Flamingo Beach Resort

It's a nice resort but a word of caution, don't buy a timeshare anywhere in St Martin. Rent or Exchange in. BTW as far as my review is concerned, it's accurate but they didn't ask all of the questions that they should have.

First thing to understand are that Timeshare Owners own nothing, your status is that of a long term lessee (a tenant), look at the contract. The owner of the resort (usually a numbered company) owns the land, buildings and is recognized by the government. Timeshare "Owners" have No legal rights to speak of, no voting rights on resort issues, no right to audit books. The real owners also take pains to not let other tenants network and organize, supply a members section on their web site etc.

We have an 80 year lease for 1week at Belair Beach, previously we had one with the Flamingo (to sell and get out after 3 years of trying, we had to hire our own Realtor and got 30 cents on the dollar) , we are sent a newsletter once a year, it's most important function is to present a list of expenses (unsupported by any detail) which they claim justifies their ridiculous maintenance fees. We bought in 1995 with a yearly fee of $305.00, today it has risen to $932.00 (add the $50 tax to it and your near a cool $1,000), an average yearly increase of 8.5% compounded. It's actually higher if I included the occasional special assessment. They charge those fees because they can get them (you have no recourse) and also they inhibit your ability to sell (they claim they have resale programs but they are typically shams) Consequently, as maintenance has climbed, purchase value of the week has dropped (it's an inverse relationship). The week we bought for $14,000 in 1995, I can get for $1,200 - $2,000 from a number of sources, people who own a mid-summer week are at $500 - $1,000. So your left with a decision, pay this years maintenance or walk and start taking advantage of deals around the world. Every time I'm called an owner at the resort, I get annoyed.

My family exchanged one week, 1 bedroom, ocean view unit, for the Kaanapali Beach Resort, Maui, for one Garden view studio and one studio with a pool view at the Flamingo Beach Resort for January 4 -10, 2009. Our daughter really enjoyed having her own room! Both studios were very comfortable. Internet access is not free and only available in the lobby but I understand if you bring your laptop, cost is much less. This was our first successful timeshare exchange. Overall, we had a very nice time and enjoyed the Flamingo Beach Resort. Bottom line is we would return to this resort. Check in was a bit slow late on Sunday night. The Toppers restaurant, located at resort beach, had an excellent snapper dinner reasonably priced and excellent drinks each afternoon during sunset. Rooms were clean and staff available when requested. Security people were always on-site and visible. The family enjoyed the resort beach each day. We did attend the resort sales presentation and found that staff to be very friendly, informative and courteous and much nicer than the Kaanapali sales staff. We did not purchase additional property / points due to the unprecedented increase in maintenance fees by Diamond Resorts.

The on-site activities desk was very helpful. It was an easy walk to the Pelican Marina for two dive trips and two snorkelling trips. The snorkelling trip to Prickly Pear was very enjoyable and highly recommended. My daughter's two dive trips produced numerous turtles, large game fish, numerous tropical fish and no sharks! The Pelican Marina dive staff was very helpful and customer focused. At night, during January, nice schools of 20 to 40 lb tarpon position around the drawbridge to feed. This is an interesting sight for fisherman to watch and wish for a rod!

Traffic in St. Maarten is terrible and roads horrible! Lots of trash along roads and everywhere else in the community except for the resorts! Such a beautiful island but the locals do not care about their island's appearance! I understand this is a Caribbean trait and definitely a change after vacationing in Maui / Oahu for years! Simpson Bay Lagoon is very interesting because it is huge and contains many large, beautiful yachts. The passing of vessels in and out of the lagoon daily is an event itself. Recommend visitors rent a car and be aware of any damage to your rented vehicle prior to accepting. We did not have any problems, but criminal activity is a problem on most Caribbean islands. We also visited and shopped in Phillipsburg and Marigot. Both experiences were enjoyable. We did not see every beach, we saved that for the next trip!

Just got back today from a week stay. Check in was a breeze. No pressure to attend a sales talk. Everything was explained at front desk and no surprises. The units we had were large and clean. The towels were the best. Beds wern't bad but it wasen't home. The pool was nice and the monday party $20 per person for the buffet and show were good. The restraunt on site, Toppers, had very good food. Price was not bad either. The beach was also very nice and they were repairing two beach huts. We would stay again. This was our seventh time visiting Sint Maarten.

We loved the resort, after spending the first two weeks of June in St. Maarten we are dying to go back. The staff were always helpful and very accommodating, the rooms were large and clean. The beach is one of the best one the island especially for resort beaches, the amount of wildlife you can see is remarkable. The proximity to the Pelican marina is also desirable given the sunset sail is a must do.

We have stayed over the New Year and were dissapointed with rooms and services. We stayed in 2br oceanfront villa and I can hardly call it a villa. The rooms were outdated, doors were broken, cement steps to the second floor fell as we walked and the security guard told us that he informed the management to repair these a year ago, but nothing was done. The cleaning service is only once a week! I asked for a sewing kit, they did not have it! They do not even have a medical kit! The location is very convinient, but considering the lack of service and uncomfortable room I would not stay there again. We will return to the island in the near future and The Cliff is much better property.

He is a link to see pictures what is considered 2br oceanfront villa in this resort. BEWARE! http://www.photoworks.com/photo-sharing/shareSignin.jsp? shareCode=A77BB32C503&cp=ems_shr_alb_pml&cb=PW