Aruba “event week” in full swing

[Quadmaniac]

It's not "much like any other hotel" though, it's a timeshare property. MVW profits off of the common area enterprises on-property at all of the resorts, via the rights that they hold by virtue of the governing docs, yet there are still owners who are surprised to learn that and/or argue that owners should share in those profits at least minimally...... So if the owners' timeshare facility suffers as a result of this debacle, whether you're talking actual physical property damage or a poor reputation that impacts owners' rental and resale values as well as their own vacations, why shouldn't the owners feel as though they should have much more of a say in whether this group should be allowed to hijack the place AND much more of a stake in the profitability that MVW obviously enjoys as a result of the hijack? I don't know if any Aruba Surf or Ocean Club owners have explored this avenue with competent expert attorneys but I would, if I were in their shoes.

This is the thing you are missing here it that you and other "owners" are NOT actually owners, you own the rights to USE the facility for 1 week. You've prepaid for usage every year, essentially you have entered into a contract to lease the facilities of 1 suite for that time and shared used of the common facilities/areas. You don't own anything nor do you have any say in what they do with the facility. Its not unlike buying season tickets to your hockey team - you bought the rights to use that seat, but you have no say on how the facility runs, what events it holds, or what things it may have in it. If you aren't happy with the facility, sell your rights for that week. At no time during the sales process was there a promise of maintaining the resale value or the reputation. The profits the overall property/facility makes is within the rights of being the manager and operator. If you don't agree with how the operator is handling things, don't give them your business, just like any other business which you don't agree with how things are run or done. You feel that you own a piece of the pie, but you really don't. Trying to get lawyers involved is just throwing your money away. You have no rights in this situation unless they are denying you use of your unit during your prescribed time.

And the other thing is what mjkkb2 has already mentioned - guests who are not affiliated with this group are not notified in advance that their vacation coincides with that of a LARGE group who has a years-long history of ruining other peoples' vacations. Sure, anybody can research travel review websites but should it be a requirement? Anybody with any interest in staying at timeshares can come to TUG and read to their hearts' content, but should that be a requirement? Even if people are savvy about online property reviews, if the event only happens once a year and the properties enjoy a very good reputation all other times, how could the searchers know that they have to focus their searches to those certain weeks and the particular group involved? Good luck - here on TUG which is one of the most active discussion group that allows this topic, we've had to reach a ridiculous compromise of not naming the group because doing so wreaks havoc. The group itself stopped updating its own website years ago because of the negative responses they were getting! Nope, the history related to this situation isn't something easily found even for the most savvy travelers - owners/renters/exchangers who stumble onto it cannot be faulted one bit IMO.

Anyone who doesn't spend time to do research can only blame themselves if the information is out there and they don't seek it out before making their decision on when to go. The fact is, that the information is out there on multiple sites. Yes the onus is on the individual. If one is to really expect that everything and anywhere you go is going to be perfect and there are not pitfalls or things to watch out for is in for a rude awakening. This is true of any location you may go to and any facility you may be staying at. Of course, everyone puts their best foot forward to entice you to go there. Do they deliver on every aspect ? Not in most cases. I remember going to an all inclusive in Jamaica in a last minute trip and it wasn't anywhere close to its description. I researched it prior and it seemed like a great resort but the food was awful and the facilities were not as advertised. Its buyer beware.

But in the end, how about just the overall unfairness of this whole mess? How about MVW's absolute lack of conviction in enforcing the rules related to owners/guests conduct that are clearly delineated in the governing docs, right down to stating that failure to follow the rules can result in immediate removal from the properties and - for owners - a suspension of ownership privileges? How about knowing that any and every group that drops cash in MVW's lap might someday be allowed to invade your resort and ruin your vacation?!

Now if you really want to hear me rant and rave about this whole mess, just ask me about the owners who despite knowing the history deliberately market rentals to this group, obscenely inflating their usual rental prices, because "supply and demand." Boo Hiss Boo!

Again here is the problem, you THINK you are entitled to fairness as you BELIEVE you have more rights than you actually do. You are a guest who has rented a suite under an annual contract. They guarantee you your suite and USE of the facilities that it may have available. How they enforce the rules is up to the resort and management. Yes you can call them on the enforcement, but if they don't, what recourse do you have ? Yes Marriott has the ability to allow any group of people to invade the resort as you say and the only recourse you have is to not give them your money and boycott owning/using a unit there if you are that firmly disgusted with the situation.

Timeshare units are a commodity and if the market dictates that a rights holder can command more money for a week due to events going on that week, then people will follow the market. It is not any different than Christmas and New Year's weeks, President's week, Spring Break, Fourth of July weeks renting for more. They are sometimes sold for more and the rental rates are most times more.

If one was a smart "owner" I would purposely avoid that week and rent it out for more money, then take the money to rent out a subsequent week I want, making a profit that would cover for my airline tickets and car rental. If the idiots really want the place that week, have at it and they can cover my costs to enjoy my week at their expense. I'm going to turn a poor situation around to make it better for me rather than let them make it bad for me. Really it is Marriott's issue as they are the real owners and operators of the facility.

There is the old saying, if you are given lemons, make lemonaid out it.

 

[SueDonJ]

This is the thing you are missing here it that you and other "owners" are NOT actually owners, you own the rights to USE the facility for 1 week. You've prepaid for usage every year, essentially you have entered into a contract to lease the facilities of 1 suite for that time and shared used of the common facilities/areas. You don't own anything nor do you have any say in what they do with the facility. Its not unlike buying season tickets to your hockey team - you bought the rights to use that seat, but you have no say on how the facility runs, what events it holds, or what things it may have in it. If you aren't happy with the facility, sell your rights for that week. At no time during the sales process was there a promise of maintaining the resale value or the reputation. The profits the overall property/facility makes is within the rights of being the manager and operator. If you don't agree with how the operator is handling things, don't give them your business, just like any other business which you don't agree with how things are run or done. You feel that you own a piece of the pie, but you really don't. Trying to get lawyers involved is just throwing your money away. You have no rights in this situation unless they are denying you use of your unit during your prescribed time.



Anyone who doesn't spend time to do research can only blame themselves if the information is out there and they don't seek it out before making their decision on when to go. The fact is, that the information is out there on multiple sites. Yes the onus is on the individual. If one is to really expect that everything and anywhere you go is going to be perfect and there are not pitfalls or things to watch out for is in for a rude awakening. This is true of any location you may go to and any facility you may be staying at. Of course, everyone puts their best foot forward to entice you to go there. Do they deliver on every aspect ? Not in most cases. I remember going to an all inclusive in Jamaica in a last minute trip and it wasn't anywhere close to its description. I researched it prior and it seemed like a great resort but the food was awful and the facilities were not as advertised. Its buyer beware.



Again here is the problem, you THINK you are entitled to fairness as you BELIEVE you have more rights than you actually do. You are a guest who has rented a suite under an annual contract. They guarantee you your suite and USE of the facilities that it may have available. How they enforce the rules is up to the resort and management. Yes you can call them on the enforcement, but if they don't, what recourse do you have ? Yes Marriott has the ability to allow any group of people to invade the resort as you say and the only recourse you have is to not give them your money and boycott owning/using a unit there if you are that firmly disgusted with the situation.

At Ko Olina, every week there is the Fia Fia Luau that takes up the main courtyard open area on Tuesdays. As an "owner" I might feel that this is unfair that they are taking up the open space of the common area and Marriott is making money from it when I am supposed to have access to this open area. It is shut down for the day so they can set up, have it and take it apart. It makes lots of noise and it creates crowds of people in that area, impacting my enjoyment of my week. Should I now sue Marriott because they impacted what I think is my entitlement to the common areas ? Should I have the right to decide if Marriott allows the Luau every week ? Every week they set up a market downstairs on Wednesdays I think where locals set up tables to sell their crafts taking up my common area space. They pay Marriott to be able to set up this booth each week. It too causes crowds in the area. Why don't I have a say in that as an "owner"? Now, does that not sound crazy ?

Timeshare units are a commodity and if the market dictates that a rights holder can command more money for a week due to events going on that week, then people will follow the market. It is not any different than Christmas and New Year's weeks, President's week, Spring Break, Fourth of July weeks renting for more. They are sometimes sold for more and the rental rates are most times more.

If one was a smart "owner" I would purposely avoid that week and rent it out for more money, then take the money to rent out a subsequent week I want, making a profit that would cover for my airline tickets and car rental. If the idiots really want the place that week, have at it and they can cover my costs to enjoy my week at their expense. I'm going to turn a poor situation around to make it better for me rather than let them make it bad for me. Really it is Marriott's issue as they are the real owners and operators of the facility.

There is the old saying, if you are given lemons, make lemonaid out it.

Of course you're right about MVC having the right to do whatever they want - including profit-making enterprises - with the common areas of the properties, which is what I've said already in this thread. At every other resort where it happens though, including the Fia Fia Luau and market stalls at Ko 'Olina, those "amenities" are available to every guest on property who chooses to participate, and they're included in the Activities Guide that's distributed to every guest. That's a far different animal than what takes place at the Aruba timeshares every year in January, when MVC gives exclusive access of certain common areas (parking lot space for an outside caterer, onsite venues for crafts/physical activities, etc) to this group for their "camp." That's why I think the other owners/guests on property at the same time may have an unusual/singular claim to MVC's profit from this venture, because MVC is allowing only certain guests access to the entire resort. The fact that MVC does not in any way notify owners/guests not connected to this group that they will be completely restricted from certain common areas, despite MVC's obvious knowledge of it in advance, IMO reinforces the claim that MVC should be held accountable for the impact this event has on non-participating owners/guests.

You are much more blasé than me when it comes to MVC not enforcing the stated rules and penalties re conduct and behavior when it directly impacts other owners/guests during this single event. I've seen isolated instances at practically every resort we've visited when Security (or Loss Prevention, which is what most of them call themselves) intervene to diffuse bad situations, and I think it's entirely reasonable for owners and guests to expect that MVC will enforce the rules consistently across the entire portfolio of resorts. When they don't, which is routine for this Aruba mess, they give the appearance - and a possible legal defense - to anybody who wants to make a claim that MVC Security has a known pattern and therefore no basis on which to enforce any rules. Incidentally, that non-enforcement is also directly in contrast with the "family-centric" and "safe" attributes that they use to market their product.

Like I said, all of this is something I'd explore with a competent attorney in the field if I were an owner or if I stumbled upon it as a guest. Could be it'd be a useless exercise but IMO it's one worth trying.

As for taking advantage of the situation as an owner and renting for higher-than-usual profit to this group, knowing its detrimental effect on others, well, we'll just have to disagree.

 

[rthib]

This is the thing you are missing here it that you and other "owners" are NOT actually owners, you own the rights to USE the facility for 1 week.

Aruba is a different beast. Most MVCI are deeded so the owners are actually own, but Aruba is a "right to use" - would be interesting to see what the actually contract says if someone were to take legal action. If someone really wanted to do something - get some high quality video then get a contact at a local TV station that has a consumer reporter, probably someone in FL near MVCI HQ. Then do the "Time Share Purchase turns into a nightmare" or "Honeymoon turns into a nightmare" etc... Bad review on trip advisor are not going to do it. Or find one of the hundreds of cable channels and see if they want to do a documentary on "hell week." Or maybe someone on NPR. If I owned there, that's what I would do.

 

[mjkkb2]

This is the thing you are missing here it that you and other "owners" are NOT actually owners, you own the rights to USE the facility for 1 week. You've prepaid for usage every year, essentially you have entered into a contract to lease the facilities of 1 suite for that time and shared used of the common facilities/areas. You don't own anything nor do you have any say in what they do with the facility. Its not unlike buying season tickets to your hockey team - you bought the rights to use that seat, but you have no say on how the facility runs, what events it holds, or what things it may have in it. If you aren't happy with the facility, sell your rights for that week. At no time during the sales process was there a promise of maintaining the resale value or the reputation. The profits the overall property/facility makes is within the rights of being the manager and operator. If you don't agree with how the operator is handling things, don't give them your business, just like any other business which you don't agree with how things are run or done. You feel that you own a piece of the pie, but you really don't. Trying to get lawyers involved is just throwing your money away. You have no rights in this situation unless they are denying you use of your unit during your prescribed time.

I did not realize ARUBA MVCI properties were not deeded. Is this what you're referring to above? Are the two resorts RTU type? Would it be any different in your opinion if it was another resort where one actually owns real estate interest? And if this is the case, does it mean that there's no HOA board at those properties?

 

[mjkkb2]

looks like I posted my questions just as the above post was being posted.......

 

[davidvel]

This is the thing you are missing here it that you and other "owners" are NOT actually owners, you own the rights to USE the facility for 1 week. You've prepaid for usage every year, essentially you have entered into a contract to lease the facilities of 1 suite for that time and shared used of the common facilities/areas. You don't own anything nor do you have any say in what they do with the facility. Its not unlike buying season tickets to your hockey team - you bought the rights to use that seat, but you have no say on how the facility runs, what events it holds, or what things it may have in it. If you aren't happy with the facility, sell your rights for that week. At no time during the sales process was there a promise of maintaining the resale value or the reputation. The profits the overall property/facility makes is within the rights of being the manager and operator. If you don't agree with how the operator is handling things, don't give them your business, just like any other business which you don't agree with how things are run or done. You feel that you own a piece of the pie, but you really don't. Trying to get lawyers involved is just throwing your money away. You have no rights in this situation unless they are denying you use of your unit during your prescribed time.

Again here is the problem, you THINK you are entitled to fairness as you BELIEVE you have more rights than you actually do. You are a guest who has rented a suite under an annual contract. They guarantee you your suite and USE of the facilities that it may have available. How they enforce the rules is up to the resort and management. Yes you can call them on the enforcement, but if they don't, what recourse do you have ? Yes Marriott has the ability to allow any group of people to invade the resort as you say and the only recourse you have is to not give them your money and boycott owning/using a unit there if you are that firmly disgusted with the situation.

I know know nothing about the governing structure of Aruba. But in regards to the U.S. Marriotts, and CA in particular, you are wrong when you state the following things:

-- You don't own anything nor do you have any say in what they do with the facility.
-- You have no rights in this situation unless they are denying you use of your unit during your prescribed time.
-- Trying to get lawyers involved is just throwing your money away.
-- How they enforce the rules is up to the resort and management.
-- Yes you can call them on the enforcement, but if they don't, what recourse do you have ?

The answer to the last is: Plenty. The HOA (or Marriott as its Manager) has an obligation to protect the usage rights, and enforce the governing documents, rules, and regulations in a fair and un-arbitrary manner, to protect the rights of all owners. It cannot favor some owners over others. It cannot turn a blind eye to some violations, and enforce others. This conduct clearly violates rules against nuisance, interference with other owners "USE", and many other provisions.

In fact, (in CA at least) any owner has the right to sue any other owner directly to enforce the governing documents. No need to "ask" Marriott to enforce them. If this were happening at a CA Marriott resort, I'd be happy to take the case anytime on a contingency basis. Again, not specific to Aruba, but this is where many owners here are coming from based upon their experience of how Marriott resorts are organized and operate.

 

[SueDonJ]

Aruba is a different beast. Most MVCI are deeded so the owners are actually own, but Aruba is a "right to use" - would be interesting to see what the actually contract says if someone were to take legal action. If someone really wanted to do something - get some high quality video then get a contact at a local TV station that has a consumer reporter, probably someone in FL near MVCI HQ. Then do the "Time Share Purchase turns into a nightmare" or "Honeymoon turns into a nightmare" etc... Bad review on trip advisor are not going to do it. Or find one of the hundreds of cable channels and see if they want to do a documentary on "hell week." Or maybe someone on NPR. If I owned there, that's what I would do.

Every MVC Owner has a deed whether it's to a 1/50 (or 48, 49, 51 or 52, depending on the individual resort governing docs) share of a single unit or to a similarly-fractured RTU in a leasehold, but MVC holds ownership and/or usage rights for common areas at all of the resorts. I understand the ownership difference and that it could impact any legal standing as far as ownership rights.

But the thing I'm focused on is that for this singular event MVC makes what must be an obscene profit while giving one group of onsite guests preferential treatment and exclusive access to certain common areas, to the known detriment of and without advance notice to every other guest on-property at the same time (and without any input from the RTU deeded owners.) The historically-documented negative impact to the guests who are not members of this exclusive group is the same regardless of whether they are RTU owners, DC Points users, Marriott Rewards Members using MRP, Marriott, Int'l cash guests, II exchangers, renters-by-owners, whatever. MVC has, as stipulated in the governing docs of every resort, a responsibility to every guest to enforce consistent rules that ensure the expectations fostered by Marriott's advertising - i.e. an enjoyable vacation in a family-friendly, safe environment - and when it comes to this mess in Aruba they're definitely not exercising that responsibility.

 

[Quadmaniac]

I know know nothing about the governing structure of Aruba. But in regards to the U.S. Marriotts, and CA in particular, you are wrong when you state the following things:

-- You don't own anything nor do you have any say in what they do with the facility.
-- You have no rights in this situation unless they are denying you use of your unit during your prescribed time.
-- Trying to get lawyers involved is just throwing your money away.
-- How they enforce the rules is up to the resort and management.
-- Yes you can call them on the enforcement, but if they don't, what recourse do you have ?

The answer to the last is: Plenty. The HOA (or Marriott as its Manager) has an obligation to protect the usage rights, and enforce the governing documents, rules, and regulations in a fair and un-arbitrary manner, to protect the rights of all owners. It cannot favor some owners over others. It cannot turn a blind eye to some violations, and enforce others. This conduct clearly violates rules against nuisance, interference with other owners "USE", and many other provisions.

In fact, (in CA at least) any owner has the right to sue any other owner directly to enforce the governing documents. No need to "ask" Marriott to enforce them. If this were happening at a CA Marriott resort, I'd be happy to take the case anytime on a contingency basis. Again, not specific to Aruba, but this is where many owners here are coming from based upon their experience of how Marriott resorts are organized and operate.

If that is the case, then sue Marriott and I guess we will see how far it really gets. I would place bets on it, but I would like to see if it remedies this. If it were possible and after 16+ years of this occurring, I find it interesting that the event continues on year after year. I would assume there would have been at least one lawyer vacationing there during that week over the years or an irate "owner" who hires a lawyer, wanting to prevent this from happening.

I would put it out there that if there were as much "rights" as you say there are, this should be an easy slam dunk case and the problem would be solved. My question is why has it not if this was possible ?

 

[jimf41]

If that is the case, then sue Marriott and I guess we will see how far it really gets. I would place bets on it, but I would like to see if it remedies this. If it were possible and after 16+ years of this occurring, I find it interesting that the event continues on year after year. I would assume there would have been at least one lawyer vacationing there during that week over the years or an irate "owner" who hires a lawyer, wanting to prevent this from happening.

I would put it out there that if there were as much "rights" as you say there are, this should be an easy slam dunk case and the problem would be solved. My question is why has it not if this was possible ?

Most of the people affected by this are not owners. Owners know about the situation and avoid that time period. As far as Marriott letting it continue for corporate greed,I don't see it. The group pays for the damages and maybe Marriott comes out a little ahead there but the group brings most of it's own food and I don't think they imbibe heavily so where's the extra profit over what they'd make on a normal guest?

Someone is getting a huge payment that doesn't show up on the books.

 

[skyequeen]

We spend several weeks a year at the Surf Club in fall and winter and are owners. In one of our earliest visits another guest told us about this large group and we have been avoiding booking during NY Regents Week which is when they come because of the school holiday. That being said, whenever we are at the resort during times like Presidents Week or when NJ and Massachusetts have school holidays, there are lots of pre-teens and teenagers who can be disruptive as a normal part of being kids. When it happens I speak to the kids (which usually works) and if necessary call Security (for instance when kids jump off bridges or rocks into the lazy river). The larger the group of related children, the more wild they can be. Management at Surf Club is superb and listens to owners plus we have a board of directors. All over Palm Beach resorts block off areas for private parties and weddings and we all survive. It is one week a year and the visitors either own their weeks or have paid to rent - either way they have the right to be there and arrange catering IMO. Book another time and just keep track of when Regents Week is every year. It is posted online. Or make reservations that week and make some money renting as demand should be high. If you are there then, speak up and get help from management. Because group members have bought weeks, they are not likely to go to another venue.

 

[merriot]

Politics?! Religion??! Contentious social issues??? Come on!!! Speak up people! Right is right and wrong is wrong.

Doesn't matter your race, color, nationality or religion.


In the year of 2017, some people bury that insight that because they think they have to to make sure everyone gets their rights and their voice. Some people fear being labelled politically incorrect. But what about when the do-gooders are stomped upon by the less enlightened or humanistic ?

Every person is born with a sense of right and wrong. It is in their hearts. This is an innate sense. These January people know they are acting out. The simple fact is they don't care. So much for brotherly love and treat others equally the way you'd like to be treated. They will do whatever they want BECAUSE THEY CAN! Apparently for some reason, the rules do not apply to them.

Marriott is to blame here. What if we all behaved this way, all timeshare year long? Marriott would fold, that's what would happen.Who wants to pay 30000 plus 1500 a year maintenance fee for a trip to hell or, just as bad, can't get a reservation because Marriott reserves a percentage of inventory for these uncivilized moneybags ? Why does Marriott disregard the rights of good timeshare owners for the sake of rude ignorant selfish people WHO WILL NOT CONFORM TO THE RULES FOR THE MEMBERSHIP...FOR THE GOOD OF ALL??? Money might buy boldness but it can't buy class and maybe it can't even buy education.

Marriott should be fair enough to enforce the rules of civility whether money is to be made or not. Why would a GOOD company be afraid of afraid saying, "Hey. That's inappropriate. Unacceptable for the common good."
We should all be equal under the Marriott flag and when fellow timeshare folks to whom I should be equal infringe on my right to enjoy the rest I have dearly paid for.... Marriott is breaking its contract with me.

And that's all I have to say about that as Forrest Gump would say.

P.S. I love Aruba and go three weeks in February for the last ten years and will go this year too...have NEVER experienced anything like the January nightmare...I have stayed at Surf, Renaissance, Holiday Inn and Eagle Beach....I've gone in November...I just love the 85 degrees, the breeze (ok sometimes it is windier and it rains but that's of short duration)...it's a desert isle but the Arubans are great and restaurants are better every year...come on Marriott, step up to the plate.

 

[WBP]

The "weeks" ownership at Ocean Club and Surf Club in Aruba is not deeded. The form of ownership is a Cooperative Association. Owners own Class A shares or Class B shares, one being residential, and the other being commercial.

 

[BocaBoy]

NOT SAYING IT IS ACCEPTABLE but from Marriott's standpoint if they are dropping that much money, what would you do if that was your business ? Turn it away ? Come on.....Yes it doesn't reflect well on Marriott but much like any other hotel who might host a wild party, can you afford to turn it away to please other guests who probably don't spend a fraction of what this one group brings in for the week.

The problem with your analysis is that the resort is not really "Marriott's business", they manage it on behalf of the owners.

 

[Quadmaniac]

The problem with your analysis is that the resort is not really "Marriott's business", they manage it on behalf of the owners.

You are correct they manage it, but who takes all the profit from the resort ? The owners ? They don’t see any of it.

 

[maizeandblue]

So how does the group all book the same week? Do they own hundreds of platinum weeks and have booking priority?

 

[mj2vacation]

So how does the group all book the same week? Do they own hundreds of platinum weeks and have booking priority?

Yes

 

[bazzap]

You are correct they manage it, but who takes all the profit from the resort ? The owners ? They don’t see any of it.

Marriott International receive their royalty payments for licensing of their brand name and as this is % based it increases with the resort spend.
The balance of resort based business, once all operating / MVC costs are covered though, should be spent on resort development and improvement for the benefit of owners.

 

[maizeandblue]

Wow, they probably control a seat on the board then. It’s my understanding that the spring break crowd at the Ft Lauderdale location is even more disruptive to owners.

I love MVC but am glad I sold my week, many of the resorts are monstrous in size and condusive to large groups. I don’t care if it’s a fraternity, firemen, swingers or a church group. Anytime you have a big 300+ group there are issues.

Not to be a shill for Hyatt or Four Seasons but most of their resorts are under 100 units so this would never happen. It seems like the higher end brands that have residence club properties tend to attract a better demographic of owners and exchangers. Unfortunately these brands don’t have the reach of MVC or Hilton.

 

[Quadmaniac]

Marriott International receive their royalty payments for licensing of their brand name and as this is % based it increases with the resort spend.
The balance of resort based business, once all operating / MVC costs are covered though, should be spent on resort development and improvement for the benefit of owners.

The maintenance fees go to the operating income which they use to operate the resort. Marriott contributes a portion depending on how much they own, but the profits from rentals, events, food sales, alcohol goes to Marriott, not the owners.

 

[DavidBr]

I doubt Marriott would make any kind of announcement because they're active facilitators of just how much this group takes over the property and ruins other guests' vacations. Over the years there have been other resorts on the island that "uninvited" the group so if Marriott wanted to do it they could. But they don't; instead they accommodate the group by allowing them to bring outside catering facilities on-property in a section of the parking lot, allowing them to take over other common areas for their group-only activities, hiring extra housekeeping people to clean up after the slobs, not intervening when negative behavior of group members impacts other guests or when ACTUAL SECURITY RISKS are occurring, etc.

After all these years I'm convinced that the bottom line is, this group is the Goose That Laid The Golden Egg for MVC. If I were an owner who stumbled on this fiasco Marriott would be paying me a hefty portion of their obscene profit because I'd fight them through every possible means. There is just too much history documented on social media for this to keep happening year after year after year after year ...

This situation is IMO the absolute worst stain on Marriott Vacation Club, and that's coming from someone who loves her timeshares and is usually able to defend Marriott when criticisms are offered.

We own three weeks in Aruba and avoid this week. Please know that this topic is a frequent topic at the weekly meeting where the staff meets with owners. The problem is that the resort management sometimes feels that it has to bend over backwards for owners regardless of behavior. However, when other guests complain at other times in the year, management can take action. During December, a college-age guest and child of an owner at the Surf Club, decided it would be a fine idea to kill several of the iguanas that inhabit the pool area. What was interesting, in contrast to this thread is that after many guests complained and called security, the resort took firm action, and reported this individual to the police. I was told that this individual would be fined at the airport in order to be able to leave. The management can't excuse all behavior with the response "what can I do, they're owners." I have told the general manager myself that even if I'm not at the resort during late January, this group still has an impact on me and my family. When I purchase a 15 week Platinum season, I should not be forced to crowd into the remaining 13 weeks because of someone's bad behavior. When people experience this and don't return, it reduces my ability to rent my week if I don't want to use it or reduces my resale value. So, I'm not ready to assume that all the owners have no power. This should be brought up by multiple owners at the weekly meetings, it should be brought up to Marriott Vacations Worldwide management, it should be brought up to the boards at the two resorts. It should even be brought up as one of the reasons you're not buying at a sales presentation. If they hear this from everyone things may change. The annual maintenance on all the Aruba Timeshares is in the tens of millions of dollars. That's the golden goose that keeps everyone on staff employed, not some check from this group (even if it is six figures) that comes once a year. There's plenty of time to conclude that you're not being heard after you've spoken up--Don't make that assumption before you make your views known!

 

[Luckybee]

We own three weeks in Aruba and avoid this week. Please know that this topic is a frequent topic at the weekly meeting where the staff meets with owners. The problem is that the resort management sometimes feels that it has to bend over backwards for owners regardless of behavior. However, when other guests complain at other times in the year, management can take action. During December, a college-age guest and child of an owner at the Surf Club, decided it would be a fine idea to kill several of the iguanas that inhabit the pool area. What was interesting, in contrast to this thread is that after many guests complained and called security, the resort took firm action, and reported this individual to the police. I was told that this individual would be fined at the airport in order to be able to leave. The management can't excuse all behavior with the response "what can I do, they're owners." I have told the general manager myself that even if I'm not at the resort during late January, this group still has an impact on me and my family. When I purchase a 15 week Platinum season, I should not be forced to crowd into the remaining 13 weeks because of someone's bad behavior. When people experience this and don't return, it reduces my ability to rent my week if I don't want to use it or reduces my resale value. So, I'm not ready to assume that all the owners have no power. This should be brought up by multiple owners at the weekly meetings, it should be brought up to Marriott Vacations Worldwide management, it should be brought up to the boards at the two resorts. It should even be brought up as one of the reasons you're not buying at a sales presentation. If they hear this from everyone things may change. The annual maintenance on all the Aruba Timeshares is in the tens of millions of dollars. That's the golden goose that keeps everyone on staff employed, not some check from this group (even if it is six figures) that comes once a year. There's plenty of time to conclude that you're not being heard after you've spoken up--Don't make that assumption before you make your views known!

Sorry to go slightly off topic but we too are owners at the OC in Aruba and I was dismayed to read your post. I had not heard about the incident involving the wonderful iguanas which have been a fixture at the Marriott properties since they first opened( in other words they were there long before we were). I'm assuming since there was talk of a fine they were charged with some type of offence. Imho a fine was the least that should have happened to the two participants. Perhaps we can hope that with an offence record they might not be allowed back on Aruba again. My blood is boiling !!!

 

[mdurette]

Will this group be gone by this weekend? Trying to work out a last minute trip to surf club for my sister in law.

Edit. Found the event sticky. Looks like it is over now/tomorrow

 

[Wally3433]

Pretty please, with sugar on top, POST A VIDEO OF ARUBA EVENT WEEK!

Words are great for some things, but this isn't it. It doesn't exist until we see it.

 

[ilene13]

Sorry to go slightly off topic but we too are owners at the OC in Aruba and I was dismayed to read your post. I had not heard about the incident involving the wonderful iguanas which have been a fixture at the Marriott properties since they first opened( in other words they were there long before we were). I'm assuming since there was talk of a fine they were charged with some type of offence. Imho a fine was the least that should have happened to the two participants. Perhaps we can hope that with an offence record they might not be allowed back on Aruba again. My blood is boiling !!!

We were in Aruba at the OC weeks 51 and 52. Yes there were some iguanas who were killed at the Surf Club. The police were called because they are considered an endangered species. According to the management they did not know who had actually done the crime, so no one was going to be fined. Because of their endangered status if they do find who did it those people would each be fined about $3000. There were a lot of rumors floating around the beach but what I have stated is what I was told by Erwin.

 

[Fairwinds]

Anyone who doesn't spend time to do research can only blame themselves if the information is out there and they don't seek it out before making their decision on when to go. The fact is, that the information is out there on multiple sites. Yes the onus is on the individual. If one is to really expect that everything and anywhere you go is going to be perfect and there are not pitfalls or things to watch out for is in for a rude awakening. This is true of any location you may go to and any facility you may be staying at. Of course, everyone puts their best foot forward to entice you to go there. Do they deliver on every aspect ? Not in most cases. I remember going to an all inclusive in Jamaica in a last minute trip and it wasn't anywhere close to its description. I researched it prior and it seemed like a great resort but the food was awful and the facilities were not as advertised. Its buyer

Yep. I always blame the victim too. Especially in this case because poor behavior should always be excused when it can be predicted and therefore avoided. Never mind that they paid up to stay at a quality property where, most reasonable people have preconceived expectations of a quality vacation experience. I fall into this group. (Stupid me). I also once bought cruise line passage on Royal Caribbean because of good reviews. Arrived, checked in and went to topside bar only to find 20 to 30 (a small faction of the total number onboard) inebriated bikers; one with his pants down around his ankles. And so went the rest of the week. Totally my fault as I’m sure somewhere someone new this “group which will remain unnamed” was having Sturgis at sea week.

Actually, I’ve been vacationing with MVC for over 15 years and my research is always focused on the destination, available activities, and weather. If I wasn’t a member of tug I wouldn’t know about this mischief and it would have a big impact on my vacation. I would probably complain and would not understand someone’s opinion that it was my fault.