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Harborside Owner's Update

tlpnet

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I attended an owner's update yesterday. The people here in the Sales office are very nice - a little pressure, but I resisted.

What I learned is that they are pretty much sold out of Platinum, and expect to be completely sold out of everything by 2009 Q1. Of course, everyone here at HRA was hoping for Phase III, but there is no longer even rumors of that. I know there was speculation here on TUG that the shopping center that was torn down ("Hurricane Hole"?) would be Phase III, but that became a parking lot. It appears that Kerzner seems to be focusing more on new Phases of the "themepark" and fractional residences instead of vacation ownership.

-tim
 

mariawolf

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thanks for the update--sort of surprising platinum is sold out but gold isn't as folks seem to like to go when kids are out of school.
There are lots of reports that Atlantis plans to lay off another 1000 employees in the coming weeks--did you see any evidence of really reduced staff?? I am guessing with the economy in a down turn most building has slowed but it is interesting that they are doing fractional ownership==I guess similar to the Reef--that must mean those did well for them. But w/occupancy way down you wonder whether others would be interested.
 

tlpnet

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thanks for the update--sort of surprising platinum is sold out but gold isn't as folks seem to like to go when kids are out of school.
There are lots of reports that Atlantis plans to lay off another 1000 employees in the coming weeks--did you see any evidence of really reduced staff?? I am guessing with the economy in a down turn most building has slowed but it is interesting that they are doing fractional ownership==I guess similar to the Reef--that must mean those did well for them. But w/occupancy way down you wonder whether others would be interested.

This is my first time here so I can't make a comparison. With few exceptions, however, people here don't seem all that friendly compared to other islands I've visited in the Caribbean. I always smile and say hi to people, and many here don't respond in kind. Maybe they are unhappy with Atlantis.

Regarding rumored further layoffs at Atlantis, it's no longer a rumor. As I was driving over to The Poop Deck for dinner tonight, the local Bahamian radio station was reporting that many employees at Atlantis received pink slips this morning.

-tim
 

mariawolf

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The following was reported on Trip Advisor today==did you hear or see any of this?? Just wondering if it was true??
"The layoffs did not go over well today. Atlantis laid off 500 employees with another 500-100 in the next couple of days. The Royal Bahamas Police Force was called in due to the employees rioting on PI. The bridge was closed for a bit."
I can't find anything about it from the local Bahamas papers so wondering if it was just someone giving negative information. Layoffs were reported in the local paper but nothing about riots!
 

tlpnet

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The following was reported on Trip Advisor today==did you hear or see any of this?? Just wondering if it was true??
"The layoffs did not go over well today. Atlantis laid off 500 employees with another 500-100 in the next couple of days. The Royal Bahamas Police Force was called in due to the employees rioting on PI. The bridge was closed for a bit."
I can't find anything about it from the local Bahamas papers so wondering if it was just someone giving negative information. Layoffs were reported in the local paper but nothing about riots!

Wow! I didn't see anything like that. I was in my unit (bldg 5) facing Nassau harbor (and the bridge) all morning. I wasn't outside and didn't have the windows or sliding door open, but I would think if it was that big of deal I would have heard something. I left around 1:45 to go to the market under the bridge and from there to Star Market and back. I left again around 5:30 for dinner in Nassau. I didn't see anything during those times. I did hear today from another owner that occupancy in the hotel is at 30%, but that could just be rumor.

I guess I should be happy I'm safe, and not irritated that HRA no longer supplies owners with dishwashing liquid. :eek:

-tim
 

JeffW

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When I was there mid-Oct, it was definitely pretty empty. A number of restaurants were closed for days in a row, and guards weren't even allowing people to walk into the pool section of the Beach Towers.

Atlantis is an expensive place to travel to and stay at in good times. When the economy sours, it's not surprising they need to cutback. It is unfortunate for the workers, as it's probably one of the better service-sector jobs down there, plus I doubt there's any abundance of other jobs to work at instead (to be honest though, you might be able to replace 'Atlantis' with 'Disney' or 'Vegas', and have similar conditions).

Jeff
 

mariawolf

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Just curious did you ask for dish soap==when we were there last we didn't have any and asked and it was brought to us==not a big deal but just wondered. As to the post about the disturbance over the reduction of employees at Atlantis
I think the report on TA was not true and somewhat just made a big deal about it.
Hearing you say you didn't see or hear anything about it makes me really think someone just posted it to be negative.
but if you do hear anything please let me know.
 

tlpnet

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tlpnet

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Just curious did you ask for dish soap==when we were there last we didn't have any and asked and it was brought to us==not a big deal but just wondered.

Unfortunately, I'm on a first name basis with two of the Housekeeping supervisors here (room was as smoky as the Casino when I checked in). They're not my favorite department here. (The front desk, however, is fantastic.) As I hadn't really cooked yet, I just realized today that there was no dish soap. I asked some other owners here who were told that they could pick some up at the sundry store. Maybe that's why the Phase I renovation has no special assessment. :rofl:

-tim
 

mariawolf

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Smokey room==that doesn't make me happy--I hope you reported it as no smoking is allowed and three is a fine that is charged to those who smoke for clean up!
 

Westin5Star

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I am at WLR right now. Every morning at about 8am or so we get a terrible smoke smell coming through our AC vents; it must be coming from a room close by. I have complained each morning to the front desk but it hasn't fixed the problem yet. I don't mind if people want to "suck butts" as it is their right to do so. I would prefer that they follow the rules and be considerate by not doing so in their room.
 

tlpnet

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Just curious did you ask for dish soap==when we were there last we didn't have any and asked and it was brought to us==not a big deal but just wondered.

Unfortunately, I'm on a first name basis with two of the Housekeeping supervisors here (room was as smoky as the Casino when I checked in). They're not my favorite department here. (The front desk, however, is fantastic.) As I hadn't really cooked yet, I just realized today that there was no dish soap. I asked some other owners here who were told that they could pick some up at the sundry store. Maybe that's why the Phase I renovation has no special assessment. :rofl:

-tim

Further update - it was bugging me, so I called housekeeping and asked for dish soap. Waited 30 minutes. No soap. Asked a housekeeping person that came to move the patio furniture inside so they could paint the patio floor - he told one of his helpers to go get it. Waited 30 minutes. No soap. Called again. In 10 minutes, a guy came to my door with 4 dishwasher detergent packets. I told him, "No, I asked for dish soap not dishwasher soap". "You mean Joy?" he asked. I said "Yep". His response, "Oh, we don't have that anymore. You can get it at the store". $3.85 - I don't think so.

I realize it's a small thing, but come on. HRA is the first timeshare (any brand/no brand) that I've been to that doesn't supply a little dishwashing detergent.

-tim
 

mariawolf

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I agree--honestly when we go to St John with friends they not only get laundry detergent but Starbucks coffee packets and you can call for more--it isn't just a starter pack for one day like you get at Harborside!
I think it is ridiculous that is the case--I have an e mail address for a VP in sales and I am going to e mail him--I bring a lot of stuff with me but to have to bring dish soap.........ridiculous! Now I will have to add one more thing to my list...... With our maintenance fees so high it should be provided.
 
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