Re: Sapphire Beach Club SXM - Maintenance Issues
Posted by:
Richard
(---.dsl.sfldmi.ameritech.net)
Date: August 02, 2006 04:41PM
We bought our week (49) back before the first tower was even started, so we've been along for the entire ride. We've had our share of maintenance issues, such as leaking pipes, mildew, broken appliances, stolen safe (yes, they took the whole thing right out of the wall).
The advice above to tip the maids in advance works well for us too! And, I make a habit of slipping the maintenance guy a $20 as soon as I see him upon arrival. I probably shouldn't have to do it with the dues I've paid through the years, but it helps tremendously. My list of check-in items for attention is usually handled the first day, even replacing TV's, etc.
The thing I hate worst is the condition of the hot tubs (a buying point for us too) and the way they have plumbed them all to a common system, with no local control of water level or temperature. Sometimes it's almost empty and full of gross looking water, other times it's overflowing! I woke up one night and thought it was really pouring outside...it was the sound of the water overflowing the hot tub and hitting the balconies below. The water is never more than lukewarm at best.
I've been told by management that story about painting and replacing furniture, new fabric, etc., for 3 years now. I know Phillipe fairly well, and he's usually unaccessable these days I'm sorry to say. Back several years ago, the generator wouldn't start, and power was going to be off on the island for the better part of a day. The restaurant was going to lose a lot of food, not to mention no AC or elevators in the entire resort. I work for a major electrical OEM, and have a EE, so I volunteered to have a look at the generator. The repairman for the unit was on Statia, and wouldn't be around for 2 days...so Phillipe and his Dad were frantic! I got it running quickly as it was a minor problem with the transfer switch. Phillipe sent us to the old Maison sur le Port in Marigot for dinner on him, and we took full advantage with champaign and the works. My long winded point here is that at that time, I was still very proud of where I owned a week, and felt like my time fixing the generator was like fixing something at home. It's kind of like watching someone or something close to you fade away.
This was once the finest timeshare on the island IMHO, now I'm ashamed to take guests there. The restaurant is now first rate however, with Grand Case quality food right in the resort.
Here's to hoping they get it turned around soon...I'm feeling a little used by the fact that you can get a week at the Sapphire with Airfare often on Skyauction.com for little more than I pay a year for maintenance.