Purchase of Westin Lagunamar Secondary Market

[crazytravelmom]

Thinking of purchasing a week at Lagunamar on the secondary market. I’m very familiar with how secondary market purchases work with Marriott but am curious how they work with Westin and Star Options. I know they are both owned by Marriott but are the same restrictions in place? For example can we deposit in Interval, trade into other Westin resorts, or are we just able to book at the resort we purchase?

 

[jabberwocky]

Thinking of purchasing a week at Lagunamar on the secondary market. I’m very familiar with how secondary market purchases work with Marriott but am curious how they work with Westin and Star Options. I know they are both owned by Marriott but are the same restrictions in place? For example can we deposit in Interval, trade into other Westin resorts, or are we just able to book at the resort we purchase?

You won’t get the StarOptions with a resale purchase at this resort. You can put it into an II account (need to subscribe separately) if you want to trade into other resorts.

Vistana does have an option to “retro” in a resale purchase if you buy a minimum amount ($10k) from them. Doing a retro transaction would make your resale fully eligible for StarOptions and Abound (essentially treats it as if you purchased from the developer).

I think the smallest package they would sell at Lagunamar is 44k points at around $0.26/point (this pricing was from 2024).

 

[dioxide45]

I understand that all closings at Lagunamar have to go through a title company that handles the trust that is setup for ownership there. Perhaps someone who has purchased resale Lagunamar can come along and provide some advice.

 

[DavidnRobin]

StarOptions: No
Interval: Yes

If you plan to retro (caveat emptor) - then buy resale Plat+ and as many StarOptions or MVC Club Points (Abound) that you need in order to maximize your ownership.
IMO - buy it (resale) if you are going to use it for the long term. Otherwise, consider renting.

 

[crazytravelmom]

Thinking of purchasing a week at Lagunamar on the secondary market. I’m very familiar with how secondary market purchases work with Marriott but am curious how they work with Westin and Star Options. I know they are both owned by Marriott but are the same restrictions in place? For example can we deposit in Interval, trade into other Westin resorts, or are we just able to book at the resort we purchase?

We are actually at Lagunamar now. We have presidential level at Marriott and don’t want to purchase more points but love coming here and want to secure a way to come here every year. At our sales presentation we’re offered an eoy studio for $11k and almost bought but then thought about resale. We like 2 bedrooms because can bring family. I know there are wise people on tugg and I’ve learned a ton over the years with MVC/Abound but just really curious as to how Westin resales work. Looked at rentals but again interested in coming here every year. We love this area!

 

[crazytravelmom]

You won’t get the StarOptions with a resale purchase at this resort. You can put it into an II account (need to subscribe separately) if you want to trade into other resorts.

Vistana does have an option to “retro” in a resale purchase if you buy a minimum amount ($10k) from them. Doing a retro transaction would make your resale fully eligible for StarOptions and Abound (essentially treats it as if you purchased from the developer).

I think the smallest package they would sell at Lagunamar is 44k points at around $0.26/point (this pricing was from 2024).

Thanks. I have an II account through MVC - so I could deposit into II just like MVC?

 

[crazytravelmom]

I understand that all closings at Lagunamar have to go through a title company that handles the trust that is setup for ownership there. Perhaps someone who has purchased resale Lagunamar can come along and provide some advice.

Thanks for your response. Hopeful someone who has done this can help us out.

 

[byeloe]

Thanks for your response. Hopeful someone who has done this can help us out.

Hi
We have bought multiple Lagunamar resale weeks.
When buying resale you purchase either Platinum+(weeks 5to 17, 24 to 35, 44 to 47 or 51,52) or Gold+(1-4,18-23,36-43,48-50)
Staroptions do not transfer to new owner.
You can only book in the season that you own,
You must book for a full week with check-in F/Sa/Su
If you own a 2BD, you can book the 1BD and Studio separately during the same week or different weeks
You can deposit the units separately into II, (the Studio trades as a 1BD)

When you own resale units that have not been retro-ed you can cancel right up to the day before check-in without penalty.
You can also often see inventory inside the 8 month booking window that Staroption owners can't. (for example right now I can see weeks available for Jan 2/3/4 2026 and Jan 9/10/11 that someone with a developer purchase can't)

What they are trying to sell you is an Aventuras points package which is not the same as owning a Lagunamar "floating week". When booking you see different inventory "buckets"

 

[WorldT]

Thanks. I have an II account through MVC - so I could deposit into II just like MVC?

In addition to #8 above, my understanding is that you can't combine the resale unit in the corporate provided II account when you want to trade into other properties. You have to sign up for a different II account.
Remember to buy the season you want to book. You can only reserve your season directly. If you want to reserve other season in Lagunamar, you have to go through II.

 

[claraj]

@crazytravelmom I just wanted to suggest Getaways in case you hadn't looked into them, especially for this time of year - they are pretty reasonable for studio or 1BRs. I don't remember seeing any 2BRs, though if you pick up a studio and a 1BR you will likely be put in a 2BR.

 

[byeloe]

Just wanted to point out that those are the last minute getaway prices. Back when the getaways were first loaded into II(around May this year) the prices were significantly more $650ish for studio and $900ish for 1BD. Still less than MF but more than in past years. We booked getaways this same timeframe in 2024 and got to experience 2 hurricanes

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

We are actually at Lagunamar now. We have presidential level at Marriott and don’t want to purchase more points but love coming here and want to secure a way to come here every year.....

Looked at rentals but again interested in coming here every year. We love this area!

Hi @crazytravelmom - I am not an owner but from what I understand Lagunamar contracts have "seasons ."
If you want to go peak snowbird season and / or Mexican Holidays [ Christmas New Years & Easter Wks ] resale prices are higher.

Platinum Plus floats: 5-17 , 24-35 , 44-47 , 51-52 [Note : I believe 51 / 52 unique contracts were also sold that have superior priority for those 2 weeks ]
Gold Season floats : 1-4 , 18-23 , 36-43 ,48-50

 

[byeloe]

If you want to go peak snowbird season and / or Mexican Holidays [ Christmas New Years & Easter Wks ] resale prices are higher

Higher than what? The resales on Redweek are a mix of prices for both Gold and Platinum seasons. They seem to be trending up right now.

Approximately 50% of the weeks 51/52 were sold as fixed event weeks. The others are available to book by Platinum owners, but it is challenging at exactly 12 months out.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Higher than what? The resales on Redweek are a mix of prices for both Gold and Platinum seasons. They seem to be trending up right now.

Approximately 50% of the weeks 51/52 were sold as fixed event weeks. The others are available to book by Platinum owners, but it is challenging at exactly 12 months out.

I was referring to resale Platinium Plus generally selling for more than resale Gold .
[ at least in the past when I would look at resales of various Mexican resorts ]

 

[byeloe]

I was referring to resale Platinium Plus generally selling for more than resale Gold .
[ at least in the past when I would look at resales of various Mexican resorts ]

I think that has been generally true but with the fierce competition for booking weeks 1-4 at 8 months, some Gold weeks(which allow booking at 12 months) are getting more expensive

 

[crazytravelmom]

Thanks for your responses. I’m seeing on redweek high and medium weeks. Do I assume high = platinum and medium=gold? Also if we buy a platinum week can we book on a lower season? From what I’ve read on these responses we couldn’t book medium season if we buy high.

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks for your responses. I’m seeing on redweek high and medium weeks. Do I assume high = platinum and medium=gold? Also if we buy a platinum week can we book on a lower season? From what I’ve read on these responses we couldn’t book medium season if we buy high.

You should be able to assume that, but you still need to verify on the Resale Information Sheet (Estoppel). You can only reserve in the season you own. So if you buy Platinum Plus, you can only book in that season. To go during Gold season, you would need to exchange through Interval International.

 

[crazytravelmom]

Thanks for your responses. I’m seeing on redweek high and medium weeks. Do I assume high = platinum and medium=gold? Also if we buy a platinum week can we book on a lower season? From what I’ve read on these responses we couldn’t book

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks for your responses. I’m seeing on redweek high and medium weeks. Do I assume high = platinum and medium=gold? Also if we buy a platinum week can we book on a lower season? From what I’ve read on these responses we couldn’t book

You asked that in post #16 and it was already answered in post #17.

 

[tarkin79]

I'm curious about retroing at Lagunamar. If I were to purchase a 2-bedroom plat+, they would allow me to retro it with an additional purchase? Someone mentioned above, a purchase of $10k. Would that amount qualify the plat+ 2-bedroom for retro? How does that work?

 

[dioxide45]

I'm curious about retroing at Lagunamar. If I were to purchase a 2-bedroom plat+, they would allow me to retro it with an additional purchase? Someone mentioned above, a purchase of $10k. Would that amount qualify the plat+ 2-bedroom for retro? How does that work?

Yes, it should work. I say should because they can remove the ability to retro at any given time.

 

[tarkin79]

Yes, it should work. I say should because they can remove the ability to retro at any given time.

Thanks!

 

[byeloe]

I'm curious about retroing at Lagunamar. If I were to purchase a 2-bedroom plat+, they would allow me to retro it with an additional purchase? Someone mentioned above, a purchase of $10k. Would that amount qualify the plat+ 2-bedroom for retro? How does that work?

They will sell you a package of Aventuras Options usually around 37000 every other year($10000ish), and then as part of the purchase they will retro in 1 contract so having a 2bd Plat+ would be best. Each additional contract would be $5000 to retro during the same transaction