Have any Royal owners heard AI rumours for renters and exchangers? [merged]

[burg1121]

Thanks Mike

 

[Ellis2ca]

I just can't see how this is good for owners. I am really bummed we really enjoyed our week at the Islander. The vibe was great good luck when people start drinking at 10AM.

Has anybody ever been to Club Med? They are "all inclusive"... It includes all the food you can eat, and all the sports (including scuba diving... sailing... wind surfing... tennis lessons... etc.) But it doesn't include booze. You want booze, you have to pay for it.

So why does everybody assume that the Royal Resort All Inclusive program will necessarily include "all you can drink" ?

Actually... if they offer a "half all inclusive" package for the restaurants without any alcohol included (I don't ever drink at the bars, I don't drink any alcohol except an occasional wine...) with a reasonable discount for members, it would probably be very good option for me, if alcohol is not included.

For example 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches and 3 suppers at any of the poolside restaurants or Captain's Cove... and an option for 1 or 2 nights special events cook-outs by the pools at night, or restaurants such as El Conquistador and Hacienda Sisal...

I do that anyways... I have at least 3 breakfasts at the Palapa or the Veranda... and I often have a lunch here or there... and a supper here or there... And I also like to have breakfast or lunch or supper in my Villa sometimes, and I also like to go out to restaurants like Puerto Madero or La Habichuela or Casa Rolandi, etc...

In other words... if they will make their packages that allow us flexibility and it fits in with what I do anyways, I might buy it...

But I won't have to worry about it because I don't own at ROYAL HACIENDAS or ROYAL SANDS... It is the LAST YEAR for the Royal Mayan, I doubt that they will implement it at the Royal Mayan for one year...

But if they try to re-sell the Royal Mayan with mandatory All Inclusive, I will definitely not renew.

- Ellis

 

[burg1121]

When I question the value to owners it's not whether the AI program will work for them if they use their week at their resort. Depending on the cost to people who trade in the value of the Royals trade value may become less. If the Royals do it with care everything may work out great. We traded into the Omni in Cancun and their AI program you could buy 3 days or more and the cost was reasonable. We weren't overly impressed but it was not forced on you.

 

[donnaval]

We are just lowly non-member exchangers into the Royals and have enjoyed them over the past few years. We've given up very nice units to make our exchanges. However, we were so disappointed with the quality of the food and service on our trip just this past January that we had already decided we would wait a long while before going back. Reasonable prices? Not to us! $15 for a hamburger or vegetable sandwich and soft drink. $26 for a "special" that included meat and seafood on skewers that was so overcooked they were almost charcoal, a handful of dry rice, limited selections on salad bar, and waiters who had no interest in us at all when they realized we weren't ordering numerous rounds of alcohol. $16+ for breakfast? $20+ for buffets that made Golden Corral look like gourmet food?

The prices we could deal with - what we were so shocked by was the reduction in quality of service from the waiters who were only interested in taking care of the tables ordering lots of booze (and jacking up the value of the tip I guess). We had always felt pampered by the Royal Resorts folks - not this time.

We do enjoy AI from time to time, but you know, we have NEVER done an AI through an exchange because they are always so much more expensive than by booking through Apple Vacations or other consolidators.

Apple always has great deals that include air fare, and from our town we can always get non-stop charters through Apple but not through legacy carriers. We could have done a "Dreams" AI during the same week we did the Royal Mayan in January. The Dreams week would've cost about $1500 per person for everything -airfare, hotel, all meals drinks tips entertainment, taxes etc (although we always tip extra at AIs). For our Royal Mayan trip, our airfare was almost $500 R/T per person, if we were owners instead of exchangers our MF cost would be almost $900 I think, so we are already up to $950 per person without counting one penny of purchased food or entertainment costs. The AI places have some lame entertainment, but at least they have it. We would probably have saved money by going AI for that trip but 1)Hubby prefers non-AI since he can't have dairy products, and 2)We like the laid-back, quiet family atmosphere we find at the Royals. The atmosphere at the AIs is drastically different, and we've done enough to be sure about it.

(On a dietary note - since DH has to worry about dairy products, he could order exactly one (1) item from the every day menu - a vegetable sandwich. Sometimes a limited salad bar was available. He made a couple of attempts to ask for menu items to be prepared without cheese or cream sauces, but although the waiters would impatiently say yes yes and write things on the order pad, the food invariably came out as if no request had been made.)

If and when we decide to go back to Cancun, the Royals will now have to compete with other AIs instead of being in a class of their own. Based on our last trip, I'd pick another AI. But more than likely, we'll just go to Florida lol. Since I'm not an owner, it doesn't affect me, but maybe it will provide a perspective about how this will affect the demand for the resort from us lowly exchangers.

 

[Phydeaux]

Has anybody ever been to Club Med? They are "all inclusive"... It includes all the food you can eat, and all the sports (including scuba diving... sailing... wind surfing... tennis lessons... etc.) But it doesn't include booze. You want booze, you have to pay for it.

So why does everybody assume that the Royal Resort All Inclusive program will necessarily include "all you can drink" ?

Actually... if they offer a "half all inclusive" package for the restaurants without any alcohol included (I don't ever drink at the bars, I don't drink any alcohol except an occasional wine...) with a reasonable discount for members, it would probably be very good option for me, if alcohol is not included.

For example 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches and 3 suppers at any of the poolside restaurants or Captain's Cove... and an option for 1 or 2 nights special events cook-outs by the pools at night, or restaurants such as El Conquistador and Hacienda Sisal...

I do that anyways... I have at least 3 breakfasts at the Palapa or the Veranda... and I often have a lunch here or there... and a supper here or there... And I also like to have breakfast or lunch or supper in my Villa sometimes, and I also like to go out to restaurants like Puerto Madero or La Habichuela or Casa Rolandi, etc...

In other words... if they will make their packages that allow us flexibility and it fits in with what I do anyways, I might buy it...

But I won't have to worry about it because I don't own at ROYAL HACIENDAS or ROYAL SANDS... It is the LAST YEAR for the Royal Mayan, I doubt that they will implement it at the Royal Mayan for one year...

But if they try to re-sell the Royal Mayan with mandatory All Inclusive, I will definitely not renew.

- Ellis

I'll continue doing what I've done for the past 20 years - go grocery shopping and stock up for the week, and utilize the kitchen.

 

[papeterie]

AI Program at Royal Resorts

Got e-mail from Royal Resorts News on 3/22.
Visit www.royalresorts.com/packages

e-mail says, in part: All members registered in the membership agreement will have optional access regardless of how they are staying at the resort, e.g. a Royal Resorts member who exchanges or rents at Royal Resorts will have optional access to all packages.
Family and friends staying as guests of a member in their unit(s) will have optional access to all packages.

Unfortunately, it does not spell out whether (last paragraph) that means only if the family and friends are staying with the member or USING the member's unit (i.e. renting) because it clearly states that ALL OTHERS ARE MANDATORY in the AI program. The packages referred to are special packages only available to members & guests.

This program starts at RS and RH week 43; others to follow with dates to be advised. If the intention is to make the program mandatory for anyone who is not a member it will kill both rentals and sales. Bad, bad idea.

I was on the RRowners site and came across the "rumour" that the Royals were considering a mandatory All-Inclusive program for renters and exchangers..

Wouldn't this tend to kill the rental/exchange market?
The Azul Five has this through II now and everyone agrees that the AI fee kills the urge to exchange in, and with all the all inclusive mega-resorts in the area, the I don't see any draw for renters, unless they simply added a surcharge to the rental/exchange fees.

I think this would kill the rental and exchange markets..

Have any of you owners who are more in the loop heard about this??

 

[BoaterMike]

Got e-mail from Royal Resorts News on 3/22.
Visit www.royalresorts.com/packages

e-mail says, in part: All members registered in the membership agreement will have optional access regardless of how they are staying at the resort, e.g. a Royal Resorts member who exchanges or rents at Royal Resorts will have optional access to all packages.
Family and friends staying as guests of a member in their unit(s) will have optional access to all packages.

Unfortunately, it does not spell out whether (last paragraph) that means only if the family and friends are staying with the member or USING the member's unit (i.e. renting) because it clearly states that ALL OTHERS ARE MANDATORY in the AI program. The packages referred to are special packages only available to members & guests.

papeterie, if you have not done so already, I would check out the package information that was updated on March 27. It clarifies a few items, yet there are still a lot of details yet to be released.
http://www.royalresorts.com/packages

Mike

 

[pjrose]

papeterie, if you have not done so already, I would check out the package information that was updated on March 27. It clarifies a few items, yet there are still a lot of details yet to be released.
http://www.royalresorts.com/packages

Mike

Number 6 in particular relates to papeterie's comment about those renting a member's unit.

 

[tonyg]

There's a Royal sands over 2k right now with 3 days to go...
It will probably go for 4k or better..

$3,025.50 - Item number: 230765697436
Resale values are falling back down since the AI change became known.

 

[BDR]

Cancun Royal Resorts Imposition of All Inclusive Meal Plans

A fellow TUG member has just returned from a stay at the Royal Sands Cancun where he was informed of a plan to introduce an all inclusive meal plan of $150 per day per person. Increasing a 1 week rental by $2100!!!!!

It was suggested that this imposition might be a shocker that guests only find out about when they check in. It is also not clear if this meal plan would be imposed on members as well.

This is outrageous if it goes ahead and for my part would mean I would no longer consider renting a Royal Resorts unit. This would be a further crushing blow to any TUG members who need to rent out their units to defray maintenance expenses.

Can anyone in the TUG community throw any light on this development and if horror of horrors this may spread to other resorts?

 

[Ridewithme38]

From what i've read, the All inclusive is optional if you rent from an owner, or you are an owner...

People will save $2,100 by renting through an owner!

 

[tashamen]

See this thread for a long discussion about this issue: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167380

 

[KarenLK]

rather than start an entirely new thread on this issue, do a search and you will find a few lengthy threads already in progress.

 

[pjrose]

rather than start an entirely new thread on this issue, do a search and you will find a few lengthy threads already in progress.

Can the mods merge?

 

[BoaterMike]

purcase

$3,025.50 - Item number: 230765697436
Resale values are falling back down since the AI change became known.

Yet, for people that like the RR and are not owners they could buy and obtain an option for AI as opposed to mandatory AI. Lets hope that RR Management does not pull a "Marriott" and reserve certain options for legacy owners and exclude those who purchase on the secondary market.

Mike

 

[pjrose]

Yet, for people that like the RR and are not owners they could buy and obtain an option for AI as opposed to mandatory AI. Lets hope that RR Management does not pull a "Marriott" and reserve certain options for legacy owners and exclude those who purchase on the secondary market.

Mike

Don't give them any ideas they might not yet have thought of.

 

[ilene13]

My husband and I are currently at the Royal Sands. We had a meeting this afternoon with the director of operations. At this juncture they do not have a price structure set up for the AI. So all comments on this thread and on other threads concerning the price are strictly speculation. Mike in response to your comment he did say that if someone came down next year under the AI option and then bought a. Week subsequent trips would be optional AI.

 

[ilene13]

A fellow TUG member has just returned from a stay at the Royal Sands Cancun where he was informed of a plan to introduce an all inclusive meal plan of $150 per day per person. Increasing a 1 week rental by $2100!!!!!

It was suggested that this imposition might be a shocker that guests only find out about when they check in. It is also not clear if this meal plan would be imposed on members as well.

This is outrageous if it goes ahead and for my part would mean I would no longer consider renting a Royal Resorts unit. This would be a further crushing blow to any TUG members who need to rent out their units to defray maintenance expenses.

Can anyone in the TUG community throw any light on this development and if horror of horrors this may spread to other resorts?

We are currently at the RS. We just met with the director of operations. As of 4PM today there is no price structure set up for the AI option. Also, renters would be told of the mandatory AI when they rent. If they rent directly from an owner it would be optional.

 

[Phydeaux]

Can the mods merge?

Agreed. Please.

 

[Karen G]

Can the mods merge?

Agreed. Please.

The new post has been merged with this lengthy one. In the future, rathr than posting a request for mods to take action, please click on the icon that is a triangle with an exclamation point in it. This will alert all moderators to the problem and action can occur more quickly.

 

[pjrose]

The new post has been merged with this lengthy one. In the future, rathr than posting a request for mods to take action, please click on the icon that is a triangle with an exclamation point in it. This will alert all moderators to the problem and action can occur more quickly.

Thank you!

 

[jasm]

So why does everybody assume that the Royal Resort All Inclusive program will necessarily include "all you can drink" ?


There is a question in the Question and Answer section of the email about the new AI program about whether or not this will change the atmosphere of the resort.

The answer was that security will not allow any unacceptable behaviour, etc.

I don't think they are talking about overeating.

 

[Phydeaux]

So why does everybody assume that the Royal Resort All Inclusive program will necessarily include "all you can drink" ?


There is a question in the Question and Answer section of the email about the new AI program about whether or not this will change the atmosphere of the resort.

The answer was that security will not allow any unacceptable behaviour, etc.

I don't think they are talking about overeating.

And that's laughable considering the Resorts cannot even enforce their own chair saving policy, among others.

 

[pjrose]

On the few occasions I've seen obnoxious drunks Security has been quick to escort them back to their villa or in one case I saw medics come. But that was just a few occasions. AI with unlimited (or high limits on) alcohol places that burden on the bartenders/waiters.

In either case, we have an issue of deference and demeanor - that is, the staff are well trained in providing services for the members and guests, being polite, deferring to them. They are well aware of the social and financial class differences, and find it difficult (I've talked to some about this) to tell people of a higher social/financial stratum what to or not to do. There's a line between requesting that people do something and annoying those people such that they complain to management, and possibly lose their job for doing their job.

So.....I'd think enforcing policies against unacceptable behavior will be difficult for staff.

 

[Ellis2ca]

Attention Royal Resort Developers:

On the few occasions I've seen obnoxious drunks Security has been quick to escort them back to their villa or in one case I saw medics come. But that was just a few occasions. AI with unlimited (or high limits on) alcohol places that burden on the bartenders/waiters.

Well, just in case the Developers are READING THESE COMMENTS, I want to UNDERLINE THAT I DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL.

Read it again: I DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL.

So if there is going to be an all-inclusive that INCLUDES UNLIMITED ALCOHOL (for example, CHAMPAGNE) I will not buy it, just as I do not buy an "ALL YOU CAN EAT" that includes (for example) LOBSTER... or CAVIAR...

And I will not buy it because these are items which are very expensive and which I DO NOT EAT or DRINK, so I don't want to PAY WHAT YOU WILL ASK because their COST is calculated into YOUR PRICE.

Is that clear ?!!

So, for me, you had better include an option that does NOT include "Unlimited Alcohol"...

And by the way, whatever you do, it has to be BETTER than what we have had until now.

And what we have had until now has been very good... but I keep reading comments that say YOU ARE SPOILING IT.

Look out, or you will very quickly lose all the GOOD WILL that took you 33 years to build up.