Timeshare Roadtrip 2020

Our roving retirement has been pretty stationary this year for a number of reasons. But as I have said many times, it is always good to daydream and plan for things to be better. Thanks to Covid-19, 2020 could be the Year Of The Roadtrip for you. In this post, I review ten worthy timeshare destinations with outdoor summertime fun. You don’t even need to own a timeshare to enjoy them.

Trade Or Rent

I have many friends who own timeshares in Hawaii. At the time of this writing, anyone visiting Hawaii must quarantine for 14 days, making it impossible to enjoy a stay of less than at least three weeks. It occurred to me they could trade in their week and drive somewhere less restricted and score a much-needed getaway. Some of those owners have never done such a trade, but you can refer to Our Timeshare Trading Successes.

For those of you don’t have a timeshare but still need a break, have a look at How to Rent a Timeshare to see how you get in on the action without the ownership commitment. Since you’ll likely be there for a week, the extra room a timeshare can provide might be quite welcome.

I should note that we have stayed at all of the locations below and can definitely recommend them.

Water Fun

I suspect my friends bought their Hawaii timeshares to enjoy the tropical weather and the beach. So, I figured we could look at two options in the Lower 48.

Hyatt Highlands Inn, Carmel CA
While not beachside, this beautiful property with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean is an easy drive to Carmel-By-The-Sea and the beach. Nearby are many restaurants and wine tasting shops with outdoor (socially distanced) patios and some great hiking in Big Sur and Pinnacles National Park. There are many top-notch golf courses in the area, too.

Marriott’s Timber Lodge, Lake Tahoe CA
Located at the CA-NV state line at the south end of the lake, many beaches and boating activities are within walking distance. You can take the adjacent Heavenly Mountain Gondola up to 9200 feet elevation and enjoy a panoramic view of the lake, the mountain coaster as well as hiking and biking trails. Outdoor seating is featured at local restaurants.

Holiday Inn Vacation Club, Tahoe Ridge Resort, Lake Tahoe CA
We are frequent visitors to this resort in the winter but the most popular time to visit is during the summer. Located on a Ridge with Lake Tahoe on one side and small-town Nevada on the other side. There are loads of outdoor things to do that include hiking, mountain biking, and boating on the lake. The resort itself has several pools, tennis courts, movies, and other activities to keep everyone busy and the views are spectacular.

Mountain Fun

Marriott’s Summit Watch and Marriott’s Mountainside, Park City UT
Hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, and ATV rentals are all within easy access of Summit Watch. A striking pool will cool you off before you head out for some vittles on Main Street, just outside your door. Since this is not a golf destination per se, area courses are generally easy to get on and not over-priced.

Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Breckenridge CO
The usual mountain activities like hiking are abundantly present here.  An adjacent lift will take you to 11,000 feet to afford you some breathless views of surrounding Ten Mile Range. Kayaking and boating are available at nearby Dillon Reservoir. Great day trips are available to Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden Of The Gods, and South Park (yes, that South Park). Many dining options can be found in town. In case a timeshare doesn’t work for you, our friends at Summit Mountain Rentals can help you find an ideal place.

Desert Fun

Marriott’s Shadow Ridge and Marriott’s Desert Springs, Palm Desert CA
Summer means heat and pool time when you’re in the desert. Daily high’s average 105 degrees in the summer, but the low humidity takes the edge off. We usually hang out by the pool, hopping in to cool off periodically. Loads of inexpensive golf is available nearby, early tee times can keep the heat at bay.

Desert walks reveal a lot of bio-diversity. An easy day trip to Joshua Tree National Park is a fine way to take in the great outdoors. Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to San Jacinto Peak, with panoramic views of the Coachella Valley, and comfortable hikes with an average daily high in the 70s all summer long.

Sheraton Desert Oasis, Scottsdale AZ
Scottsdale is a well-to-do suburb of Phoenix, with shopping and restaurants to match. The resort is big enough to provide a fun pool experience but small enough to make it simple to get around. Lots of cheap and not-so-cheap golf can be found.

July and August high temps averaging around 109 degrees do need to be managed, especially mid-day. Tonto National Forest and South Mountain State Park are easy to access for hikes. Popular day-trips include the Grand Canyon National Park. Cooler temps exist at altitude in Flagstaff, Sedona or Prescott, which are only a few hours away.

East Coast Fun

Marriott’s Manor Club at Ford’s Colony, Williamsburg VA
Free Golf! That’s right, if you can trade into this property, two rounds of golf are included for each day you stay ($24 cart fee required). This benefit may also be available if you rent from an owner, but definitely caveat emptor here.

Beyond the greens, the resort has a quaint style befitting its location. Colonial Williamsburg is essentially an outdoor museum, making distancing not too difficult. Also nearby are Jamestown and the Yorktown Battlefield. Monticello, Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Kitty Hawk are all viable day trips from the Manor Club. Your sightseeing choices abound.

Reality Check

As I write this, all of the resorts have enough facilities and outdoor dining open to making your stay fun while socially distancing. You should absolutely ensure their current status when you book and be comfortable with the cancellation policy.

Don’t Buy A Timeshare During Your Stay

Finally, you may get a timeshare purchase pitch during your stay. Given my clear affinity for timesharing, you may be surprised to hear me say Just Say No! You can give them 90 minutes of your time for some spiff, but there is almost always a cheaper way to buy a timeshare. I will share thoughts on buying a timeshare in a future article.

Where are you thinking of heading?