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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: SKJay]
#36352
01/26/2015 04:27 PM
01/26/2015 04:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,623 originally Long Island, NY/now...
irish1223
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,623
originally Long Island, NY/now...
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I'd sooner pull out my toenails than buy a timeshare in SXM. But then, that's just me. YMMV. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Ed
Robin & Ed
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: SKJay]
#36354
01/26/2015 04:30 PM
01/26/2015 04:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750
Ohio
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SKJay said: Hoping to check out a couple of timeshares during our next trip in late April/early May. Any suggestions or is timeshare ownership still risky in St Martin? A few timeshares have good reputations and the "owners" are basically pretty happy. Many others have very unhappy "owners" who eventually get tired of fighting the "system" and walk away. I will let the "happy owners" chime in with their recommendations as it only about 3 or 4 properties that have overall satisfied the majority.
J.D.
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: GaKaye]
#36358
01/26/2015 06:25 PM
01/26/2015 06:25 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,671
Brookfield, CT.
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Georgia,
Like you we are happy timeshare owners, but of the Towers, since our pre-construction purchase over twenty-five years ago, the only difference being we started out with one week back then and currently have four, all with no regrets and a lot of enjoyment.
We've never experienced a special assessment and we've never lost a week due to storm damage or other issues that many timeshares have experienced. There have been some bumps in the road, like our once upon a time parent/host resort being destroyed in a hurricane, but like the Timex watch, we kept on ticking.
That said, given the current climate of timesharing in general and on St. Maarten in particular, and given the passage of years and my own age, I don't think I'd buy timeshare anywhere if I were starting all over again. But I have no regrets and have enjoyed every week we've ever spent at our timeshare.
And if the OP is really serious, I'd suggest he/she know absolutely that they love the property and the rooms and weeks they buy so they might assure themselves they'd be happy with what they have years from now. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: pat]
#36359
01/26/2015 06:39 PM
01/26/2015 06:39 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,464 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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Posts: 13,464
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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I completely agree, Pat! Every time I read about the horrors experienced at some of the other timeshares on the island, I comment on how lucky we were, and I do mean lucky, to have chosen La Vista. We did no research, zero! We liked La Vista's slogan "Timesharing Done Right, No Gifts, No Gimmicks", drove there one day, and signed contracts to purchase two weeks. A few years later we purchased the third.
Would I make the same decision now? Probably not. Am I glad I did then? Absolutely!
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#36363
01/26/2015 10:09 PM
01/26/2015 10:09 PM
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 462 , CT USA
toothdoc
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 462
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We bought 2 weeks at the Royal Palm and then a 3rd week, all privately. Yes, we pay an huge maintenance fee for owning here, but we love it and have made wonderful friends here. The staff is more than helpful; the units are fairly new and comfortable and when we start our stay, we feel like we're "coming home'. No, it's not an investment, but a yearly pleasure to look forward to. No, I don't think I'd do it again, but this is a wonderful yearly happening that keeps our perspective positive through some of the year's trials and tribulations. Just go in with your eyes open. Do your due diligence. Enjoy yourself. Life is unpredictable. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: GaKaye]
#36365
01/26/2015 11:49 PM
01/26/2015 11:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,345 Vancouver, WA
Todd
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,345
Vancouver, WA
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We own at La Vista and Towers, we also own a week every other year at Atrium. All good purchases, we look forward to them each year and have had no issues with these properties. The other we presently own but have sold is at Royal Islander La Plage. All of these properties have been stable and well maintained with out any hassles. These are the only four properties I would strongly suggest but to each their own.
I do suggest watching EBAY but before purchasing do your research and even if it is free the condition, history or AMF's may make it a loser.
Good luck, T
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: Dansc]
#36368
01/27/2015 07:49 AM
01/27/2015 07:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,365 Cincinnati area
Cincinnati_Kid
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,365
Cincinnati area
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Agree. We own at Divi and have had great vacations with no issues. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
Paradise is an island in the Caribbean!
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: SKJay]
#36369
01/27/2015 07:53 AM
01/27/2015 07:53 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,396 Hershey, Pennsylvania
Tom
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Hershey, Pennsylvania
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We have owned 2 weeks at Belair for a long time. TS, risky? Absolutely. Not just in SXM but anywhere. The attraction of SXM TSs waned when hurricanes hit and unscrupulous resort owners screwed TS owners (remember Dawn Beach?). When maintenance fees exceed ordinary hotel rental cost it is obviously a bad idea.
Are we happy TS owners, mostly yes, but would we do it now? Only, as suggested, buy from an owner that wants out for pennies rather than thousands of dollars.
Yes, it's our "home away from home" too, but not because it's a timeshare. It's Sint Maarten.
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#36373
01/27/2015 06:12 PM
01/27/2015 06:12 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539 Sugar Land, Tx
IslandBoi
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Posts: 539
Sugar Land, Tx
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SXMScubaman said: With us having a specific time period every year allows us to book our FF air tickets way in advance when they first come out for the best flights with low miles. anyone can book FF air tickets when they first come out, regardless if they own a TS or not <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#36376
01/27/2015 07:26 PM
01/27/2015 07:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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Actually, no. It's much easier to find a place to stay than it is to get a great price on airfare.. Being locked into the exact dates picked by the timeshare is one of the big disadvantages of t/s, in my opinion.
Carol Hill
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#36377
01/27/2015 07:33 PM
01/27/2015 07:33 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Posts: 17,750
Ohio
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I have thought the same thing for a long time.
J.D.
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#36378
01/27/2015 07:37 PM
01/27/2015 07:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,365 Cincinnati area
Cincinnati_Kid
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Cincinnati area
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With Divi, we have week 13. However, only once have we used week 13. We always do an internal exchange within the Divi Resorts and have always gotten the week we wanted at the Divi Resort we requested. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
Paradise is an island in the Caribbean!
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: Cincinnati_Kid]
#36379
01/27/2015 07:42 PM
01/27/2015 07:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,671
Brookfield, CT.
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Agreed. We hold weeks 15, 16, 17 and 48 and we can basically go whenever we want which for us, often means using our week 15 with 48 and adding on days to either trip as we desire. I don't feel 'locked in' to anything and had been visiting the island for fifteen years at that same time long before we bought that first week of timeshare. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#36380
01/27/2015 08:13 PM
01/27/2015 08:13 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,180 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
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Posts: 19,180
Auburn, WA
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Carol_Hill said: Actually, no. It's much easier to find a place to stay than it is to get a great price on airfare.. Being locked into the exact dates picked by the timeshare is one of the big disadvantages of t/s, in my opinion. I beg to differ. We love going in May for our owed weeks. We enjoy visiting with friends that go the same time of year as we do. We know our unit and love our units as we were very selective when we bought. Knowing this we book our flights 331 days out and get the best bang for our FF miles. I've seen many posts on people inquiring about this and that on a resort room wondering what they are like inside. We know our unit and it's ours every time we go. We also have the ability to change weeks if we elect to but we like what we have so there is no need to. No guess work involved and we like that. Our weeks aren't "picked by the Timeshare". We picked our own.
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#36381
01/27/2015 09:15 PM
01/27/2015 09:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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Knowing what your unit looks like inside and knowing what you're getting from accomodation is a whole different thing than getting the best price for airfare, because you are totally flexible as far as when you can go, which you are not.
Carol Hill
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#36383
01/27/2015 10:11 PM
01/27/2015 10:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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It really is not difficult to find a great place to stay, if you are at all flexible. You are the one who is locked in, staying at the same place every time, and for the same time period.
Carol Hill
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: SKJay]
#36386
01/28/2015 07:03 AM
01/28/2015 07:03 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,460 île staten
Bobcat
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,460
île staten
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SKJay By all means do take a look but no need to buy direct from the resort. The secondary market (internet) have many resorts available for purchase or rental at better prices. ========================= Renting first to see if you really like the place may be the way to go here. ===================== Rentals from RCI affiliate available with 25% for AARP members (35% off for bookings by 2/12/2015) - many choices availale.
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#36387
01/28/2015 08:56 AM
01/28/2015 08:56 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,101 Massachusetts
boucharda
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,101
Massachusetts
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I do not consider it a disadvantage to be "locked in" to a unit and week that I thoroughly enjoy. I look forward to my 2 weeks in January.. in the same unit.. with the perfect view..meeting the same people I have seen for years.
It is not our only vacation and we travel many times during the year but those January weeks are special. It would be a different situation for the 2 vacation weeks a year people.
...and I would NEVER book airfare before getting a place to stay. It adds an unnecessary limit to availability choices. I guess if you don't care where you stay or what kind of unit you get then it definitely would not make a difference.
I should also add that our other trips during the year (usually 4-5) are mostly booked through VRBO or an exchange for our Las Vegas weeks..again booking the place before the flight....always
These are OUR preferences and not meant to be a rebuttal to the choices of others. It works for us...
Last edited by boucharda; 01/28/2015 08:57 AM.
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Re: Timeshare or Hotel?
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#36390
01/28/2015 05:27 PM
01/28/2015 05:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,345 Vancouver, WA
Todd
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Posts: 4,345
Vancouver, WA
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You are correct Carol, it is not difficult to find a place most weeks, and sometimes a great deal as well. Certainly I have worked the bargains over the years and gone place to place, I did a quick count and we have stayed at 26 different places on island and we do look forward to trying new places. But with that said, I really like having our places at Towers and La Vista where we know where we are going to be and when and what to expect. Low hassle, low cost, very relaxed. If our flights do not work perfect then we end up with a few days extra at the beginning or end but we get to spend time with the November crowd that I would not change and the timing works for us each year.
I do not book my flights first, they just have a way of working out.
I do not suggest to anybody to purchase at the resorts, I suggest resales on places that you want or like and know about.
Cheers, T
I prefer the Isle seat
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