Sheraton Vistana Villages

[jmhpsu93]

Hello, all. MVC owner (and another Mexico-based TS owner, as well). Kicking the tires on buying (basically absorbing) a couple of Vistana Villages 2BR lockoff platinum weeks. I will using them primarily for Easter and New Year's weeks in the coming few years and long-term will be snowbirding by timeshare in FL and SC. Having StarOptions would be nice but not really needed as I plan on staying here for the most part.

Would love to hear some pros/cons about this resort, which I toured back in 2006 (??) I believe when we were staying at the old Vistana place.

I've spent some time reviewing the FAQs - thanks to all that put them together.

Some specific questions I have are:

• How well do these trade in II?
• If your deeded unit is in XXXX phase, does that mean your automatically end up there or can you request a certain phase?
• What phase do you recommend, and why?
  
• How is getting the week you want (assuming I'm shooting for Easter and New Year's)?
• When are maintenance fees due?

Thanks in advance for responses.

 

[SandyPGravel]

I've never traded so can't answer that.
No, I own in St. Augustine section (from developer.) Have never been in that section the few times I have stayed at SVV.
Bella or Key west are the only mandatory sections so you need that if you want to be able to move around within the VSE system.
Never had a problem getting what I want at 12 months out.
Usually MF are due around January 8th.

 

[blondietink]

We are St. Augustine owners (developer purchase) and have stayed in the St. Augustine section general by request. We love the pirate pool. Personally I don't like Bella as we usually get a one bedroom and Bella has the shotgun long and narrow one bedrooms. Also Bella is near the main pool and depending on what villa you are assigned, can be noisy with pool noise or road noise. In October we stayed in the Key West section and I loved it. Very quiet. Our October visit I didn't book until a few months (3?) before our stay and had no problem. there has always been plenty of choice when we have booked. Fees are usually due in the January 7th or 8th time frame. I have never stayed high season so I can't comment on availability then. I have never traded into II yet.

 

[Sea Six]

We bought 2 weeks in Key West so we would get the star options. We like it there because it is in the back end of the resort and is very quiet back there. But it is not on the main pool, if that matters. We don't spend time at the resort, so being away from the action is fine with us. The only thing I don't like about VV is making that left turn onto International Drive. I do like that once you're on I-Drive, just hang a right at the end of the road and you're basically on EPCOT Center Drive and almost there! No major traffic to deal with.

 

[jdent1]

I have traded in II 4-5 times with my SVV Bella 2 bedroom. I have never been too picky just took what I could get - usually in offseason (May and September). We've traded into Marriott Newport Coast, Marriott Frenchman's Cove in USVI, Sedona, Marriott Desert Springs (Palm Springs), and Wyndham Kona - all were 2 bedrooms. Of course we have also stayed at quite a few of the Vistana properties in Hawaii, Myrtle Beach, and Scottsdale. Acually only a few visits to SVV and never for a whole week.

 

[capjak]

I own 2 bedroom Key West but use the staroptions to stay in Maui. I would definitely buy a mandatory section (bella/key west) as you never know if you may use it in the future.

 

[jmhpsu93]

Thank you for all of your responses. I have now joined the SVV family.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Thank you for all of your responses. I have now joined the SVV family.

Whadja get??

 

[jmhpsu93]

Whadja get??

2 Platinum 2 BR lockoffs in St. Augustine (so no StarOptions, which I'm fine with for now). I like that the SVV lockoffs create 2 1-BR units vs. a 1 BR and a studio like my units at Marriott Grande Vista.

It's an Ebay seller with mixed reviews here (more like the closing company stinks) so I'll be playing the waiting game. 2019 usage was included if the deal ever closes.

 

[SandyPGravel]

2 Platinum 2 BR lockoffs in St. Augustine (so no StarOptions, which I'm fine with for now). I like that the SVV lockoffs create 2 1-BR units vs. a 1 BR and a studio like my units at Marriott Grande Vista.

It's an Ebay seller with mixed reviews here (more like the closing company stinks) so I'll be playing the waiting game. 2019 usage was included if the deal ever closes.

If the seller ever responds, ask them to make a reservation for you ASAP. Will show good faith on their part if they do.

 

[jmhpsu93]

Quick question for you owners (home resort there), what are the check-in days for floating weeks? Thanks!