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Harborside at Atlantis / Mandatory resort question

J

jeff41060

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Joined
Jun 15, 2016
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Location
NYC
Hello,

Has anything changed with the mandatory resorts in Vistana? We have an opportunity to get a Harborside 1 bedroom premium for free from a family member and wanted to make sure that the 81,000 staroptions will transfer and will have no other issues. We go to Atlantis every other year so this would be perfect for us.
 
Nothing has changed on that front.

But not sure how you get past Vistana right of first refusal if the price is "free".
 
The transfer will probably cost around $1800+ and the MF's for a 1 BR premium are around $2000 per year. If you are looking for 81,000 mandatory SO's there are much cheaper ways to get them and maintain them.
 
As others' have said, HRA isn't cheap to transfer or to own. Unless you plan to use this week every year at Harborside, it probably isn't worth it. Even if it is free.
 
I'd hate to talk someone out of the deal as presented - it sounds like he'll use it at Harborside regularly, it's plat+/high season so the 12-month window may be beneficial, and outside of the 2BR plat+ unit, it has the lowest MF per SO at Harborside. Certainly all facts can be considered, and Harborside is more expensive in general than some mandatory resales. It's not a "walk away from this offer fast" deal for me. It also likely helps out his family member and keeps the week from making its way back to MVW for free so they can sell it to someone for $40K who may not understand the pros and cons.

Consider all the options but it's not the worst thing to own in my opinion.
 
Here are more details. It's a one bedroom premium, maintenance is 1,770 per year. 81,000 star option but we would go at least every other year. We love it there. My cousins wife is selling it to us at zero to release herself of the annual cost, as my cousin past away from cancer 6 months ago. I was trying to help her and get something that we would use, so it would be a "win win". This isn't a play for more options. I have 229,000 already.
 
jeff41060 said:
Here are more details. It's a one bedroom premium, maintenance is 1,770 per year. 81,000 star option but we would go at least every other year. We love it there. My cousins wife is selling it to us at zero to release herself of the annual cost, as my cousin past away from cancer 6 months ago. I was trying to help her and get something that we would use, so it would be a "win win". This isn't a play for more options. I have 229,000 already.
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HRA is mandatory, so if you do plan to use it every other year in the owned season then go for it. For years you can't use it, you can use the StarOptions and if you own more than one week in VSN already there won't be anymore VSN fees. Bahamian transfer is expensive, so do keep that in mind.
 
Harborside seems to have fallen out of favor among the TUG crew. I think part of the reason stems from Covid. Since it is outside the US, there are the differing Covid restrictions over the last 2 years. Going to Hawaii for sun and sand kept you in the US medical system and did not require covid tests to return.

It does have higher maintenance fees relative to other resorts, but as you know, there are some amenities available at Atlantis that are not available at other resorts.

It is a much easier destination for the east coast crowd compared to Hawaii.

I have had good luck renting my Harborside units as well. (not saying where I post, but it is not to the timeshare crowd).

The only complaints I have had from renters is the low grade WiFi. But I now warn people to use cellular WiFi if it is important.

With the upcoming integration of Marriott and Vistana, Harborside could become extremely popular again depending on the new program.

As a deeded week owner, you would have your week in the season you want.
 
emeryjre said:
Harborside seems to have fallen out of favor among the TUG crew. I think part of the reason stems from Covid. Since it is outside the US, there are the differing Covid restrictions over the last 2 years. Going to Hawaii for sun and sand kept you in the US medical system and did not require covid tests to return.
Click to expand...


I was concerned about that too, but it really is not an issue. You can get a covid test at the Royal Towers for around $20. The pdf result is on your cell phone in less than 4 hours. email it to the concierge who prints it in the Harborside lobby, and you're done...

They were kind of strict with masks (when we were there in October masks were required when you were in close proximity to others, even outside). But that basically means you put on a mask when you go to the towel hut or speak to a staff member - I'm ok with that... Loved the lack of crowds and nonexistent lines at the slides!
 
I say go for it. I got the same unit for basically free at HRA, phase I, and have used it at WKORV multiple times so I feel I get my monies worth in terms of dues. Since you intend to go at least biannually I don’t see much of a downside. TUG can be very critical, to the cent, of any decision. In the end it’s up to you and the memories it will make.
 
An easy 'yes'. You help out a family member. You get trips to Harborside for about $300/night (maintenance fee divided by 7) the years you use it. You pay a bit too much for the 81K StarOptions the other years, but because you got the unit for free, you still come out ahead for years.

Enjoy your vacations.
 
Thank you everyone for your info. Happy to hear that nothing has changed in terms of options etc.. Can someone recommend a company that could handle the title transfer / Bahamian transfer etc...
 
jeff41060 said:
Thank you everyone for your info. Happy to hear that nothing has changed in terms of options etc.. Can someone recommend a company that could handle the title transfer / Bahamian transfer etc...
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William Pilcher is the attorney who handles Bahamas transfers. Cost is 1700 roughly.
wpilcher@resort-title.com
 
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