The Manhattan Club Reviews

When attending the Manhattan Food and Wine Festival when we were approached by Manhattan Club reps offering us a free visit if we were attended a 30-minute presentation, they assured us there would be no obligation to make a purchase. This could not be further from the truth! We were in that meeting for over 6 hours and only gave in and made a purchase because it was the only way they would let us leave. They told us that this was a real estate investment that would save us money on future vacations and that we could always sell it if we wanted. None of this was true. We have not received any tax benefits from this purchase, we cannot resell it or rent it out, and the cost continues to increase astronomically. We have tried to reach out to their staff to get our questions answered or resolve our issues, but their customer service is appalling. Do not do business with them!

We received a call from the Manhattan Club offering us an overnight stay and tickets to “Jersey Boys” on Broadway in exchange for a short meeting regarding timeshare ownership. When we arrived, we were sent to this presentation, which turned out to be well over 4 hours of intense sales pressure! We left there as owners and have regretted the decision ever since. The maintenance fees have increased over 173% and there is no end in sight! This is a lot of money, especially when there is never any availability. Recently, my wife had a stroke, which has impacted our ability to travel. However, Manhattan Club has been completely unwilling to help us. We have since learned that there is no value to this purchase and our biggest fear is that our children will inherit this burden and be obligated to continue these payments. This company is unbelievable! Do not believe anything they say.

I’ve owned since 2001 and things worked well for several years until they continued to oversell the shares and then sold more rooms on a nightly basis to online customers. I don’t have much to add to the numerous stories about TMC except that I finally refused to pay the maintenance fee a few years ago when I couldn’t book a room. They have harassed me consistently but I just told them I’ve contacted the NYS Attorney General’s office and they haven’t been too serious in their threats to foreclose. Recently, they contacted me to decide the situation and they’ve offered me $100 to return the deed to them. I’ve been researching on the web to see if there is a better option but it seems everything is still questionable. I received the paperwork today (9/22/2019) and I’m going to finally put this behind me. If you want to try this route contact Christine **, Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure Dept, **. That’s the signatory on the paperwork I got today.

We found this hotel via Priceline, and made the reservation 10 minutes before we arrived. Priceline gave it 4 stars. Two of our family members have mold allergies. A few minutes in the first room they offered us resulted in a sinus headache for one person and a stuffy nose for another. The room smelled of mold, cigarettes and air freshener. We apologized that we couldn't stay there and asked to cancel the reservation. They sent us to two other rooms...schlepping our luggage at 10pm. Both of the alternate rooms had the same smell: a cocktail of mold, cigarettes, and air-freshener. The alternate rooms seemed worse than the first. By the time we made it through all three rooms our sinus symptoms were worse, and my daughter was in tears.

I bought this timeshare in Sept 2010, I experienced the same issues everyone else on this thread are complaining about. No rooms available, but finding that someone could call in from outside the owner's club and rent a room at a fraction of the cost that our maintenance fees are. To be held hostage by a group of unethical scum who raised the maintenance fees to over $2000, with no way out of this horrible deal. Am still making my monthly payment as of today May 7th 2018, I can't afford to pay for the maintenance fee of now $2,460.97. The maintenance is due every Sep., but now just rec'd the statement for this year to be pay by ending of this month. I want to stop paying the maintenance fee, but I don't know if it will affect any changes of the settlement.

Booked a suite here for December 2nd at a rate of over $500. I woke the next morning with an incredible headache and the smell of mold in my room. As I was having a cup of coffee I was looking up at one of the HVAC ducts in my room and noticed black dots all over it. Upon closer examination it was revealed to be black mold. I went in the bedroom and check the Ducts there and it was the same thing. Covered in black mold. I open the HVAC cabinet on the wall and noted that the air filter probably hasn't been changed in over a year based on how thick the dust and dirt was on it. I could pull it off like I was peeling a carpet away. I checked out as fast as possible and upon visiting my doctor the next day I had a respiratory infection which required antibiotics to treat. He agreed the likely cause was sleeping in a mold-infested environment.

My husband and I bought a week in April of 2014. Our contract allowed us to either stay at The Manhattan Club for a week each year or to receive 184,500 points to deposit with RCI. After we signed the contract, the salesperson changed the contract by checking a "points only" box on the contract. When we picked up our contract the next morning, it was on a CD and we could only access it when we got home and it was too late to cancel it. When we called to book a week at The Manhattan Club, we were told that we had a points only contract and could only book by paying extra fees and booking through RCI. We stopped paying maintenance fees because we were defrauded. The New York Attorney General found the owners guilty of fraud in 2017. All "owners" are waiting for to see the results as of 2/2018.

I bought this timeshare years ago to have a place to stay in NYC to take my daughter in to enjoy Christmas. As time progressed, she got older and eventually moved away. I then began to experience the same issues everyone else on this thread are complaining about. No rooms available, but finding that someone could call in from outside the owner's club and rent a room at a fraction of the cost that our maintenance fees are. To be held hostage by a group of unethical scum who raised the maintenance fees from under $800 a year to over $2000, with no way out of this horrible deal.

We purchased our timeshare in 2005 paid 32K cash, it was good for a couple of years. But eventually like so many others we were unable to get reservations for days wanted. Maintenance fees increased to over 2k annually and late fees and charges made it almost impossible to stay afloat, not to mention the failing health of my partner which made it difficult to even travel like we had in the past. With the Manhattan Club in litigation, do we still have to pay maintenance fees when we continue to be scammed? Now I hear that there is lead in the paint in many of the rooms and you can only stay on certain floors. I wonder if this has contribute to my partners failing health.

We have owned our timeshare since about 2000, but have never been able to book a room there when we needed it. We have had to join RCI to use time elsewhere. Our fees have become exorbitant, but we can't get out - just like all the other complaints seen here. Is there a class action suit? If so, we would like to join. We are now on a fixed income and none of their promises to buy back are being honored.

I too was told all the same sales BS when I bought it in 2001. Skyrocketing fees and very hard time getting reservations. So why don't we all form a legitimate "Company"... An LLC. We can all then sell the timeshares to that company then that company can withhold the fees. The MC will have to negotiate with this other company and we can at least get something back. IF they take a hard stance and won't negotiate then our "company" goes bankrupt. IF we set that company up properly it won't damage our personal credit scores and by the time it's all said and done maybe the MC goes belly up.

I too am a victim of The Manhattan Club sales practices and promises. Since we purchased in 2004 for cash, the maintenance fees have suffered an exorbitant increase. I called and offered the unit back to Manhattan Club and received the same excuse as others. They would love to take it back, but were prevented by the Attorney General's open investigation.

The Manhattan Club is a scam and a Class Action will prove it! Purchased in 2002. Over the years we've had trouble booking. For an extra fee, we Used RCI so we wouldn't lose the weeks. The Maintenance fee went from $783 a year to $2400. I told them I don't want it anymore and they can have it. They said I can't do that. I was told If I don't pay the fee this year, it will go into foreclosure and hurt my credit rating. What kind of crap is this???

My husband & I have owned at the Manhattan Club for over 10 years. Having read many of the letters already written at this site, I find that most of us have nearly the same experiences and frustrations dealing with this company. We too bought the plan where we could split our week & visit NY multiple times during the year with only one Saturday. We couldn't always get in when we wanted, but at first it wasn't too much of a problem. There were no additional fees to book a room and we could call & check for an opening anytime. We could also cancel up to 3 days in advance of a stay without a penalty.

I read the complaint written by the 80+ year old TMC member. It created great fear in me. I bought my unit over 20 years ago. At then I was a middle-aged professional who saved enough to pay cash for a part of my retirement dream - to have some space in NYC for fun, by buying a unit of Manhattan Club at affordable annual expense. As I had reached retirement age now, the maintenance fee quadrupled, the irritation in getting the service I paid for increased 1000%, and my capital investment had gone to zero; I now realized that it's very possible. I will be in debt and being evicted from my real retirement home. Here is why... I'm on social security with a tiny pension and very small chunk of savings, and I had extreme difficult time to squeeze out my 2200 plus a year maintenance fee from my fixed income.

As like so many others, around 2001, we bought into the high pressure pitch that we could purchase timeshare as investment for about $24K and for maintenance fee of $1,200 (they said was less than cost of average hotel room in NYC) we could belong to the Manhattan Club. This provided up to seven days at club at no charge, and additional days at $100 per day, plus many other VIP amenities. Plus, in time, since we owned the "investment", we could recoup our initial "investment" at a profit since real estate in NYC historically increases. We took the bait.

Well, here we are joining the ranks of those lied to by the sales people at The Manhattan Club! In December 2008, we purchased our timeshare for $37,924 Gold Flex (3 nights at TMC and 4 anywhere through RCI, plus points). When we asked about the procedure, should we want to sell our property, we were told that TMC required "first dibs" on buying it back from us. We had to call them first before attempting to sell it. We were 65 and not sure how long we would want to make an annual trek to NYC so this was reassuring. Two years ago my husband called to make arrangements for this to happen and was told "Oh, we don't buy back properties".

We purchased our one week every other year in 2008 and paid for it in cash. When we tried to book and could not get the time we wanted, we decided to return it the next year. But instead of buying it back from us, the salesperson sold us another week and set it up that we did not have to pay anymore but set up a mortgage for the additional week of timeshare. With the exorbitant fees and the difficulty in getting the schedule that we want, more than ever, we want to get rid of it, but we face all blank walls. We were duped! Isn't there anything we can do about it?

Please help!!! I was also scammed by ITE into paying for them to sell it & never heard from them again nor can reach a human by phone.

I have had the Manhattan club since 2004. I have a split week broken up throughout two years for a studio. I am extremely unhappy with the increased maintenance fees!! I could just rent a room in the city for $150 a night and the dues at the Manhattan Club have increased to $2800! This is insane! What do I get for it? I can't even get a reservation. I WANT to sell it! I have tried to sell this timeshare and got scammed. Nobody wants to buy a split week, especially for the amount of money. There is now no timeshare department or anyone to speak with. What do I do? I am so displeased with this company and need to find a way to sell it. Someone please help!! What do I do? I don't want to keep this timeshare any longer or ruin my excellent credit.

We purchased our first week at The Manhattan Club around 1997 when it was just opened. We had been staying at Park Central during Thanksgiving week, when we were approached by a salesman in the lobby who told us about this new Timeshare that was opening and how it would be a great deal for us since we came back to the City to stay every Thanksgiving. We took the tour and listened as the salesman told us the benefits of purchasing a unit there, he told us it would be ours forever, it could be left to our kids, we would always be able to get Thanksgiving week, it would go up in value and the maintenance fees would be less than the price of staying at a hotel in the City. We fell for his story and purchased our unit and paid in full for it in cash.

Like most people, we are at our wits end with Manhattan Club. My wife and I bought in 2004, which makes us close to one of the original owners. We even paid for a plan with a split week so we can break up our days, the only limitation is that we can only use one Saturday. In other words, we could use 6 Fridays and 1 Saturday if we wanted.

We have been an owner for 4 yrs and have always gotten our day. Great staff and loving. Going back the maintenance fees are crazy for.

I like many other am at the end of my rope with the increase in maintenance fees. I purchased in 2006. I can't remember what my fees were (maybe about $1200) but I have questioned the increase every year when I make the payment and I'm told it's a percentage increase that was approved in the annual meeting. I'm up to approx $2200. I can't afford to keep paying this every year to stay here for 1week after paying $30k for the 1bedroom. If there is someone that can help us with this - please do... This can't be legal. I was told it's a deeded property and my children can inherit it. But the reality is, I'm leaving them an expensive yearly bill that they can't afford for something that's been paid for. That's a true scam right there.

For the past 6 months, since my health and financial circumstances have gravely deteriorated, I have been renegotiating my contracts and mortgages with the various timeshares I bought. Each one was very willing to negotiate, reduce my remaining balances to $0 while letting me retain the weeks or points I had paid for, only charging me maintenance fees for those weeks or points used at their resort.

My parents paid cash for their Time share. Have had it for a number of years. Their increase in maintenance fees is ridiculous. Every time they want to book a time to stay they say "it is not available". Forget about booking around Labour Day. They are holding them to rent out.

I am seeking information on the Class Action lawsuit. I too feel swindled by the package we purchase and would like to participant in any way possible.

Like others, this is an extreme rip off. Bought mine in 2002, fee was under $700, now fees over $2800. 18 months ago, walked into the reservations office at 0900 (opening time) to book days/my week starting exactly 9 months from that day, and guess what? TMC was all booked. I was told there was a waiting list to give the unit back for a price of $3500, but TMC wasn't taking any back and would call me when they resumed. Of course no call ever came. Please include me in the class action suit!

I received an inquiry from NY Attorney General's Office a few months ago regarding TMC in NYC. There has been no follow up. The allegations against the facility are consistent. Taxes increase at a high rate. Reservations are very difficult. Resale of the timeshare unit is not possible. Ownership and Management really couldn't care less. I suggested that they buy back out of state ownerships so that they might resolve the issue within the State of NY. Management simply laughed at the suggestion. The units were oversold from the start and they never intended to remarket or buy back units when owners wanted out. The facility should be shut down and sold. Return of capital to all that have vested interests. This appears to be a Ponzi scheme and no one in Public Service is doing anything about it. Don't walk away, run - as fast as you can.

For one of my weeks at The Manhattan Club timeshare, my maintenance fees and municipal taxes now approach or exceed $2,900. When I purchased about 8-10 years ago the fees were less than $1,000. The current fees approach a rise of nearly 200%. HOW RIDICULOUS IS THAT??? I can't even currently afford to stay in my timeshare. This is so outrageous that the NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN, HAS TAKEN THE MANHATTAN CLUB TO COURT FOR SALES FRAUD AND MAINTENANCE FEE ISSUES.

My husband and I purchased a one bedroom suite at The Manhattan Club January 2010. I have had nothing but problems since our purchase. I contacted management on too many occasions to mention about never being able to make a reservation when we actual want to stay. We have tried 9 months out to even putting our request on waitlist and we still can never get a reservation. I can't tell how many days we have lost. I have contacted the sales department about selling the unit back and I was told that they do not do this, but if I sold the unit on my own TMC would have first right of refusal and buying it back if it was a price they wanted to pay. We paid over $16,000.00 for the one bedroom unit and the maintenance fees are over $2400.00 and we can't even get a reservation there.

Brought a timeshare, which I never get to use be I believe they are reselling weeks, it is always booked and I have to book months in advance and I still don't get a full week - they only have days. Never buy a timeshare.

We've had our property since 2001. Initially, the maintenance was reasonable at $573/yr. My latest bill for 2015 is $2,226! This is the worst investment EVER! I've been trying to sell it back to him for the last 5 years! And now I learned that they cannot buy or sell any units because of the AG has frozen all real estate transactions because they are being investigated!!! The is good for the potential suckers they would've swindled but hurts all current owners. We are all now stuck with the hefty annual maintenance fee! And of course, I told them I am not going to pay it because it's outright extortion. Their financial person - who I am sure has to say the same thing all owners - said they would just charge 16% interest penalty and it will keep on accumulating and eventually damage my credit history. What a scam! Does anyone have any advice on how we can stop this before we're paying $10K a year for the maintenance fees??!!!

I have made two inquiries regarding the inability to continue to pay these fees and options available. No response has been received.

When we bought here we were told we could get it anytime and we would be able to sell it for at least a 1/2 to 3/4 million. My husband who was going through Prostate Cancer treatments wanted to leave our Children something to remember him by! Some place they could go! I sat there and cried begging him not to buy it but the salesman pulled me aside and talked to me about how badly he wanted it so I signed the papers. So now he is dead and I can't afford it! Also it has Black Mold on the bathrooms and I am very allergic to it! I asked if they would buy it back but they said they can't even though we were told they would! This is the biggest nightmare! Contacted States attorneys office! Looking for anybody in a class action! Please let me know! There is so much more they said we could get! Now you have to pay for extra coffee for your room! What are they doing with our Dues! The owner is having a good time with it and I see jail time for him!

I begin my attempt to book an apartment in my Manhattan Club timeshare exactly 9 months to the day at 9:00 a.m. I keep a strict calendar so that I will get the days I would like. Up until recently, I was repeatedly told that nothing was available. This did not happen when I first bought back the the 1990s. Now, I'm locked out unless I want to go in the dead of winter in a blizzard. But suddenly, in the past few weeks, I can get a reservation. I thought I was lucky.

Everyone has already listed all the major complaints that we also have experienced as long time owners of this timeshare. We all have had the same negative experiences. Unfortunately my husband and I, unaware that our issues were universal, decided to upgrade to the penthouse suites in 2013. We had arrived from California and the staff put us in a room that no OWNER should ever be forced to stay in. We thought the penthouses would give us a more upscale experience and asked to see a room before we made our decision.

Customer service is simply not a part of their vernacular. I have been an owner for about a decade and have been beyond dissatisfied since the beginning. Rooms are NEVER available when I want them. It is insane to require owners to book nine months in advance. How do I know what concert I want to book, what show I want to see, what opera I'd like to attend nine months in advance. Today, I tried to change two days of a three day reservation that I'm holding for March, six weeks from now. I am not permitted to do that unless I also relinquish my reservation for the one evening I can now use and for which I have theater tickets.

We have just found out about Manhattan Club scamming people and are in the same situation. We bought our unit in 2004. The fees were reasonable. Now paying $2600+. We can't book a room unless we call 1 year in advance and dates request are always unavailable or full payment of fees paid in full prior to placing reservation. Having our credit card information allowed them to just charge the fees yearly and we could do nothing and put up with their threats of legal action.

I have been a Timeshare owner since 2004 and have had the same bad experience described by so many other owners. I have been unable to schedule a stay in the MC, and the annual maintenance fees have nearly quadrupled. This is a fraudulent scheme and we should have a legal recourse. Can anyone update me as to what we are doing/can do about this disaster. I would like to get out of this 'ownership' and be compensated for my losses.