Timeshare Maintenance Fees

It's that time of year. Has everyone received their bills?

$991.00 for a 2 bedroom Antillean unit at The Royal Islander Club LaPlage

This is one game of "Can you top this?" that I hate to win. 2BR apt. @ Belair: $1,175/week.

No worries! Someone from either Royal Palm or Flamingo will probably 'win'! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Yep. Flamingo is 1524.00 for a two bed. Same as last year. No increase. Studio is 13 something.

Funny - we haven't gotten our bills yet and while I know we won't top Scubaman, I'm pretty sure we'll top Kim and Tom since we paid more than both of their amounts last year for our two bedroom. But in the scheme of things, it's worth it for the enjoyment we receive in return. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

A studio at La Vista Beach is $726; no increase from last year. And worth every penny!!

I'm glad it hasn't come yet! It's such an awful time of year to receive those dreaded envelopes.

I know last year the two bedroom, and our one bedroom penthouse were each $1,104
We certainly expect an increase...don't think there's ever NOT been one,.
But we love it. Though airfare and the like are making it increasingly questionable as to whether we can continue.

Kind of like the double whammy - three weeks of timeshare bills and the second half of our property taxes all due and payable in January. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Increase from last year is $35/week @ Belair but still running close to a few non TS alternatives on SXM and many elsewhere in the Caribbean. We have considered calling it quits but do love Belair in Dec/Jan timeframe and are so familiar with SXM after 30 years. You know how old people hate change.
China Pearl could be the straw that pushes us out but we must wait and see. They are supposed to begin in January when we are down on Little Bay week after next.

Oyster Bay Beach Resort remains for another year $875 for a studio.

1 bedroom at the Royal Islander is $793.00

2017 Studio @ Ocean Club = $577/wk... 2004 was $435, We are letting our two weeks in 15D go now after 14 visits. Health issues and needing to be closer to home.

La Vista 1 bedroom deluxe (2 bath) and the Penthouse units that are also two bath are at $822.

La Vista Beach 2 bedroom is: $876.00

Atrium 1 bedroom is at: 786.00

Cheers,
T

SBR. 2 bedroom penthouse in the Flamboyant Building $1433.00.

What I have been told on Royal Islander La Plage is:
1117 for a two bedroom suite.
1146 for a 3 bedroom 3.5 bath suite. Incredible unit, approx 2250 sq ft inside and about 1900 sq foot of deck space.

I had heard that the Royal Palm two bedroom units were around $1800, crazy but would like to hear if that is true.

Cheers,
T

I know for my 2 bedroom non lockout unit it's 991 for Royal Islander LaPlage. But when you say suite are those the top floor units?

Yes Kim - it may be for one of those top floor units with the two balconies. Or a center unit above the staircase to the pool?

Todd - I've been in that three bedroom palace. Friends of our rented it years ago. Gorgeous!!

I think the three bedrooms at RP are around $1800. Two bedrooms I think are around $1500.

Royal Islander -
Studio $601.00
1 Bedroom $793.00
2 Bedroom $991.00
2 Bedroom, 2 bath (I assume Penthouse) $1117.00
3 Bedroom, 3.5 bath $1146.00

I can vouch for the 3 Bedroom PH, we have the one closest to the airport which has an amazing view. Easily the best places to stay on island timeshare or not.

Cheers,
T

A 2 Bedroom at the Royal Palm is $1711.53. 1525.67 MF and their "reserve fund" of 185.86.

Oh, ok. Is that 'reserve fund' on there every year? The person I was talking to maybe didn't include that? It's been a while since I got that information though, so it may well be it's gone up a lot since then.

Yes every year it has been there for a while.

So why don't they just say it's AMF?? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Doesn't matter what they call it, you still have to pay if you want to use your unit!!

Technically I think 'what they call it' does matter.

AMFs generally are deemed to be monies used for the everyday running of the resort, i.e. Staffing, utility bills and general day to day needs of the propertty. If I understand correctly, the reserve fund should be considered sacred monies used exclusively for major needs within the resort - paving of roads, roofing, and things of that nature. They're for the long-term benefit of the association assuring that all owners, past, present and future, cover their fair share of the expenses. At least, that's how it was very specifically explained to me. And quite truthfully, while I don't presume to know the ins and outs of island laws pertaining to this type of property, that rang true because it's the way, pretty much, things were handled with the condo properties we owned over the years.

It really does make a difference but only in that if it were all lumped together, there would be no long-term guaranty those needs were being addressed. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Correct. It's that way at the Flamingo too. MF bottom line includes the reserve fund. It's there every year. They just break down the charges.

Honestly, in the US, where there are some LAWS in place, yes they may keep it separate. In SXM, I would bet a bunch of other people's money <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />, that it all goes in one pot and they do whatever they want with it. My personal opinion is that if you believe they keep the money separately, it's a good time of year for you because you believe in Santa Clause too.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/xmas032.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I never said I " believe they keep the money separately" or are you reading something into I didn't write? In my opinion it's all the same fund no matter how they break it up. It's a total MF and nothing else. Yes, I do believe in Santa and you should too. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Scuba, look at the header. Carol responded to Pat, not you.

Oh, Carol, I do so believe in him. You mean you don't?

With regard to separate accounts for the monies, you're probably correct that there is no separation, but if so, and I was a whole owner, I'd be very concerned about that. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I stand corrected.

The Towers one bedroom deluxe $ 1065. I paid it yesterday while vacationing at Towers. Merry Christmas to all TTOL SXM!

Fees have certainly gone up everywhere but looks like RI still is the most reasonable. And the location is so convenient. We owned the center penthouse 6100 (2BR) gorgeous and we paid $6-700 per week 10 yrs ago. One of the Best TS on the island.

Bet its a lot more that it was ten years ago.

Really not too much of an increase. Now $1117 for the RI two bedroom PH.

It's ok, Todd. Scubaman just has to make up somehow for the OUTRAGEOUS fees that Diamond Resorts charges! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Funny thing about the Royal Islander, and note, please, we don't own there but as much as I love my Towers time and have no regrets being there, if the Royal Islander had been there first, I would have bought there happily and to this day, I think it's the best timeshare on the island in so many ways - location, low AMFs, maintenance practices and almost every category you can name. If I were to fault find, the only negatives I can think of is the inability, so I've been told, to do internal exchanges there (as opposed to having to go through II or RCI) along with their serious shortage of convenient free parking. Just my opinion.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I know it's difficult but be nice. Its a good way to start the new year don't you think?

Hey Scuba, it's a joke....

I figured but with our track record I never know. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

This is per week for each week you own? Does the time of year you own affect your fees? And this is addition to the amount you paid for the unit??? Don't you feel kind of robbed?

Sorry, who did you intend to direct this to? Anyone who responded in the thread? It looks like you replied to Norm, whose t/s fees certainly appear within the average for SXM, if not low..

MF are the same for all weeks. No I don't feel robbed by buying into the weeks and unit we get to use every year with out wondering where and when we can go or end up. Time share ownership works for us. Maybe not your cup of tea but for some like us its the way to go. Makes it real easy to get the best bang for our buck on airline tickets as we always know the dates years in advance.

Again we agree. Perhaps the full moon explains it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Truthful answer to your question will vary greatly.
We have liked the idea of knowing we are guaranteed a nice place to spend our vacation. We have never traded for another location.
We don't like the uncontrollable maintenance fees that have reached levels of many non ts packages in sxm especially during high season. Airline travel is also tied to ts since sat or sun usually is higher.
Timeshare option in sxm has changed since you can now buy on line at great rates but know maintenance will remain.

Tom,

I'm with you more or less although who wouldn't want the AMFs to be what they were when we first purchased?

But as I read so many questions people ask regarding the different accommodations they're considering, and I know my own hesitation when we book extra time beyond our own timeshare weeks at new to us locations, I have no regrets either. We traded our unit once in 25+ years and will never trade again by choice!