Villa L'Auberge questions

[Sir Newf]

Thanks all in advance..
I am considering purchasing a resale at Villa L'Auberge (DelMar, CA)..I noticed several available- is anything happening, ie:special assessments?
Also, these are fixed week units, how difficult would it be to trade in II?
Is it important to purchase particular weeks for trading purposes?
Is it a part of a 'club' or 'points system?
Thanks again, Anna (Sir Newf is my dog)

 

[steve1000]

Anna,

I am a fairly new owner of Villa L'Auberge - last year was my first stay. It is a wonderful resort with a lot of charm and the advantage of being on the gorgeous grounds of the L'Auberge del Mar hotel with access to the hotel amenities (pools, tennis, etc.). There are only 12 units (2 buildings of 6 units each). We loved it there - had a nice view of the ocean and could hear the surf. It's just a short walk down to the beach and there is a terrific shopping plaza with lots of nice restaurants right across the street and within easy walking distance. Also, easy access (hotel shuttle) to the horse races in the summer.

There was a sizable special assessment last year of $1928 per interval to address slow, long-term concealed moisture damage in the bathroom walls attributable to the jacuzzi tubs. The bathrooms in 3 of the units have already been rebuilt and 9 more are scheduled to be done. There was also some structural work required on the stairways. I believe the entire special assessment should have been paid by now and you would want to make sure that your seller has paid it. Management has indicated that they believe the special assessment should be sufficient to cover all the reconstruction costs but they are awaiting receipt of an updated contract bid for the work which is expected by the end of February. So you may want to wait and see how that goes to make certain that no further special assessments are looming.

Villa L'Auberge is part of Grand Pacific resorts and I understand that they have an internal exchange system among their resorts (most being on the Pacific coast) which can be used separate and apart from II (or RCI). I have never exchanged Villa L'Auberge so can't tell you much about its trading power. I think it would depend largely on the particular week owned and that summer weeks would have excellent trade power. Del Mar is a beautiful beach town and Villa L'Auberge is a charming romantic place. Because all the units are 1 BR I think it would appeal more to couples or empty nesters than to families with multiple kids. We loved our stay there. If I can answer other questions you may have - let me know.

 

[CaliDave]

It's a fantastic resort. Perfect location.. if you are buying to use, I'd say go for it.
If you are buying to trade.. I would only get a summer week. The rest of the year it will trade average. The summer weeks will cost a bundle.
I wouldn't buy as a trader, you have many other options that will trade similar without a huge upfront cost.

 

[Steve]

Not what I had expected...

Have you visited Villa L'Auberge? If not, I would suggest that you do before purchasing. I really like Del Mar. It's a beautiful, elegant, charming beach town. I was familiar with the Inn...L'Auberge Del Mar...and looked forward to visiting the timeshare. In fact, until I went there, I thought I'd like to own a week at Villa L'Auberge.

It was not quite what I expected. The villas are down a fairly steep hill and past some very plain and decidedly un-charming 1970s vintage condos from the Inn. So while you have access to the amenities of the Inn, you feel rather apart from it.

The next thing that was a dissapointment was the view. The two buildings are situated so that the front one immediately overlooks a frequently used railroad track. Beyond that and down another hill are some power lines, an old motel, a couple of restaurants and, beyond all that, the beach and Pacific Ocean. It's just less than ideal...and certainly less than the idealized view I had in mind.

Behind the front building is the very tight little parking lot for both buildings. Then, behind the parking, is the back building. If you're on the first floor in this building (units 601, 602, and 603), you basically have a view of parked cars and of the back of the front building. It's quieter as you're farther from the train tracks, but it's not a good view.

If you want to be in Del Mar, Wave Crest has a MUCH better location with MUCH better views than Villa L'Auberge. (Although the furnishings aren't all that great at Wave Crest.)

Steve

 

[steve1000]

While I don't disagree with Steve's description of the view - its not an
unimpeded view of the ocean - we were still able to both see and hear the ocean surf from our unit as well as see gorgeous sunsets! So although there are some impediments to the view - it didn't interfere our enjoyment of the unit. Trains do go by periodically but we got used to the noise very quickly and even enjoyed listening to them - kind of added to the charm and quirkiness of the place. I agree with Steve that I would not want to own units 601, 602 or 603 which do not have a view of the ocean. While Wave Crest (which is a block or two away) has a better setting high on a ridge overlooking the ocean and thus a nicer view of the ocean - at least for me, I would rather own at Villa L'Auberge (of course, this is a personal preference) because of the ability to use the lovely hotel amenities (pools and tennis), nicer units, and closer proximity to the shopping plaza and restaurants directly across the street from Villa L'Auberge.

 

[CaliDave]

If you want the best true oceanfront timeshares.
I'd go for Laguna Surf, Southern California Beach Club and Blue Whale

None of these have pools or luxury amenities. However, they are clean, well equiped and steps to the ocean.

 

[Sir Newf]

Thank you all

I really appreciate all of the feedback, and will explore all locations mentions.
And, I will monitor the 'special assessment' -thank you for that valuable piece of info...(yes, just 2 of us- so, i bdrm is great)...see you in the Del Mar area soon! Anna