Well, This is a Fine Kettle of Fish - Festiva takes over Escape! Resorts

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

This one appears to be offered by the Association:

http://sumdayvacations.com/proddetai...=SV34781-25537

It seems to be current, with usage starting in 2015, yet has a link to the defunct Escapes! website.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Speaking of being able to convert to RCI Points, is there a Points chart anywhere online, and anyway to compare with other resorts?

(Not that that would not likely be chasing bad money with good.)

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

We are in Orange Beach Escapes! right now. Festiva is trying to deprive us of the use of our deeded week. Says we must pay previous years of ETC [Escapes Travel Club] dues and cannot reserve our week for next year. We do not use ETC. If we do not reserve our week well in advance we loose it. They also demand payment in advance for next years maintenance fees, even though they are not determined yet. We are about ready to walk away from the whole situation but this is probably what they want. Plus not sure of any liability. They say they are not taking our week but that is how it looks to me. What is going on?

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

We are in Orange Beach Escapes! right now. Festiva is trying to deprive us of the use of our deeded week. Says we must pay previous years of ETC [Escapes Travel Club] dues and cannot reserve our week for next year. We do not use ETC. If we do not reserve our week well in advance we loose it. They also demand payment in advance for next years maintenance fees, even though they are not determined yet. We are about ready to walk away from the whole situation but this is probably what they want. Plus not sure of any liability. They say they are not taking our week but that is how it looks to me. What is going on?

If you are actually saying that they are taking your week, not charging you anything for doing it, and not charging you any back fees, that is A Great Kettle of Fish. The handwriting is on the wall, so take them up on it, and get it in writing.

They are doing you a favor.

If you decide you want to continue timesharing, even after that, you can always pick up someone else's headache for free.
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But, FWIW, if you have read, and understand, all of this thread, at Fine Kettle of Fish resort, they at least have it right concerning deeded weeks that never opted into ETC, that Festiva has no control of those owners, not that the few people who have control (the Board rather than the owners) are much better.
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The horror stories from this once much-revered mini-system just keep coming, don't they?

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

They claim ours is a points week. Our deed says otherwise. And I just found this article that at least 3 states are suing them. I hope AL will make it 4. http://www.chattanoogan.com/2014/1/7...Announces.aspx

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I assume you have reported your issue to your (or AL) AG, not that the suit appears to have anything to do with Festiva taking over Escapes! resorts. it appears to be directed at Festiva's typically scammy, M. O., which could be said of many operations.

Let me go look at the emails I have from Festiva, to see if they mention other resorts.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. JLB ,

Festiva is currently managing the following Escapes resorts:

Hot Springs Village
Bella Vista Village
The Shores in Orange Beach
Branson Yacht Club

The following are not managed by Festiva:

Stonebridge Village
Escapes to the Palms at Orange Beach

Your home resort is still under the management and ownership of the Owners Association. However, Stonebridge Village is still considered an Escapes affiliated resort, so you will still call Escapes Member Services to get any account information and answer any questions about your account to the best of your ability.

The reason Stonebridge Village owners did not get any information about Festiva was because Festiva does not have involvement with that resort. You will still have your fixed week at Stonebridge Village as you have in the past. Nothing about your usage rights or account is changing.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Escapes Member Services.

Thank you!
Escapes Member Services
Festiva Hospitality Group
521 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801

888-382-4386 - Points
800-266-7374 - Deed
escapes@festiva.travel

Despite the portion I underlined, clearly stating that that they have nothing to do with our resort, we are still obviously on their email list, and we have gotten several subsequent emails, which is what prompted my urging our resort to do something to clear things up with our owners. I was forwarding Festiva's emails to an address someone at SBV Condominiums gave me, until they put an end to that, like they didn't really want to know.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Seriously, let them have your week, and get it in writing.

You'll be cutting your loss and avoiding more of the same treatment.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. JLB ,

Festiva is currently managing the following Escapes resorts:

Hot Springs Village
Bella Vista Village
The Shores in Orange Beach
Branson Yacht Club

The following are not managed by Festiva:

Stonebridge Village
Escapes to the Palms at Orange Beach

Your home resort is still under the management and ownership of the Owners Association. However, Stonebridge Village is still considered an Escapes affiliated resort, so you will still call Escapes Member Services to get any account information and answer any questions about your account to the best of your ability.

The reason Stonebridge Village owners did not get any information about Festiva was because Festiva does not have involvement with that resort. You will still have your fixed week at Stonebridge Village as you have in the past. Nothing about your usage rights or account is changing.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Escapes Member Services.

Thank you!
Escapes Member Services
Festiva Hospitality Group
521 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801

888-382-4386 - Points
800-266-7374 - Deed
escapes@festiva.travel

Despite the portion I underlined, clearly stating that that they have nothing to do with our resort, we are still obviously on their email list, and we have gotten several subsequent emails, which is what prompted my urging our resort to do something to clear things up with our owners. I was forwarding Festiva's emails to an address someone at SBV Condominiums gave me, until they put an end to that, like they didn't really want to know.

Just to further muddy the murky, compare that list to the list here:

http://www.rciventures.com/festiva-a...-in-southeast/

The Shores, Orange Beach, Alabama – This oceanfront Gulf Coast property is Festiva’s first location in Alabama. Amenities include oceanfront balconies, indoor and outdoor pools, steam room, sauna, fitness center, and beach access.
◾Los Lagos at Hot Springs Village, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas – One of Festiva’s three additions in Arkansas, Los Lagos at Hot Springs Village is located 20 minutes from Hot Springs National Park and close to area theme parks. The 26,000-acre property has nine golf courses, 39 miles of trails, a performing art center, two marinas, lakefront access, fitness center, indoor pool and outdoor pools.
◾The Greens at Bella Vista Village, Bella Vista, Arkansas – The second Arkansas property for Festiva, The Greens at Bella Vista Village provides guests access to eight pristine golf courses and seven lakes. Resort amenities include on-site clubhouse, swimming pool and tennis courts.
◾Cherokee Village, Cherokee Village Arkansas – The third Arkansas property for Festiva is located on Lake Thunderbird in an area acclaimed for its natural beauty. The resort gives members access to fishing and boating on the lake, 36 holes of on-site golf, swimming pools, tennis courts, and a recreational center.
◾Branson Yacht Club, Branson, Missouri – Festiva adds its fourth Branson property with the Branson Yacht Club, located on Table Rock Lake with a half mile of private shoreline. Resort amenities include two swimming pools, boat launch and marina, tennis courts, and water-sports rentals.
◾Stonebridge Village, Branson, Missouri – Located on 3,200 wooded acres and 10 minutes from downtown Branson, Stonebridge Village rounds out Festiva’s five Branson properties. The resort includes an 18-hole golf course; country club; fitness center; swimming pool; and lake access for boating, fishing and swimming.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

http://insidethegate.com/gatehouse/2...ember-21-2013/

[ace2000 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ace2000]

Seriously, let them have your week, and get it in writing.

You'll be cutting your loss and avoiding more of the same treatment.

I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to bet that they are talking about dropping the week from the EVC points program, but they'd still have ownership of the underlying fixed week. Not sure that's such a great choice.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to bet that they are talking about dropping the week from the EVC points program, but they'd still have ownership of the underlying fixed week. Not sure that's such a great choice.

I did say get it in writing.

Even if that was the scenario, if it got them out from under Festiva, like it would at Fine Kettle, that would be a step in the right direction.

Something probably missed is that when I was looking at transfer fees, the people who were doing transfers here, and had a schedule of fees, said Festiva's is $1750.

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

Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. JLB ,

Festiva is currently managing the following Escapes resorts:

Hot Springs Village
Bella Vista Village
The Shores in Orange Beach
Branson Yacht Club

The following are not managed by Festiva:

Stonebridge Village
Escapes to the Palms at Orange Beach

Your home resort is still under the management and ownership of the Owners Association. However, Stonebridge Village is still considered an Escapes affiliated resort, so you will still call Escapes Member Services to get any account information and answer any questions about your account to the best of your ability.

The reason Stonebridge Village owners did not get any information about Festiva was because Festiva does not have involvement with that resort. You will still have your fixed week at Stonebridge Village as you have in the past. Nothing about your usage rights or account is changing.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Escapes Member Services.

Thank you!
Escapes Member Services
Festiva Hospitality Group
521 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801

888-382-4386 - Points
800-266-7374 - Deed
escapes@festiva.travel

Despite the portion I underlined, clearly stating that that they have nothing to do with our resort, we are still obviously on their email list, and we have gotten several subsequent emails, which is what prompted my urging our resort to do something to clear things up with our owners. I was forwarding Festiva's emails to an address someone at SBV Condominiums gave me, until they put an end to that, like they didn't really want to know.

Yes I have filled a complaint with the Attorney General (AL), for whatever good it will do. And I assure you that Festiva is in control. We recently got notice of dismissal of the action of members of the old board who were dismissed when Festiva replaced them with their own people. The old board lost, Festiva won. They are firmly in control.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Yes I have filled a complaint with the Attorney General (AL), for whatever good it will do. And I assure you that Festiva is in control. We recently got notice of dismissal of the action of members of the old board who were dismissed when Festiva replaced them with their own people. The old board lost, Festiva won. They are firmly in control.

In that case, I should have not to repeat my previous advice, if it actually means they are taking your week from you.

If it was ours, that would be the best timesharing news I have heard in six years.

"Oh, please, please, don't take our week. You can't do that. . . . . Can I have it in writing?"

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Seriously, why would you want to be a part of that? It will only get worse. If they take your week, you will save yourself their $1750 transfer fee.