Just got back from Grand Luxxe Riviera Maya...

[petenjen]

Had a great time with the whole family down for Thanksgiving.

My wife and I promised ourselves we wouldn't attend a sales presentation this trip because we really are happy with the level at which we own. Well, of course, the sales guy on check in assured us that there was no sales presentation and this would just be an update and a tour of the construction site of the Estates that we bought into last year. I knew he wasn't being truthful, but my wife really wanted to see the Estates, and we had a morning to blow waiting for the kids to arrive...

Typical hard-sell bs after the "update" with the expected sudden turn from friendly to cold and nasty when we gave her a hard "no". Actually, she started getting snippy when I called her out of some of the bs she was throwing at us. I never did totally drop the hammer on her because I didn't need to- we weren't going to buy anyway. I'll never understand why the Fidelis group has to resort to such strategies when they really have a nice product to sell. The Estates tour was worthwhile and it's going to be pretty awesome.

The weather was great and the beaches were pretty much sargassum-free.

 

[jssquared]

Hi Pete and Jen, Thank you so much for sharing. Would love to here about the update with the Estates. What are the current plans? What were they trying to sell you? Was unaware there was something above the Estates. Thanks again. Jason

 

[petenjen]

Oh they were trying to get us to buy in at the tippy-top (4 BDRM) for significantly higher than what was offered last year. And, of course, an under-the-table offer from the salesperson to help us rent our unused weeks. Along with a veiled threat that we'll have difficulty getting reservations at Grand Luxxe level unless we upgrade... So, pretty much the standard confusing, diversionary techniques to which I've become accustomed. But, the 10% discount on food/beverage was helpful as we had the whole family there.

The construction currently consists of a central building that will house several restaurants and such with 3 off-shooting buildings that are attached. These other 3 buildings will house 1,2, and 4 bdrm units. However, remember how they said there will be no 3 bdrm units? Shocker... They've designed the 1 and 2's next to each other so they can be 3's. So, more product to sell. They also claimed to have drastically reduced the number of units they're going to build as well. Allegedly, these initial buildings will be the only sites for the 1,2's and 3's. They're nice in that they're all 2nd or 3rd floor units well above the ground. Pretty neat. the 4's are 2 stories. All the others that will be individual structures will be 4's. Interesting. They showed us a 1 and 2 bdrm that were pretty much done and were VERY nice. Similar to GL but bigger and even nicer build materials. The 4 bdrm unit was about 70% done and was quite impressive.

 

[jssquared]

Thank you so much. We own a four bedroom contract and have seen some pictures. Obviously, have not seen a finished unit. Very interesting to hear about other structures that will house only 4 bedroom floor plans. The renderings of the master plan for the development does not corroborate that assertion. Obviously, with all things Vidanta, we will see after it is done. Also interesting that there are still more 4 bedroom contracts being offered. Many 4 bedroom owners have been told that they are all sold out of that model. The 1+2=3 layout, similar to the Presidential building in NV, has been in the works for at least a year. The whole Estates concept has changed so many times since it was first offered about 2 - 3 years ago. I am sure it will change many more times before it is fully built out.

Separately - sent you a direct message.