Would you bid on a property/hotel that is not yet open?

[cruisinred]

There is currently an auction running for a new resort in Thailand called Evason Hideaway Koh Yao Noi. The resort website says the resort is scheduled to open "late 2007". The valid time period for the auction is July-October 2007. http://www.luxurylink.com/auctions/a...&WT.ac=MOPLEXS



Caveat emptor to anyone who buys this auction and tries to go in the next 3 monthts. Looks like a lovely spot and I hope they run the auction again, once the resort is actually open.

[two2go]

Hi Cruisinred
I don't think that I would bid on an auction for a resort that is not yet open. I really think that you need to give a property at least a year to settle in, as far as staff is concerned. Then again, if it is a really good deal & you are willing to give them a chance, you might be pleasantly surpirsed. ..Maybe they might want to really impress you.
two2go

[claassenam]

Not yet opened....that sounds a little scary to me. What if there is a delay and they can't accomodate your dates? Just opened, however, can be a great experience at a wonderful price. That was the situation with my very first LL purchase several years ago: the Snake River Lodge and Spa in Jackson, WY. Not only was the package a steal (5 nights in a junior suite plus breakfast each morning, spa treatments and a multi-course meal for $900), the service was impeccable as they were so eager to please the new guests. There weren't many guests yet so we had a lot of the hotel to ourselves, including the fabulous spa. My husband and I were the only ones in the spa for several hours one day! We vowed to return, we loved it so much. Unfortunately years have already passed and we haven't been back yet - but one day!

[bonniejoy03]

I was wondering the same. I saw an LL property in Costa Rica that was supposed to open earlier this year. I did see auctions come and go. I hear now they will open in the fall. Wondering if anyone bid on it and had an issue? I was still going to take a chance and bid and hopefully enjoy the propery before it became too popular. It was one that was "affiliated" with another CR property so I felt confident that service would be excellent. Of course, the only issue is if they delay opening again. Another issue I had was a property that we booked is undergoing renovations and adding a few more units. I spoke to the property and felt confident that it would be ok. I email every few months to check the "progress". THey have been wonderful and just sent an email to confirm which new jr. suite we would get and also the floor plan. I was impressed!!!

[disneygal]

I think if you're willing to take a chance, you might have an opportunity to get a great price on a new property. I would bid if the timeframe included a number of months after the scheduled opening, and if there was some history on the company. For example, if I saw an auction for the upcoming Secrets Maroma in the Riviera Maya, I'd be jumping on it.

[cruisinred]

As an update to my earlier post regarding this Evason property, they have not extended the time period to use package into 2008. The property offically opens in November.

[maylinglai1]

I would definitely bid on an auction for a new hotel. It would be nice to just have the cache of being able to say you stayed their first. And of course, it would be fun to be one of the first to review the location.

I think though with the boutique type hotels it might be a bit harder to figure out if they are truly going to end up with a "luxury" type rating though. Hence the price will be very important.