I can’t wait for a day when I can write about timeshare owners at the old Royal Oasis timeshare resort in the Bahamas who are leisurely relaxing poolside, enjoying their vacation ownership Bahamas timeshare property. Last June, The Timeshare Authority posted that after three years of bad news, followed by some hopeful-sounding news, all we could give timeshare owners at Royal Oasis was “no news”.

This week, in what is becoming an anniversary topic, The Freeport News posted their own story of “no new news” about happenings at this Caribbean timeshare property. Their article chronicled the events since 2004, when Hurricane Frances permanently closed the already struggling Bahamas timeshare resort. As the article concluded, “In an attempt to get an update on the Royal Oasis project yesterday, The Freeport News contacted Harcourt’s Grand Bahama office (Harcourt Development Company, the owners who purchased the property in 2007) and was told that Archer (reference to CEO Donald Archer) was out of office and, Minister of Tourism Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace did not return our call up to press time.”

Will a Thriving Resort Return at this Caribbean Timeshare Property?

The failure of this once popular Caribbean timeshare is not a typical story in the world of vacation ownership. And despite the relational damage that has occurred between the former resort management, the property’s new owners, and the individual timeshare owners, I can’t help but think that at some point in the future, there will again be a luxurious Caribbean timeshare on this property. If for any reasonthe rebuilding of a successful Bahamas timeshare fails to happen here, it will not be because of lack of effort on the part of the owners association or of the Bahamian government. Both groups having put forth extensive efforts to support the return of a successful and thriving resort at this Caribbean timeshare property.

Archive of The Timeshare Authority Blog Updates on the Royal Oasis Caribbean timeshare:

• Dissent Continues Over the Royal Oasis Timeshare Resort
• Uncertain News about Royal Oasis Timeshare Resort
• Royal Oasis Timeshare Resort: A Litany of Problems
• Important Information for Royal Oasis Timeshare Owners
• Updates about Royal Oasis Timeshare
• Optimistic News about Bahamas Timeshare Resales
• Recent Announcement Regarding Royal Oasis Timeshare
• The Other Victims of the Royal Oasis Timeshare Owners Fiasco

Last week, Sell My Timeshare NOW released the HOT 100 List for timeshare resales and timeshare rentals. Let’s take a closer look at some of the trends the report reveals, especially about the HOTTEST 10 timeshare resorts – those popular ten at the very top of the list.

For the second consecutive year, WorldMark by Wyndham timeshares rank number 1 in the number of offers received to buy or rent. These timeshares are multi-destination ownership, meaning that your WorldMark by Wyndham timeshare gives you a choice of nearly 60 luxurious timeshare resorts in the US (including Hawaii), Mexico, Canada, and Fiji.

Marriott timeshare (Marriott Vacation Club International) claimed four spots on the HOTTEST 10 list. Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club in Palm Beach, Aruba was number 2; Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas, Newport Coast, California was number 3; Marriott’s Grande Vista, Orlando, Florida was number 8; and Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, Maui, Hawaii was number 9.

One of the few changes in the HOT 100 List, this year over last year, is that Marriott’s Grande Vista in Orlando is new to the HOTTEST 10, while Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club in Oahu, Hawaii, was number 10 on last year’s list but slipped to number 11 on this year’s list.

By geographic destination, Orlando timeshare dominated, including the Marriott property already mentioned, and two other popular Orlando timeshare resorts: Orange Lake’s West Village, which ranked number 6, and Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld International Centerdo, new to the list at number 10.

Rounding out the HOTTEST 10 timeshare resales are: the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas in Maui, Hawaii, number 4 on the list, the Harborside Resort at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas, number 5 on the list, and the always popular Manhattan Club, in New York City, moving up from last year’s number 9, to be number 7 on this year’s list.

For the ten resorts making the HOTTEST 10 List, Sell My Timeshare NOW received 23,317 offers to buy or rent in 2008.

Click here to view the entire HOT 100 List for Sell My Timeshare NOW timeshare resales and timeshare rentals.

And if you are interested in comparisons, this link will take you to information about last year’s HOT 100 List: Sell My Timeshare NOW Releases HOT 100 List for 2008.

Sell My Timeshare NOW has released its annual HOT 100 List, which shows the top 100 timeshare resales and timeshare rentals advertised on www.sellmytimesharenow.com. The list is based on the number of inbound offers to buy or rent timeshare.

This year’s HOT 100 List reveals some interesting trends, most notably a 56 percent increase in the number of offers to buy or rent timeshare on the HOT 100 List, compared to the previous year. The total number of offers for the HOT 100 List was 70,700.

The report also shows remarkable consistency from last year to this year in the timeshare resale and timeshare rental resort properties that make the top of the HOT 100 List — those on the Top 10. The timeshare resorts that made the Top 10 received 23,317 offers to buy or rent.

Here’s the HOTTEST Timeshares of the HOT 100, the Top 10:

• WorldMark by Wyndham, Multi-Destination Resorts (Number 1 for the second year in a row.)
• Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club, Palm Beach, Aruba
• Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas, Newport Coast, California
• Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Maui, Hawaii
• Harborside Resort at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
• Orange Lake’s West Village, Orlando, Florida
• Manhattan Club, New York, New York.
• Marriott’s Grande Vista, Orlando, Florida
• Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, Maui, Hawaii
• Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld International Center, Orlando, Florida

The full report on all 100 HOT timeshare resales and timeshare rentals is available here: Sell MyTimeshare NOW HOT 100 List, and our official press release is available here: Timeshare Resales Offers up 56 Percent on HOT 100 List as Americans Seek Vacation Savings

Before Sell My Timeshare NOW releases the new HOT 100 List next week, I want to remind you about the favorite timeshare resorts that made the top ten on last year’s list. For anyone who is considering buying timeshare, or who wants to sell timeshare or rent timeshare, comparing this year’s list with the favorites from last year could provide interesting and helpful insights. The timeshare properties that made the Sell My Timeshare NOW HOT 100 List are those that were advertised on our website and received the greatest number of offers to buy or rent.

Marriott timeshare had four resorts in the top ten last year. Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club was number 10; Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas timeshare was number 7; Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club timeshare was number 6; and Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club timeshare was number 4.

The Manhattan Club, a signature urban timeshare, was number 9. Harborside Resort at Atlantis in the Bahamas, a unique resort that combines elements of a casino, water park, and beachside timeshare, was number 8.

Hawaii timeshares, always popular, accounted for three of the top 10 spots, including the already mentioned Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, Diamond Resorts Ka’anapali Beach Club timeshare, which was number 5 on the HOT 100 list, and Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, which was number 2.

Orange Lake’s West Village, now under the umbrella of the Holiday Inn brand, was HOT 100 timeshare number 3, while all the fabulous multi-destinations resorts of WorldMark by Wyndham timeshare ranked at the very top, having received the greatest number of offers to buy or rent.

The new HOT 100 list has seen a few changes although several of these well-liked timeshare properties remain at the top. I think you may be surprised by the INCREASES in both the number of offers to buy timeshare or rent timeshare on the top 10 list and across the top 100. When you see the numbers, you may think twice about whether we are in an economic recession or not. What the numbers validate is the timeless interest in timeshare. No matter the economy, timeshare resales are an opportunity with a global market and are widely recognized as offering great vacation value at your favorite destinations.

Cry wolf enough times and people start to ignore you. Let’s hope that’s not what is happening with regard to the new US passport laws. For several years now, the US government has been saying that American travelers to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean will need valid passports to re-enter the country. They have set deadlines, only to delay their enforcement repeatedly because they could not handle the processing overload the new laws created. But June 1, 2009 looks like the ‘real’ deadline.

Unless the rules are delayed yet again (which does not seem likely), beginning next month, US citizens will not be allowed to leave the country without a valid US passport to use when they re-enter the country. So just because your timeshare ownership gives you great exchange privileges at a Mexico timeshare, a Canada timeshare ski resort, or a Caribbean timeshare for sun and surf, doesn’t mean you can take advantage of this unless you have a passport. And the rules apply whether you walk across the border, arrive by plane, or via cruise ship.

Marriott Timeshare Alerting Timeshare Vacationers

Marriott timeshare officials (as well as other timeshare resorts, cruise lines, and hoteliers) have been trying to alert their timeshare owners and timeshare renters, reminding them of the new passport laws.

In an interview with NYDailyNews.com Ed Kinney, vice president at Marriott Vacation Club International, said, “Our Aruba properties are visited by timeshare owners who are typically avid world travelers and who already have their passports. However, we also open our properties to non-owners interested in staying at one of our timeshare properties instead of booking a traditional hotel. When these less-savvy travelers make their reservations, we’ve been alerting them of the new passport regulations to avoid any last-minute problems.”

Kinney adds that he does not anticipate that the new laws will have too much impact on Marriott timeshare owners, explaining, “The people who will be impacted the most are US citizens who don’t currently have a valid passport and who will need to acquire one prior to their next trip. The new rules will help bring consistency and less confusion to international travel.”

Your Mexico Timeshare, Caribbean Timeshare, or Canada Timeshare Vacation

With all the excellent opportunities in timeshare resales and timeshare rentals in Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada, don’t be caught off guard over this new passport law. Remember that the price of applying for a US passport also increases on June 1, so if you plan to travel outside the US, now is the time to get your application submitted. And if you get caught in a bind, or find that Caribbean timeshare rental or maybe Mexico timeshare resale that you just can’t resist, there are companies that, for an additional fee, will speed the processing of your passport documents.

Last week, The Timeshare Authority posted a blog about Marriott Vacation Club International developing 88 timeshare units on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. But to ensure that the information about this exciting Marriott timeshare property, Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club, is as clear as possible, we decided to try it again.

Today’s post on The Timeshare Authority blog is easier to understand and is based solely on the information provided by Marriott Vacation Club International’s own media release and our conversations with James M. Woelbern, Director of Public Relations for Marriott Vacation Club International.

Caribbean Timeshare on St. Kitts

Marriott timeshare is in its third phase of development at Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club timeshare on the West Indies island of St. Kitts. This phase at the Caribbean timeshare resort adds 22 timeshare villas to the property, which will have a proposed 88 timeshare villas upon completion. According to Mr. Woelbern, the project is right on schedule for completing the new timeshare units.

Stepehn P. Weisz, president of Marriott Vacation Club International says, “As St. Kitts continues to assert itself as an increasingly popular destination, we are pleased to offer more opportunities for our Owners and guests to experience the beauty of St. Kitts from the prime location of Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club.”

The new timeshare villas include both two and three bedroom properties, and range in size from 1,400 to 2,089 square feet. With plenty of space for family and friends to relax and enjoy the fully equipped kitchens, expansive living and dining areas, and breathtaking vistas from your timeshare’s balcony, this could quickly become your favorite Caribbean timeshare vacation destination.

Follow this link to read the Marriott Vacation Club press release in entirety.

Follow this link learn more about opportunities in Marriott timeshare resales and Marriott timeshare rentals.

Here are some updates about hotels and timeshare resorts that may have been affected by Hurricane Ike. The list is not complete and is constantly being updated by officials as more information becomes available in the aftermath of this terrible storm.

Remember that damages from Ike have not been limited to Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast states; this storm has left downed trees, damaged roofs, flooding and power outages in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and continues its path of devastation across the US, as well as the damage and fatalities the storm wrought nearly a week ago in the Caribbean, Haiti, Cuba, and the Turks and Cacaos.

Update from Sheraton, Westin, and Starwood (information updated as of 3PM Sunday, September 14, 2008):

Update from Marriott Hotels and Marriott Timeshare Resorts (as of Saturday, September 13, 2008)

“Many hotels are open, and efforts are underway to fully restore operations in those affected by the hurricane … Most of the hotels that housed guests through the storm have essential utilities or are using generator power, if needed. Early reports indicate damage to some rooftops and windows, as well as the landscaping …

… Guests with confirmed reservations for an arrival date of Saturday, September 13, and beyond should contact the hotel directly or our toll-free reservations number at (888) 236-2427 …

… Generally, cancellation fees are being waived for guests holding confirmed reservations at the hotels that are or will be affected by the storm. However, hotels reserve the right to make this decision on a case-by-case basis … the Galveston and Houston area hotels are not accepting new reservations until further notice … We are accepting reservations and have rooms available in Dallas and other areas of Texas.”

Marriott will post updates at: www.MarriottNewsroom.com

Update from Hilton Hotels (as of 5 PM Saturday, September 13, 2008)

The Hilton Americas Houston and Hilton Post Oak are open and accepting reservations.

The Doubletree Hotel Houston Downtown has sustained damage to its elevators and has been temporarily closed. The guests staying at the Doubletree were relocated to the Hilton Americas Houston. The Doubletree Hotel Houston Downtown will remain closed until Tuesday, September 16 at the earliest.

Homewood Suites in Clear Lake remains closed in compliance with the directive of the local authorities.

The Hilton Hotel in Clear Lake sustained damages when a large section of the hotel’s front wall fell on a FOX 26 live truck.

Executives for Hilton state that, “Generally, cancellation fees are being waived for guests holding confirmed reservations at the Hilton Family of Hotels that have been affected by the storm. However, hotels reserve the right to make this decision on a case-by-case basis.”

Galveston Timeshare Resorts

No reports on whether the following timeshare resorts survived the winds and water of Hurricane Ike. As of now, no one is being allowed on Galveston Island except rescue workers, who have been unable to reach large portions of the island. Much of Galveston Island is still underwater and city services such as water and electricity are not available.

• Escapes! to the Gulf at Galveston
• Four Seasons on the Gulf
• Inverness by the Sea
• Silverleaf’s Seaside Resort – Galveston, TX

Willis, Texas Timeshares

The Landing at Seven Coves Timeshares is closed due to power outages. No report on damages.

Other Updates on Damage from Hurricane Ike:

Continental Airlines

According to Fox News, “Continental Airlines is currently assessing the impact of Hurricane Ike at its facilities, including its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), its headquarters building in downtown Houston and other Houston facilities such as maintenance and reservations.

Customers scheduled to travel to, from or through the Houston hub are encouraged to postpone or reroute their trip without penalty to avoid possible inconvenience. The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via www.continental.com.”

Other airlines may resume service from Bush Intercontinental Airport starting Monday, September 15.

Grocery stores in Huston are beginning to reopen as of Sunday, September 14, 2008.

The Caribbean and the Turks and Caicos

The Timeshare Authority will keep you updated as further information becomes available regarding the resorts and related conditions following Hurricane Ike. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Sell My Timeshare NOW are with the millions of people who are directly and indirectly affected by this storm.

One of the best-known Caribbean timeshare and entertainment resorts is the famous Atlantis resort, which includes Sell My Timeshare NOW’s HOT 100 List property number 68, the beautiful Bahamas’ Harborside Resort at Atlantis II.

Located in tourist-favorite Nassau, the Harborside Resort at Atlantis II timeshare condos are adjacent to the famous Atlantis resort. As a timeshare owner or timeshare guest at Harborside Resort at Atlantis II timeshares, you have use-privileges to enjoy all the water parks, life-size aquariums, casino, restaurants, bars shopping, and entertainment area of the Atlantis resort. For vacationers who want to enjoy a Bahamas vacation, packed full of entertainment options, the Harborside Resort at Atlantis II timeshare condos are an excellent choice.

Accommodations at the Harborside Resort at Atlantis II Timeshare Resort

At this Caribbean timeshare resort, you can choose between one, two, and three bedroom timeshares or timeshare lockouts. Timeshare condos offer fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes that include a microwave and a dishwasher. Many of the timeshare units at Harborside Resort at Atlantis II also have a washer and dryer and all of the timeshare units include at least 2 televisions, and a DVD/CD player or VCR.

Your Harborside Resort at Atlantis II timeshare offers island charm and modern conveniences with entertainment options to appeal to couples, honeymooners, seniors, and families, because there are just so many choices and so very much to do.

To learn more about the opportunities available in Caribbean timeshare resales and timeshare rentals at the Harborside Resort at Atlantis II, explore the large inventory of timeshare units available through Sell My Timeshare NOW.

Ritz Carlton private residence club (timeshare) has now announced expansion into the Bahamas with a new Caribbean timeshare resort at The Abaco Club on Winding Bay.

The Abaco Club is a fractional ownership resort that is part of the Ritz-Carlton Club and will be a Ritz-Carlton managed resort. The Ritz Carlton timeshare program is structured in three tiers called: Select Membership; Preferred Membership; and Premium Membership. The three tiers represent ownership of timeshare points in the amounts of 500 points; 1,000; and 1,500. In a press release issued last week by Ritz Carlton, the company explained the value of the points like this: “For instance, a Member could elect to spend 14 nights (1,190 points) in a cliff-side cottage with the family to escape the winter chill, seven nights (280 points) in a similar cottage in summer while the kids are on vacation and four nights (30 points) in a cabana in the fall for a romantic getaway.”

Ritz Carlton Caribbean Timeshare

Pre sales on new vacation ownership at The Abaco Club on Winding Bay are already available and start at $110,000. Spokespersons for the company say that owning a fractional through the Ritz-Carlton Club affords members a carefree homeowner experience with the luxury of a dedicated staff to assist them.

Timeshare occupancy is planned for December 2008, with the Caribbean timeshare resort ultimately offering 16 homes for deeded fractional ownership. Special services include pre-stocking the kitchen with the timeshare owner’s favorite foods before his arrival; storage of personal items; concierge service; assistance with travel arrangements; twice daily housekeeping, and much more.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming at Ritz Carlton timeshare owner, by buying timeshare resales at excellent prices, you will be interested vacation ownership at the following resorts:

• Ritz-Carlton Club Bachelor Gulch Resales
• Ritz-Carlton Club St. Thomas Resales
• Ritz-Carlton Club St. Thomas Rentals
• Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands Rentals
• Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter Resales
• Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter Rentals

Royal Sands Cancun timeshare is part of the Royal Resorts family of timeshares, with over 60,000 Caribbean timeshare and Mexico timeshare vacation ownership members. This beautiful Cancun timeshare is number 79 on the SellMyTimeshareNOW.com HOT 100 List.

The Royal Sands Cancun timeshare opened in 2000 and it is located on the site of the former Fonatur’s Casa de Visitas, also known as the Casa Maya or Mayan House. The Mayan House had a distinguished tradition of hosting Presidents and other dignitaries, and in keeping with this, many of the historic furnishings from the original resort have been used in the current property.

The timeshare villas at Royal Sands resort are known as “flexivillas” describing the way the units can be subdivided as a 2-bedroom lockout or used as a 1-bedroom timeshare lockout. As a 2-bedroom, 2- bath unit, the timeshare has over 1,448 square feet of living space and accommodates up to 6 people. Each timeshare villas has a fully equipped, American-style kitchen, dining area, televisions, DVD player, and a furnished balcony off the living area, as well as a second balcony off the bedroom.

On property amenities include a night club, 2 gourmet restaurants, and a spa. Two golf courses and a marina are nearby, as well as shopping at KuKulcan Plaza. Royal Sands timeshare owners and timeshare renters can enjoy tennis, snorkel gear, bicycles, volleyball, or a sailboat at no additional charge.

In 2005, the Royal Sands timeshare, like other resorts and Cancun timeshares on the beautiful Mexican Rivera, took a powerful hit from Hurricane Wilma, the most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin. Posted below is a YouTube video from a young couple who have just returned from a Royal Sands timeshare vacation last month. Besides the video showing that these two had a wonderful vacation, it also shows that the Royal Sands Cancun timeshare is fully resorted and in excellent shape for your next timeshare vacation.