OK.. I heard three different rumors while I was there about what would happen when... 1) Partial shutdown, 2) complete shutdown, and even 3) that a new resort was being built next to Desires and when completed TTR would be shifted there and the current location renovated and then there would be two TTRs with two different price points... So I went to the General Manager whom I've been talking to for years and said I don't know if you can tell me but here's what I've heard... which is right? He asked who made up the shit about number three and I told him the Premiere Office which was probably seeing which lie could make people still want to buy... he laugh and then gave me this information. It is in his words and I don't think he has any vested interest in lying or trying to play upon words since it will only come back to haunt him if he did. They are still in the talking stages. They are planning to do a major renovation to the resort. They are looking at doubling the number of rooms which means they will need to double the infrastructure to support that. The buffet (Embarcardo), the sexy pool, PadyO's, Nice Shoes, everything will need to be expanded or modified to support the new hotel. The only way to accomplish that is to shut down while the construction is going on. The shutdown period, when it occurs, will be from the May timeframe through the December timeframe. Followed by a soft opening and then a grand reopening. There may be a few weeks slip either way, in to April or January, but May to December is the goal. Now, as to when.... as he said, they are still talking and do not have dates yet. They have surveyors on site now taking measurements, they need to apply for building permits (being the first hotel in Cancun they are sort of an historical site so that adds complications), they are still working the numbers financially (they want to keep the current staff employed during the renovation but will welcome back any employee that has to leave for money reasons - the bar staff for example really lives on their tips not salary), and there is a host of other things that need to happen before they can pull the trigger. So the dates aren't set yet. I told him that a lot of us start planning for May in the November / December time frame in order to get the best deals on airfare so we need to know in advance. He told me that when a date is pick they will make a major announcement and they want to give us plenty of notice before the shutdown. Ideally they would like to give at least 9 months of notice. So I asked that if we make it into September / October with no announcement we're good for 2016, and he said that was probably a good assumption. And he ended with that although it has not been ruled out yet, it doesn't look like a 2016 shutdown is likely. But he said, as with all things in Mexico, that could change. So bottom line is that when the renovations occur it will involve a total shutdown from the May to December timeframe and no dates have been selected yet but when they are they hope to be able to give us a 9 month lead time warning. Jamie
So reno's are going to happen..........someday.......likely not in 2016 but who knows. As Steve has been telling us for a while........something is in the mix but it's too early to know when and what with any degree of certainty. Keeping those potential "buyers" interested ....for now.........is a key. We think "it's" going to happen at some point.....but what and when remain the question as they have for the last few years. Peace to all!
