Powhatan Deluxe Units

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

Apparently, Diamond Resorts is holding all the new "Deluxe" units at Powhatan for rental - makes financial sense to them, I'm sure.

I saw a few available through "The Club" for the Spring, and then they disappeared entirely. I tried today to book a 2BR July 3 & 4 and nothing at all was available through Club. However, they were kind enough to offer me a 30% discount - only $200 a night to rent a 2BR 1st FL Deluxe from them. Having never seen or stayed in one yet, and wanting to be at our own property for the 4th, we took it.

[sheilaanthony Member Find all posts View Profile Close sheilaanthony]

Powhatan almost deluxe units

We own in building 84 which completely burned down a couple years ago. They should also be coming on-line right after the newly constructed deluxe units. They are not held strictly for rental, and while they are not exactly the same as deluxe I understand they will be very close. Perhaps asking for that building without paying more in the future would be a good compromise. I hope you'll let us know how you enjoy the new unit.

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

Recently Renovated Units

We stayed at Powhatan several weeks last Summer. On our 2nd visit, near the end of August, we were placed in a 4BR that was renovated earlier that same year.

I have to say that I was completely impressed and pleased to the point that I picked up the phone and called the resort manager.

It'll be interesting to compare these "Deluxe" units to the renovations and to the new building you mention when it comes on line. I would rate the renovated unit we stayed in a solid 4 star of 5. Also interesting to see what they do with towels, sheets and duvets!

Am looking forward to our three weeks this Summer at Powhatan and watching the resort as it regains Gold Crown status.

[sb1070 Member Find all posts View Profile Close sb1070]

regains Gold Crown status.

Don't Hold Your Breath On That One!


Scott

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

The resort has an excellent chance becoming a Gold Crown Resort against will all the improvement taken place in next few years.

[sb1070 Member Find all posts View Profile Close sb1070]

The resort has an excellent chance becoming a Gold Crown Resort against will all the improvement taken place in next few years.

Ryne08

I only disagree because the scores for personnel are a big factor too. Personnel are consistently deficient in customer service, housekeeping and maintenance. A fresh coat of paint and new furniture will not change the unfortunate nature of the local work force.

And before the flames start because of the last statement It’s based in part on a conversation I had with Laurie Radney and Randy Gritts although Randy had just taken over at the time so I don’t know how much he had to do with it, but Laurie had stated to me that the quality of the local work force was at least in part to blame for the poor housekeeping and maintenance at the resort and that SUNTERRA was considering bussing people in from other areas in the hope those people would do a better job, at their jobs and scores would improve in those areas.

I have only ever stayed at Sunterra resorts in Williamsburg so I can’t say with certainty that I agree the problem is a Sunterra problem or is truly a by-product of the locals, but I can say I don’t observe Powhatan personnel performing to levels that would move RCI traders to write such glowing reviews that Powhatan would be issued a new rating by RCI.

Hopefully I'm wrong

Scott

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

Apparently, Diamond Resorts is holding all the new "Deluxe" units at Powhatan for rental - makes financial sense to them, I'm sure.

They certainly have the 'points' to reserve them using unsold inventory in the Trust, seems they have the upper hand in getting their request in first. I tried to make a 60 day reservation in Mar/Apr the other day and it offered me Deluxe, you never know when online it'll pop up.

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

Ryne08

I only disagree because the scores for personnel are a big factor too. Personnel are consistently deficient in customer service, housekeeping and maintenance. A fresh coat of paint and new furniture will not change the unfortunate nature of the local work force.

And before the flames start because of the last statement It’s based in part on a conversation I had with Laurie Radney and Randy Gritts although Randy had just taken over at the time so I don’t know how much he had to do with it, but Laurie had stated to me that the quality of the local work force was at least in part to blame for the poor housekeeping and maintenance at the resort and that SUNTERRA was considering bussing people in from other areas in the hope those people would do a better job, at their jobs and scores would improve in those areas.

I have only ever stayed at Sunterra resorts in Williamsburg so I can’t say with certainty that I agree the problem is a Sunterra problem or is truly a by-product of the locals, but I can say I don’t observe Powhatan personnel performing to levels that would move RCI traders to write such glowing reviews that Powhatan would be issued a new rating by RCI.

Hopefully I'm wrong

Scott

Knowing a little bit about how Stephen Cloobeck runs things, what you're complaining about will most definately be changing. He won't tolerate poor customer service at the resorts for very long.

We exchanged into Greensprings Plantation a couple of years back. We were not impressed with either the customer service of the resorts personel, the maintenance of the units or the quality of the furnishings. Maybe in a couple of more years, after DRI has had some time to make the resort over in it's vision, we'll give Greensprings another shot to see how much it has improved from our previous stay.

On the other hand I am dissapointed to hear that Deluxe units could be getting held back to rent for profit rather than being made available to club members for exchange. It will be interesting to see availability is just some sort of short term issue or if DRI is undercutting availabilty to members just to turn a couple dollars more in profit.

So far I'm not 100% sold on the online system. I do a few searches on occasion and there doesn't seem to be the availability that I saw before DRI changed the web site. Either the web site/reservation system has a glitch in it or something else has changed. Time will tell.

[sb1070 Member Find all posts View Profile Close sb1070]

Knowing a little bit about how Stephen Cloobeck runs things, what you're complaining about will most definately be changing. He won't tolerate poor customer service at the resorts for very long.

Doug

For the record I am not complaining, mearly stating an opinion and to add to it.
Cloobeck can bring all the fresh ideas Diamond has in their bag, to include mass firings at Powhatan, if there's even the slightest bit of truth to Laurie's statement it won't bring back a Gold Crown rating

Again I hope I'm wrong

Scott

[hvsteve1 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hvsteve1]

So how do other resorts in Williamsburg manage to get Gold Crown level employees? Are they flown in from somewhere?

[sb1070 Member Find all posts View Profile Close sb1070]

hvsteve1

That's a good question and as an owner I've thought about that also, but I've also thought about how I can’t ignore the fact that housekeeping and maintenance scores are always low. So if the units are consistently dirty and poorly maintained who should be blamed, the activities staff?

Cloobeck doesn't bring anything to Sunterra that will change the attitudes of sub-standard employees. If rooms aren't cleaned or maintained properly by those charged with the responsibility to do so, then even reporting the issues to the proper dept's won't change a thing and RCI traders will continue to write poor reviews and Powhatan's rating will not change.

Now if you are suggesting that Powhatan employees are doing their jobs but RCI traders are falsely targeting housekeeping and maintenance while giving other categories higher scores then hell you should tell Cloobeck so he can hire someone from another system to fix it.


Scott

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

I think most t/s in the Willamsburg area use Master Corp. as the cleaning company.

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

I think most t/s in the Willamsburg area use Master Corp. as the cleaning company.

Powhatan has vacillated between contract and in-house. I think they're back to in-house now.