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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: spiker]
#165390
07/09/2018 05:21 PM
07/09/2018 05:21 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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I'm sort of disappointed with RI and I don't know what to do. I like SXM but I'm not too crazy of La Plage. I am leaning towards letting it go. We have a week 16 and my flights prices are ridiculous from Chicago. Not knowing whether the place will be open and if the room we have will be better than it was - it always had a humidity problem and during the last few years we always got sick after a week. I would like to know what you think? Would RI take it back? Or should I just keep it and try to rent it out in order to pay the fees? Personally speaking, I can't see keeping something you're not happy with, and therein lies my surprise at your post. I have always considered RILP to be one of the nicest timeshares on the island, and had it been available when we purchased I would have bought there for sure. And week 16 is a prime week, particularly for those with kids since it so often falls around Easter and leads into Carnival on the island. It goes without saying that almost any place as close to the water might be subject to humidity issues but a good dehumidifier should resolve that. Are you sure you didn't get sick because of your airline flights, and no, not the pricing but the closed up cabin air which sometimes raises havoc with me in both directions. As far as airfare prices - I wouldn't let that force me into getting rid of something if I really loved it. Sounds like that's the big question here and if you don't - then it's time to let it go and find something more to your liking. Time moves on and our likes and dislikes change.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: sasasal]
#165556
07/10/2018 11:56 PM
07/10/2018 11:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,270 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,270
Boynton Beach, FL
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Not sure this is the time to try and sell anything Hurricae destruction. Who is going to buy??? we too wanted to try and sell a home, and our agent laughted. Now she said??? I agree giving back is worst thing, but its been done by very smart people. this is not a place to buy timeshare for all of the obove... this is the results of what happens when there is a hurricane or any other issue a timeshare has. this is international and you have no leg to stand on. I have many friends that gave back because there money was still to timeshare, even it it was not used. You advise it sno good. You need to learn about timeshare on this island and how it works and what you can do as an american. Be surprised very little. i respectfully wholeheartedly disagree with you. who is going to buy? PLENTY of people...especially people that own at Royal Islander the week before or the week after. People at RI look at the place as their ''home away from home''. La Plage is NOT some of the other properties on the island. There rarely is any complaint about the place. Over the years...the Spadarros (the owners) have been more than fair to the owners. NEVER ONCE have they charged an additional assessment after a storm. Not saying it won't happen this time around...but so far we owners have not even been asked to pay the 2018 maintenance fees!!! In other storms...those fees have also been waived by them when the resort has been closed in the past. You say that you know smart people that have given back their timeshares??? OK....but if one can make a few bucks by selling it versus ''giving it back...does not equate to smart people. If your reasoning stands about selling a property after hurricane destruction is true...then i guess the state of Florida, Lousiana, or any other state must be out of business after a national disaster??? i don't think so. If a real estate laughed at you for wanting to sell your own home, my advice would be to you to FIND ANOTHER AGENT!!!!! Giving back a unit should only be a last resort. As of right now, it is costing ZERO to hold onto it.....First wait and see what comes up from the resort before any decision is made. None of us have been informed what all the changes will be....chances are that EVERY unit will be totally rehabbed with all new furniture, fixings, and air conditioning units. I bet that the place will be in BRAND NEW condition by the time the resort is back open. I personally cannot wait for March....and I know all my friends that we meet there year after year have the same feelings that I have. Sasal, just curious....and you don't have to answer me, but do you peronally own at Royal Islander LaPlage, or are you just putting in your two cents.
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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: spiker]
#165570
07/11/2018 09:28 AM
07/11/2018 09:28 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,577 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,577
St Maarten
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That's too bad about Tortuga. Enjoyed their food. 3 Amigos, not so much. And expensive!
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: BillandElaine]
#165571
07/11/2018 09:40 AM
07/11/2018 09:40 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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We always enjoyed our breakfasts at Tortuga - one of the few really pleasant breakfast stops in the immediate area, so sorry to hear of it changing hands and functionality.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: pat]
#165624
07/11/2018 08:45 PM
07/11/2018 08:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 707 South Coast of MA
SXMBND
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 707
South Coast of MA
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We always enjoyed our breakfasts at Tortuga - one of the few really pleasant breakfast stops in the immediate area, so sorry to hear of it changing hands and functionality. I have always enjoyed the breakfast at SSB.
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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: pat]
#165641
07/12/2018 12:02 PM
07/12/2018 12:02 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313
Vancouver, WA
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Aloha Spiker, Here is my two bits on RI and what you should do. This seems to be an issue where you are not able for health reason to be able to handle the humidity caused issues of SXM, If you are having an issue at RI then likely you would have the same or similar issues at other places so it may be that you should instead vacation to dry climates like Vegas, Palm Springs or Arizona. Cost to travel to those locations would be less as well. Beyond that, I would listen to EdB. RI is probably the only property on island that you can actually make a profit consistently renting as well as buying and selling units as a bargain shopper part time berry picker "if" you are in weeks 46 - 17 range which you are. The place is well located and well taken care of, the AMF's are reasonable which creates a cost of ownership factor that can not be beat on island right now or for the past 5 plus years.
If you do wish to bail, I am sure you would have no problem finding one of us that is willing to pay all the xfer cost to get you out of it. But as EdB stated, it is costing you nothing right now.
Cheers, Todd
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: sasasal]
#165747
07/13/2018 05:02 PM
07/13/2018 05:02 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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Nope! No negativity here.......
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: spiker]
#165807
07/14/2018 03:27 PM
07/14/2018 03:27 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 34 baltimore,MD
lash
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 34
baltimore,MD
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We've been coming to SXM since the year after hurricane Louis.We stayed at most of the TS's on the island & first bought at the Pelican & later at RI.When another RI became available we sold pelican & bought RI.Since then we've added a third week.Never had a bad stay or gotten sick,& can't wait to get back.However I am upset that The Three Amigos is taking over the restaurant.Their food was terrible & way over priced. Can only hope they've changed.
Tom&Donna LeRoux
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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: EdB]
#165901
07/16/2018 07:15 AM
07/16/2018 07:15 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 246
BlueGreenWater
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 246
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i guess after thirty years of vacations plus or minus, as most of us have done.....we don't know anything. Never knew that one had to live there during the winter in order to know the island....to know the people...to know the resort owners...to know the restauranteurs...etc. Maybe some day the rest of us will finally get to know the island.. LOL I wonder how many weeks in total one has to be on the island in order to feel it is our second home??? Totally agree. We've been going to SXM for thirty years. We've been through all the drama of Pelican Resort. We now own eight weeks, and spend a large part of the winter there. So, yeah, I guess I'm one of those who only goes once a year. But on the other hand, I'm a glass-half-full kind of girl, and most everyone I know that comes year after year is as well. A lot of people gave up their units during the Pelican downtimes. Those who stuck it out are glad they did and are now owners of a top-rated resort. I personally am glad that those who saw only the negative gave theirs up. Life is too short to live with negativity. If you really don't like it, then get rid of it. And PS, thanks to Carol and Eric and Rural Carrier for this site. I for one feel it's open to everyone. I read it regularly, I sometimes contribute, and I'm always interested in what others have to say. Again, thank you, and thank all the contributors.
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Re: Royal Islander La Plage - what to do?
[Re: the captain]
#165955
07/16/2018 05:22 PM
07/16/2018 05:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,270 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,270
Boynton Beach, FL
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Thanks TomR. I’m feeling confident that RI timeshares did better than the Sonesta. I recall seeing Dutch Air Force footage from the air and seeing some palm trees in the pool of Terasse.
I dont tend to see a lot of posts about Terasse vs Plage. What are the major differences between both? Which is older? Although its the same management, they seem to run separately.
Hoping for the best and to see St Maarten again To answer your questions.... La Plage is probably about 15 to 20 years older than La Terrace. They both are run by the same management and both owned by the Spaddarros....in fact many of the front desk staff work both resorts. Also, same maintainence staff and management. Both units are very similar in design and furniture...LaTerrace being a bit newer. La Terrace has the parking underneath for both properties. La Plage is on the beach.....La Terrace is across the street. When it comes to the amenities...ie pool....they are seperate. One cannot use each others....although supposedly from the old days, the owners of LaPlage would be able to use LaTerrace....but since it is NOT on the beach, i doubt that anyone would want to. Supposedly heard from the grapevine that LaPlage was home to the dutch military following the hurricane. Not sure if LaTerrace also housed any of the soldiers or staff.
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