Improvements/Peeves

[Ken555]

A Westin being built in Sonoma!? - where/when?

added: I just googled it - this must be for the fractional ownership condos being built...?

http://www.verasanapa.com/

I think you saw this link before. It's full ownership, I think, not fractional. Still, seems like it would make sense to me to convert a few floors (or a building/wing) to SVN... they don't even need a sales center there... but, it makes too much sense for Starwood to do this...

 

[SDKath]

Wow, that lobby looks spectacular! With 2BR and 2BR LOs, I bet they had that as a "fallback" scenario -- to convert to TSs. They can't do just a few though. If demand is too high, people will be mad not to be able to ever get in via SVN. I think they'd have to have a whole building devoted to TSs. But that's easy enough. It's the same model they are using at Riverfront, which also looks gorgeous. There, the 2 bedroom residences are going for $1.5M++.

Katherine

 

[Ken555]

Yup and it's certainly easier to sell a $1.5M unit once, rather than 50 times. But, I'm not sure it's a fall-back scenario for them. This is a similar design they've used elsewhere (though it's updated, of course). Whistler is very similar, for instance (and has a Whiski Jack t/s there, but not SVN...go figure...).

I like the idea of a boutique timeshare division for SVN in these hotels, that would obviously have limited availability. And why not? It's another chance for SVN to devalue our Options!
:deadhorse:

 

[jerseygirl]

I like the idea a lot, but I think it would harm their sales of full/fractionals if Starwood turned some floors into timeshares. The target markets are from two different demographic groups, for the most part (yes, there are timeshare owners who could buy a $1.5MM unit -- but I suspect they're in the minority). The exclusivity is part of the draw of a $1.5MM unit -- take that away, and it's not so attractive.

Hyatt has a hybrid of the model you're suggesting. I don't think you can buy just a week or two at their fractional properties, but when fractional owners want to visit a Hyatt timeshare resort, reciprocal trading rights are then offered to the timeshare owners. But, the fractional owners are in the drivers' seats.

 

[califgal]

It's full ownership, I think, not fractional

It is full ownership. I looked into it when I first heard about it. The first phase sold out immediatley, I think a studio went for $425,000 starting price. The owners can only stay in their units for 30 or 35 days per year! The city wants to collect maximum hotel taxes. Owners can put their units in the rental pool, but the split is not very favorable to the owners.

 

[Grandmama]

This place is owned by Intrawest and has nothing to do with Starwood except that they are licensed to use the Westin name. We live close and I was so excited to think there might even be a Starwood Hotel north of San Francisco. Darn!

 

[SDKath]

It is full ownership. I looked into it when I first heard about it. The first phase sold out immediatley, I think a studio went for $425,000 starting price. The owners can only stay in their units for 30 or 35 days per year! The city wants to collect maximum hotel taxes. Owners can put their units in the rental pool, but the split is not very favorable to the owners.

How can it be full ownership and only be available 35 days of the year? Isn't that what defines a fractional? Just wondering...

K

 

[jerseygirl]

Kath -- It's a condo hotel -- I think owners get 29 days of usage, then the unit is income producing the balance of the year. There are resales available if you hunt around!!

 

[Ken555]

This place is owned by Intrawest and has nothing to do with Starwood except that they are licensed to use the Westin name. We live close and I was so excited to think there might even be a Starwood Hotel north of San Francisco. Darn!

It's the same in Mammoth. You will be able to use StarPoints to go there.

 

[pointsjunkie]

Kath -- It's a condo hotel -- I think owners get 29 days of usage, then the unit is income producing the balance of the year. There are resales available if you hunt around!!

that's the way the cove works at the atlantis in the bahamas. they share in the rental fees the rest of the year.

 

[Grandmama]

It's the same in Mammoth. You will be able to use StarPoints to go there.

Thanks for the info.
I called the sales office for the development and they said they would not be in the Starwood network at all, so I called SVN and they said it would be open in Jan. 2009 and we could use SPs. It will be a Cat. 4 hotel and 10,000 SPs a night. So we will have a place in the wine country to go to.

We don't have many places in northern CA outside of San Francisco. I wish they had some places on the coast without having to go to Southern CA.

 

[Ken555]

Thanks for the info.
I called the sales office for the development and they said they would not be in the Starwood network at all,

Typical uninformed sales... Though it's true that some "Starwood" properties are not eligible to reserve with StarPoints.

so I called SVN and they said it would be open in Jan. 2009 and we could use SPs. It will be a Cat. 4 hotel.

Great! I had thought it might be a Cat 5 like Mammoth, but Cat 4 is fantastic news. I'll be in SF for a conference in January, and if this hotel is open by then I'll try to get there for a few days...

 

[jerseygirl]

Bringing this thread back ....

From an email I received from the Hilton Club (where you can already book online, with the exception of some of the affiliates):

The new online booking engine, aptly named "Revolution," will be available at hgvclub.com in the next few weeks.

This booking engine is designed with a sliding calendar allowing Members to select their preferred destination then simply "slide" to view availability for an entire year. A revolutionary feature indeed!

Very cool indeed!

 

[tomandrobin]

Bringing this thread back ....

From an email I received from the Hilton Club (where you can already book online, with the exception of some of the affiliates):

The new online booking engine, aptly named "Revolution," will be available at hgvclub.com in the next few weeks.

This booking engine is designed with a sliding calendar allowing Members to select their preferred destination then simply "slide" to view availability for an entire year. A revolutionary feature indeed!

Very cool indeed!

*sigh*

 

[jerseygirl]

I like how Members is capitalized too .... with Starwood, it would be members.

 

[taffy19]

I wonder if they have a VP for the maintenance of the "NODGE FILE".

:hysterical:

 

[taffy19]

One of the reasons we love WKORV so much is that it is "low rise". I think SVO should stick with this plan ..low rise and high quality. When I'm there I easlily can imagine it's my own condo! Unlike ther Marriott which looks like a mega resort.

True but high rise towers have many ocean view condos and that's what people want on the beach and real estate is so expensive on the coast so long there is easy parking for everyone which is law today and enough beach to enjoy.

 

[Ken555]

I called SVN and they said it would be open in Jan. 2009

Seems they're ahead of schedule!

From www.spg.com:

Now accepting reservations for arrival on or after September 26, 2008.Nestled on the banks of the Napa River, in the heart of North America’s premiere wine growing region, The Westin Verasa Napa is a serene, relaxing haven seamlessly blended with natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Explore Napa's beautifully restored architectural gems, attend outstanding performances in the renowned Napa Valley Opera House, frequent fine art exhibitions, drop in on jam sessions, and sample world famous cuisine.
At The Westin Verasa Napa, each of our stylish suites encourages you to unwind with soft Heavenly® Beds and inspiring views of historic downtown or the Napa River. Channel your energy in our 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® fitness facility or dive into the calming essences of our heated outdoor pool. Indulge in award-winning cuisine at La Toque or savor a nightcap at our newly designed wine bar—Bank Café and Bar.
At The Westin Verasa Napa you will be transformed mentally, physically and spiritually so that you can be at your best.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Seems they're ahead of schedule!

From www.spg.com:

Wow! This is fantastic for us Bay Area folks to visit the wine country. While I wasn't disappointed with our recent visit to the Sheraton in Petaluma and the Sonoma Wine Country - it is great to have an additional place in Napa - and even better that it is a Westin.

I am going to surprise Robin with a weekend reservation...

 

[DeniseM]

Wow! This is fantastic for us Bay Area folks to visit the wine country. While I wasn't disappointed with our recent visit to the Sheraton in Petaluma and the Sonoma Wine Country - it is great to have an additional place in Napa - and even better that it is a Westin.

I am going to surprise Robin with a weekend reservation...

can u please let us know how many starpoints they are charging per nite?

 

[bizaro86]

The Westin Verasa Napa is a cat 4 hotel, according to SPG.com, so it should be 10,000 Starpoints per night. Suites would be more, but I'm not sure if the 10,000 point standard upgrade would apply here or what that would get you.

Michael

 

[tomandrobin]

10,000 starpoints

 

[Ken555]

I think this new hotel is calling out for me to visit for five nights...at the four night cost...

 

[James1975NY]

In the by-laws, Starwoood reserves the right to change or modify reservation programs.

What would likely happen is that any StarOptions that you be allowed to carry over would be restricted to use 60-days in advance. If you have read your by-laws, you will see why I use the 60-days as a example.

Why not suggest to SVO that there needs to be some focus on allowing owners to spend their StarOptions on more than just reservations. For an example, why not provide a Cabana at Westin Missions Hills for 10,000 StarOptions? As a Start, they could allow owners to carry-over StarOptions for non-reservation use only. A round of golf for two at Westin Kierland for 8,000 StarOptions....

 

[pointsjunkie]

that would require major thinking on the part of starwood. that would be great but doubt if that would happen.