Has anyone stayed in Newest Units at Sheraton Vistana Resort, Orlando ( Fountains & Lakes)?

[hajjah]

I used an AC to book the Vistana for next month. I've noticed that the AC's are not pulling any Marriotts. When a unit at the Vistana finally popped up, I called the resort tonight to inquire about the most recently renovated units. We've stayed the last two times in Cascades, and have not been impressed. Our most recent stay was in July. Ok, so I was told that the Fountains and Lakes are new as of last week. Has anyone stayed in the new units? Even though I prefer to stay closer to the first security gate, Ive requested a new unit. Hopefully, we will be impressed.

 

[CPNY]

I used an AC to book the Vistana for next month. I've noticed that the AC's are not pulling any Marriotts. When a unit at the Vistana finally popped up, I called the resort tonight to inquire about the most recently renovated units. We've stayed the last two times in Cascades, and have not been impressed. Our most recent stay was in July. Ok, so I was told that the Fountains and Lakes are new as of last week. Has anyone stayed in the new units? Even though I prefer to stay closer to the first security gate, Ive requested a new unit. Hopefully, we will be impressed.

I have, it was fine. The bed was extremely comfortable. Probably the best night sleep I’ve had in a timeshare. I was in the fountains in a top floor unit with a sky light which made a world of difference. The room refresh is nice, the kitchen appliances are new but the pots and cooking utensils are poor compared to Marriott. If you can get a top floor in the fountains section I think you’ll be satisfied. As far as resort pools, I prefer MGK, MGV or SVV. I’m staying at SVR in December and since it’s mainly a park trip I don’t mind. If I was doing a resort stay where I wanted to be at the pools most of the time, SVR wouldn’t be my first choice.

 

[dioxide45]

We have stayed in a Lakes and Fountains II unit. If possible, I would try to request a Fountains as there are ceiling fans in all the rooms. The Fountains II only had a ceiling fan in the living room. We prefer having a ceiling fan running at night as we sleep. That may or may not matter to you though. I have a number of videos on my channel showing different units at Sheraton Vistana Resort and you can get an idea of what the renovations look like in Lakes and Fountains I/II. They were renovated in 2020.

As to ACs not pulling Marriotts. This has long been how they worked prior to 2020. Marriott weeks on an AC have pretty much been off the table for many years. They did pull them many years ago and more recently only pulling Marriott units at last minute or studios. This of course changed in 2020 during the pandemic. Though it seems we are back to pre-pandemic times when it comes to ACs.

 

[hajjah]

Thanks for the update. Are the newer units only in buildings with stairs and no elevator? I requested a high floor near the elevator. We never stay on the ground floor anywhere. We prefer to be on a top floor if at all possible for better views. I may need to call back for clarification.
Oh, dioxide45, the video is excellent. Thanks so much.

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks for the update. Are the newer units only in buildings with stairs and no elevator? I requested a high floor near the elevator. We never stay on the ground floor anywhere. We prefer to be on a top floor if at all possible for better views. I may need to call back for clarification.

Lakes has elevators and was renovated. All Lakes buildings are four stories. I don't know if Lakes has top floor vaulted ceilings and skylights though.

 

[hajjah]

Update: We returned last Saturday from the Vistana. We were in Lakes building on top floor. Well yes, some aspects of the units have been refurbished, but not all. The unit has been painted. The new carpet and living room furniture were good. As for the kitchen, they replaced the refrigerator only. The two frying pans were disgusting as well as the tea kettle. Both needed to be discarded. I had the housekeeping supervisor in the unit to see how bad the condition of those items were and to have them replaced. The worker came back with items that were in the same condition, which I refused to touch. They eventually sent someone to Walmart or one of the Dollar stores to get replacements. What!!! The pans and tea kettle looked as they were about $5 and all were aluminum. I told the supervisor that this was definitely not up to Marriott standards. This is the second time we've stayed at this Vistana and had to have the kitchenware replaced. The unit air filter also had to be changed since it was filthy. The bottom kitchen cabinets were gross! Nothing had been painted as well as the drawers containing the pots, pans and silverware. The master bathroom shower needs updating. The rust in the shower and under the toilet were gross. Overall, our stay was good due to the great weather last week. Oh, there is a skylight in the living rooms on the fourth floor.

 

[dioxide45]

Update: We returned last Saturday from the Vistana. We were in Lakes building on top floor. Well yes, some aspects of the units have been refurbished, but not all. The unit has been painted. The new carpet and living room furniture were good. As for the kitchen, they replaced the refrigerator only. The two frying pans were disgusting as well as the tea kettle. Both needed to be discarded. I had the housekeeping supervisor in the unit to see how bad the condition of those items were and to have them replaced. The worker came back with items that were in the same condition, which I refused to touch. They eventually sent someone to Walmart or one of the Dollar stores to get replacements. What!!! The pans and tea kettle looked as they were about $5 and all were aluminum. I told the supervisor that this was definitely not up to Marriott standards. This is the second time we've stayed at this Vistana and had to have the kitchenware replaced. The unit air filter also had to be changed since it was filthy. The bottom kitchen cabinets were gross! Nothing had been painted as well as the drawers containing the pots, pans and silverware. The master bathroom shower needs updating. The rust in the shower and under the toilet were gross. Overall, our stay was good due to the great weather last week. Oh, there is a skylight in the living rooms on the fourth floor.

In my experience, kitchen supplies at Sheraton and even Westin properties are complete garbage. I agree 100% on the condition of most of the pots and pans. Where Marriott uses pretty heavy gauge set of stainless steel pots and pans, Sheraton is cheap crap and it needs to all be replaced. Even the silverware is garbage. Every unit we have ever stayed in has had this problem. Westin properties are a little better in this regard, but not by much.

 

[CPNY]

In my experience, kitchen supplies at Sheraton and even Westin properties are complete garbage. I agree 100% on the condition of most of the pots and pans. Where Marriott uses pretty heavy gauge set of stainless steel pots and pans, Sheraton is cheap crap and it needs to all be replaced. Even the silverware is garbage. Every unit we have ever stayed in has had this problem. Westin properties are a little better in this regard, but not by much.

Completely agree. I’ve had to head over to Publix to buy my own cooking utensils. I’ve purchased new knives and cutting boards just to cut a tomato.

 

[VacationForever]

Recently we stayed at Westin Kierland, which is considered one of the jewels in the Vistana system, and their kitchen supplies were very subpar. No sponge for handwashing dishes, no rubbermaid containers etc. I told my friends before we got there to not expect the kitchen to be like MVC resorts. They often travel with us and were expecting the same set up. The other thing was not having a large broiler type oven underneath the counter. Their all-in-one overhead oven was a little limiting and we had no desire to go out to the common bbq grill area.