Buying at LagunaMar-hurricane question

[harzim]

Does anyone have an opinion about buying Starwood LagunaMar in Cancun? Specifically, what happens to maintenance fees if there is a hurricane. I'd be interested in owning here, but it seems fees go up enough, even in places where they shouldn't. Does anyone have experience with owning a timeshare in a place where a hurricane strikes? Thanks!

 

[OCsun]

Does anyone have an opinion about buying Starwood LagunaMar in Cancun? Specifically, what happens to maintenance fees if there is a hurricane. I'd be interested in owning here, but it seems fees go up enough, even in places where they shouldn't. Does anyone have experience with owning a timeshare in a place where a hurricane strikes? Thanks!

I own at the Royal Sands and after Hurricane Wilma I am glad I purchased a Royal Resort. The Royal Resorts held up fantastic and no assessment was necessary. Since all other structures in Cancun suffered damage, the real question is . . .are current structures being built at the same standards as the Royal Resort? As a current Starwood property owner, I am interested in the LagunaMar, but I can't understand why the maintenance fees are so much higher than the Royals. I guess we will see the big difference when the new resort opens?

 

[calgarygary]

OT - We just stayed a week at the Park Royal which is right beside the Westin Lagunamar so I thought I would post a pic and give a brief update at what we saw while there. We arrived late on Sat. Apr. 14th. There were no signs of activity at the worksite the following 2 days while at a construction site on the other side of the Park Royal, there was a lot of activity from early morning to evening every day. From the Tues. to Sat. the 21st. there was light activity at the Westin. There will have to be a major change in the schedule in my opinion for the Lagunamar to be open early in 2008. Anyways, here is a pic showing the Lagunamar.

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[harzim]

Timeshare Hurricane question

Per BBS rules Don't ask the same question in different threads. Bill4728 BBS moderator

 

[M&M]

Buy a Royal Resort

When Hurricane Wilma hit, the Royal Resorts were only closed for two weeks (I believe VCI stayed open) for clean up, other resorts took months before reopening. There was no real major damage at the Royals due to the way they were constructed, compared to some other resorts that had major damage. There was no added special assessment for hurricane clean up.

Mike

 

[Judy]

I can't answer about Mexico, but I can tell you what happened when my timeshare in the Outer Banks of North Carolina was damaged by two hurricanes in one season. Those owners who lost there weeks were given replacement weeks wherever there was availability. Some of the repairs were covered by insurance and some by the HOA emergency fund, but we still had to pay a special assessment. I think every timeshare is different in the way they fund hurricane repairs. Mine is managed by its owner-controlled HOA.

 

[harzim]

I can't answer about Mexico, but I can tell you what happened when my timeshare in the Outer Banks of North Carolina was damaged by two hurricanes in one season. Those owners who lost there weeks were given replacement weeks wherever there was availability. Some of the repairs were covered by insurance and some by the HOA emergency fund, but we still had to pay a special assessment. I think every timeshare is different in the way they fund hurricane repairs. Mine is managed by its owner-controlled HOA.

Thanks for the info. Was the special assessment a lot?

 

[KenK]

I know about other hurrican damaged T/S. FF Santa Barbara is still closed. Someone mentioned approx $1000 a week assessment so far. FF Palm Aire has units or an entire building still closed. Both in Pompano FL

The www.hollywoodsands.com T/S still closed with major concrete damage.

These were poured concrete rebar reinforced. Most problems was water & mold with rain water comoni in through blown out windows.

Tom Cayman posted a site with video showing damage in various areas.. His Royal resort was under water (Cayman Islands), but was reopened after complete renovation. I don't know about the assessments.

No guarantee you will get anything from the management company (Starwood) or the exchange companies if your resort is closed for an extended period....every place is different.

 

[buceo]

I'm not sure one really knows until a serious hurricane hits, and unfortunately they will. Cancun was hit incredibly hard by Wilma and rebounded, extremely fast, I thought. Headlines for Wilma read: CANCUN, Mexico (CNN) -- Hurricane Wilma was "relentlessly pounding" Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula early Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said, packing 125 mph winds and dumping "tremendous" amounts of rain that may not let up in the popular tourist area for the next 24 hours.

As mentioned the construction becomes all important, it's the windows, window, and window...and the foundation. I've heard the Royal Resorts use skyscraper quality windows and the foundation is more like a bridge foundation than a building. I've been told how far down it goes, but have forgotten.

I'd heard this before the hurricane, but it's just "information" until it is tested and Cancun was certainly tested recently. One would think the rebuilt/remodeled resorts would be to new standards, but would one really know until the next hurricane?

 

[Transit]

If you Buy lagunamar from Starwood and join SVN, if your resort is damaged you would still be able to use your staroptions to go to another Starwood resort.

 

[tomandrobin]

If you Buy lagunamar from Starwood and join SVN, if your resort is damaged you would still be able to use your staroptions to go to another Starwood resort.

Are you sure? Doesn't there still need to be inventory to give back to the starwood pool to use your options?

 

[Transit]

Are you sure? Doesn't there still need to be inventory to give back to the starwood pool to use your options?

I was told this at an owner update I'm going to confirm it with Starwood and i'll post the results.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I was told this at an owner update I'm going to confirm it with Starwood and i'll post the results.

I'd be surprised if this was the case. I can see them doing this as a good will but then, again I doubt they could offer this to everyone. I'd assume if your t/s is out of service you do not get anything in return. It would be the same as if you owned a cabin and it burned down. While it was burnt down you would not be able to use it or rent it.

 

[Transit]

Reply From Starwood

Posted by: Owner
If a disaster were to strike a Starwood resort rendering it unusable and the owner is a member of the Starwood Vacation Network would that owner be able to use staroptions to reserve a vacation at another resort in the Starwood Vacation Network ?

Owner Services
Dear XXXXX

Thank you for contacting Sheraton Vacation Ownership.

If there was a disaster or not, owners who are in the Starwood Vacation Network can always go to a "Sister" resort in the network. Owners never have to go back to their home resort, and can always visit the other resorts if they wish.

Should you need further assistance, please contact Owner Services at 800.847.8262 in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, 0.800.89.5065 in the United Kingdom, 001.800.847.8262 from Mexico and 407.903.4640 for all other areas. Owner Services is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Sincerely,
Marilyn Emrick
E-Communications Specialist
Owner Services