Wave Crest (Del Mar) now managed by Grand Pacific

[klpca]

Just saw this on Facebook: https://grandpacificresorts.com/new...her-expanding-its-presence-on-the-west-coast/

Grand Pacific Resorts just acquired another property along the Southern California coast! Welcome the newest addition to our family, Wave Crest Resort in Del Mar!

Nestled on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Wave Crest Resort offers charm, luxury, and total privacy. Enjoy the many amenities that our award-winning resort has to offer, including its Hawaiian-inspired landscaping and ocean views. The resort is only two blocks from the village in Del Mar, California, one mile from the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and less than an hour from the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, LEGOLAND, Balboa Park, Old Town, the Birch Aquarium, and Disneyland. For more information, visit WaveCrestResort.com.

 

[presley]

Wow, this is an awesome addition. It is literally on the cliff overlooking the ocean. While I haven't stayed there, I've walked around the back and it looked like it had the cheapest junkiest pool furniture. I'm sure GPR will change that. I can't wait until exchanges start showing up in GPX.

 

[klpca]

Wow, this is an awesome addition. It is literally on the cliff overlooking the ocean. While I haven't stayed there, I've walked around the back and it looked like it had the cheapest junkiest pool furniture. I'm sure GPR will change that. I can't wait until exchanges start showing up in GPX.

I agree. I like what GPR has been doing - taking some average resorts in first class locations and upgrading the quality. We're going to have some great exchange opportunities in the future.

 

[skimble]

As a GPR owner, this seems good-- another coastal family member. I've stayed at the resort, and I like the rustic feel. The grounds have the ambiance of Hawaii with some of the flora and the views. I like the way GPR manages-- great customer service, great upkeep on properties, and fantastic refurbishments.
I'm not real enthusiastic about GPR managing another California coastal resort though. They have the lion's share already.

 

[Ddee555]

I'm happy to hear about the addition of Wave Crest to the GPR family, as I look forward to the opportunity of having great internal exchanges through GPX.

I like how GPR manages the properties, I just don't enjoy the high maintenance fees. But, I'd rather have high maintenance fees then an out of the blue assessment for upgrades and new furniture, etc. GPR is a good company though.

 

[buzglyd]

This is great news.

The gardens at Wave Crest are gorgeous. We snooped around the grounds during my last stay in Del Mar.

The pool has an amazing view.

 

[buzglyd]

This is from Wave Crest's website.

I wonder what happened with the previous management company. I don't even know who it was.

http://www.wavecrestresort.com/news_details.php?view=article&id=21

 

[Ddee555]

buzglyd, I saw that article on the Wave Crest website, too, and it makes me curious as well about the prior management company.

Also, I know that several units are set aside for Royal Holiday Vacation Club--I don't know if Royal Holiday owns them or if they are under renewal contract, but I wonder if that relationship will continue under Grand Pacific Management.

I don't know about other GPR resorts, but my annual maintenance fees for Carlsbad Inn and Coronado Beach are over $800 each for one bedrooms... It's a no-brainer that Royal Holiday is paying a lot less than that for their units at Wave Crest. If the maintenance fees for Wave Crest rise to that level (I don't know what they are currently), I doubt Royal Holiday would continue the relationship. It will be interesting to watch how GPR manages Wave Crest--

I suspect there will be a special assessment in the near future for owners for refurbishments and such. Because just looking at some of the interior photos, it looks like some of the furniture and cabinetry looks mismatched and dated...

There may also be some ADA-updating needed on the resort, as I know that I wanted to stay there once with my dad, but none of the units are accessible by wheelchair. I believe that every unit has at least two or three small steps to the entrance. If anything major on the exterior is needed, the resort will need to be brought up to code with gently sloping walkways.

But, I'm only speculating on this stuff. I could be wrong.

 

[presley]

It will be interesting to watch how GPR manages Wave Crest--
...
But, I'm only speculating on this stuff. I could be wrong.

I think you have a pretty good handle on how GPR does stuff. While I wouldn't expect a special assessment, I do expect the MFs/reserves to go up, possibly more than what long time owners will be comfortable with. Having a condo on the cliff over the ocean is expensive to maintain. And, of course, they will institute a daily resort fee for all non-owners under the guise that it keeps down the overall MFs for the resort owners.

 

[Steve]

I love the location and the landscaping at Wave Crest, but the interiors leave a lot to be desired. Cheap, dated blond furniture that reminds me of an early 1990s Hampton Inn. It's not even close to Gold Crown quality from a decor and furnishings standpoint.

It would take a major infusion of capital to bring Wave Crest up to the standard of even the better independent timeshares, let alone brand name timeshares like Marriott or Hilton. That may not be the goal of Grand Pacific Resorts but, if it is, it will take a lot of money to accomplish.

On another note, Meadow Lake Resort in Montana hired Grand Pacific Resorts to manage the property with great fanfare a couple of years ago. Only one year later, they dropped GPR as the management company and went back to in house management.

Steve

 

[skimble]

I love GPR's style, customer service...
But, the price of an exchange into Wave Crest will increase by about $100 when resort fees kick in.