LOVED IT: Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare presentation recap

(www.FatGirlLovesCake.com) - Recently, I was at the Hilton in New York City and was invited to attend a timeshare presentation for the hotel chain's West 57th Street property: Hilton Club. The property is managed by Hilton Grand Vacations.

I was told I would receive $200 visa or 40,000 Hilton Honors points for attending. Because I'm a bit of a points fanatic, I decided to go for it. I didn't read any reviews before-hand. I didn't have any plans or knowledge about exactly what I was getting into. I'm a member of several hotel and travel clubs, so I figured it was their highest tier to the honors program.

Boy was I wrong!

The Hilton Club is actually a timeshare that allows "owners" to buy a week or so and stay in a pretty classy hotel while in New York City. My family was severely affected by Hurricane Sandy and don't live in the city anymore. When I come (I commute back and forth weekly or every two weeks), I stay in a hotel. It feels unnatural to pay a hotel to come to what I consider to be my home city, but it is what it is.

As you can imagine, I've racked up quite a big bill.

I hadn't given it much thought until I attended the Hilton Club sales presentation for New York City. I missed the first appointment but was able to get it rescheduled. I went to the Hilton Hotel on 6th Avenue, which is near Radio City Music. I've actually stayed in that hotel several times, attended countless events there and know the property quite well. I wished the rep had been a little more direct about where the property was because I could have found it much easier that way.

I took a taxi after being told I'd be reimbursed for it (although I wasn't). I got lost in the hotel because the scheduler didn't provide good directions but I found it after taking an elevator to the 42nd Floor and then another to the 44th.

Upon arriving, the lounge was nice but the view was stunning. It's truly hard to stun a New Yorker but I was stunned. I tried everything I could to keep from pressing my nose against the glass and looking out. I'm afraid of heights but I was so drawn to the view. The entire presentation was worth it just for the view.

I was told there would be breakfast, but I attended a 12:30 pm presentation so there were pastries, cookies, beverages and the like. I tried the apricot pastry and tried not to lick my fingers. Hilton knows how to make a mean pastry. The crust was flaky and the fruit was so fresh. It reminded me of Hawaii. The food spread was presented in a pleasing manner. I looked around and saw people in little clusters of about four people. The energy in the lounge did not seem aggressive or hostile.

To be honest, since I've attended the presentation I've been really looking at the city very differently. I am actually re-evaluating my travel options after the presentation. While I didn't buy a timeshare in New York City, I almost did. If I'd known in advance, I would have brought my checkbook and purchased one because my sales rep was fantastic. I cannot remember his name but he's about mid 50s, has great wavy hair and sits at the first seat at the top of the winding stair case. He was a straight shooter.

After talking to him, I felt like it was a scene out of the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." My own father died when I was a toddler so until that moment I hadn't realized what I'd missed. The sales rep took the time to teach me about the local and national market, explained a "deeded property," shared examples of when he used his own timeshare, etc. He didn't seem motivated by selling me, more like educating me. He was quite impressive.

When I was just about to agree to purchase but was wavering, he brought over his manager whose blue eyes were almost as stunning as the view. He was more aggressive but I wasn't offended. I felt like the two of them complemented each other - although at one point the manager contradicted the sales rep. It was slight but I caught it about inventory in South Carolina being sold out. I wasn't considering that area so it didn't bother me.

When I needed a moment to call a friend who is an accountant with a law degree, they gave me space and didn't pressure me. When my friend SHOT DOWN the idea, I informed them of such. I also informed them that I read a few negative reviews while on the phone with my friends. The sales reps didn't flinch. They didn't try to pooh pooh it. They owned up to what the person was saying, which made me feel more respectful of them as a whole. They lived up to the Hilton Hotel standard in my opinion.

I know that when I'm able, I'll probably buy into their program. Maybe not directly from them but at the very least secondary.

A few days before my presentation, the news that Marriott has bought Starwood and IHG Hotels (where I'm a Spire member) have started or completed their mergers, so dealing with a brand name like Hilton made me feel better. Besides, like he said, I'm going to pay to rent a room anyway. I might as well own it.


The sales people offered me 4,800 points (different and way more valuable than Honors points) if I bought a timeshare. When I hesitated, it got up to 11,000 points plus Hilton Honors Silver membership FOR LIFE. I really wanted that incentive. For me, it would have been worth it because as a New Yorker, I know how expensive things are here. I've seen people pay $1500 a month for what I'd call a closet.
The offer they were offering was $59,000, which honestly after I did the math wasn't offensive to me at all. Considering that the bonus points would allow me to vacation about eight weeks a year in my opinion it's really worth considering. In addition, they have a relationship with RCI so you can use your points for lower costs rentals elsewhere. The Hilton program really felt like ownership, privilege and class rolled into one product.

At the end of the presentation, we were escorted to another area where points certificates were given, VISA cards worth $100 (not $200) were given to the attendees. I am sure now after reading reviews that each person is likely offered different incentives. I elected to get the 40,000 points. I was asked for my HHonors number, gave them the card and was promptly given two 20,000 Hilton HHonors Points certificates and told to give it 6-8 weeks before the points would appear on my account. The entire staff that I met was courtesy, friendly and didn't seem desperate or shady.

I'm a long-time journalist so I'm known to be a bit skeptic of people and offers. I'm also a freebie-holic, so I know how to spot a decent deal. I also have the type of job were I'm used to upscale stuff, so it does take a lot to impress me. I wasn't offended by the Hilton Grand Vacation New York City offer. I did not feel that I wasted my time. Selling one of the when you're done may be easier in New York than in other cities, but I'm not an owner so I really do not know that to be true or untrue.


I totally get that it's not for everyone, but it's starting to feel like it's for me.