Hacienda del Mar

I cannot believe that Hyatt will allow the property to sell for $150.00, and who would sell their property for $150.00. The Hacienda has not been open too long. When I bought 10 years ago, it was fairly new, how would anyone in their right mind look to lose that much. I believe the only way to find out for sure is to see if this gentleman's sale actually goes through, and if he will be nice enough to let us all know if in fact it did, or call Hyatt directly and ask. I have been watching the Hacienda go downhill for the past few years and it is sickening. I have been watching these e-mails for a while too, and it is getting scary. I really think it is time to contact a large law firm to see about a class action suit. I will speak to my attorney tomorrow and see if he can steer me in the right direction, and will come back and write what I learn. Anyone who is interested at that point can contact me. We may have all been duped. It certainly feels like it.

Please post a message about how it went with your attorney. I've aquired a short list of other owners who are also interested in being part of a class action lawsuit. As far as who would sell for $150? Somebody who lost their job and can't afford the $1,500 yearly maintenance and doesn't want to see their credit destroyed is one possibility.

Please include me on the list of people interested in pursuing a lawsuit. I have written several letters to Hyatt, met with managers, and I am dumbfounded by Hyatt's lack of response in this situation. Seems to me they have a lot to lose in terms of their reputation.

By the way, are you guys also aware that we are only part of the timeshare project? I am actually going down there in a couple weeks, and could not get a full week using my points, but the HOTEL part of Hacienda is available...I thought it was ONLY timeshare!!!! Apparently they only possess a portion of the rooms for us, and the rest go to hotel rentals...go figure...getting more irritable by the minute!!!! The reason for my trip is strictly to see friends...or I would be going to Florida, LOL

I am an owner and would like to contact other owners also about the maintenance fees. Does any one know what happens if you refuse to pay the fees if you own the property outright? We cant find our original paperwork from years ago.

I'm ready to GIVE ours away so as I don't have to pay the fees!!!

Now I am getting solicatations from these timeshare firesale people that are reading this site.They will screw you just like the Hyatt Corporation.I would like to see Hyatt give us an upgrade i.e. silver to gold, gold to diamomd until we are up and running at the Hacienda Del Mar, or perhaps give a bonus week for this injustice. Did everyone here know that the pool and river pool were owned by two different entities? Also was everyone aware of the inability of selling your unit to someone privately and the purchaser not having all your rights in regards to the Hyatt Hotels every other year? Please post here so I can get a pulse on how well informed the owners were at the signing at their closing. I think that they omitted this in a verbal way but it must have been in your contract.

I was aware that the pools were owned by the hotel and not the timeshare. They assured us that the hotel was not going to close anytime soon as a way of answering our fears. These things aren't selling for real money right now. I think the current owners are just anxious to get out from under the fees and are walking away. I sold my unit, I wouldn't walk away from the fees because I was afraid of what it would do to my credit rating.

I have had ours up for sale for 3 years...NO TAKERS..Who did you have yours listed with and how long did it take to sell?

3 years to sell, wow! Come on Hyatt, don't you see that you are hurting your company image? Why hasn't someone from Hyatt at least acknowleged that they are aware of what's going on on this forum? Give us some real info and send it to our homes so we can plan for vacations or try and sell or rent. Talk to the people in P.R and get some timeframes and definite answers for the people here. How about allowing a temporary increase in trading power within the Hyatt until the construction is completed.

Joyce, Have you had a chance to speak to your attorney? Roland

I contacted 2 attorneys. Both said we would have to check the laws in PR about class action suit. They may not allow it. They also pointed out that although the hotel being the neighbor, and our allowed use of the hotel and its grounds, are not part of the timeshare purchase. It was just a perk. Yes a perk we all thought would never end, but here we are. That being said, I contacted Hyatt. This was their response.

Thanks very much for taking the time to write. Your comments are important and we take them very seriously.

You may remember that in the past, we sent letters to every Hyatt Hacienda del Mar owner the moment information was presented to us. We have not had any recent communication as to what the specific plans are. The moment we have something concrete to relay, you can be sure a letter will immediately be forwarded to you and all other owners. Until that happens, we cannot indulge in rumors nor can we speculate on what we think should happen. We are, like you, a bit in the dark.

There is no compensation plan in place. Your purchase is intact and that is your unit and week of purchase, Olympic pool and of course the beach. Certainly the atmosphere has changed with the Cerromar closing. And it will change again.

The beauty of your purchase is the points attached. You can use those points to visit any of our other HVC properties until the Cerromar returns to life. We would be more than happy to help you to use those points and to that end one of our specialists will be calling within the next few days.

It is hard to comment on a resale for $150. If someone really wants to sell a unit for that amount of money, it would be hard for us to understand let alone control it. The developer retains a first right of refusal but does not control any resale. If there are some specifics you could supply, we could look into this for you.

We hope this helps. Thank you, Hyatt Vacation Club Concierge

I also called to make a reservation. I was told I would be able to use my week, I also asked about a week in August, it was available to me, and I asked about a week in Oct that was also available. I used my points at interval, and had some left over that I may use at the Hacienda. I did ask the woman making my reservations about what was going on. She said that yes there was construction going on and would probably not be finished until 2010 or 2011. The Fairmount Hotels bought the property. I would imagine that they would be wise enough to allow the members access and use of their property, as it will only make them money. Yes the maintenace went up consideralby, however if what the general manager told me is true, it will go down again. I have been very upset with Hyatt, as this was really such a great retreat, and now is only a property with a pool and access to the beach. I am trying to be optimistic and look forward to the future when we may get back similar or better amenities. Again what good would it do the new owners to deny us use and access. The Hacienda Members will be a lot of revenue, I am sure they will not pass that up. I may be going to PR in August, and if I do, I will speak to an attorney there and see what if any my options are. I think it is the only option I have presently. I am curious if anyone that could not afford the extra maintenance actually contacted Hyatt to see if there was something that could be worked out. Who knows maybe they would allow more time for the additional monies vs having really annoyed owners. Did anyone try? With regard to the resale. Was it actually purchased for the $150.00. Could the person who wrote about this kindly respond. Hyatt claimed if we gave them more information they would look into it for us. How about it, did it actually happen?

Just returned from Hacienda last week...attended the owners meeting...alot was focused on the maintenence fees...people are outraged...Ivan Miralla, manager of resort, once again said that Ritz Carlton is going to be primary owner, and Fairmont Hotels are going to run property...Hacienda is supposedly working on new contracts with water/electric to get better deals (since we got cut off from Cerromar's utilities) that will lower our maintenence fees...how soon is iffy of course...He also said Hyatt is not buying back any properties right now from Hacienda...so I guess you're on your own for selling...Believe it or not, there was a man interested in buying at the front desk...he had never been there before and was just impressed with what's left! Bohio may be torn down completely when construction starts, again empty promises on when that will be...he also said they are looking into adding more shaded huts on the beach and possibly water sports...saw alot of new flat screen TV's in rooms...I'd still rather have my fees lowered...I'm on vacation, not watching TV...when I see a crane on the premises, I will believe construction is coming!

Joyce, Do you mind if I repost your post and the Hyatts letter on my blog (www.hyatthaciendadelmar.info)? Thanks, Roland

Joyce, I watch eBay for sales of units at the Hyatt Hacienda Del Mar. The sale I saw for $150 was for 1300 points, I don't remember what week. It detailed the closing costs and appeared to be a legitimate auction. I would imagine that the only way it wouldn't go through is if the seller backed out because of the low price. It was a no reserve auction. I'm still watching eBay auctions and have seen a couple no reserve auctions starting at a $1.00 that ended with zero bids! The Hacienda Del Mars reputation must be incredibly bad for this to happen. Roland

Be my guest, no problem. Joyce

I tried to get the web site and it did not come up.You put hyatthaciendadelmar.info, is this right?

Joyce, Thanks for allowing me to repost your comment.It can be seen here: http://hyatthaciendadelmar.info/?p=78 If you're interested in composing your own posts on the blog, I could add you as an author. Let me know. Roland

Can anyone tell me how to go about selling my timeshare. I was informed that I had to go through this website redweek.com. In reviewing the requirements it seems that I have to join first (for a fee), then pay for costs of the sale (i.e. like a broker's fee), closing costs, attorney's fee. This may be the price I have to pay to get rid of this bad investment. The maintenance fees I am paying is probably more than what I will wind up getting for this huge mistake. Any comments would be appreciated.

You can sell it privately it any forum or newspaper etc., there are legal fees which are high and misc. fees too. You are caught in a timeshare that as of right now has a high maintenance fee due every year. These maintenance fees should drop somewhat once the H.D.M. has it's own generator. I have stayed in Sedona and there maintenance fees are 1/3 less than ours.

The long river pool is now closed, to many families this was the reason to buy at H.D.M., I am still not sure if the presentation to the owners it was fully disclosed about the pool and the river being shared by the Casino and it's guest.

If you need a lawyer in P.R. I do have one that I used, she is good and she is not cheap, also you have the fees also that are due during closing that are the resposibility of the seller. Where is the class action suit against the Hyatt ? I still say that some restitution is due to it's owners in the form of a reduced maintenance fee or a rebate seeing no lazy river is happening, also a construction site in progress. Also remember to tell your buyer they cannot use the Hyatt Hotels every other year the way you can, it does not transfer with the propert when selling .