Marriott's Streamside at Vail

[acsobrin]

Has anyone recently been to this resort? I was considering buying a week there, but after reading all the tuggers' reviews, I don't know what to think of it anymore. It sounds to me like Marriott has neglected the property. However, the bad reviews are somewhat old... the couple of positive notes come from recent reviews (and by recent I mean at least a year old). I attempted to contact the property manager to see if I could get info on the renovation of the buildings, but no luck so far.
If any of you have stayed there recently I would really appreciate the info.
The unit that's being offered to me is in the Douglas building.
Thanks.
Andres Sobrino

 

[Steve]

I stayed at Streamside last summer. Some renovations have been completed, but there is a lot left to do. This resort will never meet Marriott's standards largely due to the layout and design of the buildings (with the exception of Evergreen). The club house and pool are very dated and have yet to be remodeled. That is coming soon, and you can expect a special assessment to pay for it.

I would gladly stay at Streamside again, but I sold my week there. That resort has too many isssues to make it a good place to purchase, in my opinion.

Steve

 

[ondeadlin]

Andres,

I own at Streamside (Birch) and visited a few weeks ago, but the last time I was in the Douglas building was February of 2004. At the time, they were halfway through a renovation that they were doing in parts, so as to avoid a special accessment. In my most recent visit, it seemed to me that the entire vibe about the place had really picked up since the Marriott contract was renewed. The clubhouse is about to be renovated, there were a couple of new ski shuttles, etc.

Whether I'd recommend you buy at Streamside or not would depend greatly on the price you get and what your needs are.

If you're looking to ski Vail, and you get a good price, I still think Streamside is a great place. Is it Mountainside or Summit Watch? Absolutely not, but it's much nicer than Eagle Point (where I also own, and like) and many other Vail Valley timeshares, and it's closer to great skiing than a place like the Sheraton Mountain Vista in Avon.

I would not suggest you buy a week here at Marriott's price, but if you're getting a good deal resale, and you're a big skier, I don't think you'll regret the move.

 

[Carol C]

Are you buying to ski or to trade mostly within Marriott? Douglas is going to have steeper maint fees than a bldg like Birch, which btw has been completely refurbed and is 5 star now. I'd stay clear of a purchase in Aspen or Cedar if I were looking to buy at Streamside. Evergreen is the best bldg, but maint fees are sky-high, mile high in fact. Again, it all depends what your intent is...if you plan to buy solely to use or if you want to buy for exchanging purposes primarily. Good luck to ya!

 

[acsobrin]

Thanks to all. My main goal was to use it to trade. There is a person who is selling a week #52. My initial thought was that a week 52 in Vail would be desirable as a trade, and as long as I am not paying the full face value for a Marriott week #52 in a ski resort, it sould be a good deal. However, it seems that the reviews may be a deterrent for people to consider this a good trade. The maintenance fees are in the $900's and according to the resort manager, the Douglas building has been partially renovated and will be fully updated in 2008 (I am sure an assessment will be due).
Since I am a skier, I wouldn't mind using it if it turns out to be a bad trader... but $20K may be a steep price to pay just for skiing.

Again, thanks for all the help.

 

[ondeadlin]

I think that week would have tremendous trading power ... but I also think it would have high MF and a high initial purchase price.