Purchasing Carlsbad Inn Foreclosure direct from Legacy. Need feedback

[mamilovestotravel]

Hello,

I am hoping to get some guidance. I am in the process of purchasing a resale foreclosure unit at the Carlsbad Inn for week 4 in January. I have been looking for a resale for a year now. I finally ended up deciding that I wanted an oceanview room regardless of the time of year because I am local but live quite inland. I want to have a coastal view for at least one week a year in my life and the benefits of day-use privileges. The cost of the unit is just shy of 3k. I know you can get resales for less but after a long process, I was able to pin down what was important to me. My youngest loves the pool at the Marbrisa but according to my research on TUG, it is almost impossible to get an old Marbrisa account with day-use privileges. So I picked the Carlsbad Inn over Seapointe because I did not like that resort very much. I own a Hilton timeshare that I use open season rates to stay at the Marbrisa now. Will purchasing the Carlsbad Inn also give me easy access to getting one or two nights at the Marbrisa as a staycation every so often? I am not picky about the season. I homeschool my son and work from home so timing is not an issue for us. Does Grand Pacific Resort do a good job maintaining its resorts? I am a bit of a hotel snob and not a roughing-it kind of gal for the sake of hearing the waves crash. I know Carlsbad Inn just had a major renovation but I hear it was not beautiful before the renovation. Any experience for day use? The gal told me everything is available with the exception of actually sleeping there so that means parking and free beach gear. Is that right? How does their bonus time work? I am thinking it is similar to Hilton's open season which is based on availability at reduced night rates. I just stayed in a studio at the marbrisa and it was $125 a night with a 2-night minimum. Is that along the same lines as Grand Pacific Resorts? I am not getting this for exchanges really but to use on the west coast for easy not as expensive getaways with my kiddo. Thanks in advance for all your help!!!!

 

[buzglyd]

OK. Lots of questions here. Carlsbad Inn is NOT part of HGV so it won’t do anything for you regarding Mar Brisa.

Carlsbad Inn is a fixed week/fixed unit resort. What unit number are you getting? Get a resort map from the front desk and avoid 1st floor units.

All GP resorts are very well managed. The company really tries to put forth an excellent guest experience. The recent renovation was primarily caused by the need for a new membrane over the parking garage. They had to tear up the entire courtyard to do it. The pool and spa and grounds are all brand new. They are currently putting in new appliances, AC units and better wifi.

Day use is great. They’ll let you park in off season. High season day use you probably won’t get a place to park because the resort will be 100%.

Bonus time is available 21 days or less. I think it’s $120 for a 1 bedroom and $135 for 2BR. It’s easier in slow season. Difficult in the summer.

Remember the days are short in January. So you might want a season with more daylight.

My week 35 unit 325 is listed in marketplace but not for $3000.

 

[mamilovestotravel]

Thanks! I thought Marbrisa was originally a Grand Pacific Resort so I could stay there. Am I wrong? I can’t use GPR to stay at the Marbrisa? The unit I
am getting is in the Oak bldg Room 323. It overlooks the courtyard. I would love a week 35 but doubt I can afford it. That would be ideal.


QUOTE="buzglyd, post: 2810562, member: 65832"]
OK. Lots of questions here. Carlsbad Inn is NOT part of HGV so it won’t do anything for you regarding Mar Brisa.

Carlsbad Inn is a fixed week/fixed unit resort. What unit number are you getting? Get a resort map from the front desk and avoid 1st floor units.

All GP resorts are very well managed. The company really tries to put forth an excellent guest experience. The recent renovation was primarily caused by the need for a new membrane over the parking garage. They had to tear up the entire courtyard to do it. The pool and spa and grounds are all brand new. They are currently putting in new appliances, AC units and better wifi.

Day use is great. They’ll let you park in off season. High season day use you probably won’t get a place to park because the resort will be 100%.

Bonus time is available 21 days or less. I think it’s $120 for a 1 bedroom and $135 for 2BR. It’s easier in slow season. Difficult in the summer.

Remember the days are short in January. So you might want a season with more daylight.

My week 35 unit 325 is listed in marketplace but not for $3000.
[/QUOTE]

 

[buzglyd]

I don’t know what you mean using GPR to stay at Mar Brisa. Bonus time is for the resort you own and no others.

 

[skimble]

Grand Pacific has some of the best managed resorts in the system. My Carlsbad any unit has gained value since I bought it. The resort landscape, pool, etc was recently upgraded. And day-use is the absolute best! If you were asking about value, you aren’t gonna get any better.
as for week 35, kids and pool… your children will be in school during week 35, but it’s the best time to be there for the weather.

 

[RX8]

Grand Pacific has some of the best managed resorts in the system. My Carlsbad any unit has gained value since I bought it. The resort landscape, pool, etc was recently upgraded. And day-use is the absolute best! If you were asking about value, you aren’t gonna get any better.
as for week 35, kids and pool… your children will be in school during week 35, but it’s the best time to be there for the weather.

I agree. I own at Grand Pacific Palisades and the units have been nicely renovated and the grounds immaculate. There are lots of activities every day for the kids.

Carlsbad Inn is right smack in the middle of Carlsbad action, which is a big selling point. I’ve stayed there once and while the accommodations are on the smallish size we enjoyed it. I came very close to getting a free Carlsbad Inn back in 2012. The person giving it away and owned it for many years and told me that she wished I would have gotten it since I had kids. Unfortunately I was #2 that responded and she already had committed to the first person.