Newbie questions on Sheraton Vistana

[tink]

Hello,
I just joined the board and am interested in buying my first TS. I've done a bit of research and am thinking of the Sheraton Vistana. I am looking for something inexpensive for my first time share I can see that these go for only a few hundred dollars or less on Ebay. Orlando is somewhere that we would be interested in going. When my daughter is older we may try to trade it but we would be happy to go to Orlando for the next few years.

I know there have been major assessments going on at this resort and I wanted to make sure I had everything straight.

1. As far as I can tell the units at the Fountains and the Lakes have already paid the assesment and they are remodeled?

2. If I buy in the Fountains or Lakes will I always be assigned a unit there? I want to make sure I don't end up with a unit that hasn't been remodeled yet.

3. I was thinking of getting an every other year unit since this is my first TS and I kind of want to start slowly. I was also thinking of getting a lock off unit since it would have some more flexibility. Does this sound like a good idea?

I've read the reviews on the resort and some aren't that great but it seems like alot of the complaints were about the units and hopefully the remodel will fix the problems. Any other advice is welcome!

 

[rickandcindy23]

We go to Orlando many times per year (I am ashamed to say ), and we don't own there. We trade in, and we do it cheaper than owners do it. But I understand wanting to own something there, too.

Anyway, I sent you a PM! If you like the idea of the Starwoods, you can do it with other Starwood resorts. If you like the idea of Orlando, that is easy too.

 

[malyons]

my first timeshare (resale!) was at Vistana in the Fountains section. We bought sight unseen and showed up this past fall not knowing what to expect. All I can say is that I was 100% satisfied with the room and the renovations, and could not have expected anything more in terms of the rooms themselves. you can gather what you need to know from the reviews I'm sure, but rest assured....if you purchase and stay in the Fountains section you will not be disappointed with the quality of the room, pay no attention to any comments about the units pre-renovation.

That said - Orlando is quite possibly the easiest city to trade into in the timeshare world, and in fact I see many 2BR units available at the Vistana with the small side of my lockoff, in addition to marriotts and other top quality resorts in the area. The combination of reasonable MF's and the ability to access the internal II starwood pref period make this a reasonable way to go. Also consider Broadway Plantation and Shearaton Desert Oasis if you just want a Starwood resort to trade.

 

[malyons]

just re-read your post and thought I'd try to answer your other questions

I was told when making my reservation that they will always do their best to put you in the section you own, but I don't believe it is guaranteed, although given the size of the resort and the preference owners get I'm sure it would never be an issue

Fountains renovation is paid in full and renovation should be completed by now. I can't speak for the Lakes, but your question is in the right place to get that answer

I don't think the Fountains section has any lockoffs....I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong on this point

 

[amanven]

Fountains and lakes have been refurbished and the assessments for those sections should be complete. Bear in mind if you buy in the Fountains or Lakes sections you will not be able to join the SVN as the deadline for that has passed. If you buy an assigned unit in those sections you should get a refurbished unit.

My understanding is the Cascades units are up next for refurbishment in 2009 followed by the Falls, Spas, Palms, and Springs units and lastly the Courts units which are the most in need of refurbishment (I may be wrong about the Curts being last to be done). Refurbishments are due to be completed in 2010 so if you buy in any of these sections you will be hit with the assessments so keep that in mind when you consider the purchase price. You will however have the chance to join SVN if you buy in these sections.

I believe the lockoffs are located in the Cascades section so if you go for a lockoff you will have to consider the assessment when you look at the purchase price.

The resort grounds and pools are excellent at Vistana and once the refurbishments are complete Vistana will have more than earned its Gold Crown status. We have travelled there annually for the last 5 years and it has never disappointed us yet.

 

[tlpnet]

I don't believe that Cascades are next up to be complete. Their assessment was announced fairly recently. The Falls and Springs are the next to be completed with the first 50% of the assessment in 2008, the other 50% in January 2009 (Falls) or April 2009 (Springs) with both sections' renovations to be completed June 2009. There are no lockoffs in these sections.

-tim

 

[tink]

Thank you everyone for the information! I'm starting to think maybe it would be better to buy outside of Orlando since I keep hearing how easy it is to trade in there. If I do decide to buy Orlando though, I think I am leaning toward the Vistana.

 

[Ken555]

Not only is it easy to trade into Orlando, but you can often get an II Getaway there for less than your MFs.

 

[clsmit]

Since you're in VA Beach, buying in Myrtle Beach (Sheraton Broadway Plantation, SPB) might make sense. It's also cheap to own there and easy (through II) to trade into other Starwood properties and lots of other places. It's also a nice resort on its own, but not fancy nor on the beach. Just a nice pool and a nice place to go in Myrtle.

 

[tink]

Thanks clsmit, I have heard that broadway plantation is a nice resort. It also is driving distance from me which would be great. Have you every had trouble depositing your specific week in II? I have read on several threads here that Starwood tries to deposit a less desirable week for you than what you have reserved.

I'm also looking at some mountain resorts in VA and NC and have thought about beach resorts in NC or SC. It seems like Broadway Plantation is a good resort at a good price as far as the beach resorts go. The Marriott's seem nice but the prices seem higher. I am not sure I want to pay that much upfront. So many choices . . .

 

[clsmit]

I have not (yet) had to deposit a week into II from there, but I might soon and will report on the exeperience. But it is a nice place to stay (not nearly as fancy or resort-like as the Westin properties or newer Sheratons).

 

[James1975NY]

Hello,
I just joined the board and am interested in buying my first TS. I've done a bit of research and am thinking of the Sheraton Vistana. I am looking for something inexpensive for my first time share I can see that these go for only a few hundred dollars or less on Ebay. Orlando is somewhere that we would be interested in going. When my daughter is older we may try to trade it but we would be happy to go to Orlando for the next few years.

I know there have been major assessments going on at this resort and I wanted to make sure I had everything straight.

1. As far as I can tell the units at the Fountains and the Lakes have already paid the assesment and they are remodeled?

2. If I buy in the Fountains or Lakes will I always be assigned a unit there? I want to make sure I don't end up with a unit that hasn't been remodeled yet.

3. I was thinking of getting an every other year unit since this is my first TS and I kind of want to start slowly. I was also thinking of getting a lock off unit since it would have some more flexibility. Does this sound like a good idea?

I've read the reviews on the resort and some aren't that great but it seems like alot of the complaints were about the units and hopefully the remodel will fix the problems. Any other advice is welcome!

1.) Correct.
2.) Correct. However, in the future if you own in the Lakes, you can book in the Cascades as well (and vice versa).
3.) If the flexibility of a lock-off makes sense to you, yes. Remember, there will be higher maintenance fees but you will be able to trade two one-bedroom villas if you wanted to with a lock-off.

This resort is fantastic; however, there are 9 phases in this property and I am confident that the rehab is going to correct them. The oldes units were timeshares in 1980. The Fountains and the Lakes were built in the 90's and are already rehabilitated. When I got married, I had a lot of my wedding party stay at this resort and I cannot tell you how much fun they had....some had kids, some were simply couples or single adults and we really enjoyed the pool bars and hanging out again for the first time since college and high school.

Happy vacationing!