate.

This time of year, the Raintree's Club Regina Los Cabos looks especially enticing:

Especially with this stuff swirling around the midwest and northeast:

Palm trees, beaches, and warm ocean water sounds appealing!

In their article they mention Island One, Orlando Florida, a great fractional in Destin Florida - Emerald Grande, Consolidated Resorts Tahiti Village Las Vegas, and the Westin Maui Resort and Spa. All terrific destinations - especially if you want to dodge that blue and pink stuff in the above radar image....

Happy traveling in 2009!

Great beach and tropical timeshare deals for Cabo San Lucas Mexico are here.

And once I find it, how do I go about closing this deal and get the correct paperwork done?

The good news is that most Aruba timeshare closings are straightforward and move along relatively fast.  The closing costs are affordable and you would probably buying into a 99 year "right to use" or lease.

Sellers of Aruba timeshares are scattered all over the place, so you won't have much luck just looking in the local real estate section of the newspaper.  You will be more successful in using a timeshare broker who has a large selection of Aruba timeshares for sale and can guide you through all the necessary closing documents, escrow, and transfer.  Aruba Marriott timeshare resales are a hot market.  For example, Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club is described by RCI as being "Separated from the magnificent Caribbean Sea by a lovely white, sandy beach, this Five Star property offers the ultimate in luxury vacations."  If you can buy one at a significant discount through a timeshare resales broker like www.rpmls.com you will save thousands.

Additional Aruba Timeshares for Sale:  Costa Linda Beach Resort, La Cabana Beach Resort, Renaissance Aruba Resort, Playa Linda Beach Resort, Marriott's Aruba Surf Club, Casa Del Mar Beach Resort, Paradise Beach Villas, Caribbean Palm Village, and Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort.

The Village at Steamboat Springs, a Wyndham timeshare development in Colorado, is loaded with the amenities that any family would crave for their ski vacation!  With 144 new condos at the timeshare ski resort, Wyndham owners will have several new choices: "Wyndham Vacation Resorts Steamboat Springs is assigned 71 units, as is the WorldMark Steamboat Springs. In addition to their standard one-, two- and three-bedroom condos, each has a couple of presidential units that feature higher finishes such as granite counters and wood floors in a two-story townhome configuration." (source)

In addition to the Wyndham ski timeshare, Intrawest has Copper Mountain, Winter Park, and Steamboat Springs timeshare resorts right in Steamboat Springs. Steamboat, also known as Ski Town USA, gets it's name from springs that are located near the town's library. There are also two hot springs in town that are open to the public featuring pools and slides. Even though Steamboat Springs is a small town (about 10,000 population 2001) it has quite a name among skiing enthusiasts. Steamboat Springs also hosted the 1989 and 1990 Alpine Skiing World cup.

There may still be lodging ready for booking. As always, renting a timeshare, or owning a timeshare there would be the most cost efficient way to do it. Especially if you buy a timeshare on the secondary market from an owner. You can save a huge amount of money that way and get the same benefits. Look as some Colorado timeshare deals here.

For many, Christmas of 2008 will be like no other Christmas they have ever seen. Especially if you are one of those recently laid off by Wyndham, Marriott, or Blue Green. WFTV.com ran a story today announcing layoffs in the Orange County FL area. Wyndham laid off 300 more from their corporate office in Orange County and "168 people were laid off at the Marriott Vacation Club International ... and the Blue Green Time Share Corporation laid off 182 people in Orlando last month." (source)

A growing array of industries are feeling the impact of this economy. The vacation industry, travel and tourism, and entertainment seemed to trail manufacturing and retail in the timing of their slowdown. The timeshare industry has long been a very consistent part of many of the big hoteliers' portfolio. Sales of vacation ownerships have kept a strong interest because of the perceived (and real) value of their product. The ability to pay for years of vacations with today's dollars still makes sense - and probably always will.

This resilient industry will bounce back when optimism returns to the nation's economy. Until then, there are still some great deals to be found among the "top shelf" timeshare resorts when you buy them on the resale market.

With so much snow being in the news lately, now is the time to get your ski trip details ironed out. In the news, Club Intrawest announced a great package deal for their three Colorado timeshare ski resorts:  "Called the Pow Pow Platter, the promotion offers skiers and riders a $99 package that includes a day each in Steamboat Springs, Copper Mountain and Winter Park." Here's where you get it: www.powpowplatter.com . It sounds like a terrific deal for just about everything you need for your ski trip.

The most recent reports coming from Copper Mountain are "Three more inches of new snow in the last 24, a foot and a half in the last week. December has brought more than three feet of fresh powder to the world-class, naturally-divided slopes of Copper." With as much snow as we have seen from coast to coast, most ski resorts are ready to open all their trails and lifts.

As always, keep an eye on your gear for safety, know where you are going, and use the buddy system to stay safe on the ski slopes this season.

Be sure to check out the 3D interactive ski maps at www.ski.com

Today, Holiday Inn Club Vacations goes online with their newest program. From their press release "Starting today, travelers who are seeking a richer vacation experience can rent vacation villas online at www.hiclubvacations.com, a dedicated website where consumers can book a spacious one-, two- or three-bedroom villa just like they would any Holiday Inn hotel room."

In addition, owners of Orange Lake Country Club will have benefits from the Holiday Inn franchise. Everyone will benefit: Orange Lake owners, Holiday Inn Club owners, and the general public. It will combine the availability of RCI resorts (4,000 resorts), Holiday Inn Club some 4,100 hotels, plus the direct availability of Orange Lake resorts.

Orange Lake Country Club has long been one of my favorites. Not only is it well located near all the Orlando attractions like Walt Disney World, Sea World, Epcot, and Universal Studios, but it has one of the most fabulous on site pool complexes in Florida. Orange Lake also happens to be one of our best selling timeshares on the resales market. So, you really can't go wrong with this improved owners' package of benefits - especially when you buy your timeshare at a discount.

Check out these deals on Orange Lake Country Club timeshares for sale by owners!

By the lake at Orange Lake Country Club, timeshare in Orlando Florida.

If you really want to get away from it all:

Photo of Hacienda del Mar, Cabo San Lucas Mexico Timeshare Resort

The stress will start to melt away as soon as you arrive in Cabo San Lucas Mexico.  There's just something about palm trees, ocean breeze, the sounds of surf, the pleasing colors of the sky and ocean, and being out of cell phone/blackberry/internet range!  And, the best way to do it in style, comfort and within a budget is via timeshares. I am sure that there are accommodations for those who want to take their work with them, but why would you want to?  Parasailing, jet skis, deep sea fishing, surfing, the beach, or just relaxing by the pool is a great break from the "work-a-day" world. You will have many great choices when deciding on a Cabo san Lucas timeshare. Hacienda del Mar, Pueblo Bonito Rose, Club Regina Los Cabos, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, Villa del Palmar Cabo, Playa Grande, and more! Check out this comprehensive list of timeshares in Cabo san Lucas Mexico for sale. Or if you have a timeshare in Cabo that you want to sell, check out the services of these timeshare professionals at www.rpmls.com.

Timeshare rentals are available at the finest vacation resort condos worldwide. Rii® Stroman is a full service timeshare rental broker. They offer timeshares for rent on behalf of individual timeshare owners. Timeshare rentals at vacation resorts typically offer more amenities than a hotel room. Check out the differences between typical Hotel vs. Timeshare Resort.

Timeshare rentals generally have one, two, or three bedrooms, a kitchen, den, washer and dryer, making them far less expensive than hotels. Many resorts have access to golf, tennis, athletic facilities, marinas, scuba diving, ski lifts and many other recreational activities. Whether this is your first time renting a timeshare or you're a seasoned professional, Rii® Stroman can help you rent timeshare!

Why Stay in a Vacation Rental?

So why stay at a hotel when more cost effective options are available at most major vacation destinations? The majority of timeshare rentals have amenities not available in many hotels. Plus the complete kitchen facilities found in most vacation condos for rent can save on the expense of eating every meal in a restaurant.

Vacation rentals are realistically priced with some last minute deals! Click here to Search Last Minute Timeshare Resort Rental Deals!

Timeshare rentals are also a good idea for owners to consider when personal matters prevent them from using their allotted time interval. Timeshare rentals provide owners with a means to offset some of the costs associated with vacation property ownership and renting a timeshare is only one of the options available for owners who are unable to utilize their vacation interval.

Here are a few great timeshare deals currently available for rent: Consolidated Club de Soleil timeshare for rent in Las Vegas, Westgate Miami Beach & Newport Beachside Resort timeshare for rent, Royal Sands timeshare for rent in Cancun Mexico, Marriott's Mountain Valley Lodge timeshare for rent in Breckenridge Colorado, Hanalei Bay Resort timeshare for rent in Kauai Hawaii, Westin St John Resort Villas timeshare for rent, Mystic Dunes Resort timeshare for rent in Kissimmee Florida, Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas timeshare for rent in Hawaii, The Manhattan Club timeshare for rent in New York NY, Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club timeshare for rent in Hawaii, Sheraton's Vistana Orlando timeshare for rent in Orlando Florida, Marriott's Grand Chateau timeshare for rent in Las Vegas, Playa Linda Beach Resort timeshare for rent in Aruba, Marriott's Grande Ocean Resort timeshare for rent in Hilton Head SC, and hundreds of others.