TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Exchanges through RCI

Hello all. Does anyone ever do exchanges through RCI into resorts in SXM? This is my situation. I have accepted an exchange into a 3 bedroom at Royal Palm Resort for Jan 7-14, 2017. Of course there is an exchange fee (taken care of) as well as the cost of my maintenance fees (also taken care of before I depoisited my week for exchange) We are very happy to have confirmed a 3 bedroom at the Royal Palm,,although the actual unit is not confirmed. What I am wondering about it all the other "costs". Is it common to have to pay 10.00 per day for resort amenities? Also a 50 dollar tourist tax,,,,and the other charge is a departure fee of 30.00 per person, which I am accustomed to. Can anyone shed any light on this.....and an extra request: has anyone exchanged into a 3 bedroom at Royal Palm thru RCI,,,if so what was the unit number and how was it. Thanks a lot.....Cheers <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Any timeshare useage on SXM will have the $50 ts tax. If you rented a hotel room you would have the hotel tax so $50 is not too bad. Some have a fee for Wifi or Energy but it is usually minimal, not sure on Royal Palm.

I would guess that any 3 bedroom unit at Royal Palm would be nice and I do not think there are too many of them, I think you will probably do pretty well with that exchange.

Cheers,
Todd

Departure fee is included in your airfare so not specific to any rental.

Time share tax of $50 (as mentioned) is a bargain compared to the tax of a direct rental

A 3 BR exchange is a score <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I have NOT exchanged through RCI but HAVE stayed in a 3 bedroom at Royal Palm. Unit 8101....it's on the ground floor on the end nearest the bridge. You can sit right on your patio and watch the parade of boats. A lovely unit.

There is also one on the ground floor opposite end to that one.

Our departure tax (30 per person) has never been included in our airfare,,we always pay that seperately? Not sure if that is because we are flying direct from Canada? We fly out of toronto, direct flight for 637.00 but we know the departure tax is not in that ticket. Still a good price for a direct flight. I think I was just wondering on the daily charges because I thought I had read somewhere that when doing an exchange we were exempt,,,that's the only reason I asked the question. AT any rate, am looking forward to our trip and I do realize that to score a three bedroom is an awesome deal....I do not own a timeshare,,,I own a vacation membership,,,it is slightly different. Every odd year I pay maintenance fees at a resort in Collingwood Ontario. I either go there, or deposit my week and travel elsewhere. Not sure how I scored a three bedroom, but Royal Palm location is just where we wanted to be. We rent a car anyways, and do travel around,,but staying there offers so many options by foot,,when me, the driver, wants to partake in some "beverages"...lol Thanks to all who responded.

Interesting about your departure tax not being included. It kinda goes against what I had believed. Thanks..

According to my recent ticket purchase, departure tax/fee is now $36. I did not know it was not included when flying from Canada. From my ticket receipt.:Sint Maarten - Airport Departure Tax (SXM) (FH) $36.00 USD

If you are renting/exchanging as a timeshare then the $50 timeshare tax will apply for each week or partial week. If renting/exchanging as a hotel room/rental, the $50 will not apply but you will be hit with 15%-20% tax/service charge plus (I believe) a $10/day "resort fee".

There are two 6th floor 3 bedroom units but one is a wholly owned unit and I doubt ever rented out. There is at least one first floor 3 bedroom unit and it is on the drawbridge side. I am personally not aware of a 3 bedroom unit on the opposite end but it may well be there is one there also.

The departure tax is always included in all Canadian airlines tickets. This has been the case for several years now. I have flown out of Toronto for several years and never had to pay the fees you are speaking of. YOU need to contact your airline as your ticket includes all extra fees.

I am not aware of any other 3 BR on the ground floor either. I certainly have never seen one for rent on the ground floor OTHER than the one by the drawbridge.

Believe me. It,s there. The last unit closest to the atrium, ground floor.

Ok, it must be a wholly owned unit and not ever rented out.

Yes, Scubaman is correct. The opposite end...ground floor. I have been in it, but never rented it.

Thanks Elizabeth with regards to the departure tax/fee. Interesting situation.

Regarding the 3 bedroom units, I have a map/layout of Royal Palm and it shows no specific 3 bedroom units but I know for a fact there are at least 3. It would make sense there would be another one on the ground floor. The layout I have also shows center units 8214 and 8514 as being larger on the diagram but I do not think they are 3 bedroom. I think one of the center units is a larger 2 bedroom as I believe I have stayed in that unit before.

Nope. I stayed next door to that unit and talked with people that traded in through rci when RP was still with suntara.

The layout/site plan I have is from Sunterra, is that who you are referring to?

From a rental listing for week #3

#8214:

Thanks. I guess there is another (at least one) 3 bedroom unit.

Island Gem, you are 100 percent correct! I don't know what I was thinking,,,maybe too much turkey has dulled my brain. I phoned my sister in law who is the travel agent and she asked if I had been drinking!!! lol....sorry for the mistake,,,our departure tax IS included in airfair out of toronto. Thanks to the rest of you for all your input re 3 bedrooms,,,I am hoping for the one by drawbridge,,,or one of the 3 bedrooms higher up. The guys really like the yachts coming and going. Can't wait to get there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Even if you get the 3 bed on the bottom floor on the other end close to the atrium you'll enjoy it. Right on the beach and a nicely layed out floor plan.

What airline are you flying on? Even Sunwing has it included in their fare, so I would be surprised to find an airline not including it in their fare.

If you look at the last post by the op they realized their mistake and the departure tax was included in their tickets.

Air Transat....and was my bad.....it IS included, just like Island Gem said.....thanks again!! SXM...here we come....Jan 7th.....Yay,,,,love the location of Royal Palm Beach!!!
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I just got a reply from a person at the resort and she said we were confirmed into unit 8214..said it was 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom...so....here's hoping. I have asked on Trip Advisor etc..I even went on a site with timeshares for sale....and I "think " I got talking to an owner? who knows...he confirmed it was a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, all king size beds and said it was the largest in the resort?? I am more interested in the view,,,and I get a sense that this actual room might be kinda in middle of resort and not as close to waterway where the yachts come in, but from back door appartently we will look out kinda over Lees and be able to see. At any rate, I do have an email with confirmation number for 8214 for a week. Happy to hear there are 3 bathrooms,,,but it's weird that I read so many varying answers of people who have stayed there. There is either a view and 3 bathrooms or not?? Oh well, we do like the Royal Palm and I am sure it will be fine.
The countdown is on!!

As I posted previously re: 8214

Thanks Boucharda....do you mind me asking if you can see the yachts coming and going....(lol the guys really wud like that view).....Or because we are on the second floor, rather than ground, our view will be ok?? I "do" appreciate first hand knowledge. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I have never stayed in RP but, being on the 2nd floor, I assume you will have a direct view of Simpson Bay and the yachts as they approach and leave. This is again assuming the info from the rental I found is correct. (I stay at SBR) Others can confirm.

A two minute walk to the rocks bordering the entrance to the Lagoon/bridge will put you almost arms length from them....(not really but it feels that way)

I will be arriving the day after you leave for our normal 2 week stay.

Thanks Bourcharda... one of these times we will manage 2 weeks,,,lucky you. Have an awesome holiday and thanks for all your input! Happy trails.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

You are on the 2nd floor in the very center of the building. The Upper View Lounge, if it is still open and if that is still the name, should be somewhat across from your room. There is a great view of the yachts coming and going from there. You can also walk towards the end of the building for a better view. Going up a floor or two for the view is another option. From you balcony you will have a rather obstructed view due to being in the center and the rest of the building.

I would guess all of the 3 bedroom units are of the same size, around 1,100 sq. ft. from what I recall. You should have a large and deep balcony. Not as long at the 6th floor balconies and probably not quite as big as the 1st floor 3 bedroom units but still really nice compared to a 1 or 2 bedroom unit.

If the unit is like the other 3 bedroom units, there will be 3 bathrooms also.

I don't think you will be disappointed.

All of the three bedroom units have 3 bathrooms, as far as I know. The view from the back of any of the units is only going to be from standing on the hallway. 8200 would be second floor, not quite as good as a view as the top floor, but should be actually better than the bottom floor, to me. On the bottom floor, you kind of have to look through bushes to see the water.

Hi Carol. The bottom east end is nice three bedroom and is right beside the water ways,,,,my son stayed there quite a few years ago,,,the only probs in January was the bugs on the patio....not a problem higher up. As long as I can see over the pool, I should be good,,,we can always walk over to see the yachts coming in thru the narrow waters there to go under the bridge. I just can't place where the lounge is? I guess we never entered it at all when we stayed in a two bedroom far west side about 8 years ago. We parked right outside and walked up the outside stairs,,,was real handy. I hope the second floor 8214 is high enough to see over pool cabana area. At any rate, we do make the best of our time in SXM.....and RP is a great location for us. We just spend a lot of time on patio as well.

As long as I'm not too direction-ally challenged I believe the "Eaat 3 bedroom" your referring to is closer to the Atrium. The "West" one would be closest to the Bridge and waterway.

There is a lounge [bar] out over the front entrance, which has windows looking out over the bridge. It's called the Upper View, or used to be, anyway. It's on the second floor, come out of the elevators and it's right beside the elevators.

oops! i have them mixed up....I know what you mean,,,no worries, it's me thats directionally challenged! lol <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />