[2011] Westgate Tower of Terror Las Vegas No More! [merged]

[jeffox]

Westgate Tower of Terror Las Vegas

I like it! Sometimes it would be interesting to hear the spin today from past posts gone wrong. After all how else would we know of the "Greatest Timeshare In The World™"?

Didn't that guy pay $90K too?

 

[STEVIE]

Hi everyone, I posted yesterday under "exchanging" with questions about Las Vegas and this property. I saw this thread today, so I hope to have a few questions answered here.I confirmed today a confirmation for August 2013 into Planet Hollywood for a two bedroom unit. We are a family of four, and after reading this thread I'm not sure if this resort is family friendly. Our sons will be ages 20, and 16 when we take this trip.I did take out insurance so if this would not be a good choice I can look for something else. We plan to go to shows and explore attractions such as Hoover Dam. From what I read the resort is in a good locaton on the strip, we have never been to Vegas, so I'm not familiar with what is good or not. Any comments on the pool area? Is a car necessary, or can we rent a car on a daily basis when we want to explore? Any advise is truly appreciated. Thanks, Sue

 

[timeos2]

Hi everyone, I posted yesterday under "exchanging" with questions about Las Vegas and this property. I saw this thread today, so I hope to have a few questions answered here.I confirmed today a confirmation for August 2013 into Planet Hollywood for a two bedroom unit. We are a family of four, and after reading this thread I'm not sure if this resort is family friendly. Our sons will be ages 20, and 16 when we take this trip.I did take out insurance so if this would not be a good choice I can look for something else. We plan to go to shows and explore attractions such as Hoover Dam. From what I read the resort is in a good locaton on the strip, we have never been to Vegas, so I'm not familiar with what is good or not. Any comments on the pool area? Is a car necessary, or can we rent a car on a daily basis when we want to explore? Any advise is truly appreciated. Thanks, Sue

The location is good - but no better than the Marriott, Polo Towers and only two blocks from the much more family friendly Wyndham Grand Desert. The attachment to the casino, not one of the top casino's, is not a family friendly thing. The "takeover" by the younger crowd is a fact Thurs - Saturday weekly. If you don't like the noise & rather rowdy type behavior that entails then again, not a good family choice. There is also the negative that if you go through WG - not Hilton - then you are dealing with a now orphaned group of a limited number of units that, in all likelihood, no one will be especially careful about taking car of as the real push will be the improved units Hilton will be trying to sell.

Overall, and especially for a younger family, there are much better choices in the immediate area (which is perhaps the best launching point for visiting the strip if you plan to stay in a timeshare). The location is not the issue. The clientele and WG are.

 

[heathpack]

The location is good - but no better than the Marriott, Polo Towers and only two blocks from the much more family friendly Wyndham Grand Desert. The attachment to the casino, not one of the top casino's, is not a family friendly thing. The "takeover" by the younger crowd is a fact Thurs - Saturday weekly. If you don't like the noise & rather rowdy type behavior that entails then again, not a good family choice. There is also the negative that if you go through WG - not Hilton - then you are dealing with a now orphaned group of a limited number of units that, in all likelihood, no one will be especially careful about taking car of as the real push will be the improved units Hilton will be trying to sell.

Overall, and especially for a younger family, there are much better choices in the immediate area (which is perhaps the best launching point for visiting the strip if you plan to stay in a timeshare). The location is not the issue. The clientele and WG are.

Have to strongly disagree here. We don't really gamble, we don't drink to excess (well not very often), we are mostly in Vegas to dine, see shows and gawk at the hotels.

We loved PH. Thought the location was superb and definitely better'n the nearby Marriott. I don't recall ever even entering the casino, it seems to me we walked thru the shopping mall to get to the strip. It is also very easy to exit the building onto Harmon St by walking thru the mall. We drove to our destination at times as well.

Did not visit the pool area to swim (we were there in Dec), so can't comment except to say it looked very nice- way nicer than the tiny Marriott rooftop pool.

We had a minor problem with our washer/dryer while we were there, mgmt was very responsive. We also requested our mid-week cleaning on Tuesday instead of Monday. But maid came Monday by mistake, we had to interact with front desk to get that rescheduled and that went very smoothly. And finally, the concierge was very helpful to us when we needed to get something printed out and had nowhere to do so. We mention all this because we were worried about Westgates reputation, but has ZERO issues with mgmt.

We would stay again at PH in a heartbeat. The rooms are awesome- totally over-the-top Vegas fabulous. Loved the huge projection TV, the image looked great if you viewed an HD channel.

Just to give you a contrasting point of view.

H

 

[STEVIE]

Thank you for your responses. I am really excited to go to Vegas, I have alot of research to do! When is the best time to reserve the shows? Sue

 

[dwojo]

The more popular shows sell out early. 7 to 10 days should work for most of the popular shows. Decide what you want to see and look at availability online.

 

[Ron98GT]

The location is good - but no better than the Marriott, Polo Towers and only two blocks from the much more family friendly Wyndham Grand Desert. The attachment to the casino, not one of the top casino's, is not a family friendly thing. The "takeover" by the younger crowd is a fact Thurs - Saturday weekly. If you don't like the noise & rather rowdy type behavior that entails then again, not a good family choice. There is also the negative that if you go through WG - not Hilton - then you are dealing with a now orphaned group of a limited number of units that, in all likelihood, no one will be especially careful about taking car of as the real push will be the improved units Hilton will be trying to sell.

Overall, and especially for a younger family, there are much better choices in the immediate area (which is perhaps the best launching point for visiting the strip if you plan to stay in a timeshare). The location is not the issue. The clientele and WG are.

Unless you have really young kids and you want to spend all of your time at the WGD, stick with PH, which IS on the strip. WGD is at Harmon & Koval. It may look like 2-blocks on a map, but it's NOT 2 city blocks, it's a 1/2 mile hike back to the strip from the WGD. I don't think you want your kids hiking along Harmon OR Koval Lane: stay ON the strip.

http://www.lvmpd.com/crimeviewcommunity/wizard.asp

Interesting web site by Las Vegas Metro Police. Type in the cross streets of Koval & Harmon. Then select 1/2 mile, which covers a radius of 1/2 mile. The 1/2 mile is the distance between Koval and the LV strip, as indicated on the LVMPD map.

 

[Ernie]

The wife and I stayed there last March and had a pretty good time. Easy to get to the other hotels and shows, we walked to everything. There is a CVS and a Walgreens a block away which is nice. It was a younger crowd and the Casino is geared towards the younger crowd also with dancers on tables throughout the casino. The pool is nice but mostly a wading pool about 3ft to 4ft deep. But I think most of the pools in Vegas are like this.

It you see any of the shows in the MGM and some other hotels I forget which ones you can join the club for free and get 40% off the shows there which is a great deal. I booked all of our shows right through the hotels where they were showing and got the best deals.

We talked to a couple who rented a car for a day while there and they said it was great. The car company just dropped the car off and picked it up when they were done.

 

[econmark]

My wife and I fell for the Tower sales pitch a few years ago and got a 2 brdm unit for Fri, Sat, and Sun nights every other year. We used it last year shortly after it opened and again this last weekend (split the studio lockout and Deluxe room into 2 stays). We actually really like the place, it's close to everything and we haven't been bothered by noise. Just lucky I guess. If you don't count the initial 12K buy-in, I think we're getting our $400 every-other-year maintenance fees worth.
Here's my dilemna: I haven't received any notice from the new owners, but Westgate is telling me I owe them the 2012 maintenance fees, which must be paid before I book any more reservations. At this point I don't know who is running the place, who should get the maintenance fees, or if we will ever be offered an upgrade to HGVC (which I would love since I've never liked Westgate). Apparently there was a big meeting of the new/old owners last week sometime, but I haven't heard what, if anything, came out of it.
Anyone here heard anything about the outcome, or are there any other owners reading this that have received notices from Westgate or the new owners lately?

 

[billinlv]

... Apparently there was a big meeting of the new/old owners last week sometime, but I haven't heard what, if anything, came out of it.
Anyone here heard anything about the outcome, or are there any other owners reading this that have received notices from Westgate or the new owners lately?

We own a 2 bedroom timeshare at the towers and have enjoyed staying there. We were staying somewhere else 1/11-28/12 and heard about the meeting last Thursday.

The wife and I attended the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to ratify the 2012 proposed budget and that was completed pretty quickly. The group early on said they would stay and answer questions and they did for probably an hour.

In attendance were 4 board new members that were from RFA who took back the building from Westgate. Westgate doesn't have anything to do with the bulding anymore and Westgate was not in attendance at the meeting.

There were roughly 8 to 10 Westgate PH Tower owners in attendance. There was one Hilton Grand Vacations employee. His name is Neil Hutchinson, Vice President Association Management Services.

We were told that just days before the contract was signed with Hilton to run the operation of the building and all affiliations with Planet Hollywood and Caesars Entertainment have or will be terminated once Hilton takes over. Some employees will become Hilton employees.

The PH Towers Westgate signage will start to come down in the next few weeks. They didn't know exactly or couldn't tell us what name will be on top but there will be something there. At no cost to timeshare owners, RFA will pay for any upgrades or changes to signage and decor. They said carpet and glass tops in the rooms may change to something that does not show things so easily.

Hilton will begin selling the timeshares there probably in July 2012.

The new association has entered into an affiliation with II so there will be a dual affiliation as Hilton uses RCI.

It sounded that any Westgate timeshare owner that is also a member of II will not be offered a chance to affiliate with HGVC. Any that aren't II members may have a chance to join with Hilton without buying a new package.

There was an owner in attendance that asked how they might be able to sell their timeshare. The Hilton employee actually said Timeshare Users Group and a few others. I spoke up and gave out the tug2.net website. I also told the Hilton rep that on TUG Wyndham and Hilton have very good feedback and that us Westgate owners would like to join with Hilton.

In the future Westgate Tower timeshare owners will be given a special toll free number for reservations and it will be going to the Hilton call centers. Also more information will be communicated as they know more.

As far as paying your 2012 association dues we were told you can pay on the Westgate online site or at the new address that was sent with the proxy form. I paid mine on the Westgate site today. I had to call them because the 2012 budget had one figure and the Westgate site had a figure like $32 higher. After calling Westgate it was explained that this amount is for the property taxes which don't show on the budget.

Anyway, I didn't take notes so I'm doing this by memory so hopefully I've covered any owner's questions.

Bill
Jax, FL

 

[Ernie]

Billinjax I dont understand this part of your post.

It sounded that any Westgate timeshare owner that is also a member of II will not be offered a chance to affiliate with HGVC. Any that aren't II members may have a chance to join with Hilton without buying a new package.

I have an account with II but I have never used II in anyway yet. Do you know how this would affect someone in my situation? I have odd years so I cant even use my week until 2013.

 

[STEVIE]

Hi, if I have a confirmation for Aug. 2013, will it be honored if Hilton takes over? I booked through Interval. Thanks, Sue

 

[billinlv]

...I have an account with II but I have never used II in anyway yet.

My opinion is if you're not using II then don't renew your membership until you see what might be offered.

Regarding current reservations. Using my 2012 week, I have two reservations (split the lockout) in October 2012 previously confirmed and they said at the meeting that there would be no changes to already confirmed reservations.

I also carried over my 2011 week and have been wanting to book for June 2012. When I called Westgate about the difference in the maintenance amounts yesterday at the end of the call I mentioned how I was waiting until 60 days out to do a June reservation because it was my 2011 carryover week. The agent checked with her inventory people and they went and did the booking for me. So no complaints with Westgate.

Bill
Jax, FL

 

[dougp26364]

Hi, if I have a confirmation for Aug. 2013, will it be honored if Hilton takes over? I booked through Interval. Thanks, Sue

You'll be fine. HGVC appears to be taking over the unsold inventory. The inventory sold by Westgate appears to be staying with Westgate and that inventory will also remain for exchange with I.I.

 

[heathpack]

What is RFA?

Are you sure the plan is dual affiliation (as opposed to some units being deposit able in RCI- the Hilton ones- and the previous Westgate units being deposit able in II?).

This is the first I heard that Westgate was totally out of PH. Thought they were to retain their currently sold units?

H

We own a 2 bedroom timeshare at the towers and have enjoyed staying there. We were staying somewhere else 1/11-28/12 and heard about the meeting last Thursday.

The wife and I attended the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to ratify the 2012 proposed budget and that was completed pretty quickly. The group early on said they would stay and answer questions and they did for probably an hour.

In attendance were 4 board new members that were from RFA who took back the building from Westgate. Westgate doesn't have anything to do with the bulding anymore and Westgate was not in attendance at the meeting.

There were roughly 8 to 10 Westgate PH Tower owners in attendance. There was one Hilton Grand Vacations employee. His name is Neil Hutchinson, Vice President Association Management Services.

We were told that just days before the contract was signed with Hilton to run the operation of the building and all affiliations with Planet Hollywood and Caesars Entertainment have or will be terminated once Hilton takes over. Some employees will become Hilton employees.

The PH Towers Westgate signage will start to come down in the next few weeks. They didn't know exactly or couldn't tell us what name will be on top but there will be something there. At no cost to timeshare owners, RFA will pay for any upgrades or changes to signage and decor. They said carpet and glass tops in the rooms may change to something that does not show things so easily.

Hilton will begin selling the timeshares there probably in July 2012.

The new association has entered into an affiliation with II so there will be a dual affiliation as Hilton uses RCI.

It sounded that any Westgate timeshare owner that is also a member of II will not be offered a chance to affiliate with HGVC. Any that aren't II members may have a chance to join with Hilton without buying a new package.

There was an owner in attendance that asked how they might be able to sell their timeshare. The Hilton employee actually said Timeshare Users Group and a few others. I spoke up and gave out the tug2.net website. I also told the Hilton rep that on TUG Wyndham and Hilton have very good feedback and that us Westgate owners would like to join with Hilton.

In the future Westgate Tower timeshare owners will be given a special toll free number for reservations and it will be going to the Hilton call centers. Also more information will be communicated as they know more.

As far as paying your 2012 association dues we were told you can pay on the Westgate online site or at the new address that was sent with the proxy form. I paid mine on the Westgate site today. I had to call them because the 2012 budget had one figure and the Westgate site had a figure like $32 higher. After calling Westgate it was explained that this amount is for the property taxes which don't show on the budget.

Anyway, I didn't take notes so I'm doing this by memory so hopefully I've covered any owner's questions.

Bill
Jax, FL

 

[billinlv]

What is RFA?

Are you sure the plan is dual affiliation (as opposed to some units being deposit able in RCI- the Hilton ones- and the previous Westgate units being deposit able in II?).

This is the first I heard that Westgate was totally out of PH. Thought they were to retain their currently sold units?

H

RFA is Resort Finance America, LLC. This company held the Westgate debt for the property and when Westgate couldn't pay they took the building back. They said they also finance the other parts of Westgate and with the elimination of the Tower that Westgate is properly financed for the future.

Current Westgate Tower timeshare owners can stay with Westgate and enjoy whatever benefits they had with Westgate. We get 2 for 1 bonus weeks at other Westgate properties and that will continue. Westgate doesn't own the building or manage it so that is why I said they didn't have anything to do with it anymore.

 

[econmark]

So I guess Westgate will still own the unit that I bought from them? It seems they would have to retain some ownership in order to book rooms. Maybe the rooms are held in some kind of II account and that's why they said II members could not switch to HGVC?

 

[dougp26364]

So I guess Westgate will still own the unit that I bought from them? It seems they would have to retain some ownership in order to book rooms. Maybe the rooms are held in some kind of II account and that's why they said II members could not switch to HGVC?

They retain some rights. As far as ownership, Hilton now owns the building, you and Westgate retain the ownership rights to use the property sold by Westgate.

With timeshare, you never really own anything except for a deeded right to use the property in perputuity. As a timeshare "owner", you don't actually own property, you own the space between the walls as a 1/52 interest.

It's the concept of owning property vs the right to use a property for a specified period of time each year that trips people up. That's part of the reason timeshares don't have the same value as real estate. You don't actually own the real estate or any of the furniture, appliances for fixtures. You just own the right to time spent in a space.

 

[Michelle_Eris]

I found this on the LV Tower 52 condo owners association web page:


This information is current as of January 18, 2012.

President
David A Siegel
5601 Windhover Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
Change My Principals

http://www.nvannualreport.com/entities-DNPC-LV-TOWER-52-CONDOMINIUM-OWNERS-ASSOCIATION-INC.aspx

So apparently despite the change of ownership, westgate still runs the HOA.

 

[billinlv]

I found this on the LV Tower 52 condo owners association web page:


This information is current as of January 18, 2012.

President
David A Siegel
5601 Windhover Dr
Orlando, FL 32819
Change My Principals

http://www.nvannualreport.com/entities-DNPC-LV-TOWER-52-CONDOMINIUM-OWNERS-ASSOCIATION-INC.aspx

So apparently despite the change of ownership, westgate still runs the HOA.

I was at the meeting and the President of the association is with RFA. In fact all of the HOA board was with RFA.

 

[Ernie]

Im getting calls now and its a recorded message saying its from Westgate with regards to my options letter? They want me to call them back to discuss my options with a weasle representative. I never received an options letter and I dont intent to call them back. Anyone else getting these calls that owns Westgate?

 

[Ernie]

Got a letter today that explains a lot. Here is the new website.

http://www.lvtower52association.com/

 

[timeos2]

Note that according to the published documents the Management fees were over $2 million dollars in 2010! Does anyone think that was a good value to the owners?

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Note that according to the published documents the Management fees were over $2 million dollars in 2010! Does anyone think that was a good value to the owners?

Depends on what owners you're referring to. I'm sure the owners of the management company found it of great value.

 

[pgnewarkboy]

Its a great location

Just came back from DRI Polo Towers which is basically next door to Planet Hollywood. It is a great location. You can basically walk to all the action. Vegas is a tremendous vacation spot. Many People who want to go to Vegas every year or so will find the location irresistible.