Hacienda del Mar

I am wondering whether the "construction site is progress" actually is in progress. Last year it was announced that Ritz Carlton would be building a hotel on the spot. NO WHERE on hte Ritz Carlton web site is there any mention of future hotels in Puerto Rico much less Dorado. This is a seeming nightmare. We haven't gone in several years and unless things improve do not see our family returning fpr several years to enjoy a ghost town resort with no resort features.

Additionally, I wonder: Does anyone have contacts with travel writers at major newspapers to write about this- bad publicity may be the one thing that spurs a response from Hyatt. If it can happen here why can't it happen at any Hyatt Vacation Club and why should potential buyers take that risk with other options available through Marriott or Ritz Carlton

I hear that the construction will not end till 2012-13. The new construction should be built at the property line of the H.D.M. or further back. Puerto Rico has new rules regading new waterfront building. The group that will build it may have changed but I heard that it is the Ritz Carlton Group

My point exactly, we all heard it was the Ritz Carlton group. But the Ritz Carlton group does not show any information about it on their website while they do show planned hotels set to open in the next 3-5 years! I suspect that in fact there is nothing pending

The best place to get up to date info is from Ivan the manager at the H.D.M., perhaps we can forward the whole forum to him and see that it goes somewhere that will make a difference for the owners.

Everything that everyone says is still going on...construction timelines keep getting pushed back later and later...my daughter is there NOW and sees no visible signs of construction...I mentioned from our last trip there, and convo with Ivan, they have plans but right now all refurbishing is happening inside the same rooms...Once again I will say, I DO NOT need a flat screen TV, or a new armoire...give me a lower maintenence fee! Also, another problem the Hyatt has is that alot of travelers to the Hacienda del Mar, bring in so much of their own food and drink, that we will be LUCKY if the Bohio remains open...they can't remain open if they do not have enough business to pay their bills and salaries...They are already down to a skeleton crew working...sorry to say, but a fact!

I just returned from the Hacienda. I must say that it is sad to see that it is going downhill. There have been some nice improvements to the apartments, but some things are run down. They are not taking good care of the recreation that they do have. A new store opened right next to the gym. Not as big as the old store, but at least it has a lot of items you may want, or need. The staff is trying really hard to make you happy. As an owner, they now had cleaning service each day, instead of just once a week. There is construction going on, however it is inside of the hotel, so it is not obvious to anyone out at the pool. I agree the Bohio was not very busy, however if the staff of the Bohio gave better service they would have more business. The first few days the bartender was very attentive, and many of the visitors ate, and drank there throughout the day. After her shift, another woman came to work who was more interested in speaking on her cell phone while serving you, and reading the paper, instead of being attentive to the patrons. The Hacienda needs to think more about what the people want. When on vacation you want to be served, pampered. No one was out by the pool to offer anything at all, nor was there any service at the Bohio other than the bartender. What I did see, is that the town has built up more. Busy as ever. I am still of the mind to hang in there. I believe it will be back to its old splendor if the Fairmount Corp (owners of the Ritz) open the hotel. As per the employees, they have been fixing inside first. As a business woman, it only makes perfect business sense to allow the members of the Hacienda access to everything they open. The Hacienda is solid business, and a constant customer base for the shops, bars, casino etc. Now if they decide to open their own timeshare, it may be a different story. I do not see that happening though. The location is still a paradise, so for now when I want a restful vacation, I will go there, and use interval exchange or stay at another Hyatt if I want something different. I have written to Hyatt, about my concerns of letting things run down a bit much, and about letting us know more about what is happening. Lets see if I get a response. There were a lot of mixed comments from the visitors. Not many owners were there. Some loved the peace and quiet, the great pool and beach (older couples, and younger ones with small kids). The ones with older kids stated they would not come back. They needed more to do. I got what I went for. To peak around and see what was happening, and to relax and enjoy the wonderful weather of mi isla.

Your staement about the Beach Bohio is so accurate, I didn't want to say it but you did and I agree. Even the steady flow of Spanish music, they should play something I can understand. A buy back nce in a while would be nice. About the work going on inside the Cerromar Hotel, I was told that they are knocking it down and the new building has to be back as far as the H.D.M.. It's nice to see some talk going on on this board because the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

joycec125....I remember the days (not all that far ago) when the Bohio was so much fun and entertaining to hang at...by any chance do you remember Milton and Jennifer (the Jersey Girl) ????? Things have changed...different attitude...I think comes from disgruntled workers, but they should be THRILLED to still have a job!!!!!!! I have a little inside track there, but will keep a low profile for now, hahaha....

Just paid my assesment for my new exrtas, where is my refund for the things that aren't avaiable anymore?

Please count me in as part of a class action. I paid $22,000 for week 13 in 2004. They had to know what was going on when they sold the unit to me.

I have a unit for the first week in Feb. I also have been let down like every one else. I guess I chalk it up to bad luck.What can we do? I would be interested in legal action if anyone puts together a suit. I have been dealing with this issue by trading my points for now.My husband and I went to the Keys last year and a great time. We are going to go back to PR this year before the real demolition starts and enjoy the island with the help of a rental car.I hope that it will all work out . We are going to hang in there for the points we can trade in the mean time. Has anyone been to the Coconut Grove time share?

Michelle...we are leaving to go to PR for Christmas, our daughter lives in Dorado...we are equally dissapointed in Hyatt and the empty promises, but find the island and its people so refreshing...we use her car or a rental as well...the Bohio by the beach is still open for drinks and food till around 6pm...outside of Hyatt, almost across the street is a new wine bar/restaurant called Pica...GREAT food, inexpensive drinks, terrific wine...owners are very personable...also Chophouse...get the directions at Bohio or hotel desk...It is owned by Sam, from the old Zen Garden...very nice, food very good...enjoy the beautiful beach, view, and relax!!!!

Hi everyone, i just looked at a timeshare in Cancun and it was very nice, but when I had explained the situation of our difficulties regarding Hyatt Hacienda del Mar in P.R. the manager went on to say what a mess the Hyatts are. Although they had Hyatts other properties listed on this sheet, there was "NO" listing for resale of the H.D.M. in P.R., the name of this Timeshare resale list/company is called "Holiday Equity", the company only deals with Timeshares Companies and does not deal with individual owners.

Basically we are holding an empty box, we have a certain amount of timeshare years along with a very expensive maintenance fees at the Hacienda Del Mar, Hyatt should extend the amount of years for usage and or discount our maintenance fees. It is ureasonable for Hyatt to expect owners to sit back and wait until this mess gets better. The way I feel is that Ivan is a great guy who has his hands tied, but the Hyatt Corperation should be making good with some offer.

Also when you do sell privately the new owners are not allowed to use the Hyatt Hotels every other year, this only deflates your resale value, This company is the pits as far as timeshares go.. The deed is no where to be found for me either. If I want to sell this unit what will Hyatt offer me. I will perhaps seek this info out and ask their resale unit why H.D.M. is not a viable timeshare as per the timeshare sheet that was shown to me. Also I was told that the H.D.M. is owned privately by someone in Puerto Rico and that Hyatt Corporation runs it for them, I do not know how accurate this last part of this post is but It wouldn't surprise me. What I find also to be strange is that Hyatt always reccomends Ms Caro to be your attorney, I am not suggesting that she is part of some scam but I have a bad feeling about the whole purchase.

The latest info that I got from Hyatt is that work has started on what was the Hyatt Dorado and now will be a Ritz Carleton. No work has begun on what was the Cerromar. I am curious to learn how many HDM owners ever received a deed for their timeshare. I was looking for ours, couldn't find it, called Hyatt who told me "We get that a lot with HDM." Hyatt says the courts are slow. It's been 10 y since we bought the property and no deed has been sent to us. Unbelievable!

Hello All, I just returned from a week at the HDM. Nothing is happening. I actually was quite upset with many things, especially the attitude of the front desk staff. I would think they should be bending over backwards to owners to make their stay wonderful. I have come home to look for the results to the yearly meeting, as I could swear that I read that they had updated dishwashers, stoves etc. This is not true. At least not in the two bedroom I was using. Our maintenance dollars do not seem to be going to good use. The grounds are still kept nicely, but the rooms could be cleaner. Furniture was the same. New drapes and comforters, but much less amenities in the room. No extra blankets, no extra soaps, 1 bottle of shampoo and one bottle of rinse per room. Less pots and pans. New utensils. All in all I was pretty dissatisfied. and when I complained, nothing much was done. What I did see was that most of the guests were locals. Making me believe they had rented from either Hyatt itself or owners. Play it smart. Rent some of your time and use the rest to stay somewhere else from Interval Exchange. I know the Exchange book has gotten smaller, but a lot of the places are really nice. We have been to Spain, France, and quite a few places in Mexico. I have learned by going to all of these time share selling meetings each time I stay in another place. When we were in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in November of 09, we were offered $28000.00 for our two bedroom Hyatt. Hyatt points are worth a lot more on Interval Exchange, and to these other time shares. The ones that offered us the money in exchange for one of their time shares was the Villas Palmar chain. The owners are from Italy. HDM may not be worth much to us anymore but the Hyatt points are worth something. Has anyone looked into changing within the Hyatt? That may be my next move. But for now I intend to rent a portion of my two bedroom to pay for the maintenance and use whats left to stay somewhere else. Sorry news could not be better.

Good luck renting, I tried and we had many nibbles but none that were willing to pay what we were looking to get. And if somebody offered you $28,000 why didn't you jump on it! I would have sold mine in a New York minute for that price just to get out from under the maintenance fees. I contacted Hyatt about changing our ownership to another resort and they said that we would have to sell and repurchase. But with $28,000 you/I would have had plenty of money to do that. What are the fees up to? I sold (i.e. gave away) my unit last year when it was $1,500.

The problem is everyone will do the same and bring down the exchange potential, I already see this happening on the sales end. Soon Interval and RCI will not give owners of a resort H.D.M. the same trading power from their end after they are saturated with inventory. Like I have said no one was interested in my unit in P.R., but they were interested in my place in Aruba thats older and has no lock off unit. They bluntly told me they have no interest in H.D.M. and that the largest resale company that buys from timeshare corporations(not owners) does not want H.D.M., I read the list. Forget the sheets and pans, we are all just getting a snowjob from Hyatt and they know whats happened and are unresponsive, just look at the letters you have received from them (zero). As far as points go Hyatt charges you for every transaction with guest certificates etc.. I just cannot stand this company as far as timesshare companies go. As far as seeing all the locals there, they are all on holiday at this time of the year, many from the north go south in P.R. and the people from the south part of P.R. go north.

So how did you sell yours? I was thinking of just letting it go withou paying anymore maintenance fees. If Hyatt buys back the timeshare then I will take whatever they give me and run with it. In response to another message... I would like to know if anyone has their deed. I have a copy of one that is not completed or signed... they were supposed to mail a completed one from the attorney and yes years of come and gone and we never kept on top of it. Any info you can give me would be appreciated.

Is there an attorney here that owns who could shed some light on this deed issue? Ms Caro Esq. who was reccomended to me by Hyatt for the closings at the H.D.M is an attorney in P.R., since she does probably all the resale closing at the H.D.M. because she is licenced attorney in P.R.. If you want some answers perhaps Ivan can give us a phone number so we can hold the deeds or at least have a copy.