Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics39,248
Posts318,240
Members26,644
Most Online3,755
Sep 23rd, 2024
Top Posters(30 Days)
Kennys 42
RonDon 28
bdeeley 24
Colour1 22
dolfer 20
Member Spotlight
gordapeak
gordapeak
Maryland, US
Posts: 1,085
Joined: March 2001
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Who's Online Now
11 members (WWII, deliveryskipper, JerseyPal, Todd_Melinda_K, xrayman67, MrEZgoin, BoatGuy, 4 invisible), 1,246 guests, and 225 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#320038 05/22/2024 02:06 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Belair Hotel continues to get some bad press.
AC problems that were supposed to get fixed with the last couple add on payments to the annual maintenance bills for timeshare folks.
Now there is mold in 1st floor rooms as well as water temperature and pressure problems.

SXM Sponsors
Tom #320039 05/22/2024 02:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
Tom--are you there, or do you have a reservation to go back? I remember that you surrendered your t/s there.


Carol Hill
Carol_Hill #320044 05/22/2024 03:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
No, we are not there now but have arranged to rent 2 weeks there later this year. Obviously, that may change. Lisa contacted BSV for availability in December but they did not get back to her.

Tom #320045 05/22/2024 03:53 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
I don't know why, but often you have to be patient and wait for an answer from BSV. I wouldn't blame you for cancelling. Sounds like they have still not got their stuff together.


Carol Hill
Tom #320047 05/22/2024 04:12 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,684
pat Offline
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,684
But it’s so very much worth the wait if they have availability for your dates!


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Tom #320049 05/22/2024 06:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
That's too bad. Belair was our first official stay on the island. Nice Resort at the time but happy we found the Flamingo and stuck with it.

Tom #320056 05/22/2024 07:20 PM
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 360
E
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
E
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 360
Oh no... curious what that means for my family members who are doing an RCI exchange in to Belair for a week in July.

Tom #320070 05/23/2024 06:58 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
I am told that the Harris family (owners of the Belair) have been informed about all of the problems. Many promises made, especially to timeshare owners but sadly no significant improvement or permanent repair to the property. It is a great location and many SXM visitors have appreciated that it is a small, secure resort with a friendly, dedicated staff.

Tom #320103 05/23/2024 12:11 PM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
Tom - What is your source of these complaints? In our many stays at the Belair I have only experienced one problem with A/C and that was that it was TOO cold. Maintenance got right on it and all was good. The Belair is not perfect, no resort is, but it is perfect for us. We love everything about (except the mosquitos occasionally). We're back again this coming October.


Dolfer

dolfer #320108 05/23/2024 01:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
The source would be the folks staying there now and since March. Check out the friends of belair site and read real comments from people staying there.

Tom #320112 05/23/2024 02:15 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 170
C
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
C
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 170
There are others on that site who express their happiness with Belair. The nay sayers are the same ones who always are complaining about Belair but continue to show up every year. As I recall several years ago you sold your weeks due to your displeasure with Belair but now you saying you are going back in Dec and renting and now you are unhappy as a renter.
Go figure!!

CLIFFTOPS #320153 05/24/2024 07:41 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
You missed my point. We were very happy to have timeshares at the Belair like many others. We even went there during the hurricane years and had understandable inconveniences. It's hardly "naysaying" to expect promised repairs and remodeling from the property owners to be done. People show up every year because most of them already paid for their time at the Belair via timeshare. They fairly expect the maintenance and additional charges they pay to be used properly.
I already stated that the location, dedicated staff, and security are what we like about Belair but no air conditioning, water temperature/pressure problems, and unhealthy mold are unacceptable conditions that have gotten worse. Timeshare or renters deserve better.

Tom #320157 05/24/2024 08:04 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 496
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 496
Tom, try calling the phone number on the BSV website. That worked for us last fall. Drew always answered the phone.

Tom #320864 06/08/2024 06:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Here's an update to Belair Beach Hotel's situation.
Owners have acknowledged the problems that have been building for months (AC, water pressure and temp. and mold). They have begun repairing the AC but as expected by many, ran into additional leaks and breaks that prevent even temporary fixes. They have offered timeshare owners the option delaying their stay until later this year or roll to next year. Some current guests have gone to other resorts. Others scheduled soon will cancel or change booking to a later date when AC will return.

Tom #320866 06/08/2024 07:34 PM
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 360
E
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
E
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 360
Tom, any word on if they’re reaching out to RCI exchange guests who are booked soon? I have family planning to stay there starting July 20.

Tom #320867 06/08/2024 07:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Not a good situation.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
It's my understanding that RCI has been informed of the situation and is cooperating with members. More information is available on Facebook via "Friends of Belair". We are no longer timeshare owners but hope to stay as renters in December if current problems are resolved because we love the location and the staff. This is another resort where serious problems were identified long ago and additional charges were assessed to timeshare clients but this money was not used to fix the problems as promised. As expected, the GEBE outages have made things worse.

Tom #320895 06/09/2024 11:04 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
That mold will be hard to get rid of and very unhealthy to be around. Leads me to believe that they really didn't spend the time and money to fully clean and reconstruct after Irma like other resorts did.

Tom #320903 06/09/2024 11:38 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
That is a bummer to hear. Hopefully they can fix things by October when we arrive.


Dolfer

dolfer #320905 06/09/2024 11:45 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
With GEBE not at 100% I would look for another resort with an adequate generator since Belair has been having this trouble for awhile. October isn't that far away with repairs governed by island time. Would not want to be out of AC at anytime on island.

Tom #320912 06/09/2024 02:41 PM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
I haven't heard of any emergency power issues.


Dolfer

Tom #320916 06/09/2024 03:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Unless Belair has an adequate functioning whole resort generator you'll have issues especially if they don't get the issue with their AC fixed by October. I don't see GEBE getting their act together in the near future or by October.

SXMScubaman #320920 06/09/2024 04:40 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
I am only acting as messenger but am being told that the mold is tied directly to the failed air conditioning system and is primarily affecting the 1s floor rooms. I can't help but agree that inadequate action after Irma also added to the mold problem. Easy to suggest looking for another resort but for some with Belair timeshares that's not an affordable option. The owners have announced a plan that includes placing units on the roof to service 24 of the total 72 units to reduce the load on the main system currently being installed. This plan has a completion date of July/August timeframe.

Tom #320940 06/10/2024 09:26 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
We will not cancel or change resorts even if we could. Plus I doubt RCI would care.


Dolfer

Tom #321436 06/20/2024 10:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Significant announcement made today by Belair management. Belair will close from today until August 16, 2024. They will be under construction to replace air conditioning and water supply systems. No reservations will be taken for this time period.

Tom #321438 06/20/2024 10:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Probably a good move to get ahead of the AC problem and with what is going on with GEBE as long as there is adequate power to do the work. 🤞

Tom #321446 06/21/2024 09:03 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
Tom--Wow, that is pretty big. I wonder what will happen to those with reservations during this time?


Carol Hill
Tom #321463 06/21/2024 11:11 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
I think it's good news. And I think it is a bold move. Hopefully they'll have everything done by October when we get there.


Dolfer

Carol_Hill #321474 06/22/2024 06:42 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Carol, Lots of unknowns at this point. Most with reservations during the "under construction" period have been asked to postpone timeshare for later dates. Only a handful of people there now that are living with fans and portable AC units in bedrooms. No central AC and little or no hot water along with the mold issue. Remains to be seen if they are compensated as well as those that have decided to spend vacation at other resorts such as Divi, next door to Belair.

Tom #321481 06/22/2024 09:02 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
Tom--OK, sounds like a tough situation all around, but sounds like they made the right decision to close and try to get things right.


Carol Hill
Tom #321491 06/22/2024 11:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 667
F
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
F
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 667
We stayed at Belair many years ago and thought it was nice back then. From staying at many other SXM properties over the past almost 3 decades I can better understand how challenging it is to keep everything looking good, clean and working and even more so in the salt air environment. We don't go on vacation to make property detailed property inspections but If you really look , many places have mold issues but with cleaning and treatment can be resolved. I can just image the nightmare of trying to keep guests happy and everything working. Hotel business on SXM can't be a lot of fun. Now with GEBE on going labor ,etc problems a lot of business are struggling to stay in business and maintenance is the first to suffer when you are not making enough money. Seems odd that they would close without notice ,,,hopefully they can regroup and really be able to reopen asap.

foreversxm #321503 06/22/2024 04:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
I'll try to keep this as brief as possible. We first stayed at Belair in the mid 80s. We bought timeshares there in the late 80s early 90s. It was our family vacation every year for almost 40 years. The Belair weathered hurricanes better than most XSM resorts during all those years. We went every year , even when inconveniences caused by Luis and other storms, affected A/C, water temp and pressure, electrical outages happened we understood. We saw increases in maintenance much like other resorts and paid them faithfully. We also saw accessments and paid them in good faith since we were promised that they would be applied to infrastructure improvements such as A/C and water temperature and pressure as well as apartment remodeling. This was promised in writing. When we learned that monies were not applied as promised we decided to sell our timeshares. We still love Belair's location and a staff that is beyond fantastic.

The current situation at Belair is directly tied to the owners not using accessment money to improve infrastructure and remodeling as promised. It was inevidable that an outdated airconditioning system and water supply system would eventually fail if necessary improvements were not made and they were not. Add to that the mold problem that is very serious and a predictable effect of the outdated and failing AC.

Recent decisions are meaningful. In fairness, we hope that the actions proposed will meet all expectations. Hopefully, we will see a return for the Belair to the level it once was.

Tom #321506 06/22/2024 05:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,281
We stayed at Belair for 10 days back in '99. It was dated then and I can't imagine what it is like now.

Tom #321814 07/03/2024 10:28 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
Has anyone heard any news about plans or progress on the repairs?


Dolfer

dolfer #321825 07/03/2024 01:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 59
K
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
K
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 59
As per a newsletter published yesterday, 7/2, the hotel is closed to new reservations, except owners and RCI, until September 1. Work has started on the Divi side, tearing out old ductwork and preparing for installation of new a/c units with rooftop mounted compressors. A new compressor is due in mid July for the existing chiller system which will continue to supply a/c for the reception side, as well as domestic hot water for the entire hotel.
The Friends of Belair Beach Facebook group is the best source of information from owners, current guests, and management.

Tom #321990 07/09/2024 01:08 PM
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 360
E
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
E
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 360
My family who was supposed to be checking in to Belair on the 20th was informed by RCI today that they’re being moved to Royal Palm.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,712
Hooray for them!! That's a total win-win, in my estimate!


Carol Hill
Carol_Hill #322001 07/09/2024 03:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
Tom Offline OP
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,399
I agree. Seems like some folks have begun to be properly treated by Belair and RCI.
Also, recent report states that construction, especially for those apartments on Divi side of Belair, have begun ductwork replacement and more.

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,779
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,779
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by eightzerobits
My family who was supposed to be checking in to Belair on the 20th was informed by RCI today that they’re being moved to Royal Palm.

You are lucky!


J.D.
ruralcarrier #322003 07/09/2024 05:00 PM
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 360
E
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
E
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 360
Originally Posted by ruralcarrier

You are lucky!


They are! We’ll be at Divi as usual. Only downside now is that there is a car ride between us instead of a walk.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5