I checked Interval as well... we have a time share in Wolfe Creek - used to get pretty good exchanges.... but Palm Desert has been problematic for a while. Same units always come up for our Wolfe Creek unit as well as the Sunchasers units. Usually only efficiency units available in the resorts we used to easily get 1 or 2 bedroom units in.
We have a couple weeks still on deposit with Interval, and am hoping that, since the dates of the stays we deposited have come and gone (so probably sold), our future attempts to use them will still be honored fairly. But am concerned since, Interval indicates they will only release weeks if our accounts are in good standing with the home resort.... don't know how long that is going to be, considering we haven't paid the renovation fee.
Regarding the legal counsel. We signed on as well with Geldert Law earlier this month. I have found that the $100 retainer was easy to come up with. Hoping though, that things settle without too much more financial commitment. But to date we are very pleased with their weekly updates on what's going on, leaving us with the oponion that the case against Northmont's proposition is pretty substantial. It's hard to imagine the judge will rule in their favor.
At any rate, it has become quite apparent to us that on our own, my husband and I are not knowledgeable enough to deal with the legalities on our own. I know most who haven't signed on with lawyers feel they will reap the benefit of the work of the lawyers working in behalf of the groups..... personally, we were not willing to take that chance. We can foresee scenarios that may play out well for those who have committed to legal counsel, but not necessarily include the others.
Regarding the resort itself. We just got back from a weeks stay. Initially when the first letter came from Northmont came out this spring, we panicked and deposited our week into interval, thinking that since we weren't going to pay unless ordered to by the court, we would loose our week.... Then after hearing that people were still getting checked into the resort despite not paying, we paid interval to book the same week, but in Hillside Villas instead of our Riverside Villa we own! (lost our lock off fee, and then had to pay interval to book the week.... but as a nice bonus, we were left with the lock off week deposit, which we were able to book for a week in Vegas in December.)
Anyway, back to the resort. Check in went quite smoothly. I told the reception clerk it was too late to read and digest the waiver agreement, so said I would take it to the room to check later.... Interesting that his reason to sign was that "all the resorts" are doing that now, and that since there was no lifeguard on duty, it was necessary to have the waiver signed. I offered to agree not to use the pool.... (only the pool in the check in center was operating.... not the outdoor pool by the Hillside Villas where we ended up anyway) He said, but "no, you could be hit by a golf ball or something". That seemed funny to me, since the resort is not part of the golf course anyway. He said bad example. At any rate, we got off not signing the form. Had they pushed for me to sign the next day, I would definitely have refused, as there were some maintenance issues that I was not going to release them of liability had we been hurt ( For example, the shower handle came off twice when we showered, while the hot water was pouring out.... it was very difficult to attach back on to shut water off )
We went twice to see the renovated unit open house... first time, even though we were there during the viewing hours, room was locked. Next time, we showed up an hour early - room open and had a chance only to take a quick look at the kitchen, but we were escorted out as it wasn't viewing hours and they said the touch up paint was still wet. But what we saw, while looking nice and refreshed, wasn't that spectacular. The new flooring was to be "non-carpeted"... it is that kind of vinyl flooring that looks similar to long wood planks. I suppose this will be durable and easy to replace sections as needed. I was surprised the counter tops weren't granite, considering the cost per unit.
The black exteriors are a nice contrast to the white trim, but I must say, wasn't my favorite.... I did prefer the color choice of Riverside Golf course beside them.... it was a rich brown color, with white trim..... but then I guess color choices are not always going to please everyone.
My husband had opportunity to talk to a couple of locals, who are working on the project.... They, are excited to have the work, and glad the resort is getting a face lift. But then, they aren't being asked to pay for it! In fact they seemed miffed that we didn't want to go along with the renovations. No point trying to explain to them....
