[merged]Westin Desert Willow (Palm Desert, Calif) opening March 2010

[James1975NY]

I didn't even know this thing existed until I saw this ebay auction a couple of days ago...

$28 for a 2BR 1-52 Float... great job in preserving value for owners, Starwood

Do we know if this sale was with a private seller or one of those deals where an owner may have paid $1000 or so dollars to have a company then in turn auction it off starting with a dollar? Whenever I go to the link, it flashes to "the auction has ended"

.....whoops nevermind....I see I can scroll down to see the ad.....

 

[James1975NY]

Do we know if this sale was with a private seller or one of those deals where an owner may have paid $1000 or so dollars to have a company then in turn auction it off starting with a dollar? Whenever I go to the link, it flashes to "the auction has ended"

.....whoops nevermind....I see I can scroll down to see the ad.....

Interesting post here about Selling Time Guys....

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51896

Talk about preserving value.......

 

[DanCali]

Do we know if this sale was with a private seller or one of those deals where an owner may have paid $1000 or so dollars to have a company then in turn auction it off starting with a dollar? Whenever I go to the link, it flashes to "the auction has ended"

You should still be able to see the auction details - if not look for item 330403514648.

The seller is sellingtimeguys - not sure under which category they fall, but fwiw their feedback is 100%.

 

[James1975NY]

You should still be able to see the auction details - if not look for item 330403514648.

The seller is sellingtimeguys - not sure under which category they fall, but fwiw their feedback is 100%.

Thanks DanCali. Normally I am pretty good with computers for some reason the thought of scrolling down did not enter my mind

Not surprised that they have a 100% approval among Buyers. I wonder what their approval rating is from a Seller's perspective.

 

[jarta]

DanCali and James, ... sellingtimeguys is a guy called Tony Comas in Orlando. I used him on my purchase of a Platinum 2-br at WKV. I was very careful because of the link Fredm posted here.

However, I had a very good experience with Tony. He would always take calls himself. His closing company was licensed and bonded by the State of Florida (I checked). I got title insurance through it underwritten by CT&T.

It was not a power of attorney sale. The deed was actually signed by the person who had been the owner. Starwood cleared it immediately.

My experience was quite different than the TUG poster's. ... eom

 

[James1975NY]

DanCali and James, ... sellingtimeguys is a guy called Tony Comas in Orlando. I used him on my purchase of a Platinum 2-br at WKV. I was very careful because of the link Fredm posted here.

However, I had a very good experience with Tony. He would always take calls himself. His closing company was licensed and bonded by the State of Florida (I checked). I got title insurance through it underwritten by CT&T.

It was not a power of attorney sale. The deed was actually signed by the person who had been the owner. Starwood cleared it immediately.

My experience was quite different than the TUG poster's. ... eom

I am sure he is a nice guy and services are effective. Selling a platinum 2-bedroom at WKY at the right price is an easy sale. Selling a VCC week, not so much. Not sure we can compare the two.

 

[jarta]

James, ... All through my transaction, I got the impression that the seller was an older gentleman who became ill and could not travel any more and just wanted to dump his unit.

I always consider eBay sales not to be fair market transactions. They are, in the main, panic or liquidation sales. I consider my purchase at WKV to be a forced sale.

IMO, 10-15 eBay liquidation sales per year at a resort do not make the market for timeshares. ... eom

 

[SDKath]

Desert Willow Opening...

Just received this. I guess it's officially open this weekend? Can anyone who is in the area please post some pix:

Starwood Vacation Ownership Opens Westin Desert Willow Villas
Published on: February 18, 2010
Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. (SVO), the fractional and vacation ownership division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., opened the first phase of The Westin Desert Willow Villas in Palm Desert, Calif. The resort is the second Starwood Vacation Ownership resort in California. The company also operates The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas in nearby Rancho Mirage, Calif. The first phase of The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert consists of five three-story buildings, a clubhouse, teen activity room, family activity room, Westin Kids Club, tennis courts, three swimming pools, a waterslide, barbecue grill areas, multiple outdoor whirlpool spas, a WestinWorkOut fitness facility, a steam room and a sauna. This phase includes 74 two-bedroom lock-off villas with luxurious features and amenities, including separate living and dining areas, private balconies, flat-panel televisions, DVD players, stereos, high-speed wireless Internet, full kitchens, and the signature Westin Heavenly Bed and Westin Heavenly Bath. Upon completion, the resort will have a total of 300 two-bedroom lock-off villas. For more information, visit www.starwoodvo.com.

 

[kristencostello]

We have a large 1-bedroom reservation starting next weekend (2/27). I changed our reservation from WKV at the last minute to try it. I've warned my family that everything might not be ready and that we could get a room with no view because I changed our reservation last minute and they are fine with that. We love Palm Springs (Palm Desert) and usually stay at my father-in-laws Marriott Desert Springs unit and it's a driving vacation for us. I'll try and post some pictures during our week unless someone else beats me to it!

 

[SDKath]

We have a large 1-bedroom reservation starting next weekend (2/27). I changed our reservation from WKV at the last minute to try it. I've warned my family that everything might not be ready and that we could get a room with no view because I changed our reservation last minute and they are fine with that. We love Palm Springs (Palm Desert) and usually stay at my father-in-laws Marriott Desert Springs unit and it's a driving vacation for us. I'll try and post some pictures during our week unless someone else beats me to it!

Great! Thanks. Are the pools ready and usable? We thought about going this weekend with some spare SOs but DH said he wants to make sure the kids can swim before we commit.

I drove through in the Fall and there was a LOT of construction still going on but the whole area looked fantastic. Please let us know if there are any restaurants on site (and if they are open yet) and how much construction noise there is, if any....

Have a great trip! Looking forward to some pix. The 1BR layout looks nice and big (actually both sides of the lockoff look spacious).

Kath

 

[kristencostello]

OMG, I hope the pools will be open! The reservations agent said they should be open and heated. There will be a mutiny from my kids if they aren't! And after living in southern NV for three years, we have become wimps about swimming in cold water! Luckily, we have been to PS enough times that we know where everything is and can fill our time without swimming if that is not an option although that is me, the parent, talking and not my children.

I asked about a restaurant and was told that there is a bar/grill on the property, which also should be open. We are going with an open mind that everything will not be 100% finished/open/running smoothly and I am hoping we will be pleasantly surprised after we get there but not counting on it either.

 

[jarta]

kristincostello, ... All rooms have balconies that look out on the 2 golf courses that encircle the resort. At least, that's what the model I saw indicates.

As for restaurants, Desert Willow is much closer to the shopping areas and restaurants of Palm Desert than Mission Hills is. But, it's not so close to Agua Caliente casino. lol!

For groceries, Bristol Farms super supermarket is just 1/4 mile down the street on Country Club Drive.

Have a nice time. Post about your visit. ... eom

 

[Ken555]

But, it's not so close to Agua Caliente casino.

I see this as a huge positive compared to WMH.

 

[ACE1]

I just tried to get a reservation using Options for March 19th on our way home from NCV but no availability. Just thought it would be fun to check it out. I don't know if it would be worth it to re submit and try for the small side or not.

 

[jarta]

ACE1, ... Only 5 buildings (74 units out of the total of 300) are now open.

http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article.aspx?articleid=16219

Asking for a reservation at this resort 30 days before arrival wouldn't work (except for maybe mid-Summer). I called about a month ago for 8 months later and all 3 types of units (Premium 1-br, Deluxe 1-br and 2-br lockoff) were available then.

So, try for something at 8 months. From the plans and drawings I saw, the Premium 1-br is the right choice. The Deluxe 1-br is (as usual) much less usable. The Premium 1-brs at WDW will look much like the Premium 1-brs at WKV. ... eom

 

[crisby]

We will be staying at WMH next week. Does anyone know what resort they are featuring in the "Owners Update" presentation? Could it be the Westin Desert Willows?

Chris

 

[SDKath]

We will be staying at WMH next week. Does anyone know what resort they are featuring in the "Owners Update" presentation? Could it be the Westin Desert Willows?

Chris

When we were at WMH, they had a huge model of WDW in the lobby of WMH! I am sure they are featuring it although you can buy any of the locations they have on sale from any sales office. My advice is to avoid the sales presentation. We wanted to see the new resort layout and had a few questions so we just walked up to the sales rep, asked our questions and left. There was no time committment, no pressure, nothing. We were in and out in about 5 minutes. That's waaaay better than sitting through some lengthy presentation and movie and then having a "closer" come by to pressure you some more....

Katherine

 

[Cathyb]

jarta: Where did you see the floorplans? TIA

 

[grgs]

jarta: Where did you see the floorplans? TIA

The floorplans are posted at www.starwoodvo.com. Here's the 2 bedroom:

http://www.starwoodvacationownershi...low_villas_palm_desert/twobedroom_lockoff.jsp

Glorian

 

[jarta]

"Where did you see the floorplans? TIA"

Same place as SDKath saw the model - at WMH.

WDW will be a nice place, but I'd rather trade in to WDW than buy another timeshare. I have Staroptions to burn. ... eom

 

[kristencostello]

Here are some pictures (http://s984.photobucket.com/albums/ae327/kristencostello/Westin Desert Willows/?albumview=slideshow). We got here on Saturday, which was cloudy with a little bit of rain and the resort was pretty empty. We were allowed to check in early (12:45pm) and our rooms were ready! I made a very last minute change to the reservation (I added the deluxe 1 bedroom for my Father in law who needed to escape the snow in Philly) and we got connecting units. Only four buildings are open (1, 2, 3 and 5). Right now, building 5 would not be a good pick because they are still working on building 6 so you will hear construction noise. We are in 3309 (deluxe 1 bedroom) and 3310 (premium 1 bedroom). My daughter pointed out that there is no building 4 yet. When I get home, I'll scan the resort map. Everything is open (pools are heated, bar and grill is open, I've seen people on the golf course). I spoke to the front desk clerk yesterday and mentioned how empty it seemed (i.e., no cars in the parking lot, no one at the pool, etc.) and she said that they are at approximately 40% occupancy but come Thursday, it'll be 100%. I told my daughters to enjoy having the resort to ourselves because it'll never happen again. I must warn anyone coming here with petite kids; the lifeguards are very strict about the height requirement for the water slide. My seven year old was crushed because she is very tiny for her size and isn't allowed to go on it. We explained to the life guard that she's a very good swimmer but he said for now, the manager is very strict about that rule. Overall, WDW is very nice and we will probably come back here again.

 

[blr666]

What is the height requirement for the water slide?

 

[arosa1016]

Thank you so much for the pictures it looks wonderful. We are their April 17th. After being there which building and floor would you recommend to request.

 

[saluki]

Kristen-

Thanks for posting the pics - would love to see some shots of the exterior & pool if you are up for it.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cathyb]

Sq Footage?

Here are some pictures (http://s984.photobucket.com/albums/ae327/kristencostello/Westin Desert Willows/?albumview=slideshow). We got here on Saturday, which was cloudy with a little bit of rain and the resort was pretty empty. We were allowed to check in early (12:45pm) and our rooms were ready! I made a very last minute change to the reservation (I added the deluxe 1 bedroom for my Father in law who needed to escape the snow in Philly) and we got connecting units. Only four buildings are open (1, 2, 3 and 5). Right now, building 5 would not be a good pick because they are still working on building 6 so you will hear construction noise. We are in 3309 (deluxe 1 bedroom) and 3310 (premium 1 bedroom). My daughter pointed out that there is no building 4 yet. When I get home, I'll scan the resort map. Everything is open (pools are heated, bar and grill is open, I've seen people on the golf course). I spoke to the front desk clerk yesterday and mentioned how empty it seemed (i.e., no cars in the parking lot, no one at the pool, etc.) and she said that they are at approximately 40% occupancy but come Thursday, it'll be 100%. I told my daughters to enjoy having the resort to ourselves because it'll never happen again. I must warn anyone coming here with petite kids; the lifeguards are very strict about the height requirement for the water slide. My seven year old was crushed because she is very tiny for her size and isn't allowed to go on it. We explained to the life guard that she's a very good swimmer but he said for now, the manager is very strict about that rule. Overall, WDW is very nice and we will probably come back here again.

Kristen: Do you know the sizes of both one bedrooms? TIA