David Siegel, founder of Westgate timeshare, will reportedly attempt to sell some $350 million in assets. On the “for sale” list is the former Grenelefe Resort, near Haines City, Florida, which includes 432 condominium units, two golf courses, a marina, and 277 acres of undeveloped land.

Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort was, not so many years ago, as a popular Florida vacation destination. With a 50,000 square foot conference center, Grenelefe was a favorite site for smaller convention and meeting groups, boasted golf courses of such quality that they were frequently early stage qualifying sites for the PGA and Champions Tour events, and offered a tennis venue where Martina Navratilova and Andrea Jaeger both competed.

But time has not been kind to the resort since it was purchased by Westgate Resorts in a 2002 U.S. Bankruptcy Court proceeding from Sports Shinko, a Japanese company, for $12.75 million. During Westgate timeshare resort’ ownership there have been buyers interested in purchasing the property, but none has been able to gain sufficient backing and close the deal. As if to add insult to injury, Grenelefe Resort was hit by tornado-like winds last week, damaging 28 condo units and leaving 5 uninhabitable.

Westgate Resorts to Focus on Timeshare

Among other properties and assets scheduled to be sold by Westgate timeshares are River Ranch, which is a 1,700-acre dude ranch on the Kissimmee River (south of Orlando); real estate in Nevada, Missouri and Tennessee; a 500-room Ramada hotel in Kissimmee, FL; two private aircraft; and the rights to develop lodging on land near the entrance to Disneyland, Anaheim, California.

David Siegel was quoted by the Orlando Sentinel as saying, “We’re selling our non-time-share assets to raise cash for our time-share operations. We’re selling anything that we don’t currently need for our time-share [business].”

Westgate Lakes Resort timeshare recently told timeshare owner Ray Nix that his shirt had to go. Nix, in an interview with WFTV News Orlando, said that he had paid $15,000 for a Westgate timeshare and that the company had failed to make good on a promise of timeshare exchange at a Park City, Utah Westgate timeshare resort.

As a way of venting his displeasure with Westgate timeshares, Nix had a T-shirt made to read, “Westgate ripped me off,” which he then wore to breakfast at one of the company’s Orlando timeshares.

In a post on the Sun Sentinel’s blog, “Floriduh,” author Barbara Hijek wrote:

“The security surrounded me (Ray Nix) when they saw me with my T-shirt on at the pool. They told me they could charge me $1,000 a day for wearing my T-shirt on the property,” Nix said. Nix took off his shirt and moved his protest to the street corner. But he says the resort still hit him with a $4,000 fine for the violation.”

Is This a Matter for Westgate Timeshare or for the Homeowners Association?

While some say that Westgate timeshare impinged on the timeshare owner’s right to free speech, others point out that free speech protects you from interference by the US government, but doesn’t ensure that any of us can stand at a place of business and say (or exhibit) whatever message we choose to put out there. Whether or not Westgate timeshares as a company had the right to squelch what Nix was communicating, or whether this falls under an issue of the timeshare management or even the homeowners association is something beyond my knowledge of the law. I do question who has the authority to levy fines for such action, unless Nix had previously signed a contractual agreement stating that he understood he could be fined in the event he ever wore an unacceptable T-shirt on the resort property.

But all of those details aside, here’s what jumps out at me. Westgate timeshare had an unhappy client. Instead of seeing the opportunity this holds, they turned the event into bad press and a polarizing situation. This could have been a time for Westgate timeshare to engage with the their dissatisfied client, work with him to resolve the issues, offer solutions or even compromises that he might not have considered, and find a way to turn a very dissatisfied client into a happy customer for life. And in deference to the fact that every story has two sides, none of us knows what, if any, measures Westgate timeshare had gone (prior to this event) in an effort to resolve the dispute.

When the developer of Westgate timeshare resorts, David Siegel, realized that the restructuring going on at one of his Florida timeshares could yield recyclable materials, he contacted a nearby recycling company to assist him.

The resort, a Haines City, Florida timeshare, is eliminating its banquet facilities and kitchens, while reconfiguring and renovating other areas of the property. So Westgate resorts timeshares began working with Robert Wallick of Winter Garden, Florida, who not only took on the job, but added a humanitarian twist.

In addition to the piles of electrical wire, aluminum and other recyclable materials that he will process at his recycling plant, Wallick also loaded up kitchen items, floor lamps, light fixtures, books, and over 300 telephones (many equipped for the hearing impaired). He is making the home furnishing items available to the public to purchase, with proceeds from the sales going to benefit the Russell Home for Atypical Children.

As Wallick explained, “There’s so much stuff; it hurts me to see it being thrown away.”

Thanks to a little extra effort by Westgate timeshare resorts and by Robert Wallick and Associates, Inc., tons of metal, wire, and other materials are being recycled, saving our natural resources and reducing the load on the environment. In addition, furnishings from the timeshare units, which could have wound up in a landfill, are being purchased and put to use by thrifty consumers, benefitting a home for special needs children in the process.

For all the stories coming out now about the life (and death) of music icon Michael Jackson, one of the more intriguing comes from timeshare developer, David Siegel.

Siegel is the founder and CEO of Westgate timeshare and Westgate Vacation Villas, based in Orlando, Florida. Over the years, the theme parks made Orlando a favorite vacation destination for pop king, Michael Jackson, but with his fame and notoriety, he couldn’t exactly enjoy a quiet stay in an Orlando hotel or Orlando timeshare. So he rented private property.

And no residential location in the Orlando area is any more private that the exclusive mansions behind the guarded gates of Isleworth, located in a corner of the Orlando area, in the tiny town of Windermere. In addition to being home to Jacqueline and David Siegel, Isleworth’s famous residents include Ken Griffey Jr., Shaquille O’Neal, Tiger Woods, and a host of other ultra-wealthy celebrities and business moguls who own homes there. But it was one of the two Isleworth homes of Westgate timeshare’s Siegel that appealed to Jackson most among the cloistered mansions, possibly because it is located on a four-acre private island—and privacy is what Jackson stressed mattered most.

So from time to time, Michael Jackson and his entourage would contact Siegel and request to rent the Siegel family’s little 26,000 square-foot home with its 60-foot heated pool bordered in real gold and its 1700 feet of shoreline along the pristine freshwater of the Butler Chain of Lakes. With every Orlando visit, there was always the caveat that Siegel was to tell no one about Jackson’s presence, and for the weekly rental rate of $15,000, Siegel had plenty of motivation to honor the pop star’s request.

Which is why David Siegel found it so amazing, that after all the pledges of secrecy, soon after arriving at the Florida retreat, Jackson would be spotted on the roof of the home. As Siegel explained to FOX News Orlando, “He said he’ll take it under the condition that nobody knows he’s here. I didn’t tell anybody. He moves in. Within a day, he’s up on top of the house waving at boaters!”

How long do you think it takes, in Orlando, Florida, already known as Hollywood East because of the movie production and music recording industry based there, for paparazzi to identify the King of Pop standing on the widow’s walk of a two-story mansion, waiving one gloved hand to the recreational boaters just off shore?

And if you are thinking about enjoying the sunny weather, theme parks, and sparking lakes of Orlando and Central Florida yourself, but you are not planning on renting a private mansion, here are links to beautiful Westgate timeshares you can enjoy for a lot less money … but wherever you go, stay off the roof.

• Westgate Vacation Villas Timeshares
• Westgate Towers Timeshare

As we are wrapping up this past year’s HOT 100 timeshare resorts, let’s look at two very popular Mexico timeshare resorts and four Orlando timeshare favorites.

The Mayan Palace Riviera Maya Cancun is the HOT 100 timeshare favorite number 18, while the Pueblo Bonito Rose Spa and Resort is number 19.

The Mayan Palace Riviera timeshare offers so many exceptional features, including the world’s largest swimming pool, the Brio spa, and a Jack Nicklaus designed 18-hole golf course. It’s all located in a setting that boasts the white sands and clear turquoise waters of the Mexican Riviera.You can also visit ancient Mayan ruins, including Chichen Itza (now one of the Seven Wonders of the World), tropical vegetation, caves to explore, and even a crocodile farm.

The Mayan Palace Riviera Mexico timeshare features studio timeshares, and one and two-bedroom timeshares as well as larger two bedroom lockouts, which sleep up to six people.

Or enjoy the Pueblo Bonito Rose Spa and Resort timeshare on El Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas. Just minutes away from the shopping, boutiques, arts, crafts, and restaurants of Cabo San Lucas, Pueblo Bonito Rose Spa and Resort also boasts a state-of-the-art, high tech exercise room, along with spa and health club facilities.

This Mexico timeshare is a resort for those who long to be pampered. From turndown service each night to a full service concierge, your wish is their command. And with timeshare units that range from junior suite to a four-bedroom, five-bathroom luxury penthouse, there are amazing opportunities available in Pueblo Bonito Rose timeshare resales and timeshare rentals to fit every vacation need and budget.

HOT 100 Timeshare Opportunities in Orlando Timeshares

However, with all the great Orlando timeshares, US vacationers can head for sunny destinations and never have to leave the country. Orlando has more timeshare resorts and more timeshare units than anywhere else in the world, so it is no surprise that so many Orlando timeshares show up on the Sell My Timeshare NOW HOT 100 list.

Favorite Orlando timeshares include Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club (number 17); Westgate Vacation Villas (number 20); Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa Phase I (number 22); and Summer Bay Orlando timeshare (number 23).

Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club timeshare is located near Celebration, Florida, just south of Orlando, and less than 2 miles from Walt Disney Vacation World. Mystic Dunes, well known for its excellent 18-hole golf course, (par 71, and 7012 yards) offers a peaceful vacation retreat near all the Central Florida attractions and fun.

On-property at Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club timeshare, you will find:

• The 18-hole championship golf course
• An 18-hole miniature golf course
• Four pools, including Dunes Lagoon with a two-story water slide and private cabanas
• Restaurant, bar, and room service
• Tennis and basketball courts
• High-speed internet

And many other features to help make your Orlando timeshare vacation relaxing and memorable.

Westgate Vacation Villas and Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa Phase I are both high-demand options within the Westgate Resorts family of timeshares. Westgate Vacation Villas is located in Kissimmee, Florida, convenient to the Orlando International Airport and to the theme parks of the Orlando-Kissimmee vacation area.

Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa timeshare is in Orlando, close to golf, shopping, and of course the theme parks and attractions. At both resorts, the timeshare units range from one-bedroom/two-bath units to two, three, and even four-bedroom timeshares. Known as Grand Villas, Westgate Resort’s four-bedroom timeshares sleep up to 16 people, making them a perfect place for a corporate retreat, a family reunion, or just a vacation destination so spacious even the largest families can spread out and truly relax.

Westgate Vacation Villas timeshares offer 11 swimming pools, basketball and tennis courts, volleyball courts, a weight room, and a game room. Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa provides a beautiful lakefront setting, pools, water sports, biking areas, basketball and tennis courts, and a full range of children’s program.

Summer Bay Resort is an Orlando timeshare vacation destination you could enjoy so much, you would never have to leave the resort, so it makes perfect sense to wrap up today’s list by looking at the features and benefits Summer Bay timeshare has to offer.

Summer Bay Orlando timeshare is located on a private lake, in a quiet and almost secluded setting west of Orlando, near Clermont, yet is still within a short drive of the popular activities in Orlando. The large lake permits boating, skiing, pontooning, and other water sports, and there are smaller lakes, pools, and hot tubs throughout the resort. Enjoy a sandy beach, heated kiddie pools, mini golf, nighttime entertainment, a game room, crafts, basketball court, beach volleyball court, tennis court, fitness and games rooms, store, children’s playground, and a poolside bar and grill.

Timeshares at Summer Bay include one and two-bedroom timeshare units and larger, two-bedroom timeshare condos. As with all the timeshares and vacation ownership properties on the HOT 100 list, Summer Bay has ranked because of the high number of offers to buy or rent timeshare there, through Sell My Timeshare NOW.

If you are looking to sell timeshare at any of these resorts, then clearly Sell My Timeshare NOW has a demonstrated history of attracting offers to buy or rent these timeshares. And if you are looking for the best deal around in timeshare resales and timeshare rentals, we invite you to shop the large online inventory of resort properties at www.sellmytimesharenow.com

Channel 7 News from Spartanburg-Greenville SC and Ashville NC, is reporting on an unhappy Westgate timeshare buyer, who recently received her money back. Quanisha Savage believed that she had won a vacation weekend in a radio contest. To her surprise, when she checked in at the resort, she was told that she had to attend an orientation session on the topic of timeshares.

After 4 hours in the presentation, Savage reported that she was, “… very tired and wanted to just get them out of my hair and it did sound like a good deal.” But buyer’s remorse set in quickly and several hours after leaving the presentation, Savage realized that she had made a mistake in agreeing to purchase the timeshare.

Calling Westgate timeshare, according to Savage, yielded no result. Two weeks after the purchase, Savage received documents via email confirming that she had 5 days from the date of purchase to cancel. Had she missed her chance to cancel the sale because Westgate timeshare had failed to respond to her in time?

After contacting Westgate Resorts, Channel 7 TV received an email from David Siegal, founder and CEO of Westgate timeshares. The email stated, “…Since we have to service our owners forever we don’t need to have an unhappy one like Ms. Savage. Let her know that due to your efforts (if you want to take the credit) she is getting her refund. We are a good company and certainly don’t need any bad publicity.”

Westgate Timeshare Did the Right Thing

The timeshare industry never needs more bad publicity, nor would, one hopes, they ever want to do the ethically wrong thing in dealing with a timeshare buyer. In this case, Westgate timeshare was not only doing what was ethically right, but if the facts presented by Channel 7 TV are complete, Westgate timeshare did what was legally correct for them to do as well. And David Siegal was most certainly right; no company worth its salt wants or needs an unhappy customer.

Recent blog posts at The Timeshare Authority on Westgate timeshare:

• Westgate Timeshare Is Paying the Price
• Orlando Timeshare Workers Face More Cutbacks
• Further Layoffs at Westgate Timeshare

Here’s a quick view of the luxurious Westgate Resort at Westgate Lakes Resorts and Spa in Orlando:

Westgate Timeshares is one of two companies that have agreed to settle in a Federal Trade Commission (FTC investigation into some of the timeshare companies’ marketing practices.

The FTC had brought charges against Westgate Resorts timeshare, and against Accumen Management Services, Inc, and its subsidiary All-in-One vacation Club, LLC for violating the National Do Not Call list. Westgate timeshares will pay $900,000 in the settlement while Accumen will pay $275,000.

Both companies were charged with making telemarketing calls to consumers who had completed entry forms for a sweepstakes. Consumers entering the sweepstakes believed they would be eligible to win a vacation package. Westgate, according to the Orlando Sentinel argued that people who give out their personal information, including their phone number, expect to be contacted. They also blamed a third-party lead provider for the violations, and pointed out that they no longer do business with that company.

Westgate Timeshare Asked for Leniency

Asking for financial leniency due to the nationwide recession and credit crisis, Michael Marder, attorney for Westgate timeshares, says they receive a “disappointing response”.

An Associated Press article, states that more than 167 million phone numbers have been placed on the Do Not Call registry and that the FTC has received thousands of complaints against Westgate timeshare over this matter.

This is a tough time for Westgate timeshares, (who has already laid off thousands of employees) to have to pay this kind of money. But there is always good news in a situation like this; any time the government sends a message like this, it helps keep unethical business practices in check, across the board. On top of that, the $1.2 million collected will go in the US Treasury – and in the end, that benefits all of us.

Other recent The Timeshare Authority blog posts about Westgate timeshare:

• Orlando Timeshare Workers Face More Cutbacks
• Further Layoffs at Westgate Timeshare
• The Other Side to the Westgate Timeshare Lawsuit Story
• More Bad News for Westgate Timeshares, Hit with $1 Million Judgment

Following the same path of Wyndham Vacation Ownership timeshare and Westgate Resorts timeshares, Marriott Vacation Club has laid off (or is in the process of letting go) just over 170 workers.

The pink slips started showing up just before Christmas at the Orlando timeshare call center, marking the second recent round of employee layoffs at Marriott timeshare. In November, approximately 80 timeshare employees were let go by the company, which claims it is being hurt by the credit crunch less than other timeshare companies have been. At that time, The Orlando Business Journal reported that Marriott timeshares anticipates rehiring as many as 31 positions during the process of closing one timeshare sales operation (the Horizons project) and expanding at another location.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that Ed Kinney, Marriott’s vice president of corporate affairs, said that because Marriott does much of its own financing, they were not being squeezed as tightly by the tight international credit market and slowed consumer spending as are some timeshare developers.

Kinney says the current round of layoffs should be complete in January. Other timeshare companies cutting back and laying off in Orlando and elsewhere include: Wyndham Vacation Club, Westgate Resorts timeshare, and Bluegreen Resorts.

The Orlando Sentinel ran a story this week painting a grim picture for timeshare company employees nationwide, but especially in Central Florida. Workers in Orlando stand to be hit extra hard because the city’s 125 timeshare resorts, and approximately 28,000 timeshare units, qualify Orlando as the top timesharing city in the world.

Reductions at Wyndham Timeshare

According to the OrlandoSentinel.com (and other sources), Wyndham Vacation Ownership (Wyndham timeshare) is cutting a quarter of its companywide workforce, many of whom will be lost from the Orlando offices. Some 4,000 layoffs are anticipated for Wyndham timeshares overall.

Wyndham plans to gear down from annual sales of about $2 billion to approximately $1.2 billion in 2009. The Orlando Sentinel quoted Franz Hanning, chief executive officer of Wyndham timeshare, as saying, “We really don’t see those markets (the credit markets) reappearing for the foreseeable future … We want to take a proactive approach.”

Layoffs at Westgate Resorts Timeshare

At Orlando’s Westgate Resorts, rumors are circulating that the timeshare company stands on the brink of bankruptcy. David Siegel, founder and CEO of Westgate timeshares, insists there is no truth to the rumors, but does confirm that another 1,000 jobs will be cut at Westgate, following layoffs of more than 3,000 workers already this year.

Changes in timeshare sales will not necessarily hurt or help the timeshare resale market. While more people may be looking to resell their timeshare, putting more properties on the market, there may be equally as many people who recognize the value in timeshare resales over new timeshare, creating a strong demand in the resale market.

As with many things that are happening now … time will tell.

Central Florida Investments, Inc, the corporate owners of Westgate timeshares, has closed its Westgate Houston Preview Gallery and laid off all of the 106 workers employed there.

The property was located at 5177 Richmond Avenue and included a full-size model timeshare complete with living room and fully equipped kitchen. It originally opened in 2004 and was the first offsite timeshare sales center outside Orlando.

Reportedly, CFI filed documents with the Texas Workforce Commission saying that the company had, “experienced an unforeseen business emergency brought on by the collapse of the credit markets. Westgate has been unable to access its regular and customary borrowing sources and, as a result, does not presently have the cash flow to support its operations in their current form without these staff reductions.”

The layoffs in Houston follow previous announcements of employee layoffs at other Westgate timeshare locations. The blog posts listed below provide further information about cutbacks and financial concerns at Westgate timeshare.

• The Other Side to the Westgate Timeshare Lawsuit Story
• More Bad News for Westgate Timeshares, Hit with $1 Million Judgment
• Bluegreen Timeshares and Westgate Timeshare Mogul Settle Pending Lawsuit
• Hotels, Timeshares, and the Bailout