Aruba renaissance

[lshpak]

Considering buying week 1 at Renaissance Aruba resort ( 1 bedroom). Can anyone tell me anything I should look out for (special assessment, bad management)? Thank you in advance.

 

[Armada]

I like this property, but am not familiar with its management and maintenance fees. I only have stayed there on a trade or Marriott award and it has been a few years.

How familiar are you with the property? It is basically two properties across the street from each other. The building where the timeshares are usually is referred to as the resort units. The other inland building across the street is more of a hotel and is adults only. Also, the timeshares building is only a timeshare on alternating floors. The other floors are owned by the hotel. View can be important. Also the end units that abut the water are larger. The private island is definitely a plus.

 

[ChicagoDave]

We recently purchased a timeshare at this resort and just used it for the first time. In a nutshell, we love it!! The maintenance fees are very reasonable for a beach resort and the property is extremely well maintained. We met several 15-20 year timeshare owners during our visit and they told us they’ve only had a $1,000 special assessment once every 10 years in order to remodel the rooms. They also said the MF % increase each year is very reasonable. A number of the owners actually own more than one week. The private island is wonderful, but we really enjoyed the lagoon and pool areas. Many of the employees have worked at the resort for a number of years and the views are spectacular from the upper floor units. Although the units are a 1/1 bedroom-bath, they have a sofa sleeper for 2 more people. However, if traveling with anyone besides small kids, I’d recommend a second room.

As the OP notes, there is a hotel part of the resort located across the street and the timeshare portion located on the beach. The timeshare floors are 1, 3 and 5 with floors 2 and 4 being available to rent. The timeshares are all sold as a deeded unit/week that can be traded on Interval International or swapped internally for another week (deeded unit isn’t guaranteed if exchanging weeks).

Also, there is a Facebook owners group that I’d recommend joining if you’re interested in renting or buying one of these units. Many of the owners rent or sell their weeks via this group and the rental prices are often much lower than the Marriott and other online website prices. The transfer process for purchasing one of the units is extremely easy and there is a $250 transfer fee charged by the resort to process the change in ownership. It took less than one month for everything to be completed and the new agreement to be re-titled in my name.

 

[dioxide45]

We recently purchased a timeshare at this resort and just used it for the first time. In a nutshell, we love it!! The maintenance fees are very reasonable for a beach resort and the property is extremely well maintained. We met several 15-20 year timeshare owners during our visit and they told us they’ve only had a $1,000 special assessment once every 10 years in order to remodel the rooms. They also said the MF % increase each year is very reasonable. A number of the owners actually own more than one week. The private island is wonderful, but we really enjoyed the lagoon and pool areas. Many of the employees have worked at the resort for a number of years and the views are spectacular from the upper floor units. Although the units are a 1/1 bedroom-bath, they have a sofa sleeper for 2 more people. However, if traveling with anyone besides small kids, I’d recommend a second room.

As the OP notes, there is a hotel part of the resort located across the street and the timeshare portion located on the beach. The timeshare floors are 1, 3 and 5 with floors 2 and 4 being available to rent. The timeshares are all sold as a deeded unit/week that can be traded on Interval International or swapped internally for another week (deeded unit isn’t guaranteed).

Also, there is a Facebook owners group that I’d recommend joining if you’re interested in renting or buying one of these units. Many of the owners rent or sell their weeks via this group and the rental prices are often much lower than the Marriott and other online website prices. The transfer process for purchasing one of the units is extremely easy and there is a $250 transfer fee charged by the resort to process the change in ownership. It took less than one month for everything to be completed and the new agreement to be re-titled in my name.

What is the name of the Facebook Group? I tried searching for one but I can't find it. We will be staying in the hotel portion in June. As I understand, the hotel portion that is on the mainland side is called the Marina Hotel and is adults only. Then the other side with the timeshare units is called the Ocean Suites. I understand there are pools at both sides of the resort. Do each of them share amenities. Meaning, can guests at the Marina Hotel utilize the pool over at the Ocean Suites?

 

[ChicagoDave]

What is the name of the Facebook Group? I tried searching for one but I can't find it. We will be staying in the hotel portion in June. As I understand, the hotel portion that is on the mainland side is called the Marina Hotel and is adults only. Then the other side with the timeshare units is called the Ocean Suites. I understand there are pools at both sides of the resort. Do each of them share amenities. Meaning, can guests at the Marina Hotel utilize the pool over at the Ocean Suites?

Renaissance Aruba Timeshares Rentals and Sales is the FB group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ROSAT.Sales) for sales and rentals. There is also a separate website for timeshare owners and guests of the property (https://www.facebook.com/groups/Renaissancetimeshare) that posts activities and other local information. The hotel is across the street from the beach resort and is an 8 minute walk from one to the other. They also have golf carts and will drive you back and forth if you’d like. The pool at the hotel is very nice and both properties share all amenities (except no kids in the hotel pool). The boat that takes you to the private island has a pick up point right in the hotel lobby. Most of the restaurants are located in the hotel portion of the property, but Fresco at the timeshare resort has excellent food. We did see some children wandering around the hotel portion of the property, but I’m not sure if they were just visiting because we were only there for the spa. Enjoy your trip and have a fun time!

 

[tirakotchi]

I am looking to buy any week at Renaissance Aruba but the owners sites don't allow non owners to join. I see no resales anywhere so far. Any help is appreciated! Thanks.