Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort?

I don't know if it's "happeniing", but as of yet it hasn't "happened".

Marriott did buy it (for a measily 5 million if you can believe that). And they have their signs at the main gate, but that's about it so far, I believe.

I heard that the current owners failed to complete stipulated renovations and improvements on time and the purchase contract expired.

Kp2m's response has the ring of truth to it. It was my understanding that Marriott wasn't going to actually buy the property but only operate and manage it under the Renaissance franchise's name. They would have had specific upgrade requirements and deadlines that seem to not have been met. Too bad, the resort is so marginal, never seeming to ever have reached its real potential. At least since the Rockefeller's departure.

For my money the Carambola beach is one of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean. Wish they would decide to sell the units as condos and offer rental management for the owners.

The Marriott strategy seems to be; get a hotel contract and buy up the land around it. Sell the hotel to an investor group and keep the management contract. Develop the adjacent land as timeshare. Why sell individual condos to one buyer when you can sell to 12 or more?

The "Renaissance" name is still on the temporary banner sign at the entrance. That would be the first thing you'd take down if the contract had expired, so one can only assume it is still in effect or being renegotiated. I would bet that the economic downturn has forced a lot of developers to renegotiate/reconfigure their agreements. We go there all the time to swim and the place looks busy.

Note: if you want to stay there a day or three, or put someone up there who's visiting, check the internet specials at hotel.com. The front desk can't offer nearly as good a deal.

Nix that about the sign. I was there this afternoon and the name "Renaissance" has been removed from the temporary banner.