The Lakeside Villas

The Resort & Setting

The Lakeside Villas is a privately run, independent timeshare resort that holds RCI affiliation, placing it within one of the larger timeshare exchange networks rather than standing fully alone. That combination — independent management backed by an established exchange network — is fairly typical of New Zealand's timeshare stock, and it's worth knowing going in: you get a resort with its own character and its own owners' association, plus the option to trade into other RCI resorts worldwide if that's how you want to use your week.

The Area and Things to Do

Taupo sits on the shore of Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest freshwater lake, and the town has built its reputation on geothermal activity as much as on the water itself. Within easy reach are the Taupo geothermal areas, with hot springs, mud pools and steam fields, and Huka Falls, where the Waikato River narrows and crashes through at a startling rate. Tongariro National Park, about 45km away, is the main draw for hikers — the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the standout day walk, set among volcanic peaks. Taupo's town centre has settled into a reasonably sophisticated mix of restaurants, cafes and shops, so there's plenty to explore on foot between outdoor excursions.

Selling or Renting a Week Here

If you own a week at The Lakeside Villas and are thinking about selling or renting it out, BidMyTimeshare.com works as an owner-to-owner marketplace: you list your week yourself, you set the price, and buyers or renters contact you directly through the platform. There's a one-time listing fee and no commission taken on the sale or rental — unlike many traditional resale routes, we don't take a cut of what you agree with a buyer.

Because The Lakeside Villas is independently managed, any resale transfer will go through the resort's own owners' association or management company rather than a corporate brand process. Before agreeing a price with a buyer, both sides should confirm two things directly with the resort: the current transfer fee for changing the name on the deed or contract, and the current annual maintenance fee, since these vary by resort and aren't published figures we can quote here. A resale buyer typically takes on the usage rights and the obligation to pay future annual fees, but won't inherit any loyalty perks or banked points tied to the previous owner's account — again, worth checking with the resort before closing.

What renters tend to look for at a lake-and-geothermal destination like Taupo is straightforward: a week that covers either the warmer months when the lake is in full use, or a shoulder-season stretch when hiking and hot-pool visits are more comfortable without the peak crowds. Being upfront in your listing about which season your week falls in, and whether it's a fixed or floating week, will do more for a quick rental or sale than anything else.

Practical Notes

Taupo is roughly a four-hour drive south of Auckland, so most visitors — whether owners, renters, or RCI exchange guests — arrive by rental car or coach rather than flying in directly. A car is genuinely useful once you're there, since the geothermal parks, Tongariro and Huka Falls are all short drives rather than walkable from most accommodation. If your week is being used for an RCI exchange, check availability with RCI well ahead of travel, as the exchange side runs on separate booking rules from a straightforward resale or rental.