AVON, CO - resale/trade

[Krteczech]

Please help me figure out the differences and consequences in purchasing re-sale at Lakeside Terrace and Sheraton Mountain Vista (2+2) winter red season. RCI lists only LT, II lists both LT and SMV. TUG Resort ratings show LT as II only and SMV as both.
Both resorts are "non-mandatory". I have not visited, therefore I depend on ratings and you input.
What would be advantage owning one over the other? Thanks.

 

[DeniseM]

What are your goals in buying a TS? How & when do you want to use it? That info. will help us. - thanks

 

[Krteczech]

Winter family vacation at affodable price in class location is my ultimate goal. Vail for skiing and occasional trade for perhaps St. Maarten (in winter).
No plans to golf.

 

[bruwery]

As of 2008, SMV no longer trades with RCI, so what you're seeing on the RCI listing is correct from that standpoint. The TUG data for that resort may not have been updated yet.

I can't speak for Lakeside Terrace, but I've stayed at SMV twice (one rental, one RCI exchange) and the place is outstanding. That's a subjective term, of course, so other opinions may vary, but I love the place. I don't know what the maintenance fee is, but the furnishings are very nice and appropriate for the locale, everything is modern, the units are comfortable, and it's Colorado, so the views are great. The heated underground parking ramp is pretty nice, too - although parking could be tight if the place is full.

You're not going to ski in/ski out, but they do have a ski shop on site. It is only a short hop to Beaver Creek and about five miles to Vail.

 

[Pit]

LT is also nice, and directly across the side-street from SMV. Check-in for LT is handled at SMV. Nicely furnished 2 bedroom units in a mountain lodge motif. Full kitchen and each unit has a private balcony with BBQ grill. Secure, heated parking under the units. Nearby bus stop to hop on the Beaver Creek shuttle. Not a lot of resort-style amenities, though. Basically, a nice place to stay, if you're planning to keep busy elsewhere in the area (e.g. skiing). HTH

 

[myip]

2008 Maintenance for SMV is 1055.17 -> it went up 27% this year.
2008 Maintenance for Lakeside Terrace is $771.40

SMV 2 bedroom is a lock off into 2 , 1 bedroom.

For Lakeside Terrace, Week 51 and 52 is fixed - you won't be able to book it unless you buy the fixed week. Unless you have to go week 51 & 52, I would get Lakeside Terrace because of lower maintenance fees and also initial capital cost.

 

[Floridaski]

Mountain Vista

We have stayed at the SMV twice for ski weeks. We went the first time when the hotel was only one year old. It is very nicely furnished, but the units are not huge. If you have a large family I would opt for Lakeside. Also we were there in 2006 and we noticed that the property was getting a little "worn" and was definitely showing the wear and tear that ski properties get, that is more then likely why the MF is going up. They need to do some repairs and the furniture is not holding up as well as perhaps they had expected. Also there are a few design issues with the units that can cause problems.

Another problem I had was that the 1-70 noise drove me nuts - you will have better luck with this at Lake side. In 2006 they did put us in a back facing low unit, so the noise was not bad. But, of course owners get the first choice so unless you go to your exact unit, exact week it will be luck with unit placement. Just depends on how you noise tolerance is for vacation. I would go with Lakeside!

 

[djp]

There is no doubt that the highway noise from I70 is kind oif a drag, however owners at SMV will get preference if you request it, I always ask for a high mountain view and I always get it and the noise is a non issue. Starwood does a pretty good job maintaining their resorts (hence high mfs and assesments at some resorts) so I would not worry about upkeep. I think the mf spike this year at SMV was a one time fluke as other years it had been fairly stable and is still a bargain in comparison to Hawaii etc....I have been told that when the new Westin Riverfront hotel and timeshare opens that guests at SMV and LT will be able to charge to their room meals etc...... from the Westin. That will be a convenient benefit. The rooms at LT are larger, SMV feels a little nicer. Also the lock off is a benefit at SMV if you want to trade etc...If you ahve any thoughts of ever requalifying your unit with starwood...SMV ski week will get you a 2br anywhere in the starwood system. It is worth more staroptions than LT. Both are good resorts in about as good a location as you can get and not be ski in ski out. The shuttle service is convenient to Beave Creek and the new gondola is a 5 minute walk.

 

[SDKath]

IS the new gondola the one being built at Riverfront? Thanks. Katherine

 

[djp]

yes it by the new westin

 

[Jimbo]

I stayed at SMV and looked at LT. I would buy a platinum at LT but did love the Sheraton. We had a 2 BR and it was real nice. To me it is not worth the extra capital investment to get the Sheraton.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[GrayFal]

Please help me figure out the differences and consequences in purchasing re-sale at Lakeside Terrace and Sheraton Mountain Vista (2+2) winter red season. RCI lists only LT, II lists both LT and SMV. TUG Resort ratings show LT as II only and SMV as both.
Both resorts are "non-mandatory". I have not visited, therefore I depend on ratings and you input.
What would be advantage owning one over the other? Thanks.

If you are buying to USE - I would definitely take Lakeside.....what a NICE unit size/layout of 1400 square feet...it is almost like a 3BR with the separate living sleep area across from the kitchen. And I love the additional gas fireplace in the bedroom.

http://www.starwoodvacationownership.com/lakeside_terrace/twobedroom_villa.jsp

The cheaper MFs are also a plus especially if you need a 2BR to use and exchange.

Personally, I like the lock/off feature to get more 'bang for my buck' - 2 exchanges for the MF but in this case of use at home resort - hands down I would choose LT.

I stayed at SMV and looked at LT. I would buy a platinum at LT but did love the Sheraton. We had a 2 BR and it was real nice. To me it is not worth the extra capital investment to get the Sheraton.

And when you do exchange - you still get the Starwood/Westin preference - it is a win/win deal!

 

[Krteczech]

Thank you all for your great input. It helps a lot - and I believe that what TUG is known for...
Now, I also need a clarification regarding booking (reserving) desired week from "floating" term use and/or possible "banking" for future use. Since these are both non-mandatory resorts, how does a re-sale unit owner handle this. Do we deal with Starwood booking system or with RCI/II? Will I need to join RCO/II as long as I plan to use my home resort only? Thanks.

 

[SDKath]

There are no 2BR LO at LT are there? I don't see them on the SO chart. The layout you posted looks great. But it is a 2BR only, right? Kath

 

[DeniseM]

You would make both home resort reservations and II exchanges through Starwood Owner Services. You want to make your home resort Resv. at exactly 8:59 ET, at exactly 12 mos. out. Good luck!

Thank you all for your great input. It helps a lot - and I believe that what TUG is known for...
Now, I also need a clarification regarding booking (reserving) desired week from "floating" term use and/or possible "banking" for future use. Since these are both non-mandatory resorts, how does a re-sale unit owner handle this. Do we deal with Starwood booking system or with RCI/II? Will I need to join RCO/II as long as I plan to use my home resort only? Thanks.

 

[GrayFal]

There are no 2BR LO at LT are there? I don't see them on the SO chart. The layout you posted looks great. But it is a 2BR only, right? Kath

Non-lock-off 2BRs only.

 

[GrayFal]

You would make both home resort reservations and II exchanges through Starwood Owner Services. You want to make your home resort reservation. at exactly 8:59 ET, at exactly 12 mos. out. Good luck!

Home Resort reservations thru Starwood.

You use it or rent it ......

If you would like to exchange the unit thru II - you can call II and deposit it or call Starwood owner services and request they deposit it. Sometimes Starwood owners services does not realize as a resale/non point owner you can deposit the week you reserved but you can.

Exchanges are then done thru the II website or by calling the Starwood desk at II (you will be connected there when you call). You can 'shop around' online using your week - and you will see some nice places to exchange into because of the Starwood quality and preference.

 

[Robert D]

I don't know about LT or SMV but with my Starwood TS's, I've not had to reserve a prime week 12 months in advance and in fact have had little problem getting a highly sought after week. I think this is due to the fact that Starwood does bulk deposits to II and they seem to save the best weeks for owners and not deposit them. This is one of the advantages of their bulk deposit system. Makes it great if you want to use or rent your week (which I do) but not so good if you want to trade it.

 

[LisaH]

In terms of trading through II, Do both LT and SMV have priority within Starwood system? For instance, if I would like to trade to Maui or Bahamas, do I have the same preference as Westin owners?

This is interesting as I am thinking about buying a ski week at either LT or SMV, mostly for use but also would like to use it to trade to the other Starwood properties.

 

[SDKath]

I believe both have the Starwood 3 day II period for trading. SOmeone correct me if I am wrong.

Did LT and SMV get taken over from a previous developer or were they both built ground up by Starwood. Just curious. Does anyone know when they were constructed. I think that probably tells a lot about what the MFs will do in the future. Older resort --> likely more MF hikes in the years to come.

If SMV is looking "worn" as someone suggested, I am not surprised by the whopping 27% MF increase for 08! Kath

 

[djp]

LT was aquired after it was built, SMV built by starwood.....I think Lt is probably 10-12 years old and SMV is probably 6 years old. As evidenced by the old vistana resort which are doing major refurbishments and renovation to sections that are not even in SVN, thus in my mind a lower expectation of Starwood quality than those resorts which are in SVN.....that tells me that Starwood will not let its SVN resorts get shoddy or stay that way for very long. I imagine all resorts will come to that point that they are on the verge of needing some refurbishing, and some units will need it more than others. At 5-6 years old SMV is coming to a point of needing a little maintenance and they are doing it. When I got my higher mf's this year I inquired to the guy who oversees all of Starwood Sales in Colorado...and he said it was because they should have raised mf's last year but they didnt, and that they were wanting to make sure they were prepared for the maintenance needed to keep the resort nice..... this year they are doing quite a bit...he told me, but i forgot all he said, but I know it sounded like alot.

 

[pointsjunkie]

what is the weather like there over Thanksgiving? is it a big time of year for families to go for the week? do you think getting a unit to rent out for this week is a good idea? would sat-sat ot sun -sun be better? would a 1 br at the sheraton or lakeside be a better unit?

i do not ski so i have no idea what happens out there in colorado in snow season.

 

[bruwery]

I was at SMV this past Thanksgiving. It wasn't really that busy. I wouldn't recommend acquiring this week merely to rent it. I don't believe you'd recoup the maintenance fees.

Granted, there are people (such as me) who think it's a great week to go, but they're the minority and there seems to be plenty of availability. In other words, even though I enjoyed that week, I likely wouldn't pay $1,000 to rent it because there are too many other options available.

Technically, Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts had just "opened", but only a few runs. There were no other winter season tours/activities open yet. This was a strange year - there was very little in the way of snow - but even so, you need to get into December before the area really takes off.

 

[pointsjunkie]

thanks for the input. i won't do it.

 

[Krteczech]

Just to keep you updated - we are going to rent one week at Avon, CO next ski season and tour all TS. Thanks for great input, Lakeside Terrace is on the top of my list.