Purchasing a resale SDO (Sheraton Desert Oasis) no StarOptions is it worth taking on

[rickandcindy23]

A true platinum week is currently on ebay, if anyone is interested. It's a one bedroom only. I was going to bid the $1 but chose not to bid after thinking about it. I don't know if it's a small or large one bedroom. It's unit 3095, week 1, which fits into Denise's criteria for platinum. $75 closing cost + winning bid. Still tempted, so bid on it and keep me from buying it!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Oh, and it's free use for 2021, but Vistana often doesn't honor the usage, even if it's promised in the ad. Still tempted!

 

[tschwa2]

Oh, and it's free use for 2021, but Vistana often doesn't honor the usage, even if it's promised in the ad. Still tempted!

If they have it in points you might not get it but if they purchased resale and it isn't currently in VSN, you should get usage. It would probably end up being a II deposit because it won't transfer in time to use in the winter and the Christmas/new year platinum time may already be booked.

 

[wjarcher]

I wish it was a 2-bedroom. 10k to retro a 81,000 (premium) or 67,100 (standard 1bedroom) unit might not be worth it

 

[tschwa2]

I wish it was a 2-bedroom. 10k to retro a 81,000 (premium) or 67,100 (standard 1bedroom) unit might not be worth it

Problem also is they make you retro with a purchase of flex which is worse than retroing with a voluntary resort with at least decent MF's.

 

[CPNY]

Problem also is they make you retro with a purchase of flex which is worse than retroing with a voluntary resort with at least decent MF's.

So true! I wish they would let you retro for a fee without buying flex. I’d spend 5K to retro a unit without the burden of taking on a flex plan.

 

[CPNY]

A true platinum week is currently on ebay, if anyone is interested. It's a one bedroom only. I was going to bid the $1 but chose not to bid after thinking about it. I don't know if it's a small or large one bedroom. It's unit 3095, week 1, which fits into Denise's criteria for platinum. $75 closing cost + winning bid. Still tempted, so bid on it and keep me from buying it!

It is tempting..... great trader unit.

 

[vacationtime1]

A true platinum week is currently on ebay, if anyone is interested. It's a one bedroom only. I was going to bid the $1 but chose not to bid after thinking about it. I don't know if it's a small or large one bedroom. It's unit 3095, week 1, which fits into Denise's criteria for platinum. $75 closing cost + winning bid. Still tempted, so bid on it and keep me from buying it!

If you would be using it as a trader, you would actually prefer the smaller one bedroom -- the MF's are much lower and the two sides seem to trade almost the same.

 

[rickandcindy23]

If you would be using it as a trader, you would actually prefer the smaller one bedroom -- the MF's are much lower and the two sides seem to trade almost the same.

I think the fees are showing as $745, but with ebay ads, the fees tend to include SVN fees, which would not apply to a voluntary unit. But it seems it's a large 1 bedroom by that MF.

This is also a very rentable unit. If you can get something that is highly desirable, like a spring training week, you can rent it for a good deal over MF's. Go-koala.com!

 

[daviator]

The VSN StarOptions chart has this note for SDO: "StarOptions® amounts required for Sheraton Desert Oasis Home Resort Owners to access Sheraton Desert Oasis may differ from the amounts required by other Owners in the Vistana Signature Network to access this resort." Can somebody explain what that means in real terms?

 

[tschwa2]

The VSN StarOptions chart has this note for SDO: "StarOptions® amounts required for Sheraton Desert Oasis Home Resort Owners to access Sheraton Desert Oasis may differ from the amounts required by other Owners in the Vistana Signature Network to access this resort." Can somebody explain what that means in real terms?

If you own and retro'ed 1-52 SDO you can book any week during you homeweek period. Instead of having some units through SVN reflect 3 season ownership and some reflect 1-52 all SVN points requirement is based on the 3 seasons. So a 1-52 week owner enrolled in SVN only gets 81,000 SO's for a 2 BR lock off; which would not be enough to book during platinum season.

 

[jmhpsu93]

A true platinum week is currently on ebay, if anyone is interested. It's a one bedroom only. I was going to bid the $1 but chose not to bid after thinking about it. I don't know if it's a small or large one bedroom. It's unit 3095, week 1, which fits into Denise's criteria for platinum. $75 closing cost + winning bid. Still tempted, so bid on it and keep me from buying it!

There's also a 2BR lockoff by the same seller.

 

[daviator]

There's also a 2BR lockoff by the same seller.

But not a Platinum week I think.

 

[Ski-Dad]

Looks like the 1 bedroom is Platinum. The 2 Bedroom is not. Tempting either way, but with no travel in 2020, my banked weeks are stacking up.

 

[sherakay]

Oh, and it's free use for 2021, but Vistana often doesn't honor the usage, even if it's promised in the ad. Still tempted!

I'm considering purchasing a Vistana and don't understand when you say they don't honor the usage?

 

[snerkles1]

I bought an SDO resale 2BR lockoff about 8 years ago. I never intended to stay there, but bought it to trade through Interval International. We've had wonderful trades! I won't bore with a list here, but will be happy to share if you're interested. Unexpectedly, we later moved to Scottsdale (20 minutes from SDO) and stayed at SDO--first when we moved to have a retreat after unpacking all day, second when the house was painted. I do use the day pass every so often. I always split the lockoff into 2 1BR units, giving me 2 weeks a year. Choose2 gives me another 2 weeks a year. And I now have 4 Accommodation Certificates in my account--impossible for us to use them all.

Can I split the 2 bedroom SDO on a resale? To make it 2 one bedroom at SDO or is that just through interval that you split it?

 

[DeniseM]

You can split it with a resale.

 

[dioxide45]

Can I split the 2 bedroom SDO on a resale? To make it 2 one bedroom at SDO or is that just through interval that you split it?

YOu can reserve each half of your week as two one bedroom units. Then you can use, rent, exchange through II the two in any combination.

 

[Danjos]

I bought an SDO resale 2BR lockoff about 8 years ago. I never intended to stay there, but bought it to trade through Interval International. We've had wonderful trades! I won't bore with a list here, but will be happy to share if you're interested. Unexpectedly, we later moved to Scottsdale (20 minutes from SDO) and stayed at SDO--first when we moved to have a retreat after unpacking all day, second when the house was painted. I do use the day pass every so often. I always split the lockoff into 2 1BR units, giving me 2 weeks a year. Choose2 gives me another 2 weeks a year. And I now have 4 Accommodation Certificates in my account--impossible for us to use them all.

What is Choose 2 i own 3 units at SDO and am aN II member does that allow me a Choose 2?
thanks in advance

 

[rickandcindy23]

The Choose 2 might be a program II had for a while but doesn't have anymore. We also had xyz, and I used it one time. You could pick a second consecutive week at the same resort for just an exchange fee. I don't really remember exact details.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Does SDO have day passes for owners? If so how does an owner obtain one?

 

[dioxide45]

What is Choose 2 i own 3 units at SDO and am aN II member does that allow me a Choose 2?
thanks in advance

Choose 2 has been discontinued. II seems to have replaced it with all the freebie ACs they give out.

 

[jabberwocky]

Does SDO have day passes for owners? If so how does an owner obtain one?

Yes. I’ve used this feature several times when I have a few hours to kill before my flight after a conference in PHX.

I usually call the same day to confirm that they aren’t at capacity (I’ve been told they can only give out so many per day). When I arrive I just go to the check-in desk and request day use privileges. They need your SDO contract number and once confirmed they’ll give you a keycard which gets you access to the pool and fitness facility.