Do you or does anyone you know own a time share?

i just stayed at a beautiful resort that a friend owns, that is at an “owned vacation resort.” (I think that’s what they called it – i don’t want to name it because i don’t want anybody saying i’m getting paid to sell for the company, but it’s a large hotel chain that owns the resorts). She had a two bedroom, two full bathroom suite with full kitchen, full living room, two showers and whirlpool bathtub, washer/dryer, dishwasher – all the amenities of home. The resort had indoor/outdoor pool, tennis court, hot tubs, and it was at the base of a ski slope with the lift right there so you could ski on/ski off. There were activities and different lounges throughout the buildings. Everything was in beautiful condition and the resort was nicely maintaned. i was very impressed with the rooms and the facility, to the point of considering buying such a thing myself. i know that these things now are sold as packages, with differing amounts of time, and different plans as far as locations, trading up, probably purchasing one takes a lot of decision making. i know that in addition to the price she paid she pays a monthly fee, and she also owns another one (same provider) that she bought as a foreclosure.

do you own a time share or know anybody who owns one? do they like it or are they sorry they bought it? i would think the advantage is that it encourages you to travel, since you get these weekends and weeks, it’s like you may as well use them. the advantage also is that having a kitchen available you don’t have to constantly eat in restaurants, which could be costly with a family. the disadvantage is of course shelling out a bunch of money ahead of time for vacations.