The Westgate-VI Resorts Acquisition: What It Means for Owners
Though the timeshare industry is dominated by a few giant businesses, like Westgate, Wyndham, and Marriott, there are smaller timeshare companies, like Bellevue, Washington-based Vacation Internationale (VI) Resorts. VI, an early adopter of points-based vacation ownership, is set to be acquired by Westgate in 2025. The Westgate-VI resorts acquisition will likely have a big impact on owners in both companies.
Though Westgate is the acquiring company, the VI resorts’ vacation club has more properties under its ownership. VI boasts that it is “North America’s largest owner-controlled timeshare” company. It has more than 40 resort destinations in the continental United States, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico.
That’s nearly twice as many as Westgate’s 21 properties, which are all located in the lower 48 states (for example, in Orlando and Cocoa Beach in Florida, Park City, Las Vegas, and throughout the southeast U.S.). While the acquisition of VI seems like a good deal for Westgate, VI’s current timeshare owners have far less to gain.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how the acquisition might change things for owners of both Westgate and VI — from fees to availability. We’ll also examine whether and how owners who are not happy with the Westgate-VI resorts acquisition might go about securing an exit from their timeshare contracts, using the services offered by Centerstone Group.
Will Ownership Terms Change After the Westgate-VI Resorts Acquisition?
It’s hard to say whether ownership terms will change. The exact terms of any given timeshare purchase agreement could change based on a number of factors, like when the contract was signed, what company signed it, and the laws that applied at the time of the signing. That said, you shouldn’t expect the legal terms of your timeshare contract to change much at all.
Generally speaking, a contract with a timeshare company is considered an asset of that company, which is something that would pass (or be assigned) to the new company in the case of a merger or sale like the one here. Thus, an owner’s contract would change only insofar as it is now legally owned by Westgate instead of VI.
It is highly unlikely that anything else about the contract would change. Most contracts provide that, for there to be any modification other than an assignment, the changes have to be in writing and signed by both parties — a process known as amendment. Written amendments are especially required for contracts that deal with real estate matters — a legal doctrine known as the statute of frauds.
Without an amendment, the chances are good that terms of a VI timeshare contract will stay exactly the same, just with Westgate as the company controlling it.
How Will the Westgate-VI Resorts Acquisition Affect Maintenance Fees and Availability?
Maintenance fees and availability are two things that will almost certainly be affected by the Westgate-VI Resorts acquisition.
First, both Westgate and VI resorts owners should expect that they will now be charged maintenance fees that reflect the larger holdings of Westgate, which means annual maintenance fees will almost certainly go up. As the company moves to make repairs and renovations in the wake of the merger, special assessments will likely go up too.
Second, it is nearly certain that access to the best timeshare properties will be affected. Westgate has said that it is merely assuming exclusive management of the VI points system. It is likely, though, that they will create a way for current Westgate owners to access the new destinations under the VI system.
Some owners in the current version of VI resorts’ points-based vacation club have already complained on the websites for Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau that there are more members than available rooms, so that problem is bound to get worse.
It is unlikely, though not impossible, that Westgate will allow people to reserve rooms at VI resorts using the Choice Hotels system, as they do for Westgate Resorts. Of course, other “collaborative opportunities” of this sort may arise in the future and affect resort availability.
In all likelihood, there will probably be a “tier” ownership system similar to that of Hilton Grand Vacations after it merged with Bluegreen Vacations. This does not mean, though, that the current Westgate and VI owners won’t feel some effect.
As the company with the more exclusive/higher-end portfolio of resorts, VI’s owners will likely experience an influx of new owners from Westgate who want to use the VI resorts, trading the mountains of Gatlinburg for the islands of Hawaii.
This will create more demand, longer wait times, and more difficulty booking for VI owners, who probably won’t be as excited to try Westgate’s portfolio, which is smaller and contains less exotic resort locations. As it stands right now, it is unlikely that VI owners will see a great deal of additional benefits from the merger.
Can Owners Exit Due to Changes in Their Contracts?
Yes, owners can exit due to changes in their contract, but the process can be complicated. Getting expert advice and help is usually the best way to get started.
Let’s say that you are a VI owner who has enjoyed the service you have received thus far. Given Westgate’s less-than-sterling reputation (and dismal 1.05-star rating on the Better Business Bureau website), you probably ought to expect service on your account to get much worse.
Remember that Westgate won’t make getting out of a timeshare easy. (They can’t, because keeping owners in the system and paying fees is how they make their money.) You’re not powerless to fight back though.
At Centerstone Group, we have decades of experience in the timeshare industry, and we can help timeshare owners get out of contracts they don’t need anymore, whether through our transfer program, a cancellation, or our proprietary pressure campaign. And, in the event that you need more serious legal advice, we can also work with our attorney and law firm partners to make sure you have all the resources you need.
Centerstone Group Can Help You Eliminate the Uncertainty Caused by Timeshare Mergers
Change is never fun. When the change comes in your timeshare contract, it is almost always for the worse. Therefore, the Westgate-VI Resorts acquisition just might be your sign to get out of your timeshare for good.
Consulting with Centerstone Group could be the best decision you ever make. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as a 4.77-out-of-5-star rating from our satisfied clients.
If you’re tired of paying outrageous fees every year and you don’t want to pay more, contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Though the timeshare industry is dominated by a few giant businesses, like Westgate, Wyndham, and Marriott, there are smaller timeshare companies, like Bellevue, Washington-based Vacation Internationale (VI) Resorts. VI, an early adopter of points-based vacation ownership, is set to be acquired by Westgate in 2025. The Westgate-VI resorts acquisition will likely have a big impact on owners in both companies.
Though Westgate is the acquiring company, the VI resorts’ vacation club has more properties under its ownership. VI boasts that it is “North America’s largest owner-controlled timeshare” company. It has more than 40 resort destinations in the continental United States, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico.
That’s nearly twice as many as Westgate’s 21 properties, which are all located in the lower 48 states (for example, in Orlando and Cocoa Beach in Florida, Park City, Las Vegas, and throughout the southeast U.S.). While the acquisition of VI seems like a good deal for Westgate, VI’s current timeshare owners have far less to gain.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how the acquisition might change things for owners of both Westgate and VI — from fees to availability. We’ll also examine whether and how owners who are not happy with the Westgate-VI resorts acquisition might go about securing an exit from their timeshare contracts, using the services offered by Centerstone Group.
Will Ownership Terms Change After the Westgate-VI Resorts Acquisition?
It’s hard to say whether ownership terms will change. The exact terms of any given timeshare purchase agreement could change based on a number of factors, like when the contract was signed, what company signed it, and the laws that applied at the time of the signing. That said, you shouldn’t expect the legal terms of your timeshare contract to change much at all.
Generally speaking, a contract with a timeshare company is considered an asset of that company, which is something that would pass (or be assigned) to the new company in the case of a merger or sale like the one here. Thus, an owner’s contract would change only insofar as it is now legally owned by Westgate instead of VI.
It is highly unlikely that anything else about the contract would change. Most contracts provide that, for there to be any modification other than an assignment, the changes have to be in writing and signed by both parties — a process known as amendment. Written amendments are especially required for contracts that deal with real estate matters — a legal doctrine known as the statute of frauds.
Without an amendment, the chances are good that terms of a VI timeshare contract will stay exactly the same, just with Westgate as the company controlling it.
How Will the Westgate-VI Resorts Acquisition Affect Maintenance Fees and Availability?
Maintenance fees and availability are two things that will almost certainly be affected by the Westgate-VI Resorts acquisition.
First, both Westgate and VI resorts owners should expect that they will now be charged maintenance fees that reflect the larger holdings of Westgate, which means annual maintenance fees will almost certainly go up. As the company moves to make repairs and renovations in the wake of the merger, special assessments will likely go up too.
Second, it is nearly certain that access to the best timeshare properties will be affected. Westgate has said that it is merely assuming exclusive management of the VI points system. It is likely, though, that they will create a way for current Westgate owners to access the new destinations under the VI system.
Some owners in the current version of VI resorts’ points-based vacation club have already complained on the websites for Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau that there are more members than available rooms, so that problem is bound to get worse.
It is unlikely, though not impossible, that Westgate will allow people to reserve rooms at VI resorts using the Choice Hotels system, as they do for Westgate Resorts. Of course, other “collaborative opportunities” of this sort may arise in the future and affect resort availability.
In all likelihood, there will probably be a “tier” ownership system similar to that of Hilton Grand Vacations after it merged with Bluegreen Vacations. This does not mean, though, that the current Westgate and VI owners won’t feel some effect.
As the company with the more exclusive/higher-end portfolio of resorts, VI’s owners will likely experience an influx of new owners from Westgate who want to use the VI resorts, trading the mountains of Gatlinburg for the islands of Hawaii.
This will create more demand, longer wait times, and more difficulty booking for VI owners, who probably won’t be as excited to try Westgate’s portfolio, which is smaller and contains less exotic resort locations. As it stands right now, it is unlikely that VI owners will see a great deal of additional benefits from the merger.
Can Owners Exit Due to Changes in Their Contracts?
Yes, owners can exit due to changes in their contract, but the process can be complicated. Getting expert advice and help is usually the best way to get started.
Let’s say that you are a VI owner who has enjoyed the service you have received thus far. Given Westgate’s less-than-sterling reputation (and dismal 1.05-star rating on the Better Business Bureau website), you probably ought to expect service on your account to get much worse.
Remember that Westgate won’t make getting out of a timeshare easy. (They can’t, because keeping owners in the system and paying fees is how they make their money.) You’re not powerless to fight back though.
At Centerstone Group, we have decades of experience in the timeshare industry, and we can help timeshare owners get out of contracts they don’t need anymore, whether through our transfer program, a cancellation, or our proprietary pressure campaign. And, in the event that you need more serious legal advice, we can also work with our attorney and law firm partners to make sure you have all the resources you need.
Centerstone Group Can Help You Eliminate the Uncertainty Caused by Timeshare Mergers
Change is never fun. When the change comes in your timeshare contract, it is almost always for the worse. Therefore, the Westgate-VI Resorts acquisition just might be your sign to get out of your timeshare for good.
Consulting with Centerstone Group could be the best decision you ever make. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as a 4.77-out-of-5-star rating from our satisfied clients.
If you’re tired of paying outrageous fees every year and you don’t want to pay more, contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.