Embarc Palm Desert- $33.95 daily resort fee for hotel guests and exchangers

[sun starved Gayle]

Just got a welcome email from the Embarc Palm Desert stating that there is a daily $34.95 BEFORE tax resort fee. $237.65 for each of the two weeks I have reserved, and that is before taxes. Ouch! Is this a recent policy, or has it always been this way?

 

[echino]

I stayed there a couple of years ago on II exchange and I also remember reading about the resort fee at that time, but it was not actually charged. My guess it's only charged on hotel type cash reservations, not on owner stays and exchanges, unless something changed.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

That would be nice if that was the case, hope it is. The email did say “hotel guests and exchangers” though. Fingers crossed.

 

[GetawaysRus]

Please let us know. This resort was on my timeshare "bucket list." If that fee is real, I'll take it off the list.

 

[tschwa2]

Most people report that (at least in the past) it didn't apply to exchanges through II but sometimes yes on getaways. RCI exchangers to Diamond resorts (not all resorts have the option of rci) would be charged the fee. If you exchange using Diamond points or go through Diamonds exchange DEX the fee should not apply. So the question is are they continuing the no fee for exchanges through II or not for inventory that was deposited after the split as the "official" exchange company is no longer II and is DEX at least until Hilton takes over the rebranding of embarc in which case through RCI they will probably charge that daily resort fee.

 

[pedro47]

What are included in these high daily resort fees ?

 

[alwysonvac]

What are included in these high daily resort fees ?

From the Diamond website - https://www.diamondresorts.com/destinations/property/Embarc-Palm-Desert

Resort Fee includes access to the pools and hot tub, BBQ areas, game room, tennis & basketball court, fitness center, laundry facilities, wireless internet in the rooms and free local phone calls.

 

[pedro47]

From the Diamond website - https://www.diamondresorts.com/destinations/property/Embarc-Palm-Desert

Resort Fee includes access to the pools and hot tub, BBQ areas, game room, tennis & basketball court, fitness center, laundry facilities, wireless internet in the rooms and free local phone calls.

View attachment 41485

Thanks you for the information.

 

[dioxide45]

From the Diamond website - https://www.diamondresorts.com/destinations/property/Embarc-Palm-Desert

Resort Fee includes access to the pools and hot tub, BBQ areas, game room, tennis & basketball court, fitness center, laundry facilities, wireless internet in the rooms and free local phone calls.

View attachment 41485

So all the stuff owners pay for (or should pay for) as part of their maintenance fees? Does this resort fee go back to the HOA or to Diamond? This certainly won't go away as HGV has gone the way of Diamond in adding on these fees for exchangers.

 

[GrayFal]

Gail, what did they say when you called them?

 

[sun starved Gayle]

I haven’t called them but was going to do so to request our two units be close together. I will ask then.

 

[pedro47]

So all the stuff owners pay for (or should pay for) as part of their maintenance fees? Does this resort fee go back to the HOA or to Diamond? This certainly won't go away as HGV has gone the way of Diamond in adding on these fees for exchangers.

A simple question are all these resort fees collected going to be used to reduce owners fees or are the resort fees collected going to be used to improve the resort amenties ? My final question where are all these resort fees going ?

 

[zentraveler]

In other words, all of the amenities that usually are, and should be included. The problem with "resort fees" is that I can't decline to pay them in exchange for not caring about the hot tub and fitness center. And taking about the internet is like talking about the lights.

 

[alwysonvac]

Timeshare resort fees have been discussed on TUG (see links below) but I don’t recall anyone determining where the fees go . I’m assuming the timeshare resort fees are going to the management company similar to airlines and hotels that are charging extra for services/amenities that were already included .

Resort Fees on II exchange? What next?

Just got the welcome email for my II exchange and they are charging me $15.95 per day for the use of the pools, grills, play areas etc. I already paid II several hundred dollars just for the trade. Is this normal? I've only done one other exchange and there were no fees on that one. This is...

tugbbs.com

HGV CHARGING $25 a day resort Fee

WTH. I just booked six exchanges into Hilton in Orlando and luckily I read the fine print. The new fee is $25 dollars a day resort fee. So in addition to my $239 exchange fee x 6, it’s another $175 resort fee x 6 plus I’m sure other tax. I believe all Hilton owners should pay $500 to exchange...

tugbbs.com

Timeshare Resort Fees Are you ok with them?

Recently within other threads the conversation went to whether one thinks it is ok/right to have resort fees in timeshares you trade into. I personally feel no but am open to hearing if I should rethink my opinion. I believe these fees should be in the maintenance fees of the original owners...

tugbbs.com

 

[dioxide45]

Westgate Resorts properties are also notorious for charging resort fees to exchangers. I know that Westgate Lakes in Orlando even charges guests (non owners) for activities that are free to everyone at most resorts. Think of a $5 fee for shuffleboard. $10 per hour for Basketball or Volleyball if you are not an owner. Outrageous! This IMO would hurt trade demand. Who wants to trade into somewhere where you are constantly treated as second class.

 

[klpca]

I wasn't charged the resort fee in Nov 2020 but I don't have the welcome email because that was the time that my reservation was lost! But I do have one from 2019 (also not charged a resort fee on that exchange either). See below:

 

[sun starved Gayle]

When I called to request a unit in the adult area away from the family pool, I asked about the resort fee and was told that the fee did not apply to exchangers through Interval. We shall see.

 

[PcflEZFlng]

I was there in late August on an II Getaway that I bought in March. I wasn't charged the fee, although before I got there I was concerned that I might be.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

We were NOT charged the resort fee when we exchanged in this past Thanksgiving week.
We absolutely loved this resort, and hope to exchange back in again sometime in the future.

 

[zentraveler]

We were there fall 2020; no fee charged.