posted 05-05-2005 08:38               

Buy back for selected weeks is on. Current selling price on units are $28,900 for Plat; $17,100 for Gold. All red. Buy back is approx 1/2 of above. Desired weeks by Marriott is what they will buy back. (not what you offer them)

Trade back owned week for another Marriott resort week is available. Deal on Frenchmans Cove.

Beach Place Parking fee. As of what I heard (and have written down), everyone will pay the fee. Owners exchanging into the year they gave in will not pay. Owners exchanging into a week form another year will pay. Owners that Lock Off a unit will pay for one week if they are using both weeks at Beach Place...in the year they traded. If in another year, they will pay twice.

Everyone else will pay the fee "...JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER RESORTS ON THE BEACH..." Of course I am still checking the other resorts.....(like resorts as in TIMESHARE)....so far I have found no fees being taken (yet) at the Silver Seas, the Merriweather, Ft Lauderdale Beach Resort (Breakers), the Santa Barbara, the Royal Vista ....still need to check others further in Pompano.

COA feels the $84 dollars is asking too much of owners who already pay near $1000 a week. When I asked the II rep if this might hurt trading power, I didn't see or hear a response. If I'm already paying $1000 I caan't see how $84 is making much difference.....for the negatives it produces.. (Can't believe I am the only one anti this fee.)

Discussion of a score of 92.2...which I lost in transition.

Very big improvement in mant fee collection. Folks not paying or L/O of their unit or ability to trade. Reserves being built to avoid any assessment*s.

Waterproofing*/Painting of building in near future. WiFi being installed and will be free. Current dial up is free if you used a local IP. Ten cents a minute to access in business center.

Pool is be redone in October. Deck is almost completed. Full refurb in 2007 or 08. Cureent soft refurb goes floor by floor.

Building on Cortez will not block views (will be highest in back of MBP.

That little strip of property behind MBP across A1A N (going toward intrecoastal) has been sold with the several small bldgs. Possible expect another condo....if RE continues as now.

MVCI starter paks are now given out to incoming. Includes some coffee, and other stuff.

Eric Minotti and Mrs Wong elected to board (a positive)....although those not getting enough vote had impressive credentials. (Eric & Don Mulligan gave Finance report...excellent & easily understood).

I did relay info I recieved from owners via E Mail to the COA & Marriot...without disclosure.

Hope this helps.

posted 05-06-2005 05:44               

I posted into on the exchanging forum about II & what they discussed. Also, someone asked about parking around MBP and Ft Lauderdale...I can't find the post to answer now. (Even in search). .

In any case, very little public parking allowed overnight. The one lot it appears to be allowed on Ocran Front is on the corner of A1A N/S and Las Olas

The lots I checked said open to midnight. The meters on the street say parking prohibited after 2 AM. Moat are a dollar an hour, anyway. The Casablanca lot on Alhambra (2 blocks from MBP) will let you park all day for $3.00 if you have lunch or dinner there. It is attended. Need to leave keys if you block someone else. Its $5.00 the day if you don't use restaurant facilities. I'll see if they will let you park all night. Dave, manager of Casablanca, seems to feel a taxi P/U is better than driving home for some folks.

posted 05-08-2005 02:39               

Was told when there there is a lot of negative talk going on about the parking and that it might be revisited as owners were being very vocal, including this one. This is the first I've heard that they might charge the parking fee for one of the two 'splits' of a lockoff as when there they told me that would not be the case. There have been a bunch of poor performers on that HOA in my opinion, right from Wong down, and they are going to ruin what is a great location to own by biting the hand that feeds them!

Brian

posted 05-09-2005 20:09               

I have spoken to many of the merchants...they are hurting. I am wondering why this new company refuses to allow the resturants the free or low cost parking for the stamp on a parking ticket. Do they want everyone to move out?

I still have not asked questions asked above, as I have been too busy. But will get to it asap.

Also, at this AM meeting, no more $50 coupon off from Black & White Stores, no rep from the water taxi, and no free scuba/snorkle lessons. (The did have Krispy Cremes, however.)

posted 05-10-2005 08:45               

When we were there the last week in March I noticed the same thing about the shops and restuarents at Beach Place. I asked Marriotts BP manager about it and he said the the manager was fired and would be replaced, he didn't say anything about new owners. Max's is practically giving away food. He feels that it is going to get very interesting at the shops of Beach Place when the St Regis and the new condo high rise just south opens (name?). He feels that the residents living at these upscale places will put pressure on the shops of Beach Place to lower the noise level at night and to keep the area nice.

posted 05-10-2005 10:17               

Brian

posted 05-10-2005 16:44               

Like you and Ken I really like BP and Fort Lauderdale,and we plan on going back many times. This is why I got alarmed at what I saw in the retail area. Don't get me wrong ,some of the places are still doing very well. At least this is what I was told by some of the store clerks and bartenders etc. I had thoughts like ,what if they go under and the area becomes vacant or what if they sell to someone that would put a high rise in front of BP. The St Regis got away with violating the no shadow law by just paying a fine, maybe someone else could do the same in front of BP. Then I realized the very high value of this land and the potential for the right kind of retail experience (stores and or restuarants). Also Marriott realizes how valuable the BP location is and I don't think they will let it get ruined without stepping in to protect their interest.

Brian I think Los Olas and the new trendy restaurants and clubs in the Galleria Mall like the Blue Martini have taken their toll. The Beach Place retail area is in a difficult position because there is this sort of turf war going on in that area between upscale and the younger spring break clientel. BP is going to have to decide how to best position itself with the changing demographics of the area.

posted 05-17-2005 18:47               

Pool will be reefurbished, but can not be enlarged. Pool water is very clean. Concrete dust hurts clearness. Also...as Brian found out last year....that concrete also coats your car. Try to park under cover if you can.

Discount weekday parking has been re-started. If you get you tix stamped by a merchant, it is also less. (When we arrived in Aprl, it was $12.00 flat rate every day)

Current is about $2.00 an hour between 11 AM to 4 PM with stamped tix.

Taxis continue to be allowed in parking garage for free to discharge or P/U anyone.

If you need a taxi, the front desk will get you one....and you need to go to P1 (elevator lobby) to pick it up. If you take taxi to MBP, have driver bring you into the parking lot, to P1 and empty bagage while calling lobby at elevator for help or at least entrance to elevators.

Will find out more in a few days. Except for parking fee...still having a great time....best yet.

posted 05-18-2005 21:45               

quote:

---

Originally posted by pwrshift:
...and when the costs got near $1000 (the highest in domestic Marriott TS I believe)

---

GC in Vegas is $1,045 for a 3 bedroom LO unit. I'm not sure what the 2 bedroom units are.

posted 05-22-2005 22:18               

If you do not drive up to the Marriott Levels, (P4 after the second tix gate or P5) you will be charged for every entrance and exit. (That could be $12.00 each without a stamoed tix from a resturant or merchant)

When you enter, you will take a tix. When you drive up to P4, there will be another gate (swing wide in a big car). You will put the tix into this machine, and will then get a Hang Tag at the front desk when you are checking in. It needs to be put on the rear view mirror. When you exit, you need to go back through the gate on P4, a tix will be issued, and then you will show the attendant at the exit both the hang tag and the tix. They take the tix, AND RETURN THE HANG TAG TO YOU.

There is no charge for parking for taxi cabs staying less than 25 minutes. There are two P/U and Discharge stations for the cabs, on P1 (by the tower elevator-preferred, or P4. (Don't know how P4 works). Since the Ft Lauderdale Beach Resort next door is demolished temp, the airlines seem to be sending the Pilots & Attemdants here. They use taxis, and this is how they get into the time share. (You will be buzzed in at the elevator on P1 and will go up to the lobby.)..They will send down John, Vinnie or another few bell people with carts to help, if you need it.

I am still tryig to collect info I recieved from the MBP folks. Granite is coming, Brian.

posted 05-30-2005 21:40               

I used trades and points for most of the apartments. I checked each one prior to families arrival. Of the 10 bath rooms checked, all were fine, except one had a bit of mold on the shower grout. Same had a few tiles bulging. Maint was notified.

Some faucet fixtures were pitted. The showers had Kohler parts, and had no pitting. I believe they replace with Kohler fixtures when needed.

When next refurb takes place, Marriott expects to replace all sinks, counters, vanities, and backsplach with a stone type replacement as granite. This will not start for about 2 or 3 years. (From sales staff info)

Upon leaving, I again asked about the parking....still no changes. I will post a full report on the reviews. Real sorry you need to pay to park to all you exchangers & traders, (and owners not using the same year or locking out.

posted 05-31-2005 17:02               

I am going to request a non-smoking and on a high floor. I will see what they do as far as accomodating our request.

Hopefully will turn out nice like our week last year at MBP.

posted 06-01-2005 13:21               

Brian

posted 06-01-2005 13:34               

Metered parking on streets (Birch), adjacent to the main parking lot in the Public Yacht Center (across from MBP is allowed up till 2 AM. Casablanca Cafe iss all day parking with a meal for $3.00, or $5.00 without. (Two block N of MBP on Alhambra at Birch). Most places will not allow overnight parking. That terrible, because a lot of people drink the two free with one and shouldn't move the car after paying for two drinks (which is really 6 drinks).

posted 06-04-2005 09:31               

Brian