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.

Tips for Travel: Making plans for a family vacation should not resort to the annual trip to "visit the family" 3 states away. Get creative, explore some new destinations and put some excitement back into your family vacation. While searching for some of the best family vacation destinations I came across www.weather.com 's Travel Top 10 list of Family Friendly Destinations. I discovered many familiar vacation spots on the list - here they are:

San Diego California - San Diego is a beautiful city with mild weather, great beaches, water sports, activities for the family, and much more. Your vacation cost may be a little higher for your stay there but San Diego came in first on their list.

Orlando Florida - Orlando is one of my very top choices for vacations with the family. Having been to Orlando a number of times on a vacation, I would concur with their choice. Each time I went to Orlando, I stayed in a timeshare rental and saved quite a bit on the lodging cost of the trip. With Orlando you have countless attractions and activities to enjoy.

Yellowstone National Park - This park has been one of America's favorites for generations.

Hershey Pennsylvania - This place is called The Sweetest Place on Earth! The Hershey chocolate company was founded here over 100 years ago. Not only is there an attraction to the candy for children, but an impressive theme park, zoo, gardens, and a museum.

Atlantis Bahamas - See yesterday's blog article! An awesome adventure.

Caribbean Cruises - The Caribbean provides a huge expanse of exotic tropical islands. From Aruba in the Eastern Caribbean to Jamaica in the West, these islands host the stuff dreams are made of. Cruises in the Caribbean provide the family with activities for the family, children, and teens.

Maui - Hawaii is considered to be the dream vacation destination for millions of people. Consider renting one of the fabulous timeshares on Maui to save a bundle of money. For example, Marriott's Maui Ocean Club is one of the greatest resorts on the island and has the amenities and activities to suit any style.

Washington DC - I'm not sure I'd place the nation's capitol in the top ten list of family vacations. Yes, there is a lot to see that would be memorable for anyone. The Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo, monuments, capitol, and White House are all fine experiences. I'd personally avoid the hot summer months that are packed with tourists.

Estes Park Colorado - The Rocky Mountain National Park (next to Estes Park) offers hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and adventuring. Outdoor activities are the champion of vacations to Estes Park. Be sure to check out these Rocky Mountains timeshare deals for the best bet for great lodging.

Myrtle Beach South Carolina - With over 100 golf courses and 60 miles of beautiful beaches, there is something for everyone in Myrtle Beach. Water parks, museums, zoos, deep sea fishing, and beach activites are the main course for a trip to Myrtle Beach.

Grand Timber Lodge timeshare in Colorado

It is not too often that it gets this cold here on Lake Conroe Texas. After all, we are tucked into the southeast corner of Texas, not far from the Gulf of Mexico. How cold is "this cold"? I think the thermometer went down to 32 degrees last night. Naturally this arctic blast has me thinking of palm trees, beaches, emerald water - the Bahamas. Featured as one of the top destinations by www.travelchannel.com the Bahamas has a lot to offer.

They specifically describe Paradise Island and the Harbourside Resort Atlantis timeshare resort. They describe Atlantis as having "several hundred rooms, seventeen restaurants, a dozen bars, an aquarium and a water park located on the property." There are several other hotels on Paradise Island, and many of them have made arrangements with Atlantis for their guests to have full access to the guest services offered by Atlantis.

If you are going to book a hotel, remember to start one or two months in advance to get a better rate. For even more affordable accommodations, consider a timeshare - especially at Harborside Atlantis. But, don't pay the retail price, buy from a timeshare owner on the resale market.  You'll save thousands and have more to spend on your dream vacations. If you buy a Harborside Atlantis timeshare on the resale market, you'll save anywhere from 20% to as much as 50% off the going resort rate. Plus, you will have a much better room for your stay and more amenities close at hand.

Harborside Resort Atlantis timeshare Bahamas

This incredibly beautiful resort in the Bahamas has had to make cuts due to decreased occupancy rates and sales. The Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas features over 3,000 rooms (imagine the housekeeping staff!). This is one of the best selling timeshare resorts of all time on the secondary or timeshare resales market. The demand for these is astounding with people paying tens of thousands for a one week stay each year.

The reporter said that these layoffs at Atlantis - Bahamas accounted for about 10% of their staff. So, 8,000 people on their staff? I guess that's what they said.

That does reflect a huge amount of attention to each visitor to the resort. If the place was 100% occupied (and of course it is not) you'd have 2 or 3 staff people seeing to each room. That may account for the high owner satisfaction grades this resort receives. Owners rave about the service, attention to detail, and quality of their experience.

Hopefully, as things return to normal, those 800 workers will be back at work helping to make your stay at the Atlantis one you'll never forget.

Harbourside Resort Atlantis, Bahamas

Southern California has long been an area ripe for timeshare development. But because of limits placed by local governing authorities and the price of land, timeshares have been slower to develop than Las Vegas, Orlando, or other areas. After two years of construction Wyndham has opened their WorldMark Anaheim 14 story timeshare resort. They will offer studio, one, and two bedroom units. The tower also boasts two-, three- and four-bedroom luxurious “Presidential” units for a total of 241 timeshare units.

There are a few other timeshares in Southern California worth mentioning. Located between Oceanside and San Diego is Four Seasons Resort Aviara. This has been one of the very best timeshares on the resales market for this region. Four Seasons Aviara offers the very best amenities and luxury vacationing. Nearby is the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort. More affordable than Four Seasons, it is set on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This ideal location puts an entire realm of oceanfront activities at your doorstep. The Coronado Beach Resort, located between San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean, is well known as an upscale vacation destination.

Also, be sure to check out Riviera Beach and Spa Resort, San Clemente Cove Resort, and another top seller Marriott's Newport Coast Villas.

Marriott's Newport Coast Villas timeshare in Southern California

The headline from Business Wire October 9th was "Silverleaf Resorts, Inc. Accepting Reservation Requests for Its Seaside Resort on Galveston Island Effective Immediately". Rooms will start coming available next Friday, Oct 17th and they expect to be fully operational by the end of November.  The Galveston timeshare resort was battered by 100 mph winds and rain by Hurricane Ike 3 weeks ago. Most of Galveston Island sustained damage but has quickly been working to restore power, water, and essential services to the area. Silverleaf Resorts stated that their insurance has adequate coverage to "mitigate these damages". (source)

In my last article about the storm I received a lot of interest from the photo of Galveston Island's Seawall. The photo was taken on July 31, 1905.

To the northeast, Bolivar Peninsula experienced major damage from the tidal surge.  Few homes survived the surge. Conversely, a notable example of strict building code enforcement would be Tiki Island, located just north of Galveston. This waterfront neighborhood of about 850 homes was established in 1982. Homes built there featured a "break away" bottom floor. As the tidal surge arrived, these homes were battered with 5 to 6 feet of water on the ground floor. Today only one home is in danger of being condemned. The others sustained damage but still stand. Other code requirements included "plywood on both sides of a home’s walls and 2-inch-by-6-inch studs to frame all outside walls." (source)

Whether you are looking for surfing, diving, playing on the beach, or just soaking in the sun, here's my totally unscientific top ten picks for beach resort timeshares:

10. Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club - Separated from the magnificent Caribbean Sea by a lovely white, sandy beach, this Five Star property offers the ultimate in luxury vacations.Accommodations range from one to two bedroom villas that are elegantly appointed with full kitchen, kitchenette, formal living and dining areas, whirlpool spa in master bath, private balcony with ocean view, laundry facilities and more.

9. The Royal Mayan Cancun, Mexico. Guests will love this fabulous Five Star resort just a few minutes from a Mayan archaeological site and a championship golf course.

8. Marriott's Kauai Beach Club - On the southern coast of Kauai, 51 tropical acres provide the garden setting for Marriott's Kauai Beach Club. The one and two bedroom vacation ownership villas and luxury hotel offer two restaurants, world-class swimming pool complex, two championship golf courses, tennis and a myriad of beach activities on the quarter mile of Kalapaki Beach.

7. Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta - Situated on the beach, 15 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta is a retreat for recreational water activities. When the sun goes down, explore the exciting nightlife, designer shops, and the international restaurants of Puerto Vallarta.

6. Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas - Accommodations feature lanai with ocean view, stone flooring and distinctive Hawaiian themed decor. Activities and amenities include two spas, waterslide, steam room, swimming pool, gameroom, poolside bar, sauna, fitness center, tennis,washer and dryer in both portions of the lockout units and more.

5. Marriott's Maui Ocean Club - My top choice for Maui, located on one of the world's most famous beaches is Marriott's Maui Ocean Club. Amenities include golf, tennis, watersports, lavish swimming pools, waterfalls, live entertainment, health club, shopping, restaurants, children's activity center and much more. Suite amenities include private balconies, separate living and dining areas, and kitchenette. Don't miss historic Lahaina only minutes away.

4. Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort - This awesome resort is located in the mystical, desert landscape of the southern Baja California peninsula. Situated at Land's End, Pueblo Bonito Rose is surrounded by beautiful coastline, magnificent sea life, and the majestic nature of Los Cabos.

3. Charter Club of Marco Beach - One of the best of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island will delight water lovers, sightseers, and sun worshipers. A beachfront location allows guests to be right in the midsts of one of the world's best shelling areas.

2. Vidafel Mayan Palace-Acapulco - This fabulous tropical paradise is in the new Acapulco Diamente Zone and offers beautiful lakes and gardens thoughout the property. Amenities include golf, tennis, restaurants, beach, live entertainment, playground, and the largest swimming pool in the world.

1. Harborside Resort at Atlantis - My number 1 choice. Surrounded by the beautiful Caribbean and pure-white beaches, Harborside Resort at Atlantis is ideally situated in the perfect spot for relaxing and adventure. These luxurious villas feature full kitchens, formal living and dining areas, whirlpool bath and private terraces.

So that's my top ten. Let me know if you would nominate others for this list!

Here's a narrated slide show of these ten resorts!

In the Starwood family of resorts, the Westin Kaanapali stands out above the rest.  Located on the northwest shores of Maui Hawaii, this resort offers luxury at a level few ever manage to experience.  And at a fraction of what it would cost if you owned a whole ownership condo in the same area.  The Westin Kaanapali timeshare offers acres of pristine beach and places you ideally on Maui's west end, giving you enviable access to the refreshing blue of the Pacific Ocean. Soak in breathtaking vistas of natural beauty while being able to enjoy the nearby cultural activities in the former whaling town of Lahaina. If you were to buy this timeshare from the resort you would pay far more than if you bought on the secondary market.  There are owners of Westin Kaanapali timeshare who would be willing to sell to you at a significant discount.  You can find these timeshare deals at www.rpmls.com.

If you are ready to sell your Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas timeshare, seek the professional help of the agents at www.rpmls.com.  They have been in the timeshare business for nearly 3 decades and have the expertise to get the job done!

Other Starwood Resort timeshares available at www.rpmls.com include: Sheraton's Vistana Orlando, Sheraton's Desert Oasis, Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas, Sheraton's Mountain Vista, Buganvilias Resort, Sheraton Broadway Plantation, Lakeside Terrace@Vail Valley, Sheraton's PGA Vacation Resort, Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort, and Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas.

If you have decided to sell your Marriott Maui Ocean Club timeshare, you probably have mixed emotions. This has to be one of the most beautiful timeshare resorts in the world.  It is hard to beat Maui - Ocean - Marriott - Beach - Luxury - Quality!  You find all that and more at this resort.  On the other hand, if your circumstances have changed so that you can no longer use your timeshare or afford it, it is time to sell. That's where www.rpmls.com comes to lend a hand.  There you can find a wealth of information about timeshare sales, the timeshare market in Hawaii & Maui, and the process of getting your timeshare sold.

And, if you are thinking of buying a timeshare in Maui, it would be hard to go wrong with Marriott Maui Ocean Club.  You would be part of the best name in the timeshare industry (Marriott), on one of the most beautiful islands in the Pacific Ocean (Maui), and be able to enjoy the quality service and attention that Marriott timeshare owners rave about.  So when you are ready to take the plunge, call on the timeshare professionals at www.rpmls.com so that you can save a significant amount of money compared to what you would pay at the resort. Other great Marriott timeshare deals nearby include Marriott's Kauai Beach Club and Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club.

No hassle, no pressure, just a good deal!