TravelTalkOnline Forums People Talk Caravanserai Now Alegria Caravanserai now Alegria

I agree with VitaMan in the aspect of Alegria using the letters to test the water of owner reaction, however there are many opportunities to turn a profit without putting the burden on the backs of the owners. Obviously we would like to see some improvements in furnishings , elevators that work, a well maintained pool, and a water supply that both runs and provides ample hot water, but for certain the other 2 uncompleted buildings could be converted to a hotel or T/S and also there is the last building of the old resort that can be demo'd and rebuilt and sold as well, not to mention the income from the commercial rentals on the property, as well as the additional T/S weeks available to sell. This place has the potential to be a gold mine!

Did RCI refund any money or points you may have spent when you made the reservations? Did you have the RCI reservation insurance?

I have no skin in this game but I was just wondering. Jeff Berger said on 10/4 that he needed information and seemed to have some irons in the fire. Has anyone heard anymore from him?

The notice in the papers describing the actions being taken by the Minister of Tourism with help from the Time Share Association gave credit to Jeff for alerting them of the problem.

I am new to this forum and have received a letter on 10/3, found this last night. I will not be signing the form received.
I bought my TS in 2006 I believe, was given a room #, week, etc. (I need to pull my contract), and have not had the ability to use it, given one excuse after another, the property was not ready, and then no response over the last few years to my phone calls. Only to get a phone call about 3 months ago, asking me to send in my maintenance fee, ASAP. I found this strange, so I called back to the number I received and the person that answered, stated she didn't know who called me. I asked if I could start booking my room and was told, I would get a call back. Still waiting. Now, I receive this letter and it's all making sense. They wanted my money so they could pocket it.

I am in for the fight, I paid for my time share, pre-construction as well in full.

Just to update everyone on what I have found out to date. I am currently on hold with RCI waiting for a second supervisor after speaking with one rep and one supervisor.I have explained that I was told this A.M. by someone in authority at Caravanserai that in order to use our confirmed penthouse reservation we were going to have to sign the agreement as well as send them another payment of maint fees. What a shady operation! I will post again as soon as I get off the phone with RCI.

Please let us know the outcome. When is your reservation for?

It Is for week 50. One saving grace in this whole thing for us is we also owned week 43 at Divi and wanted to put our 2 St.maarten weeks together so last year we were negotiating with Divi to move and upgrade to week 49 as well as Caravanserai for week 49. The clowns at Caravanserai wanted us to give them our Divi and pay a difference for the week at Caravanserai. At the time or sixth sense told us to go with Divi even though we love our penthouse. Thank God we went with Divi because we could have lost everything!

Lena checked again today and we still have both weeks reserved. We did trade into RI Terrasse for the first week and RI LaPlage for the second week. Maybe because we are not staying at Caravanserai the reservations are still being honored?

I suspect you are OK however I would definitely follow the posts and updates as well as getting on Jeff Berger's everything SXM and search caravanserai for his latest news

I just rec'd my refund of $199 x 3 from RCI on my CC. Will now be at Royal Palm - this entire mess is a shame for those who were caught by surprise. Happy you two seem alright for now - see you soon.

Just an update on our situation , I received a call about an hour ago from Maria.....I almost passed out because I sure didn't expect a call back from last week. I explained to her that I was not angry with her and Minerva as they are only doing what they are told. I told her I was not going to pay fees again for something we already paid for and that paper Alegria wanted us to sign was way to ambiguous for me or any one with good sense to sign. I am moderately hopeful that based off the radio interview on the 9th of the member of the timeshare association that when meetings begin this week between all parties concerned that maybe some satisfactory path forward might be found. Maria stated that Alegria had only the best intentions but nobody in their right mind would believe that based off of their opening move. It smacks more of greed than reconciliation.

[color:"pink"][/color]I am realllllllllly MAD !! Mr. Maneck screwed every single one of us by running away with OUR MONEY !! This just proves that he's a ROYAL SUCCCKER !! We bought and paid in full a full ownership and got sweet f*ck all. Our lawyers said that there is no way we will get our money back !! Well MR.MANECK has not finished hearing his name loitered on the net and we will do everything in our power to prevent people to even go back to the ALEGRIA HOTEL it's all a scam I'm sure that bartered knew what he was doing by screwing all of us one at a time !! [color:"pink"][b][/b][/color]

I'm surprised that Marty hasn't chimed in. He said he would when things got settled. Also, is his Dream Bar in operation?

His Dream Bar?

Marty DID post on his Facebook site a few hours ago. It reads as follows:


Alegria hotel resort ( former Caravanserai )
As requested by Many timeshare owners , my 2 cents.

I had a meeting with the new owner, Mr. Sidhom and he explained me exactly what’s going on. So here it goes with full knowledge of Mr. Sidhom, me writing this.
We are no longer a timeshare resort. The new owner bought the land, long term lease, through a public auction set up by scotia bank. Mr. Sidhom bought the land legally. The land deed was sold by foreclosure by Scotia Bank. Mr. Sidhom took full ownership on Septemer 15th 2014. Mr. Sidhom did NOT buy or was obliged to buy endless vacation N.V. or Kildare N. V. what your timeshare contracts were under. The former owner, Mr. Manek, managing director of those 2 companies made a mess of it, therefor the bank took it back. The bank did again NOT sell the cooperations ( N.V. s) but only the land deed . Mr Sidhom has NO obligation honoring any contracts made between timeshare owners and kildare N.V. or Endless Vacation N.V. He is not at fault here. He bought the land so he can make this the best HOTEL resort in the Caribbean. NEVER AGAIN a timeshare or vacation club or which ever. 100 % hotel! If he would have bought it directly from Mr. Manek then we have the dutch saying> Koop breekt geen huur. Buying does not break leases. He however bought it through foreclosure auction which is why he does NOT have to take over any companies previous associated with the resort. So after consulting with also my lawyer, any action law suits you are planning against Mr. Sidhom , Alegria N.V. or Alegria B.V will stand little ground and will cost you legal fees. The one to go after would be Endless Vacation or Kildare and go even further straight to Mr. Manek . I know how bad this is for the timeshare owners. But again Mr. Sidhom did nothing wrong and is being made look like the bad guy on behalf of Mr. Manek. Mr. Sidhom feels extremely bad about the situation also, but he also has to protect his investment. What he is doing now is ( what he does NOT have to do, but does so people can still come on vacation as planned if they want to) is charging you for whatever the amount was you were paying anyway for maintenance for ur old timeshare unit. THAT unit will be your unit you stay in . That’s why in your letter it stated a Hotel room, since we are 100 % hotel. This is on an annual base until he also cancels that, which he can do as of today if he wants to, because he can make a lot more income by renting the hotel room, then timeshare owners pay for a week maintenance. To recoup your investement and hard earned money like I wrote earlier , go after the right person which is anything that has to do with Mr. Manek or Scotia Bank. I’m caught in the middle of this [censored] also. I did however make a business deal with Mr. Sidhom, and The Dream pool bar is what it was. I believe 100 % in Mr. Sidhom ‘s intentions. He’s an Honorable business man and I’m 100 % on his team. I’m glad Mr. Manek is out. Mr. Sidhom is flying in ,on a weekly base, work crews from the states. Breaking out of mildew smelling units start next week, to rebuild them. His intentions are great! If he would NOT have purchased through foreclosure and no one would have bought, this would all have gone down the shits anyway if Mr. Manek would have stayed around. You fed him millions in maintenance and timeshare money, and all is gone! So go after the right folks! That’s just my 2 cents, but do what you gotta do. So wanna stay? Then pay ur regular maintenance for your unit. Your contact is Maria @ Alegria hotel. That’s where your questions should be directed to and not me. I however will do my best to keep you informed and tell you about FACTS!! Not hearsay. You might not like what I wrote, but at least I hope I cleared some questions up. Always here for yah, Marty @ The Dream

All makes sense to me.

Well, just wait until this happens to other timeshare resorts. And, it will in time. By setting this precedent, no timeshare owner is SAFE anywhere on the island - deeded, or not deeded. There goes that HAPPY ISLAND FEELING <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/hammer.gif" alt="" />

Hi Marty

Last week I asked for a reservation quote for a week in March. I was quoted from the Caravanseri Beach . com address. $368.75 + 20% "tax" per night . So if the former leasee's get a week for their old MF it is a bargain. Not sure if this quote is from the new Alegria or not.

SXM??? Wendell

Wendell, I think if you wait a little longer that the price for a reservation for Heineken week will be a lot lower..

Your statement is not true as far as no timeshare is safe. Mine is, it is on the dutch side and is owned by a company in Pa. with the MF going to a company in Arizona. It is just about the best timeshare resort on the island. OBBR

At that price I am not in a hurry.

SXM??? Wendell

Not sure what your definition of "safe" is but you have to remember the property is located in another country. And it is subject to the laws and ways of that country.

SXM??? WEndell

Thanks Marty. Glad to hear that you were able to negotiate a new contract. We'll see you in December from another resort that we owned and was bought out at an auction.

You know Marty. From my perspective I think that you are doing a disservice to many by saying that the new owner is an honorable man. I am not convinced. He doesn't care about what he is doing to all of us owners. On the contrary he is holding a gun to our heads and telling those of us who already paid our MFs that if we want our rooms we must pay him money again and sign away any rights that we have. Get a grip on reality Marty , He knows that many of us are between a rock and a hard place because we already have air booked. This is extortion , not honorable! He is just taking advantage of the situation to generate quick revenue! For God's Sake please don't feed us anymore BS If this new owner thinks we will take this lying down he is seriously mistaken! We do have options!

So what are your options. Go to court in a foreign country,spend a ton of money, loose because it a cut and dry sale on a foreclosure and have nothing to show for it while its in the courts for years. Sign the paper and salvage what you can.

You are so right about another country's laws,but I will still have rights that will allow me to deal with a company in my country and a much better chance of communication with a company here than with a company in SXM(which I love), where they still don't believe that the island would be nothing without timeshares owners.

This is in response to Marty who is looking out only for himself and his welfare by blowing smoke up the new owner's "you know what". Dream Bar? Only if you are satisfied with weak and small drinks!

Please don't trash Marty. He and I have different opinions on the situation but he is still my friend and has always been kind to me and my family. And given that he quite often sets the bottle of booze next to my drink so I can replenish, weak drinks are NOT one of my gripes in this whole fiasco!

I really have no problem with anyone stating their opinion on something as Marty did. As Marty himself goes, I can not comment because I have never met him and have never been at the Dream Bar so, I will not talk about someone I have never met.

If I read Marty's post correctly he is saying that the new owner is not going the timeshare route from now on, but the people that bought when it was a timeshare can still use their unit under the old terms if they agree to pay mx fees as they did before and acknowledge this by Nov. 1 2014. The confusion could be because of the wording that the new owners used when they said that the place was no longer a timeshare but a hotel and everyone jumped to the conclusion that their old contract would not be honored in any way. Perhaps it would be best to contact the new owner giving him your interpretation of the letter and see if agrees and if not ask for a clarification. Good luck.

As I stated before...way early in this mess.....The Caraversarai went bankcrupt...period. The business kaput. New owner steps in, and can do with it as he deems fit.

Timeshare is a risk...and I own three weeks at another resort...but no one can guarantee the future...and the handwriting on this resort has been so plainly in ones sights for years now. The lies and deceit has been ongoing from day one... starting with the promise of a completion date years off the mark.
Just like any other business, building, etc...if one does not pay the bank....the bank can foreclose. Not too much different than a regular homeowner that does not pay his mortgage...the bank eventually comes in, and takes the property, and even though this particular person had a deed on the property, it is lost to him, and the bank sells it to someone else. This is basically what happened at this resort...Manek took all the money, did not pay off his debt...he lost the building, and now the bank sold it to someone else. Manek took off with money, and this new owner bought the land and the buildings...but the companies that actually owned the timeshares went bankcrupt....thus...the new owner never made a dime off of the sales...and is willing to give one use of a hotel for the maintenance fee that was agreed upon. I agree if a case is to be made..it should be against Manek and his companies....but futile going after the new owner who had nothing to do with the original agreeements.

The new owner has offered, for the price of the old MF's, a weeks stay at the new hotel Alegria.

SXM??? Wendell

We former owners may have lost a week or two thanks to Manek's failures but, without a new contract, Marty and his help lost their livelihood. What more do you expect of him but to say he's sorry for us?
By the way, I've never had a weak Presidente.

Marty hasn't lost his liveliehood..read his note...he has a new contract with the new owner.
I wish him well....

IF..the new owner allows the old timeshare owners to continue using their weeks for only the maintenance fees...I myself can't think of what the difference would be to them, with the only exception being that RCI and ''trading to other places'' would be off the books. BUT, with a guarantee of the use of one's own unit, I think the new owner is being decent...since the Maint fees would probably be a lot less than a week's stay at the new resort.

That is true, BUT!! for the near future anyway, unless they really discount the hotel rooms, no way they would fill the resort anyway. So, they get some income regardless.

One of the differences, Ed, is that they can no longer sell their week because they don't own their week anymore. And if the week is deeded, they cannot pass it on to another person. We're talking about owners who have paid $10K at the low end to amounts much higher for penthouse suites and multiple weeks. The letter doesn't say how long the MF payments will be in effect, in return to stay in your unit. The letter is extremely vague and Ray Sidhom could easily decide to withdrawn his offer whenever he wants. So states the letter.

True. Alegria is under no obligation to extend this offer forever. Like Carol pointed out, it's an offer which will generate some short term revenue to Alegria, until the Hotel business picks up.
The new owner bought the property with a different business model in mind, and he's just trying to minimize his risk at the beginning.

San....i feel your pain. As i said, i am a timeshare owner myself. BUT, now at Caravanserai, there is nothing. It is bankrupt, and unfortunately, the timeshare owners are out of their investments. As I mentioned, the lawsuit if there is one, should be levied against Manek and Company....the new owner bought the property as a building only, and does have the right to do with it as he pleases..since the previous ownership went bust. It is never fun to lose money, but this was a disaster waiting to happen from it's inception. The timeshare owners lost their investment when the bankcrupty was declared. Now the new owner unfortunately have no ties to the old company, and can do with it as they deem fit. Sorry, just stating fact. Would it make a difference if the place was abandoned, boarded up, and later razed to the ground??? The timeshare owners would've lost their rights then too. Now, even though it stings, the new owner is offering to ''rent'' the units for the price of maintenance fees only. This will probably be a big discount.....and i am sure he feels that a few bucks is better than none...but it is little consolation for the people that gave away their hard earned money to a ''schemer'' who never followed up on any of the promises he made at the beginning. Will the new resort become successful is anyone's guess...but it sure leaves a blackeye on the industry. Most of the time, timeshare ownership works out..in this very remote case it did not.