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Toll Free: 877-624-6889
Intl: (407) 917-8432
Posted on July 23, 2020
Timeshare owners looking to head across the border from the U.S. have few options due to the ever-changing nature of COVID-related policy responses.
While Aruba opened its borders to inbound travel earlier this month, negative COVID tests are required to be presented within 72 hours of entry into the country. Residents from certain U.S. states can take the test upon arrival, while others need to submit test results prior to arrival. Anyone planning to visit an Aruba timeshare is encouraged to check the latest travel information by clicking here.
The Bahamas has taken a tougher stand with Americans, announcing a ban on U.S. arrivals effective from yesterday for the foreseeable future. New COVID cases have appeared in the Bahamas since the country reopened on July 1, so the government has taken additional steps such as closing beaches, bars and indoor dining. Paradise Island timeshare owners wouldn’t be left with much to do, but this is a significant step back. I guess it isn’t Better in the Bahamas these days.
Meanwhile, U.S. land borders shared with Canada and Mexico will remain closed until August 21 at the earliest. This applies to non-essential travel, with the Canadian government leaving its global travel advisory in place from March 13 advising Canadians to remain north. Flights can still be booked between the three countries, but Americans are currently unable to enter Canada. Travelers can fly from the U.S. to Mexico, but may require temperature checks and health screening upon arrival.
One encouraging development is that positive COVID cases in Florida have dropped below 10,000 each day on Monday and Tuesday for the first time since July 13, even with central Florida theme parks open. Over 100,000 test results were reported to Florida officials just on Tuesday. The recovery rate from COVID in Florida stands at 98.6 percent, with Orange County’s recovery rate at 99.5 percent and Osceola County at 99.4 percent – the two primary hubs for Orlando-area timeshare resorts.
Timeshare resorts across the U.S. continue to operate under revised guidelines due to COVID-related protocols. Resort statuses for the major brands are listed below, and we suggest owners read up on any available advice from their resorts regarding current procedures and any amenity restrictions.
Bluegreen Vacations – All Bluegreen Club resorts and Club associate resorts are open with the exception of Pono Kai Resort on Kauai in Hawaii, which is scheduled to reopen on August 31. For more Bluegreen timeshare information, please visit https://www.bluegreenowner.com/featured/travel-advisory-resort-status.
Capital Vacations – Coral Sands (Grand Cayman) and Sea Palace (St Maarten) are still listed as closed, but Coral Sands staff are saying the airport on Grand Cayman is scheduled to reopen on September 1. Sea Palace is taking reservations on its website beginning in mid-October. The remaining Capital timeshare resorts are open so please visit https://www.capitalvacations.com/covid.php for details.
Club Wyndham – Several Wyndham timeshare resorts in Hawaii are still listed as opening on August 2 even though the state has extended its inbound quarantine restrictions until September. Wyndham San Francisco resorts are also due to reopen on August 2. A handful of other Wyndham timeshare resorts are shown as closed but the vast majority are open. Please go to https://clubwyndham.wyndhamdestinations.com/us/en/covid-19-information/list-of-impacted-resorts for more information.
Diamond Resorts – Alhambra Villas and Crescent Resort on Miami Beach are scheduled to open next week. Marquis Villas Resort and several Diamond timeshare resorts in Hawaii are set to reopen on August 31. The remaining Diamond timeshare resorts in the U.S. are open. Click on https://www.diamondresorts.com/covid-19-update for details.
Disney Vacation Club – Reports are that the Disney theme parks in Orlando are running smoothly after reopening earlier this month, albeit at lower capacities. Disney timeshare resorts in Orlando, Hilton Head and Vero Beach continue to operate but Disney has no new information about reopening dates for Aulani, Grand Californian or reopening Disneyland. One good piece of news is that the Anaheim Planning Commission approved plans for 350 DVC timeshare units to be added to the Disneyland Hotel. More details regarding resort and park status can be seen at https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/.
Grand Pacific Resorts – No changes as Grand Pacific timeshare resorts remain open except Indian Palms Vacation Club, which reopens on September 1. Click https://grandpacificresorts.com/resort-reopening-updates/ for more details.
Hilton Grand Vacations – Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations Club is scheduled to reopen today, but most Hilton timeshare resorts in Hawaii remain closed, as are those in New York City and Chicago. Otherwise U.S.-based Hilton timeshares are open, so please visit https://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/en/travel-alert for further info.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations – All Holiday Inn Club Vacations timeshare resorts are now open, with some amenity restrictions per COVID protocols. For more information, please click on https://holidayinnclub.com/safe-travels/resort-updates.
Marriott Vacation Club – Reopening for Marriott Vacation Club Pulse at The Mayflower, Washington, D.C., has now been extended to August 9. Marriott’s Waikoloa Ocean Club is still closed with no stated reopening date, although Marriott mentions the Hawaii quarantine restrictions in place through August. Marriott Vacation Club Pulse San Francisco and Marriott Vacation Club Pulse New York City are still closed with no anticipated reopening date listed. The remaining U.S.-based Marriott timeshare resorts are open. Please visit https://hub.vacationclub.com/resort-updates/ for more details.
Vistana Signature Experiences – All Westin timeshare and Sheraton timeshare resorts remain open.
Westgate Resorts – the reopening date for Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Palace Resort and Westgate Towers Resort has been extended to November 19. All other Westgate timeshare resorts remain open except Westgate New York Grand Central and Westgate Tunica Resort, which are closed until further notice. For more details, please visit https://www.westgateresorts.com/coronavirus-travel-advisory/.
WorldMark – Most WorldMark timeshare resorts in Hawaii have extended their reopening dates to August 31, with WorldMark Kona extended to November 30. WorldMark San Francisco has pushed out its reopening until August 16. Crotched Mountain Resort is still on track for an August 3 opening. Otherwise, the vast majority of WorldMark timeshare resorts are open. For more details, please visit https://www.worldmarktheclub.com/news/covid19_impacted_resorts.shtml.
Steve manages the public relations, social media and content creation efforts of the company. Previously the Chief Operating Officer for Perspective International, Steve provided oversight and contributed articles for the five regional vacation ownership trade magazines under the Perspective Magazine banner. With 34 years’ experience in various roles in radio and television, sales and marketing, public relations, media and government liaison initiatives, he brings a well-rounded outlook to our industry.