Yikes! Did I make a mistake booking Vistana Resort over Vistana Villages?

[NboroGirl]

I own at villages, been once. It was nice typical timeshare. I also have been to resorts once, the room they gave me was nice. The only problem was when I walked in, the room was occupied. By occupied I mean peoples stuff was everywhere. It looked like mid vacation. Luckily I’m an honest person and walked out but still kind of creepy knowing someone could be assigned your room when you’re at the parks all day. That really annoyed me.

That happened to me once, too - at a Marriott (I believe it was the Renaissance) in Las Vegas. We checked in and got our key, and when we unlocked the door there were clothes and luggage and stuff in the room. It was obviously occupied but luckily no one was in the room at the time. We got another room but I didn't feel like my belongings were safe after that if Marriott could give out my key to strangers. Luckily we only stayed there one night until we could check into Grand Chateau.

 

[Dean]

That happened to me once, too - at a Marriott (I believe it was the Renaissance) in Las Vegas. We checked in and got our key, and when we unlocked the door there were clothes and luggage and stuff in the room. It was obviously occupied but luckily no one was in the room at the time. We got another room but I didn't feel like my belongings were safe after that if Marriott could give out my key to strangers. Luckily we only stayed there one night until we could check into Grand Chateau.

I've had it happen several times at hotels and timeshares and both ways. Where we were given keys and the room was occupied and when others were given keys to our room when we were entrenched in the villa. I can recall at least 2 instances of each, maybe 3 where we were given an occupied room. Interestingly the times I can think where we were given such a room was mostly hotels, but once with a timeshare. The ones where we were in the room already and the reverse happened was all timesavers, DVC and Legend's edge. At LE we were asleep and heard the door crash against the safety lock. It took me a minute to figure out someone was trying to get in the room. At that point I wasn't sure what had happened and feared the worse but fortunately it was just a mistaken unit assignment.

 

[hajjah]

Yikes! We're leaving Sunday. I certainly hope that there is a better system setup to ensure our safety. This is the first time I've ever read about someone else being assigned to a unit that is occupied. What a mistake. Thanks for the update.

 

[hajjah]

Update: We returned from the Vistana on Sunday. Let me just say that I would only stay there again if the units were all upgraded. We had problems upon walking in the door. There was an odor in the unit that lasted during the entire week. I burned incense and heated Fabuluso on the stove everyday. Engineering even put an air ozone machine in the unit for 2 hours, which only lasted for a few hours. The unit was not cleaned properly. There was dust on the phone. The air vent was black and I had maintenance change the filter and clean the vents. Housekeeping stood on a chair to clean the lighting fixtures over the dining room table because of the dust that had accumulated over some time. The two living room chairs had to be scrubbed by engineering because of stains. I spoke with 3 managers during the week regarding my complaints. They gave me $100 to use on the property, which was better than nothing. I didn't want to be changed to another unit because my family was next door and the building wasn't far from the guard gate. There were some of the same problems in their unit. We stayed in the Lakes section on the top floor units, 1990 and 1991. The appliances were about 20 years old. I only booked at this resort to obtain 7 nights in my Marriott rewards account. Despite the numerous complaints during this stay with the units, the amenities at the resort were good. We tried to make the best of a bad situation, but the resort needs to improve the units to now be under Marriott.

 

[Swice]

I'm sorry to hear that. If they were using an air machine and scrubbing chairs, then obviously there were issues.

 

[hajjah]

I forgot to add that the resort staff was excellent. Everyone I encountered tried their best to remedy the situation. I also attended the promotion, which was to purchase a vacation package. ( a waste) The young salesman learned quite a bit of information from me about time sharing. I took up most of his time. lol

 

[CPNY]

Update: We returned from the Vistana on Sunday. Let me just say that I would only stay there again if the units were all upgraded. We had problems upon walking in the door. There was an odor in the unit that lasted during the entire week. I burned incense and heated Fabuluso on the stove everyday. Engineering even put an air ozone machine in the unit for 2 hours, which only lasted for a few hours. The unit was not cleaned properly. There was dust on the phone. The air vent was black and I had maintenance change the filter and clean the vents. Housekeeping stood on a chair to clean the lighting fixtures over the dining room table because of the dust that had accumulated over some time. The two living room chairs had to be scrubbed by engineering because of stains. I spoke with 3 managers during the week regarding my complaints. They gave me $100 to use on the property, which was better than nothing. I didn't want to be changed to another unit because my family was next door and the building wasn't far from the guard gate. There were some of the same problems in their unit. We stayed in the Lakes section on the top floor units, 1990 and 1991. The appliances were about 20 years old. I only booked at this resort to obtain 7 nights in my Marriott rewards account. Despite the numerous complaints during this stay with the units, the amenities at the resort were good. We tried to make the best of a bad situation, but the resort needs to improve the units to now be under Marriott.

Agreed but Marriott isn’t that great either. I’m in a Marriott hotel now and it’s a hell hole.

 

[hajjah]

And, you're right. I have found most of the resorts to be fine, but the hotels might leave a lot to be desired. I've had numerous issues this year with the hotel stays, including a brand new Springhill Suites in NC. The room was new, but the water had to be run at least 25 minutes to get hot every time we used it. I wasted so much water. The plumber was due for repairs after the Memorial Day holiday. We had a horrible stay at a Residence Inn in GA. The resort had been renovated, but the tubs, sinks and toilets were not. There were ugly stains in them. I've racked up reward points due to so many complaints with stays.

 

[csalter2]

Agreed but Marriott isn’t that great either. I’m in a Marriott hotel now and it’s a hell hole.

You can stay at any hotel or brand and there can be issues.I have been to the Waldorf Astoria, Hyatt and Westins that I can think of off of the top of my head and there have been maintenance issues here and there. That’s just will happen over time at any resort.

 

[hajjah]

Thanks for the updates. I was really taken aback by the units we had at the Vistana. Dated, isn't even the word for the Lakes top floor. I had all kinds of maintenance issues in the units. I was even concerned about the air quality since the air filters were black and so were the vents until I had the engineers clean them.

 

[gnipgnop]

We prefer Cascades Section when staying at the Vistana Resort. I always call ahead and ask that they put a request on my reservation for the Cascade section . We always ask for an upper floor too.. All of the buildings in Cascades have elevators. The units are clean and updated. We love it there and try to trade in every year. This section is close to the main pool, the Marketplace, the restaurant (I believe it's called Silks). If I'm not mistaken you can walk to Vistana Villages and have privileges at their pools and restaurant as well.

 

[jabberwocky]

We prefer Cascades Section when staying at the Vistana Resort. I always call ahead and ask that they put a request on my reservation for the Cascade section . If I'm not mistaken you can walk to Vistana Villages and have privileges at their pools and restaurant as well.

It would be around a 3 mile walk from SVR to SVV would it not?

 

[dioxide45]

It would be around a 3 mile walk from SVR to SVV would it not?

Yeah, it certainly wouldn't be walkable and I am not aware of reciprocal use of facilities. If there were, I would expect there would be some kind of shuttle.

 

[gnipgnop]

Geez...…..I thought they were connected by about a mile walk. Sorry to misinform you.