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1 bedroom Westin Lagunamar vs two bedroom Royal Islander

jjking42

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Its, just me, my daughter, and one of her college room mates. Currently booked in one bedroom via II trade at Lagunamar. I have E-plus and can switch to Royal islander two bedroom for free since i deposited a two bedroom . If I really want to stay at Lagunamar in two bedroom I need to buy getaway or use star options to get the studio side. My daughter say's they don't care they will share the sofa bed.

Would you
1. Stay put
2. Move to Royal Islander for more space for free
3. Pay to get the studio side for westin.

we are beach bums so no car and will walk for groceries and and restaurants
 
Last edited:

echino

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HYN HCC HWP HYP
HRA KAN WSJ WKV WLR SVV
MCV MKO MM1 MPU MSK
GP7
Valdoro
HHV Lagoon
I would switch to Royal Islander. A second bedroom is a lot more convenient for a week.
 

byeloe

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its, just me, my daughter, and one of her college room mates. Currenlty booked in one bedroom via II trade at Lagunamar. I have E-plus and can switch to Royal islander two bedroom for free since i depsoitied two bedroom . If I really want to stay at Lagunamar in two bedroom I need to buy getaway or use star options to get the studio side. My daughter say's they don't care they will share the sofa bed.

Would you
1. Stay put
2. Move to Royal Islander for more space for free
3. Pay to get the studio side for westin.

we are beach bums so no car and will walk for groceries and and resteraunts
if you are walking for groceries and restaurants, then I would stay at Lagunamar, the location is much better. You could give them the King and take the sofa bed for yourself.:ponder:

When are you planning this trip?
 

CPNY

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Harborside Resort at Atlantis
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Regal Vista at Massanutten
Its, just me, my daughter, and one of her college room mates. Currently booked in one bedroom via II trade at Lagunamar. I have E-plus and can switch to Royal islander two bedroom for free since i deposited a two bedroom . If I really want to stay at Lagunamar in two bedroom I need to buy getaway or use star options to get the studio side. My daughter say's they don't care they will share the sofa bed.

Would you
1. Stay put
2. Move to Royal Islander for more space for free
3. Pay to get the studio side for westin.

we are beach bums so no car and will walk for groceries and and restaurants
Get the studio side. Stay at WLR
 

holdaer

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Parc Soleil, a HGVC
Paradise, a HGVC
Its, just me, my daughter, and one of her college room mates. Currently booked in one bedroom via II trade at Lagunamar. I have E-plus and can switch to Royal islander two bedroom for free since i deposited a two bedroom . If I really want to stay at Lagunamar in two bedroom I need to buy getaway or use star options to get the studio side. My daughter say's they don't care they will share the sofa bed.

Would you
1. Stay put
2. Move to Royal Islander for more space for free
3. Pay to get the studio side for westin.

we are beach bums so no car and will walk for groceries and and restaurants

#3 pay or use star options to get the studio side for Westin, you'll appreciate having the extra bathroom as well as the extra space.
 

Fredward

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Westin- Lagunamar, Kierland Villas, Marriott- Barony Beach, Aruba Surf Club
There may also be availability with an AC. We love WLR.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
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Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
There may also be availability with an AC. We love WLR.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
There are also plenty of getaways out there through the middle of December.
 

TravelTime

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All Resale: MVC DPs, Marriott Ko Olina, Marriott Marbella, WKOVR-N, Four Seasons Aviara
Stick with WLR and get the studio side.
 

ilene13

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I would go to the Royal Islander. Their grocery store on property is pretty much in line with Soriano. You could take the RR shuttle to the Royal Sands and then walk over to Soriano. They will deliver your groceries for about $2. Having the full villa at the RI is worth a little inconvenience. The prices in the grocery store at Lagunamar are over the top and the 1 bedroom there is small.
 

DannyTS

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I would go to the Royal Islander. Their grocery store on property is pretty much in line with Soriano. You could take the RR shuttle to the Royal Sands and then walk over to Soriano. They will deliver your groceries for about $2. Having the full villa at the RI is worth a little inconvenience. The prices in the grocery store at Lagunamar are over the top and the 1 bedroom there is small.
The 1 BR at Lagunamar is about 740 sqf so rather standard for Vistana. Are you sure you are not referring to the studio? I have seen it called 1 BR at one point which created confusion.

1601838493989.png
 

jjking42

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Any difference in quality of beach and water. Prefer some wave action but swimmable


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

alexadeparis

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Points: Hilton EVEN, Hyatt ODD Annual: WSJ, HRA
There may also be availability with an AC. We love WLR.


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most of my ACs exclude WLR and the Grande Luxxes
 

pianodinosaur

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Views from the Royal Islander in 2019 while staying in a 2 bedroom suite.
E3B47D11-31D2-4B31-8080-020589E45DA2.jpeg
490A08BD-FED5-4A37-A7DE-B0D2A2FEC005.jpeg
5B63F1B2-4FCE-4255-A199-9717F942590A.jpeg
 

guitarlars

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Its, just me, my daughter, and one of her college room mates. Currently booked in one bedroom via II trade at Lagunamar. I have E-plus and can switch to Royal islander two bedroom for free since i deposited a two bedroom . If I really want to stay at Lagunamar in two bedroom I need to buy getaway or use star options to get the studio side. My daughter say's they don't care they will share the sofa bed.

Would you
1. Stay put
2. Move to Royal Islander for more space for free
3. Pay to get the studio side for westin.

we are beach bums so no car and will walk for groceries and and restaurants
Hard choice, two of my favorites. I would probably go with the Royal Islander. The resort is older but as a result the rooms are larger. The Westin is very nice but the rooms are smaller, IMO. As for beach, they are both close but my favorite is probably the Royal Islander.

If you do decide to stay with the Westin splurge for the extra room, the one bedroom unit at the Westin would likely be too cramped.
 

byeloe

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Lagunamar- has in room laundry, nicer bathroom/shower, bbq grills, nicer pool loungers, no smoking, better strip location

Islander- has much nicer balcony, better developed beach palapas, better/cheaper grocery store
 

jules54

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I vote Royal Islander. You already paid the 59.00 eplus so use it. Why pay for another exchange or even use an AC for the space you would have if you just retraded. I stayed at the Westin many many years ago and it would not be my choice. I think the Royal Islander has a much better location and the rooms are larger, also the beach is sooo much better. Islander is in the Royal family which deals with there guests very well. This is only my personal opinion.
So nice to have options. Whichever you choose you’ll have a fantastic time I’m sure. That is why I love my timeshares.
 

controller1

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Westin KORVN OF
Westin Nanea OF
Westin FLEX
I stayed at the Westin many many years ago and it would not be my choice.

"many many years ago" ???

The Westin Lagunamar has only been open 12 years.
 

jules54

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Many years is 5 so I guess many many years is 10 or more. A matter of age and perspective as to how each of us see the passage of time. Which I guess really has nothing to do with this thread lol
 

djyamyam

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To revive a thread from last year, my situation is a bit different than the original OP.

I have back to back weeks at Royal Islander for next year in a 1BR and then 2BR. There will only be 2 of us. I'm thinking of retrading the 2BR Islander for a 1BR Westin Lagunamar. Looking the TUG reviews, RI seems to be ranked higher than the Westin but on Tripadvisor, the Westin is higher. We won't have a vehicle and will likely take local buses and walking to get to everything and buy groceries. We'll cook our own food and eat at cheap local restaurants if that helps.

Opinions?
 

Troyrissa

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Westin Lagunamar
Can’t speak to Royal Islander as I’ve never been and I don’t know where it’s located. Lagunamar is in one of the best locations. With the mall across the street there are many shops and dining venues. Other restaurants are a very short cab ride away. We didn’t have a car either and it was a 20 minute walk to a good grocery store or a 5 minute bus ride. The bus stops right in front of the resort. The resort itself is beautiful.
 

bobpark56

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Westin Lagunamar, Westin Aventuras, Marriott Grande Vista, Sandos Caracol, Festiva, Diamond Resorts (Hawaii Collection)
It's a close decision, but with the extra person. I might opt for Royal Islander just to get the extra bedroom. Westin Lagunamar is a nicer resort, and it's just across the road from La Isla Mall, with more restaurants nearby...as well as La Europea for wine, etc., and the Kukulcan Plaza and Soriana for groceries. But if you are comfortable with using the fold-out sofa, stick with Lagunamar. The Royal resorts are decent, but a bit overrated in comparison.
 

ilene13

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We have been to both properties. The beach is much nicer at the Royal Islander. I would keep the 2 bedroom villa, because even though you are only 2 people IMHO having the second bathroom is a huge plus!
 
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