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Hello, <BR>Can anyone give me a review of the Colombo Hotel Quellenhof in Garmisch (Grainau) or the Ferienclub Oberstaufen in Oberstaufen? We have the option of staying at either of these places in the spring. <BR><BR>Can anyone recommend their favorite timeshare in the Southern Germany / Austria / Switzerland area? Thanks!

xxx

I always love these posts. Sounds like another poor soul who got suckered into a time share because of its great value and being able to trade for other destinations. Now you're stuck asking where you can use that benefit. Instead of being able to pick any of hundreds of wonderful inexpensive hotels in the area, you are limited to staying where your time can be traded -- a very limited choice. And you are forced to ask not where is a great village or hotel to visit in Switzerland or Austria, but rather, where can I trade in my time share, and then hope it is near somewhere interesting. What a strange way to have to plan your travels.

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As a matter of fact, my in-laws offered my husband and I use of their timeshare points for a free week of vacation at one of these resorts, hence the reason I am asking about them. <BR><BR>I also do believe they are quite happy with their timeshare(s) having owned many since the early 80's. They cannot recommend timeshare ownership enough. <BR><BR>You sound like you had a bitter experience with timeshare ownership and I am sorry for that. I ask that if you cannot answer my question politely please refrain from calling names.

Lina

We have had many wonderful family vacations to Europe, both using hotels and timeshares. The best have always been the timeshares. We choose 5 star resorts and stay 5 to 7 days exploring one area. Sure beats packing and unpacking everyday to travel to different location.

Anony

To increase your consumer awareness here is a link to abc news:<BR>http://abcnews.go.com/sections/business/2020/diaz010727.html<BR>or go to Google.com and type in<BR>ABCNEWS.com: Diaz Timeshare scams <BR><BR>The Claims and Realties" What I was informed as far as an investment Timeshare is as bad as it gets, they are difficult to resell and go for a fraction of original purchase price and <BR>difficult for an individual owner to rent out.<BR><BR>Resell Web Page.<BR>www.timeshare-guru.com on left open resales there are over 20 companies.<BR>

Kay

My daughter and her husband were given a 4 week timeshare in Hawaii. They love it. They go skiing in Utah, trade for island vacations, etc. If you have a good location, you can go anywhere! I want one too!

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I do not want to argue about whether or not timeshare ownership is a good investment. Some people believe it is, or it would not be such a busy industry. It all depends on how you like to spend vacations. I myself do not plan on buying a timeshare, but I know many people who have and are perfectly happy. I'm also sure there are people who have been scammed and will never go back to timeshare ownership, as there are folks who decided that timeshare ownership is not for them. <BR><BR>That said, we do have a free week offered to us by our parents and we'd like to use it in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. It is not our preferred way to spend a vacation, staying in one area and making day trips, but it is the most cost effective way for us to see this section of Europe. If I had known that some folks would berate me for using a timeshare I would not have bothered asking. But I'm sure there is someone out there who can answer my original question... ??

RON

We stayed at Metrofereinclub Oberstauffen in Oct. 2000 and had a wonderful time. The rooms are spacious and have a mini kitchen. There is a fine restaurant and a cafe on site. We were able to tour to a lot of great sites during our week there. Have not stayed at Colombo Hotel but have heard good things about it.<BR><BR>Ron

mast

Hi!<BR>We stayed in Colombo Hotel Quellenhof two years back. The resort is lovely and the room is very comfortable and spacious. Staffs are friendly and helpful. But you need a car so as to save time in travelling around. Or else you need to take a bus down the hill to the garmisch train station. I think to mix timeshare with local hotels is a great idea, especially if you have kids and don't mind driving.

tania

I opened up this thread to find out about timeshares in Germany and it turns out to be a treatise on timeshare purchase.<BR><BR>Unfortunately, there are many snakes in the timeshare business who would like to sell you their wares with false claims. It is up to the consumer to do the homework...would you buy a house or a car on impulse??? Of course not! It pays to do your research, take your time. If the deal is that good, it will still be there in a month or two or even next year.<BR><BR>People who pay $2,000 for their blue week and expect to trade to the Caribbean at Christmas get what they deserve: a $2,000 timeshare that nobody wants, and it isn't even worth that when they try to sell. <BR><BR>Kay made the excellent point that I've known for years: you need an excellent unit to trade for another excellent unit. We own the two Christmas weeks on an upscale Caribbean island. When we don't go, about 50% of the time, we deposit early to maximize our trading power. In the last 10 years, we've been to Hawaii (2weeks) at Christmas, The Disney Vacation Club in Orlando(have you seen the units in this place?), Venice(Italy and a 5 minute walk from San Marco square), Rome (Italy), Cap d'Ail (next to Monaco) and Whistler, British Columbia. We have a confirmed unit in Paris, France next summer.<BR><BR>In ALL cases, we never traded for a smaller unit. In fact, all were bigger and most were better equiped. All were scrupulously clean.<BR><BR>Today in fact, we confirmed a 2 bedroom unit in a beautiful resort in Vegas for the March Break 2003. The last time we were there, we found that 4 days wasn't enough. With all the talk about Prague on these boards, I think that city will be next...<BR><BR>We have rented out our unit several times at an excellent rate: Christmas is easy. <BR><BR>As for the re-sale market, we keep a close eye on it. Our members' association, which has taken over the management of the resort, along with a terrific website with bulletin board, keeps us abreast of the current values. So far, we are very pleased with the value of our property, which is deeded and of a lifetime duration. Excellent replacement plan of furniture, painting, etc....program. <BR><BR>In Europe, I love being able to go to the market and grocery stores to shop. What a fountain of new things to try!!! Something you can't do in a hotel. We eat breakfast and dinner in and always eat out for lunch. <BR><BR>Time to stop but for us timesharing has been wonderful!<BR><BR>my 2 cents <BR>

RON

You stated my feelings exactly Tania. Well said