Westin Desert Willow owners: Please vote for me!

[daviator]

If you are a deeded week owner at Westin Desert Willow, this post is for you.

I was selected to be on the ballot for the Westin Desert Willow Condominium Association Board of Directors. I have owned there since 2014 (and at WKORV since 2004) and would like the opportunity to represent you as an independent member of the Board. The proxies and ballots have been mailed out and you should have received them in the past few days.

I would appreciate your vote and, if elected, will do my best to ensure that WDW continues to deliver the quality Westin experience we expect while also exercising fiscal responsibility on behalf of all owners.

My name, as shown on the ballot, is David Troup. Regardless how you vote, it's important to do so and to return your signed proxy and ballot before the October 27 deadline.

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I have one in the closing process right now. Just a deeded week, EOY.

 

[cubigbird]

We own a Plat+ week. Absolutely will!!

 

[Ken555]

Thanks for volunteering!


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[cubigbird]

@daviator I have my WDW ballot. Who else on the ballot will have the best interest of owners in mind. Feel free to DM me if you need to.

 

[daviator]

@daviator I have my WDW ballot. Who else on the ballot will have the best interest of owners in mind. Feel free to DM me if you need to.

I’ll DM you. I don’t know any of the other candidates personally; the first two are MVC insiders and the last two (including myself) are independent owners.

 

[GerryWA]

I will if you can get the restaurant reopened.

 

[daviator]

I will if you can get the restaurant reopened.

I actually had a talk with the general manager of the WDW and WMH about that. They are trying to figure out what to do. The restaurant was losing money even before COVID, and it would be worse now with higher wages etc. But they do feel some obligation to have a restaurant there. So they are trying to figure out what makes sense and how to make it work.

If I get elected to the board, I will push for something to happen there.

Honestly, I’ve been an owner at WDW for more than a decade, and was staying there even before that, and I’ve never eaten there. I’ve ordered food at the pool, many times, which probably comes from that kitchen, but evening meals we usually either cook in the room or we go out somewhere off the property. So we have not contributed to the success of the on-site restaurant, which I’m sure is true of many other owners. It’s a little embarrassing. Yet I like having it there and feel the option should be there.

Whatever MVC ends up doing with Agave Grill, we all need to support it when it reopens, I think. They are unlikely to keep it open if it loses money. I don’t know what their agreement with the HOA requires but I imagine they have a lot of flexibility. And for every owner like me, who enjoys cooking in the room, there is undoubtedly one like you, who wants a decent restaurant option on the property. It’s important. The resort is lessened by its absence.

 

[Ken555]

I ate at that restaurant many times, ever since it first opened. Breakfasts were actually quite good, along with sandwiches for lunch, etc.

I find it hard to believe they didn’t make money off the food unless they somehow split labor with the bar. Keep in mind the staff mostly served drinks from the bar inside the restaurant, and often the bartender (Joe, for many years) would serve the food, too. Seems their only costs were raw materials, one or two kitchen staff, and that’s about it.

I’ve been to the resort already this year and I didn’t even try to eat outside by the pool, since when I was there pre-Covid the restaurant was closed, and of course they told me upon checkin it was still closed. They didn’t even mention that food was available outside at the pool (which they used to offer).

It’s really not a 4* resort without an open restaurant. Even AAA used to have that as a requirement…


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[daviator]

I ate at that restaurant many times, ever since it first opened. Breakfasts were actually quite good, along with sandwiches for lunch, etc.

I find it hard to believe they didn’t make money off the food unless they somehow split labor with the bar. Keep in mind the staff mostly served drinks from the bar inside the restaurant, and often the bartender (Joe, for many years) would serve the food, too. Seems their only costs were raw materials, one or two kitchen staff, and that’s about it.

I’ve been to the resort already this year and I didn’t even try to eat outside by the pool, since when I was there pre-Covid the restaurant was closed, and of course they told me upon checkin it was still closed. They didn’t even mention that food was available outside at the pool (which they used to offer).

It’s really not a 4* resort without an open restaurant. Even AAA used to have that as a requirement…


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I agree they need to have a restaurant. I’m only repeating what I was told about the economics of it. But I imagine it’s more complicated now, everything is more expensive, but if they jack up the prices they will discourage people from eating there.

They have had food at the main pool through most of the pandemic, after they reopened. There was a few months when they didn’t but in Fall of 2020 they were already serving a limited menu. It has expanded since then and isn’t bad. But I think it’s only available until 5 pm or so.

 

[steve1000]

I am an owner at Westin Desert Willow and will be voting for you as well. Good luck!

 

[VacationForever]

We used to enjoy lunch at Agave when we stayed there. We were disappointed that it was closed when we were there last year in March.

 

[RC51Tofuman]

We always looked forward to having dinner at the restaurant when we stayed at Desert Willow

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[gritmuncher]

I am timeshare owner at the Lagunamar in Cancun and had extra points that expire end of 2022 so used these points to book a long weekend at Desert Willow for my wife and sons with their fiancées for next weekend. Now they are trying to lynch me because there is no Spa nor Restaurant and the service seems to be poor. The 'hotel' was also extremely unhelpful getting T-times. I learned that the 'hotel' golf course is a public one one need to book 60 days in advance (was never informed of this). So had to book all T-Times myself. The only thing they provided was a list of courses that are closed due to over-seeding when we are there. So unlikely we will ever come back. I can not believe people buy timeshares at this location and feel sorry for those who did.

 

[dioxide45]

I am timeshare owner at the Lagunamar in Cancun and had extra points that expire end of 2022 so used these points to book a long weekend at Desert Willow for my wife and sons with their fiancées for next weekend. Now they are trying to lynch me because there is no Spa nor Restaurant and the service seems to be poor. The 'hotel' was also extremely unhelpful getting T-times. I learned that the 'hotel' golf course is a public one one need to book 60 days in advance (was never informed of this). So had to book all T-Times myself. The only thing they provided was a list of courses that are closed due to over-seeding when we are there. So unlikely we will ever come back. I can not believe people buy timeshares at this location and feel sorry for those who did.

Not everyone goes there to golf.

 

[Ken555]

Not everyone goes there to golf.

Been there at least a dozen times and never golfed there!


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[VacationForever]

There are many inexpensive and great golf courses in the greater Palm Desert area. There is no need to golf at Desert Willow courses although they are excellent public courses and somewhat expensive. We stay 5 weeks over the winter period every year at Desert Willow, Mission Hills and Desert Springs and golf every other day at different golf courses.

 

[ocdb8r]

Great to see a Tugger volunteering for this Resort's Board!

 

[daviator]

So the WDW annual meeting was today, and I did not win election to the board – there was really just one "owner seat" up for vote, and it went to the incumbent, as expected. I have no reason to think the incumbent is not doing a good job.

Next time around that incumbent will be termed out and I will have a better chance of winning, so I'll try again. Thanks to all who voted for me.

The meeting itself was interesting. The bad news is that 2023 maintenance fees are going up a LOT - 15.9%. The annual cost for a 2br lockoff week will rise to $2157.70. There was a lot of discussion about this, but it's basically a combination of inflation and increased labor costs. I am not surprised by the increase and expect that other properties will see similar increases, the same factors are at play almost everywhere. The board has the unenviable job of trying to balance maintenance fees with the necessary upkeep and improvements to the property.

Soft renovations to the entire property will occur in 2023 (replacement of carpets, repainting, furnishings, and appliances.). Two of the pools have had all the furniture replaced and the other two will happen early in 2023.

Happy to answer any questions about stuff discussed at the meeting if anybody has any.

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

So the WDW annual meeting was today, and I did not win election to the board – there was really just one "owner seat" up for vote, and it went to the incumbent, as expected. I have no reason to think the incumbent is not doing a good job.

Next time around that incumbent will be termed out and I will have a better chance of winning, so I'll try again. Thanks to all who voted for me.

The meeting itself was interesting. The bad news is that 2023 maintenance fees are going up a LOT - 15.9%. The annual cost for a 2br lockoff week will rise to $2157.70. There was a lot of discussion about this, but it's basically a combination of inflation and increased labor costs. I am not surprised by the increase and expect that other properties will see similar increases, the same factors are at play almost everywhere. The board has the unenviable job of trying to balance maintenance fees with the necessary upkeep and improvements to the property.

Soft renovations to the entire property will occur in 2023 (replacement of carpets, repainting, furnishings, and appliances.). Two of the pools have had all the furniture replaced and the other two will happen early in 2023.

Happy to answer any questions about stuff discussed at the meeting if anybody has any.

Commiserations on the election and better luck next year. Thanks for the 'heads up' on 2023 MFs. I'm fully expecting Maui to see even greater increases and won't be surprised if our 2BR lockoff is somewhere north of $3500.

 

[cubigbird]

@daviator That 15.9% is still way above inflation and seems to be one of the highest % increases in the system so far. I’d expect delinquency to rise. What’s the board’s plan to mitigate these risks and prevent further out of control fee increases? WDW isn’t even a beach or international location. Seems like costs could be better managed.

 

[VacationForever]

@daviator That 15.9% is still way above inflation and seems to be one of the highest % increases in the system so far. I’d expect delinquency to rise. What’s the board’s plan to mitigate these risks and prevent further out of control fee increases? WDW isn’t even a beach or international location. Seems like costs could be better managed.

California minimum wage goes up every year. Next year it will be $15.50 per hour. Some local cities often set higher that State minimum. I much prefer the whole Palm Desert area to a beach or international location. We drive there and make 2 trips for 5 weeks every year. That area has the best restaurants and golf. Lots of major events around Feb to April every year.

 

[daviator]

@daviator That 15.9% is still way above inflation and seems to be one of the highest % increases in the system so far. I’d expect delinquency to rise. What’s the board’s plan to mitigate these risks and prevent further out of control fee increases? WDW isn’t even a beach or international location. Seems like costs could be better managed.

Actually, the board entered into a new agreement with MVW to deal with delinquencies. As I understand it, MVW will make the owner's association completely whole on all delinquent assessments. Presumably (though this was not stated) MVW then gets to rent/monetize those delinquent units while they are going through the foreclosure process, and then they transfer to the developer after they are foreclosed. This seems like a decent arrangement – you could argue that the VOA is giving away valuable weeks to the developer, but the VOA has no competency in renting out units and they might just as easily go unrented. With this arrangement, owners are assured that the MFs will always be 100% paid, and overall I think it's a good arrangement. MVW takes the risk that the VOIs they take control of (and pay MFs for) may or may not rent.

As far as the increase goes, it's not just inflation, it's mostly wages. They mentioned that they've had to raise their average starting wage to $18 for housekeepers. I'll bet that's almost double what it was pre-pandemic. I imagine when we get the annual budget we will see that much of the increase results from labor costs.

 

[dioxide45]

Actually, the board entered into a new agreement with MVW to deal with delinquencies. As I understand it, MVW will make the owner's association completely whole on all delinquent assessments. Presumably (though this was not stated) MVW then gets to rent/monetize those delinquent units while they are going through the foreclosure process, and then they transfer to the developer after they are foreclosed. This seems like a decent arrangement – you could argue that the VOA is giving away valuable weeks to the developer, but the VOA has no competency in renting out units and they might just as easily go unrented. With this arrangement, owners are assured that the MFs will always be 100% paid, and overall I think it's a good arrangement. MVW takes the risk that the VOIs they take control of (and pay MFs for) may or may not rent.

As far as the increase goes, it's not just inflation, it's mostly wages. They mentioned that they've had to raise their average starting wage to $18 for housekeepers. I'll bet that's almost double what it was pre-pandemic. I imagine when we get the annual budget we will see that much of the increase results from labor costs.

MVW has similar arrangements with many of th3e HOAs. They get a lot of the inventory that goes into the Abound trust this way. Then they can sell them as Club Points...

 

[zinger1457]

I am timeshare owner at the Lagunamar in Cancun and had extra points that expire end of 2022 so used these points to book a long weekend at Desert Willow for my wife and sons with their fiancées for next weekend. Now they are trying to lynch me because there is no Spa nor Restaurant and the service seems to be poor. The 'hotel' was also extremely unhelpful getting T-times. I learned that the 'hotel' golf course is a public one one need to book 60 days in advance (was never informed of this). So had to book all T-Times myself. The only thing they provided was a list of courses that are closed due to over-seeding when we are there. So unlikely we will ever come back. I can not believe people buy timeshares at this location and feel sorry for those who did.

Late replying but you picked one of the worst times to visit Palm Springs for golfing, it's right in the middle of their overseeding season and many courses are closed, Desert Willow has two courses and likely only one was open during that time. I stayed at the Marriott Shadow Ridge the week before your visit and had no problems getting tee times at the area golf courses, made my tee times less than 7 days in advance. Not sure where you got the 60 day advance booking requirement, certainly the further out you book the better selection you'll have but should not have a problem getting good times two weeks out. And as was mentioned, there are a ton of other good golfing choices in the area.