FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - The Welk (Escondido, CA) REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Old Apr 28, 2024 | 1:19 am
  #41  
SifuGinSaing
 
Join Date: Apr 2024
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by Matt4200
Those properties get their Category placement due to location, nothing more. My expectations for Category 3 and 4 are pretty high, 90% of our stays are at Cat 1 and 2 so staying above that they need to really “Wow” us.

First it’s in the middle of nowhere for us to get food or anything it’s about 30 minutes.

Second cash rates are often $120-$150.

Third my standard for 15k (Cat 4) would be somewhere like Manchester Grand Hyatt, and even there I would rarely pay 15k. I have multiple bookings for 2024 and 2025 there for 12k. I wouldn’t even pay 12k to stay at The Welk. I have several stays at HR Mission Bay booked for 9k points a night and I’ve cancelled many of them as I don’t find it to be worth it. So those are my standards.

I’d say use your FNA at HR La Jolla if you’re in SoCal.
Well, the Manchester Grand Hyatt is a Cat 5 now, so you may need to start re-aligning your expectations for a Cat 4. The Cat 1-4 FNC is getting less and less valuable. That being said, I do agree with some of your points regarding the Welk. The location is not very good; I don't think the target audience is really for people looking to do San Diego focused activities. Seeing as its a timeshare resort with full kitchens, a golf course, and pools with water slides, I think its more for families looking to have a relatively cheap vacation focused mostly on the hotel.
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