Harborside Info needed

[blondietink]

Planning on getting a StarOption exchange in a few days to Harborside to try it out. I am reading conflicting reviews of the place. Some units are remodeled, some buildings are not, questionable maintenance, expensive (planned for that), things shut down in hurricane season, lazy or not caring staff, etc.

So, here are my questions:

1. If I check in on a Saturday, what building will I get and/or will it be renovated?

2. Will my ownership status in Starwood mean anything regarding perks or villa assignment?

3. How much is internet? We must keep in touch with home. Any other additional charges we can expect?

4. I saw once somebody posted a link to a grocery store with prices but I can't find it. Anybody? Is there a shuttle to the grocery store?

5. Best way to get from airport to Harborside and at what cost?

6. Should I bring a suitcase full of food (cereal, dry goods, etc.) since people seem to complain the most about the grocery prices?

7. What kinds of excursions are there to do outside of Atlantis?

 

[mariawolf]

I just returned and phase 1 is undergoing renovations that will be completed by end of 2016--basically "soft" materials--which includes the sofa bed with upgraded mattress--that will be welcome as the current one is awful. Phase 2 is the newer section but it is now probably 5-7 years old also.
I did find maintenance worse this time--we have been owners for 15 years.
I do bring dry goods in a suitcase--we flew Southwest this time which was a bonus as didn't have to pay.
Internet for the week is around $160--it sucks by the Harborside pool but works good everywhere else.
there is a shuttle--I usually use foodstore2go now although you can pay your taxi driver to stop on the way.
A plus is they jsut opened a Margaritaville across the street-great setting and prices and very attentive staff.
although there are plenty of cabs to bring you to Harborside I always use Sandra Ferguson--nothing worse than getting in a cab with no AC--or have it turned in to a "group" with other stops.
Cab is $32 for first two people and $3 each additional.
You will get no perks--even as an owner there requests are rarely accepted.

 

[okwiater]

although there are plenty of cabs to bring you to Harborside I always use Sandra Ferguson--nothing worse than getting in a cab with no AC--or have it turned in to a "group" with other stops.

I have never used Sandra Ferguson and have never had an issue with one of the cabs at the airport.

You will get no perks--even as an owner there requests are rarely accepted.

They did not take any requests from us, but when we reserved 3 rooms for 2 weeks over Thanksgiving all 3 of them were in building 7 with great views of the harbor and Atlantis. Don't know if 5* had anything to do with it, but these were definitely the nicest rooms I've been assigned out of 4 separate trips.

 

[Helios]

Planning on getting a StarOption exchange in a few days to Harborside to try it out. I am reading conflicting reviews of the place. Some units are remodeled, some buildings are not, questionable maintenance, expensive (planned for that), things shut down in hurricane season, lazy or not caring staff, etc.

So, here are my questions:

1. If I check in on a Saturday, what building will I get and/or will it be renovated?

2. Will my ownership status in Starwood mean anything regarding perks or villa assignment?

3. How much is internet? We must keep in touch with home. Any other additional charges we can expect?

4. I saw once somebody posted a link to a grocery store with prices but I can't find it. Anybody? Is there a shuttle to the grocery store?

5. Best way to get from airport to Harborside and at what cost?

6. Should I bring a suitcase full of food (cereal, dry goods, etc.) since people seem to complain the most about the grocery prices?

7. What kinds of excursions are there to do outside of Atlantis?

Some of your questions have been answered.

You should expect Building 3 or 5 and you may get 7. I would ask for 7.

HRA is pretty good to 4 and 5* Elite. I don't think 3* and no status get any perks.

I tried Sandra once. The trip to HRA was OK. They never showed up to pick us up and asked another can to take us to the airport.

Bring food if you can and feel like it.

As always, YMMV.

 

[Helios]

I have never used Sandra Ferguson and have never had an issue with one of the cabs at the airport.



They did not take any requests from us, but when we reserved 3 rooms for 2 weeks over Thanksgiving all 3 of them were in building 7 with great views of the harbor and Atlantis. Don't know if 5* had anything to do with it, but these were definitely the nicest rooms I've been assigned out of 4 separate trips.

Your 5* status most likely had something to do with it. I own there and know for a fact that 4 and 5* get added perks.

 

[suzannesimon]

We were there for Thanksgiving. We had 2 3 bedrooms. If you have a 3 BR in Phase 2, the only Saturday check-in building is 5. Anything else in Phase 2 could be 3 or 5. Internet is $24.95 per day for 4 devices. We have been there twice and the units were very nice and everything was in good shape both times. Building 5 was a nice building with great views from both units we had. We were on the second floor. 10:00 am is the shuttle daily to a very nice grocery store for $7 (I think). We also used foodstore2go which has excellent service but more expensive that 2 years ago - try $12 for a package of Orioles compared to a mere $6+ in the store. Check prices at foodstore2go.com. Even with the higher food prices, it is a lot cheaper than the restaurants. Go to Carmine's the first night and you should have enough leftovers for a couple days.

We love Harborside!