This is an update regarding what has happened and what the company and resort has done since our van was stolen from the parking garage at Marquis Villa on Dec. 14, 2008. See my previous posting from Jan. 8, 2009.

Our van has since been found, burned and stripped in Riverside. To date, we have yet to receive a phone call or letter from the management of Marquis Villa offering anything - an explanation, an apology, an offer to help, an expression of regret, not even a call to check on what happened or how we're doing. My folks, who are members of the timeshare, and I have both sent registered mailings to Diamond Resorts documenting our concerns, anger and disappointment. My parents' letter has not received a single response. My communication with the Experience Officer at Diamond has been via email and phone.

He called on Dec. 24, 2008 to tell me, pointedly, that they aren't responsible for what happened and that the employee who entered our room while we slept (to leave towels exactly where I left our keys) is a good employee - he actually went back to work the very next day! He emailed me a few weeks later to tell me, among other things, that he is consulting with his legal department regarding my claim for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. What has been worst of all, however, was the verbal scolding this same corporate officer gave me in early Feb. telling me how "disappointed" he was of my Jan. 8 review.

If they don't like it, fix the problems, be professional and responsive instead of blaming the customer. There are serious issues at Marquis Villa that they are either unwilling or unable to accept, address and fix. Their handling of us since has been unacceptable and tells me much about the resort and company, its management and its commitment to serving its guests and clients. They don't seem to care one bit that my young children were in the room when the thief entered and stole our keys. They don't seem to care that the person who stole the keys has our address and house key. They don't seem to care that the theft of our main source of transportation ruined our Christmas vacation plans later in the month. They don't seem to care that it was devastating for us and embarrassing for the company and city of Palm Springs that we were left on our own to rent a car and leave.

I've since been informed that our request for reimbursement of our out-of-pocket expenses has been passed on to risk management. Not sure what will happen next. I can't believe, particularly in these tough economic times, that Marquis Villa feels it can afford to ignore me instead of solving the problems at their resort that caused the theft in the first place. Their handling of this has compelled me to share my experience with others - so the same won't happen to anyone else! My review could have read much differently if they had, at the very least, been responsive and contrite. A simple call or letter of regret or apology from the resort manager would have done much to assuage our anger and disappointment. An explanation of how they plan to address the lack of security, both internally or externally, would have been appreciated. Better yet, how about a plan to install security cameras in the resort, particularly in the parking garage! Instead, I get ignored by site management, scolded by corporate for posting the negative review they deserved and no resolution yet on my request for reimbursement for expenses incurred as a result of theft.

My advice to you? Stay far away from Marquis Villas. There are so many other resorts and companies that would never, ever treat a guest or client the way Marquis and Diamond have treated us.

My husband and I planned this trip for some romantic R&R in the sun. Mother Nature didn't fully cooperate unfortunately. We arrived at M.V. a little after 4:00 on a Saturday. There is no vallet or a driveway access to the registration area, but there was a small parking lot very close. Check in was quick and the gal who helped us was very nice and helpful (we asked lots of questions). We had a 1 bedroom unit, second floor, facing the pool and mountain. We really liked the view from our room! The parking lot is underground and gated, your room cardkey opens the gate. There are luggage trollies around, so look near both elevators if you don't see any when taking your stuff up to your room. Our room was very large, two sinks, two toliets, shower, a large tub, walk in closet, and two balconies. The bed was comfortable. Upon first glance the room looked very nice and clean. A much closer inspection revealed some areas where things could have been upgraded or replaced. The kitchen was quite dated but clean and functional. All of our applicances worked just fine and we did not have any water damage in our room. The coffee cups are small, like China cups, so I wish I had brought a mug from home. We only had one frying pan but called the front desk and within 5 minutes we had 2 more. We shopped at the Von's about a mile down on Ramon/Sunrise. We joined the shopper rewards program and saved $. We used the woodburning fire place 3 nights and they brought us the log and lit it for us ($5 charge for each log) We also used the heated pool and hot tub each night and found both to be clean and fully functional. Loved looked at the stars from the hot tub! The staff was really nice and tried very hard to help us with all requests. The resorts location is excellent. We walked the few blocks into downtown each night for dinner/drinks. We ate at Los Caleas, good food,drinks and entertainment. We ate at California Pizza Kitchen,good food and drinks and at Kalura Tattora (so/so food and cramped dining room). We went to Palm Desert one day and ate at the Tommy Bahama Cafe, good food. The street it's on, El Paseo has a lot of high end shopping. We really enjoyed our tour of Joshua Tree National Park and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (great views at both).
We really enjoyed Palm Springs and although Marquis Villas is in need of renovating, it did not detract from our romantic getaway in any way.

We spent more than our yearly allotment of timeshare points for 6 days here. I even emailed the manager in advance to inquire about construction & asked for a "nice room". What we were assigned was sub-par for even a 2 star condo. Five areas of flaking, water stained ceiling; unrepaired 4 inch hole in a door, 2 burners out of 4 not working on the range; rotting, poorly slapped on grouting in the shower, kitchen with minimal cooking essentials, no DVD or video player (& the remote didn't work in
the bedroom), deck windowboxes full of dried out old dirt & NO attempt at flowers/plants. The public areas were beyond worn, especially in the only working elevator - carpeting was completely worn through. Security was non-existent and the exterior gate did not close, leaving the entire resort open to the public. No security cameras in sight. The one gas grill cost $5 to use! That's just plain cheap. On the upside, there are no timeshare pitch people on site...they're probably too embarrased. Absolutely no amenities on prem - no internet access, even for a fee. The one continental breakfast was meager. Do not waste your timeshare points on this place if you are a Diamond member.

As part of two couples we stayed here on an exchange and were pleasently surprised. I read the reviews and was not expecting much. Diamond point is in the process of updating all of the rooms they own and is in escrow to purchase the rest of the hotel. Each room in the one-bedroom is very large with a separate bedroom and a bath and 3/4 as well as a wonderful living room and a full kitchen. Yes the rooms are in need of an update as they are thirty years old, but they were clean and a beautiful balcony that had door opening from the living room and the bedroom. It also close to downtown as it is only two blocks from all the activity and also two blocks from a new casino. You never have to take out your car unless you want ot play golf or go to area attractions. It has a very secure underground garage that is gated and access only by your coded key, all for no extra charge. We had a wonderful two night stay and would go back as soon as possible. We are golfers so we had plenty to choose from and the nightlife and restaurant choices are endless.