The 5 Worst Timeshare Companies to Avoid at All Costs
Perhaps you’ve heard about the stereotypes surrounding timeshare ownership: People are tricked into signing contracts, timeshare resorts are never as great as advertised, and they aren’t the cost-effective investment salespeople claim.
We're not here to tell you that all these stereotypes are true. There's a reason, though, why the timeshare industry gets a bad rap. Some timeshare companies have exploited, ripped off, and lied to their customers to get them to sign on that dotted line.
For the sake of protecting consumers and prospective timeshare owners who could be walking into a scam, here is a list of the five worst timeshare companies to buy from. These companies have sold their customers on services, perks, prices, and savings they often fail to deliver. By exposing these practices, we hope to help you make informed decisions about investing in timeshares, and if you need it, a sound exit strategy.
How We Chose This List
Making a list of the five worst timeshare companies is not an exact science, and some may disagree about what makes any one brand the worst. We didn’t consider whether a chain had sleek, shiny units in Las Vegas or Hawaii. Instead, we focused on the customer experience:
What do customers say? Far and away the biggest factor is a timeshare owner’s experience. Do they feel they were lied to? Are they losing money? Can they get a resolution of their problems with minimum frustration and trouble?
What’s the company’s legal standing? The mere fact that a company has been sued or investigated does not always mean it’s a bad company. However, if it’s repeatedly sued by current owners, it doesn’t bode well for new ones. Also, if it’s being sued by its workers, that leads to money problems that may be passed on to owners.
Is the company independent? Some recent lists may include brands that have had poor reviews in the past, like Diamond Resorts International. We don’t dispute those reports, but we also keep track of the shifting state of the industry. Diamond, along with Bluegreen Resorts, was acquired by another company, so it is no longer considered for this list.
This ranking is merely an evaluative opinion based on publicly available data at the time of publishing. That said, all the details we talk about within each entry are factual. The five companies are listed below in no particular order.
The 5 Worst Timeshare Companies
Whether you're willingly attending a timeshare presentation, receiving a reward in exchange for going to a timeshare meeting, or are just thinking about buying a timeshare property, you need to be informed about the process before you even think about signing a contract.
Many people are talked into buying a timeshare before they know all the terms and expenses that come with it. So before you put pen to paper and sign a contract for a timeshare purchase that you'll eventually need a cancellation plan for, you should be aware of the five worst timeshare companies to buy from.
Wyndham Vacation Resorts
Known as Club Wyndham, WorldMark, the Club, or Shell Vacations, this vacation ownership company is based in Orlando, Florida, and has caused constant problems for its owners.
In August 2012, a disciplinary action was filed against Wyndham and their broker, Craig Roberts, for misleading a Philadelphia couple about their timeshares. Roberts told the couple, if they decided they no longer wanted to own their three timeshares, Wyndham would buy them back after two years.
However, Roberts’s statement went directly against Wyndham’s policy, which was that it did not offer buyback programs or give resale assistance to owners. This disciplinary action, which accused the company of not adequately supervising its salespeople, ended up fining Wyndham for $15,000 and temporarily suspending Roberts from practicing as a real estate broker.
Wyndham was also under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture for 29 consumer complaints between 2008 and 2013. They were accused of unfair trade practices and were charged over $800,000 for refunds, debt relief, and investigative costs over these practices.
Finally, another case is being litigated against Wyndham in Florida, having been up to federal appeals court once. As of September 30, 2025, it is currently awaiting final resolution by the trial court on some of the remaining claims by the plaintiffs, who sued for breach of contract, misrepresentation, and other matters related to timeshare sales by Wyndham.
As of 2021, the indiscretions Wyndham had committed garnered them a score of 1.06-out-of-5-stars and a C+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). (Current information as of November 2025 from the BBB is not available, due to the fact that Wyndham’s “business profile is being updated.”) Wyndham also has a current 1-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp.
Marriott Vacations Worldwide International
Another big name in timeshare development is Marriott Vacation Club, which has a massive travel company behind it and claims to be somehow different from the other timeshare companies because of its point system and a buffet of exchange options. Unfortunately, it just offers more of the same.
Of course, Marriott is no stranger to litigation against it by timeshare owners in the United States. Marriott has also had some high-profile court cases related to its timeshares around the world.
Marriott’s legal problems go far beyond its contracts, as it has recently also been sued by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for religious discrimination against its own employees. While issues like this one may not directly impact timeshare owners’ contracts, you can be sure that continued court cases and potential payment of judgments will only push maintenance fees and assessments higher.
Despite having a slightly better reputation than other developers, Marriott still has an abysmal 1.17-out-of-5 star rating on the BBB website, with owners claiming in October of 2025 that there was “consistent misrepresentation” by the company. Another review from the same period shows that annual maintenance fees have “skyrocketed.” Complaints also show predatory and deceptive tactics used at sales presentations.
Westgate Resorts
A June 2020 lawsuit against Westgate Resorts shows that they are among the long list of timeshare companies accused of misleading customers during the sales process. This lawsuit claims that Westgate sales agents pressure buyers into signing complex and misleading documents without the proper time to read them.
Also, when buyers were given the timeshare contracts, many sales agents were urged to hide papers showing buyers' rights as well as the right to rescind the purchase in a secret pocket that made it hard, if not impossible, to find.
The same lawsuit accused Westgate Resorts of selling timeshares that often could not be used as advertised. When booking a trip during their allotted time, hundreds of timeshare-owning customers were unable to book even 12 months in advance. Those who were able to book often received a unit that was not the one they were sold.
This problem is a result of Westgate's business model that oversells timeshare units, so too many people are assigned to the same unit and are competing for their vacation spot.
Though it's not an uncommon practice, the scale at which Westgate has overbooked is uniquely troubling. This problem shows that buying timeshare vacations from Westgate Resorts is often more trouble than it’s worth.
Westgate has other issues that should cause concern. It lost a 2024 case regarding arbitration clauses (which stopped owners from filing lawsuits) in its timeshare contracts. This case alleged that the clauses violated federal law with regard to sales made to United States servicemembers.
Also, like other timeshare sellers, Westgate continues to have other legal problems that will certainly affect its business and, in turn, its timeshare owners. In 2024, Westgate was hit with a class action complaint for withholding commissions from its salespeople.
As one might expect from a firm with this history, Westgate has a poor rating and reviews on the BBB website. Its 1.05-out-of-5-star rating is the result of 2025 reviews showing its “predatory timeshare sales tactics.” In one case, a customer complains about a “90-minute presentation [that] turned into a 14-hour ordeal that didn't end until 11:30 PM.”
From these reports and legal actions, it appears that timeshare owners and others who have had contact with Westgate have walked away with quite bad experiences.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations
A lawsuit settled in 2020 showed Holiday Inn Club Vacations sold many timeshare units at Orange Lake Country Club in Florida that were quite hard to book. They also had maintenance fees with huge yearly increases despite their salespeople claiming they wouldn't. These owners sought third-party legal help in order to rescind their timeshare contracts with Holiday Inn Club Vacations.
Scared they might lose the lawsuit, Holiday Inn agreed to take back the units and allow these customers to rescind their contracts. In the process, they made a policy to allow these customers to sell their timeshares back to Holiday Inn Vacations Club.
Though the company insists that working directly with developers is always better than seeking rescission help from third-party companies, this is not quite true. Likely the only reason they bought back these units was to save face and make future customers believe that Holiday Inn has a convenient buy-back policy, which is probably only the case for a small number of their customers.
Holiday Inn’s legal outlook has not improved much. In August of 2025, it was hit with a California lawsuit alleging violations of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Financial Abuse of an Elder. Holiday Inn quickly removed that case from state court to federal court, which it likely thought was a better legal risk. It is now trying to get the complaint dismissed.
Countless bad reviews on Holiday Inn's Better Business Bureau profile will tell you that it is a poor choice. One October 2025 review bluntly states, “We were lured into Holiday Inn Club Vacations with promises of flexibility and family benefits, but the reality has been a nightmare from start to finish.” Other owners complain of “harassment” and spiraling money problems coming from their contracts.
Capital Vacations
Though some of the biggest firms can be the worst to deal with, that doesn’t mean smaller timeshare companies are safe. If you need to be convinced of this fact, look no further than Capital Vacations — a smaller timeshare developer with an outsized, terrible reputation.
In April of 2025, an Indiana couple sued Capital Vacations over a timeshare presentation in Branson, Missouri, where they allege they were the victims of deceptive practices and outright lies by sales staff.
The Branson lawsuit does not appear to arise from a lone incident, as the BBB reviews page for Capital Vacations contains stories from still more owners claiming to be the victims of “deeply distressing” practices costing them tens of thousands of dollars (and even more). All of these problems no doubt led to the company’s poor score of 1.16-out-of-5 stars on the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
I just signed a contract with one of these companies, and I am having second thoughts. What should I do? Contact Centerstone Group immediately. In most states, you have the right to cancel a short time after signing, but you have to do it correctly. We can give you free advice about how to make sure it’s done right.
Do I have to file a lawsuit to get a timeshare cancellation? No. In fact, lawsuits tend to be among the most expensive ways to obtain an exit. Though the courtroom is not always avoidable, Centerstone Group’s team has expertise to make sure that it’s one of the last resorts, not the first.
I didn’t buy a timeshare in the United States. Can Centerstone Group still help me? Yes, Centerstone Group has extensive experience in helping its customers obtain legal and ethical exits from international contracts. The process can change significantly based on your individual facts, though, and there may be time limits, so contact us as soon as possible for a consultation.
Escape Your Timeshare Contract
The five worst timeshare companies we've discussed have issues ranging from lack of access to dishonesty in the sales process to repeated legal violations. All in all, these companies do not offer the flexibility, convenience, or financial payoff they claim.
If you own a timeshare with one of these five worst timeshare companies, or any other timeshare provider whose policies are making it impossible to escape your contract, Centerstone Group may be able to help you.
We are a full-service advocacy group that specializes in resolving timeshare contracts for those who've been victims of fraud, high-pressure sales tactics, or misrepresentation during the timeshare sales process. As an A+-rated, accredited business with the BBB, our satisfied clients have given us a star rating of 4.78-out-of-5, showing our dedication to both results and a transparent process that is as easy as possible for you.
Contact us today so we can help find the best timeshare exit process for you.
Perhaps you’ve heard about the stereotypes surrounding timeshare ownership: People are tricked into signing contracts, timeshare resorts are never as great as advertised, and they aren’t the cost-effective investment salespeople claim.
We're not here to tell you that all these stereotypes are true. There's a reason, though, why the timeshare industry gets a bad rap. Some timeshare companies have exploited, ripped off, and lied to their customers to get them to sign on that dotted line.
For the sake of protecting consumers and prospective timeshare owners who could be walking into a scam, here is a list of the five worst timeshare companies to buy from. These companies have sold their customers on services, perks, prices, and savings they often fail to deliver. By exposing these practices, we hope to help you make informed decisions about investing in timeshares, and if you need it, a sound exit strategy.
How We Chose This List
Making a list of the five worst timeshare companies is not an exact science, and some may disagree about what makes any one brand the worst. We didn’t consider whether a chain had sleek, shiny units in Las Vegas or Hawaii. Instead, we focused on the customer experience:
This ranking is merely an evaluative opinion based on publicly available data at the time of publishing. That said, all the details we talk about within each entry are factual. The five companies are listed below in no particular order.
The 5 Worst Timeshare Companies
Whether you're willingly attending a timeshare presentation, receiving a reward in exchange for going to a timeshare meeting, or are just thinking about buying a timeshare property, you need to be informed about the process before you even think about signing a contract.
Many people are talked into buying a timeshare before they know all the terms and expenses that come with it. So before you put pen to paper and sign a contract for a timeshare purchase that you'll eventually need a cancellation plan for, you should be aware of the five worst timeshare companies to buy from.
Wyndham Vacation Resorts
Known as Club Wyndham, WorldMark, the Club, or Shell Vacations, this vacation ownership company is based in Orlando, Florida, and has caused constant problems for its owners.
In August 2012, a disciplinary action was filed against Wyndham and their broker, Craig Roberts, for misleading a Philadelphia couple about their timeshares. Roberts told the couple, if they decided they no longer wanted to own their three timeshares, Wyndham would buy them back after two years.
However, Roberts’s statement went directly against Wyndham’s policy, which was that it did not offer buyback programs or give resale assistance to owners. This disciplinary action, which accused the company of not adequately supervising its salespeople, ended up fining Wyndham for $15,000 and temporarily suspending Roberts from practicing as a real estate broker.
Wyndham was also under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture for 29 consumer complaints between 2008 and 2013. They were accused of unfair trade practices and were charged over $800,000 for refunds, debt relief, and investigative costs over these practices.
Finally, another case is being litigated against Wyndham in Florida, having been up to federal appeals court once. As of September 30, 2025, it is currently awaiting final resolution by the trial court on some of the remaining claims by the plaintiffs, who sued for breach of contract, misrepresentation, and other matters related to timeshare sales by Wyndham.
As of 2021, the indiscretions Wyndham had committed garnered them a score of 1.06-out-of-5-stars and a C+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). (Current information as of November 2025 from the BBB is not available, due to the fact that Wyndham’s “business profile is being updated.”) Wyndham also has a current 1-out-of-5-star rating on Yelp.
Marriott Vacations Worldwide International
Another big name in timeshare development is Marriott Vacation Club, which has a massive travel company behind it and claims to be somehow different from the other timeshare companies because of its point system and a buffet of exchange options. Unfortunately, it just offers more of the same.
Of course, Marriott is no stranger to litigation against it by timeshare owners in the United States. Marriott has also had some high-profile court cases related to its timeshares around the world.
In the United Kingdom, for example, owners with Marriott timeshares recovered nearly 78,000 euros ($90,000 USD) from the company for its contract problems. Furthermore, in Spain, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of awards have been given in court judgments against Marriott.
Marriott’s legal problems go far beyond its contracts, as it has recently also been sued by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for religious discrimination against its own employees. While issues like this one may not directly impact timeshare owners’ contracts, you can be sure that continued court cases and potential payment of judgments will only push maintenance fees and assessments higher.
Despite having a slightly better reputation than other developers, Marriott still has an abysmal 1.17-out-of-5 star rating on the BBB website, with owners claiming in October of 2025 that there was “consistent misrepresentation” by the company. Another review from the same period shows that annual maintenance fees have “skyrocketed.” Complaints also show predatory and deceptive tactics used at sales presentations.
Westgate Resorts
A June 2020 lawsuit against Westgate Resorts shows that they are among the long list of timeshare companies accused of misleading customers during the sales process. This lawsuit claims that Westgate sales agents pressure buyers into signing complex and misleading documents without the proper time to read them.
Also, when buyers were given the timeshare contracts, many sales agents were urged to hide papers showing buyers' rights as well as the right to rescind the purchase in a secret pocket that made it hard, if not impossible, to find.
The same lawsuit accused Westgate Resorts of selling timeshares that often could not be used as advertised. When booking a trip during their allotted time, hundreds of timeshare-owning customers were unable to book even 12 months in advance. Those who were able to book often received a unit that was not the one they were sold.
This problem is a result of Westgate's business model that oversells timeshare units, so too many people are assigned to the same unit and are competing for their vacation spot.
Though it's not an uncommon practice, the scale at which Westgate has overbooked is uniquely troubling. This problem shows that buying timeshare vacations from Westgate Resorts is often more trouble than it’s worth.
Westgate has other issues that should cause concern. It lost a 2024 case regarding arbitration clauses (which stopped owners from filing lawsuits) in its timeshare contracts. This case alleged that the clauses violated federal law with regard to sales made to United States servicemembers.
Also, like other timeshare sellers, Westgate continues to have other legal problems that will certainly affect its business and, in turn, its timeshare owners. In 2024, Westgate was hit with a class action complaint for withholding commissions from its salespeople.
As one might expect from a firm with this history, Westgate has a poor rating and reviews on the BBB website. Its 1.05-out-of-5-star rating is the result of 2025 reviews showing its “predatory timeshare sales tactics.” In one case, a customer complains about a “90-minute presentation [that] turned into a 14-hour ordeal that didn't end until 11:30 PM.”
From these reports and legal actions, it appears that timeshare owners and others who have had contact with Westgate have walked away with quite bad experiences.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations
A lawsuit settled in 2020 showed Holiday Inn Club Vacations sold many timeshare units at Orange Lake Country Club in Florida that were quite hard to book. They also had maintenance fees with huge yearly increases despite their salespeople claiming they wouldn't. These owners sought third-party legal help in order to rescind their timeshare contracts with Holiday Inn Club Vacations.
Scared they might lose the lawsuit, Holiday Inn agreed to take back the units and allow these customers to rescind their contracts. In the process, they made a policy to allow these customers to sell their timeshares back to Holiday Inn Vacations Club.
Though the company insists that working directly with developers is always better than seeking rescission help from third-party companies, this is not quite true. Likely the only reason they bought back these units was to save face and make future customers believe that Holiday Inn has a convenient buy-back policy, which is probably only the case for a small number of their customers.
Holiday Inn’s legal outlook has not improved much. In August of 2025, it was hit with a California lawsuit alleging violations of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Financial Abuse of an Elder. Holiday Inn quickly removed that case from state court to federal court, which it likely thought was a better legal risk. It is now trying to get the complaint dismissed.
Countless bad reviews on Holiday Inn's Better Business Bureau profile will tell you that it is a poor choice. One October 2025 review bluntly states, “We were lured into Holiday Inn Club Vacations with promises of flexibility and family benefits, but the reality has been a nightmare from start to finish.” Other owners complain of “harassment” and spiraling money problems coming from their contracts.
Capital Vacations
Though some of the biggest firms can be the worst to deal with, that doesn’t mean smaller timeshare companies are safe. If you need to be convinced of this fact, look no further than Capital Vacations — a smaller timeshare developer with an outsized, terrible reputation.
In April of 2025, an Indiana couple sued Capital Vacations over a timeshare presentation in Branson, Missouri, where they allege they were the victims of deceptive practices and outright lies by sales staff.
The Branson lawsuit does not appear to arise from a lone incident, as the BBB reviews page for Capital Vacations contains stories from still more owners claiming to be the victims of “deeply distressing” practices costing them tens of thousands of dollars (and even more). All of these problems no doubt led to the company’s poor score of 1.16-out-of-5 stars on the website.Frequently Asked Questions
Escape Your Timeshare Contract
The five worst timeshare companies we've discussed have issues ranging from lack of access to dishonesty in the sales process to repeated legal violations. All in all, these companies do not offer the flexibility, convenience, or financial payoff they claim.
If you own a timeshare with one of these five worst timeshare companies, or any other timeshare provider whose policies are making it impossible to escape your contract, Centerstone Group may be able to help you.
We are a full-service advocacy group that specializes in resolving timeshare contracts for those who've been victims of fraud, high-pressure sales tactics, or misrepresentation during the timeshare sales process. As an A+-rated, accredited business with the BBB, our satisfied clients have given us a star rating of 4.78-out-of-5, showing our dedication to both results and a transparent process that is as easy as possible for you.
Contact us today so we can help find the best timeshare exit process for you.