Email from former Diamond, now HGV, about Sunrise Ridge Resort

[dioxide45]

I asked AI if any of these were actually Hilton Vacation Club. Searching these out on Google, none of them seem to have the Hilton Vacation Club name attached. AI seems to think four of them were. Were any actually officially rebranded with new signage? Bookable on Hilton.com?

 

[moonstone]

They probably don't. Bryan's Spanish Cove looks like it might be co-located close to Grand Beach. I haven't been to either, but Grand Beach is very much a better property. Bryan's is a small property with a single pool. Perhaps they were able to use Grand Beach amenities, not sure. Orbit One looks like an old motel. Neither compare well to Cypress Pointe or Mystic Dunes. I would say all four were at the bottom end of even Diamond properties.

We stayed at Orbit One just over 15 yrs ago for an extended family vacation ( I booked 4 2bdrm units) and it could have been a converted motel, but they did a better job converting it than others in the Daytona area that we have stayed at. I loved the screened in porch and the master bedroom was huge. Our then 4yr old DGS loved the water slides into the pool that was right outside of our patio. There was a 2nd pool on site as well. At the time I would have compared it furnishings wise to VV@Pkwy and we enjoyed being in a smaller resort where we could park right outside our front door. We didnt care about the amenities/activities as we were at the parks almost every day. The staff were nice enough to give us all 4 units in the same building, side by side on the ground floor. Looking at the photos online it appears the units have been completely refurbished since we were there.

~Diane

 

[gravityrules]

The acquisition history of the 8 resorts.

These 2 resorts come from the acquisition in 2018 of Amber Vacation Club (2 resorts / 13,500 members) by DRI (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...isition-of-amber-vacation-club-300623014.html)

• Alhambra Villas (Kissimmee, FL)
• Sunrise Ridge Resort (Pigeon Forge, TN)

These 3 resorts come from the acquisition in 2013 of Island One Resorts/Club Navigo (8 resorts/25,000 members) by DRI (https://www.globest.com/2013/08/02/diamond-resorts-acquires-pacific-monarch-resorts-and-island-one/)

• Bryan’s Spanish Cove (Orlando, FL)
• Orbit One Vacation Villas (Orlando, FL)
• Parkway International Resort (Kissimmee, FL)

This resort comes from the acquisition in 2012 of Pacific Monarch Resorts (9 resorts/75,000 members) by DRI (https://www.globest.com/2013/08/02/diamond-resorts-acquires-pacific-monarch-resorts-and-island-one/)

• Riviera Oaks Resort & Racquet Club (Ramona, CA)

This resort comes from the acquisition in 2015 of Gold Key Resort (6 resorts/30,000 members) by DRI

• Beach Quarters Resort (Virginia Beach, VA)

This resort comes from its acquisition in 2018 by DRI (https://historyofsapphirevalley.org/sapphire-valley-2010-2026.html) but It was affiliated in 2015 to DRI the Club.

• Fairway Forest Resort (Sapphire, NC)

Interesting that the CEO of DRI in that 2018 press release was Michael Flaskey ... who is now president and COO for MVW.

Not a surprise to see 'portfolio pruning' after an acquisition (particularly from the DRI side since their acquisition history seemed more opportunistic than strategic)... more surprised there hasn't been more with HGV.

Is conversion to whole ownership a viable re-use case for these Orlando area properties?

 

[captrags]

When Hilton bought out Diamond Resorts in Virginia Beach VA, I believe they acquired the six properties. Oceanaire, Ocean Beach Club, Beach Quarters, Turtle Cay, The Boardwalk and The Atrium. Hilton only put the Hilton Name on the Oceanaire and Ocean Beach Club Resorts, which were the two newest properties. Turtle Cay was closed up last year and now Beach Quarters apparently is closing down permanently but we haven't received any notifications yet. We own deeded weeks at the two that are closing. A lot of owners are being thrown under the bus.

 

[RX8]

My 2027 MF @ParkwayInt'l should be about $1200. I've owned an April week since 2003. My plan had been to pay it this summer, allowing me to do an Interval Int'l week request (but no specific destination in mind yet). I would appreciate any advice and insights on whether that's not advisable now. Thanks!

One of the options is to retain your ownership through the management transition. Even though the current affiliation may be Interval, the new management company may decide to switch to RCI. That is one of the unknowns along with the direction of maintenance fees and special assessments. These may not be known until well past July 1st.

Not sure how much you value this resort but there will never be a future cheaper exit than what is being offered with this transition. If it were me I would be thrilled to deed it back for the nominal fee.

 

[moonstone]

I spent well over an hour on the phone trying to get some answers today. I called the number on the email we were sent and a message said they were expecting higher than normal call volumes so it would be a 10-15 minute wait. I heard that recording at least 6 times then after 35 minutes a woman answered and as soon as she found out our resort was formerly Diamond one she said she had to transfer me to a different rep. After a short hold, I again explained why I was calling. That rep said since our resort was originally Amber Vacations she would need to transfer me to a different rep. I explained the reason for my call once again and that rep said she didnt know what I was talking about and our only way out was to go through Diamond Transitions so she would transfer me back there.
I got a different rep from the first time with I spoke with them and that one also talked about sending me a form to fill out for transitions to do a deed back. I said in the email from Hilton it says we can relinquish our ownership by paying a "title transfer fee" and it doesnt say anything about a Deed Back or going through Transitions. I said I am not wanting out (really I am) but it was Hilton giving up on my resort so I am not paying the deed back/transitions fees. That rep had to go get a supervisor. He came back on the line and said yes it will be a title transfer and a lower amount, he didnt give a figure. He said an email with all the information will be sent to us in the next day or so. There will be forms DH & I need to sign and get notarized (hopefully a Canadian notary is ok) and send back to them. All total it could take 3-4 months for the paperwork to get done. Sheesh!

One rep (I think the Hilton one) told me that since our points are already in RCI we wont loose them and that we can still book a vacation with them even after the deed has been transferred. I do not know if Hilton will eventually advise RCI that we do not own a points resort any longer or if I can still keep using that log in and the wider choice of Extra Vacations and Last Calls from what I see in our weeks account by retaining our points account.


~Diane

 

[captrags]

I spent well over an hour on the phone trying to get some answers today. I called the number on the email we were sent and a message said they were expecting higher than normal call volumes so it would be a 10-15 minute wait. I heard that recording at least 6 times then after 35 minutes a woman answered and as soon as she found out our resort was formerly Diamond one she said she had to transfer me to a different rep. After a short hold, I again explained why I was calling. That rep said since our resort was originally Amber Vacations she would need to transfer me to a different rep. I explained the reason for my call once again and that rep said she didnt know what I was talking about and our only way out was to go through Diamond Transitions so she would transfer me back there.
I got a different rep from the first time with I spoke with them and that one also talked about sending me a form to fill out for transitions to do a deed back. I said in the email from Hilton it says we can relinquish our ownership by paying a "title transfer fee" and it doesnt say anything about a Deed Back or going through Transitions. I said I am not wanting out (really I am) but it was Hilton giving up on my resort so I am not paying the deed back/transitions fees. That rep had to go get a supervisor. He came back on the line and said yes it will be a title transfer and a lower amount, he didnt give a figure. He said an email with all the information will be sent to us in the next day or so. There will be forms DH & I need to sign and get notarized (hopefully a Canadian notary is ok) and send back to them. All total it could take 3-4 months for the paperwork to get done. Sheesh!

One rep (I think the Hilton one) told me that since our points are already in RCI we wont loose them and that we can still book a vacation with them even after the deed has been transferred. I do not know if Hilton will eventually advise RCI that we do not own a points resort any longer or if I can still keep using that log in and the wider choice of Extra Vacations and Last Calls from what I see in our weeks account by retaining our points account.


~Diane

Thank You. It is amazing these companies keep giving the owners a line of crap. One person doesn't know what the other is doing. The Tug podcast has it on its list of items to discuss tonight at 10PM on YouTube channel. Should be interesting.

 

[pedro47]

Thank you were able to use your week to x changed for another week.

 

[pedro47]

When Hilton bought out Diamond Resorts in Virginia Beach VA, I believe they acquired the six properties. Oceanaire, Ocean Beach Club, Beach Quarters, Turtle Cay, The Boardwalk and The Atrium. Hilton only put the Hilton Name on the Oceanaire and Ocean Beach Club Resorts, which were the two newest properties. Turtle Cay was closed up last year and now Beach Quarters apparently is closing down permanently but we haven't received any notifications yet. We own deeded weeks at the two that are closing. A lot of owners are being thrown under the bus.

You forgot the resort property in OBX, North Carolina.
Beechwood.

 

[youppi]

You forgot the resort property in OBX, North Carolina.
Beechwood.

Exact. Beachwood was the 6th resort acquired from Gold Key Resort. The Atrium resort is owned by Vacatia (Vacatia acquired the 3 resorts owned by VSA Resorts in 2022).

1. Beach Quarters Resort,
2. Turtle Cay Resort,
3. Boardwalk Resort and Villas,
4. Ocean Beach Club Resort,
5. Oceanaire Resort Hotel,
6. Beachwoods