TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Letter from Diamond Resorts

Got this in the mail last week.
"At this time, we do not have an exact date for when the resorts will reopen, but current estimates reflect the construction process to last until the end of March 2020. We are hopeful that construction will be completed sooner, but are setting realistic timelines based on many unknown factors, including weather and limited resources, which could impact the schedule. Our goal is to welcome you back to Royal Palm Beach Resort and Flamingo Beach Resort as soon as possible, so you can enjoy all that the charming island has to offer.
You can also find monthly updates on DiamondResorts.com under the specific resort pages."

Sorry, it was ridiculous when they announced that date and it's still ridiculous. There's something else going on there..

After being there and seeing the damage, what needs to be done and the end result plans to make it a 5 star resort that timeline looks realistic. They want to be complete before they reopen and not partial. I'm willing to wait as long as they don't charge the MF like last year.

I think you are very much the exception. If I owned timeshare there, I would be up in arms.. We drove by Royal Palm a few times last month and I really didn't see too much going on, workers' cars in the parking lot, etc..

I was upset at first but we had excellent accommodations in a 2 bed villa rental this last year. We have it reserved for 3 weeks again next year right next to La Vista, where friends are staying, and Flamingo. I can wait it out.

Can you let me know the Name of the Villa you are renting and agency, if you are using one? Sorry to go OT. You can PM me if you'd like. TIA

Thanks Scubama

I agree Carol. Its hard to fathom that they can take such a large loss of potential revenue. Its also seems suspicious that they don't have many details sussed at this time.

They loss of revenue must be crushing. Not to mention there will be owner attrition and refusal to pay AMFs. I have no special knowledge but it seems to me that they are treading water until what they decide to do with the property (restore, sell, abandon).

Interesting thought: Wasn't the Flamingo part of the Pelican Resort (now SBR) and sold off? I wonder if SBR would like that property (s)?

.

I have no inside information at all about what their motives are, but I mistrust them. I actually don't think they intend to abandon or sell the properties, but I think they have other motivations. Which I think specifically include getting rid of a bunch of timeshare weeks and being able to rent out as a hotel more. With regard to Royal Palm in particular, they want to get rid of the people running the restaurant, which they have been trying to do for YEARS, and they want to get rid of the whole owners. And again, I have ZERO information that my position is correct, but it makes sense to me. Much more sense than not being able to reopen until 2020...

As I said before they are completely rebuilding from scratch and want to do it right. Going to take time (island time) and I'm willing to wait for the finished product.

Just curious....where are they getting the funds for this "complete rebuild"?

Insurance. Flamingo had full coverage with a good policy and had money in reserves to cover the very large deductible. Not the case with Royal Palm which couldn't cover the deductible and had to impose a special assessment.

I'm just going to agree to disagree with you. No way it should take that long.

Have you seen the property now? Have you been on the property and looked in the rooms and seen the destruction? Do you have first hand knowledge of what they already have done and plan on doing to each and every room? I have and it's a great undertaking. They don't want a half assed fix and to just cover up the damage as some resorts are doing. But a complete remake. Not an easy fix with a short labor force and limited available materials on island. All rooms need to be rewired and new plumbing to get rid of those airline style flushing toilets. Every counter has to be specially made to measure as all rooms aren't exact and some have different configurations. It's pretty much building from scratch within a preexisting skeleton that needed to be stripped to the bare bones to start with. Remodels are a lot more time consuming and difficult than just building on a bare lot. Then there is the complete restocking of each room with all new furniture, furnishings such as drapes that have to be made to measure, appliances and the list goes on.
Seeing it first hand and communicating with workers and management on island I agree with that timetable. As they said in the letter they don't want to give false hope on an earlier opening date and have to extend it. They want it at 100% before they open and not a partial opening as other resorts have done which I agree 100%.

Just curious, how much will the maintenance fee go to when this is all done? Any chance of an additional special assessment?

I have friends who got on the property and took pictures of Royal Palm back in March. While is is a complete rebuild, I doubt it took this long to build the building initially.

As I said, I don't believe they are doing all they can, to do it as quickly as they can., and they have other agendas You are perfectly free to disagree. You won't convince me and I won't convince you.

"You won't convince me and I won't convince you."
I can agree with that.

"While is is a complete rebuild, I doubt it took this long to build the building initially."
Agree. Rebuilds are more difficult that original construction on any project. RP is a much smaller property than Flamingo when you include the 3 Villa buildings too. Also Flamingo building 7 was originally one of the Pelican Resort buildings and was poor construction to begin with.

new to this forum. I am a long time Atrium owner that has had enough.When I asked for details how the assessment was determined I got no answer. As of today I have not paid them anything for 2018. Anyone else taking a stand?

What the heck this have to do with Diamond Resorts? Way to hijack a thread.

sorry