Stephen Cloobeck reads Street Talk (and TS4Ms)

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

I had posted something of a long winded responce but, I see Spence edited your post and states you are indeed Stephen Cloobeck.

I trust Spence so I humbly apologize for doubting you and I'm sorry that I apparently missed you phone number (assuming that's why Spence edited your post).

We'll be in Vegas from October 12th to October 19th. I'll be more than happy to buy you dinner, lunch or breakfast to apologize for doubting you and to figuratively eat my words.

I am pleased to see you posting and again are taking an active interest in timeshare developement. As many complaints as I've had over the last few years, things at Polo Towers seemed to be a little more owner oriented when you were active. I feel things dropped off when your attentions turned to other developments. Hopefully things will return to that warm fuzzy feeling we had when we first purchased, which gave us confidence to make a second purchase at Polo Towers within 12 months. If things return to how they were when we first purchased at Polo Towers I'll once again be a more than happy owner in the DRI/Club Sunterra family.

Please email sjcloobeck(at)DiamondResorts.com for direct communication, I think he'll answer.

[Guest Close Quarterbore]

I personally monitor sites so I can connect with the owners and members worldwide. More CEO's should do the same. It's my goal to create a top down consumer centric timeshare experience. It's going to take a lot of work, but we have made tremendous progress at the old Sunterra....soon to be Dimamond Resorts International. I welcome your fellow bloggers to e mail anytime.

PS...Love your site.

On behalf of Frank, the staff, the members and myself we would like to offer you a huge welcome to the site. It is refreshing to see a company that is interested in seeing what timeshare owners want and need as opposed to at least one company that seems determined to draw money from their customers at every opportunity.

Welcome to the site and we hope you decide to stay for a while!

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Please email sjcloobeck(at)DiamondResorts.com for direct communication, I think he'll answer.

Thank you Spence. I have sent my apology for doubting that he is who he said he was. While I might apologize for doubting his authenticity, I still stand by my complaints of how certain things have been handled for Polo Towers owners over the last several years and feel they are valid concerns for owners. Hopefully now the Mr. Cloobeck has turned his full attention back to timeshare developement things will improve not only for Polo Towers owners but for all Sunterra owners/members.

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

Thank you Spence. I have sent my apology for doubting that he is who he said he was. While I might apologize for doubting his authenticity, I still stand by my complaints of how certain things have been handled for Polo Towers owners over the last several years and feel they are valid concerns for owners. Hopefully now the Mr. Cloobeck has turned his full attention back to timeshare developement things will improve not only for Polo Towers owners but for all Sunterra owners/members.

Question? Why did the Greensprings Plantation Resort Manager moved her office offsite into the maintenance building?

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

Wow, not a Sunterra or Polo Tower owner and don't plan to be, but I believe what Spence says, and I must say this is pretty impressive. Although I would certain think the follow up commuication maybe difficult to be always kept in positive directions. But I certainly hope it will work out so more TS company will be more open to their owners.

Jya-Ning

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I just got of the phone with Mr. Cloobeck. As Spence has pointed out the gentleman posting on these forums and on Streettalkblog is indeed the chairman of DRI/Sunterra. I have not been this proud to be a Polo Towers owner since he left for other development ventures. Now that he's back full time I feel things will begin to take a very positive and consistant direction for both Sunterra and Polo Towers owners.

Again I am very glad that Mr. Cloobeck, the chairman of DRI/Sunterra, cares enough to spend time reading these forums, commenting on these forums and gathering individual owners opinions about the timeshares that they own. Basically, I believe there's a new sheriff in town and things are going to be cleaned up for the betterment of all owners.

[dwmantz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dwmantz]

For Chairman Cloobeck

First of all, thank you for your willingness to listen. Everyone who speaks with you is apparently very pleased, and that makes all of us owners, both large and small, very happy!

By introduction, I'm a very happy platinum elite member with properties assigned to Club Sunterra from Williamsburg and soon Polo Towers. We're relatively new owners and still learning all the ins and outs. This forum and one gentleman in particular have been immensly helpful. We spent three weeks and some days this Summer at both Sunterra Resorts in VA and were extremely satisfied at what already is, and the efforts to move ahead. I personally spoke with the Powhatan GM to let him know how pleased we were with the ongoing renovations.

All that aside. It is very encouraging to see our Chairman down on the front lines, but could he please speak to us all and tell us (all Sunterra owners) his plans for the future? ie; perhaps a detailed letter on the Sunterra site with a comprehensive statement of goals and objectives for Sunterra, and a list of specific corrections/improvements that are in the pipeline. We're ready and excited to get on board, so please so motivate us! While we all read the recent letter about England, there must have been numerous other small changes behind the scenes and progress that has been made. Might a page be dedicated on the main Sunterra website, to keep a running record of progress as it occurs? As items are added, they can be posted here on this fine forum and discussed.

Also, might it be possible to have a specific Sunterra Corporate spokesperson/contact assigned to us owners - one with rank and access to the Chairman. I can't expect the Chairman to be daily answering all the questions that come up, but something like the Ask SFX Forum on this website would be extremely helpful! It would also go along way to correcting many of the naysayers. Did I mention great publicity and public relations?

Once again, thanks for listening, thanks for your efforts on behalf of our shared investments, and go for it!

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I believe all owners will see positive changes in the very near future including better communication. Let's not forget that Mr. Cloobeck has been on the job for about 120 days. That's a short timespan to affect major system wide changes but there has already been significant movement in that time IMO. While I had recieved almost no communication from Polo Towers over the last 3 years I've received one letter and a few E-mails from Sunterra notifiying me of changes that are being made. Considering it's only been 120 days that in and off itself is impressive.

Unfortunately the changes that have been made have led to some confusion and anxiety for owners. Change can be good and I believe it's what Sunterra owners had been asking for. I know it's what I've been wanting for the last couple of years. It's going to take a few months to see how everything shakes out but I believe that we're all going to see positive changes and changes that will make DRI/Sunterra one of the most desirable companies in the timeshare business to be an owner in.

Yes, the warm fuzzy feeling we had when we first purchased is back and I'm pleased about that. Last year I contemplated selling my Polo Towers units and buying something different to replace them. Now I'm glad I held on and waited to see what the future would bring.

Funny isn't it? A little communication and one phone call from the chairman of DRI to clarify things and all is well with the world again. If all corporations would take that direction I think fewer of them would fall out of favor with their customers. It's always better to have a people person at the head of the table rather than just a numbers guy.

[winger Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close winger]

Having hope is much more desireable than feeling despair. I too was so close to selling or even giving away my Polo just this last year - all after about 10 years as an owner. Three months ago, I happened to call Polo to ask about selling procedures when I came across the sales mgr at the time who just happen to be in the midst of ramping up the conversion program for owners. Although I could have been the first Polo owner to convert (yes this is true), I was not as I contemplated, and contemplated, and contemplated the move over a few weeks. I got much help from a couple of you, by the way, in arriving at my final decision. In the end, I saw how my Polo ownership could once again, as it did 10 years ago, enhance my vacations - through the conversion.

With new leadership and new company, I agree as an owner there is a new fond sense of excitement in the air. Come on, how often do we see someone (like poor me after a 13 hour work day lus three hours w/ my kindergardener, oh I forgot the 2 1/2 hour commute) posting at 10PM, 11PM, midnite, 1AM, etc. on something potentially so positive? This is the kind of stuff that just get you going (at least it does for me) - and there is not a whole lot of stuff out there that can do this, if you know what I mean.

To Richard - keep up the energy and I can say on behalf of at least a few of us, we hope you do not turn out to be a 'dud'. We've all met that BGOC, that jock who underneath the muscles and clean cut haircut, and vibrant smile and glistening white teeth - who ultimately turns out not having a true heart when it comes down to making and keeping commitements to others. When the going gets tough, he bows out. You have a big ship to guide and steer to the promise land, my friend (may I call you that?). We can only pray and hope you have the right crew to support your vision in your journey for it is not one of smooth sailing. For all of us will be the beneficiaries of your success.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Winger,

Keep in mind that Mr. Cloobeck was running DRI way back when you first purchased 10 years ago. I think you'll agree that things were better back then and communcation with owners was more of a priorty than what our BOD/HOA made it after he stepped out of timeshare developement.

I am very glad to see him back and in an active role with the new DRI. I expect things to improve and I believe he'll do what he says.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

While it is a positive sign that Cloobeck is participating here and on Streettalk, most of what he has posted is in the ''warm and fuzzy'' category.
The specifics on his abandonment of Sunterra's only resort in one of the highest demand locations in the world and substitution of a resort where they will have little inventory until 2015 raises serious questions which have gone unanswered in the hoopla over Cloobeck's participation online. It would be nice to have some answers.

From what has been made public so far, there is still a very strong appearance of asset stripping.

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

While it is a positive sign that Cloobeck is participating here and on Streettalk, most of what he has posted is in the ''warm and fuzzy'' category.
The specifics on his abandonment of Sunterra's only resort in one of the highest demand locations in the world and substitution of a resort where they will have little inventory until 2015 raises serious questions which have gone unanswered in the hoopla over Cloobeck's participation online. It would be nice to have some answers.

From what has been made public so far, there is still a very strong appearance of asset stripping.

While I am nearly as skeptical as you, I have spoken to Mr. Cloobeck. I haven't seen figures or proof that led to this decision, but he has assured me that it was for the betterment of the European side and is not a case of "asset stripping." Time will tell.

[winger Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close winger]

While I am nearly as skeptical as you, I have spoken to Mr. Cloobeck. I haven't seen figures or proof that led to this decision, but he has assured me that it was for the betterment of the European side and is not a case of "asset stripping." Time will tell.

If I were running a business like a store, and can sell one store and use it's proceeds (and maybe a little more) to purchase two others nearby to benefit both my existing customers and new customers as well as myself (the good 'ol wallet), then I am going to seriously consider it. I am sure this sort of thing comes second nature to Sunterra's new leader.

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

If I were running a business like a store, and can sell one store and use it's proceeds (and maybe a little more) to purchase two others nearby to benefit both my existing customers and new customers as well as myself (the good 'ol wallet), then I am going to seriously consider it. I am sure this sort of thing comes second nature to Sunterra's new leader.

Sunterra Europe is a different animal and is a sort of Right to Use RTU and they are supposed to be able to balance the points any way they see fit.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Sunterra Europe is a different animal and is a sort of Right to Use RTU and they are supposed to be able to balance the points any way they see fit.

This is true and probably what makes it a little more difficult to understand the European set up from our point of view here in the U.S. Right now the few complaints seem to be from the U.S. customers. It would be interesting to hear from those the own in the European trust. It could be that Carlton Court was not desirable accomadations and the cost of those accomadations was to high vs it's value to the trust members. I have not taken the time to look at the UK Sunterra sites yet. Of course, most of the sites I'm familiar with were definately anti-Sunterra and probably not condusive to any change being positive.

Personally, I would have liked to have the opportunity to visit Carlton Court judging from the reviews I've read. I have not visited that neighborhood but Mr. Cloobeck has been there. His opinion seemed to be that it was not that great of a neighborhood and the rooms were impossibly small. Or maybe I misunderstood him. We did cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. If I'd have been there maybe I'd have felt the same way or maybe not. I really don't have as strong of a desire to travel to the other English reosrts as much as I'd have liked to have been in London.

I suspect we are going to see a lot of changes being made over the next serveral months and next few years. Some we will like, some we probably won't like. One thing is for certain. DRI/Sunterra is under new management and things are going to change. It seems to me that everyone was asking for change and they are now warry of those changes being made. Only time will tell if the overall changes are for the better. I believe in the long run DRI/Sunterra will be stronger in the future than it has been in the past. I'm certain there will be changes I like as well as changes I'm not to happy with. So long as I remain informed and have some basic understanding of why the change was made I'll probably feel better about the changes that are made.

For now I'm looking forward to getting my membership card and having access to the Webres system. I really want to test drive my points to see what they'll do and to see if my money has been well spent. I want to see what power the corporate account has vs my individual account. I want to see how many Sunterra resorts are available and how easy it is to get into some of the resorts. I want to learn how to drive this system so that I can get maximum benefits for us out of it. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting on the sidelines.

I'm a new player at this and my comments should probably be taken lightly. Still, I learn fast how to work my contract to my benefit. I'm just stuck for the moment while I wait for my set of keys.