Sheraton Vistana Resort or Villas?

[Yolie912]

Hi
We want to book one of these but having a hard time. Which one just got remodeled. Which one is better? Anyone have pics?

 

[okwiater]

Hi
We want to book one of these but having a hard time. Which one just got remodeled. Which one is better? Anyone have pics?

Both resorts are made up of multiple phases, each of which is on a separate cycle in terms of refurbishments. If you are trading in using StarOptions, you can't choose which phase.

Overall, Vistana Villages is made up of newer buildings, mostly 6-8 stories tall. The density of the units is much higher. The pools are nicer (IMO). It feels a lot like SBP. On the other hand, Vistana Resort are older buildings and grounds, but are mostly low-rise. Some phases (like Cascades) look more like Vistana Villages, but most phases are more townhouse style. The grounds are sprawling, and lower density. There are more pools, some of them quite small.

We like both resorts, but prefer Vistana Villages when traveling with young children, as we like to request a room near the pirate ship pool. However, we have also stayed at Vistana Resort and like it a lot as well. The quality of the refurbishments at Vistana Resort is very high, and we've found the remodeled units to be in many cases superior in quality and maintenance to those of a brand new resort building.

You can find floorplans and interior villa photos here:
https://www.vistana.com/destinations/sheraton-vistana-resort

 

[Yolie912]

Thank you! Which one was just refurbished?

 

[VacationForever]

In general they all look new as Vistana refurbishes their resorts regularly before they start looking tired.

 

[bankr63]

Thank you! Which one was just refurbished?

Depends on what you mean by "just refurbished". SVR had a very large special assessment several years ago to support an extensive renovation throughout the resort; villas were pretty much stripped back to the bare walls. It has been about 4 years now since that completed, and normal refurbishment is back underway (after all it has been 6-7 years since the big job started). The units are generally still in great shape though.

I understand that SVV is in the midst of refurbishing some of the older sections, but a slower process with no SA for the owners. So you may get a more recently refurbished unit at SVV, but you may also get a unit that has not been refurb'd in quite a long time. An SVV owner might chime in with more detail on where they are at with the process and which sections are completed.

 

[Yolie912]

Great to hear! Thanks

 

[vistana101]

We love Vistana Villages, all sections have been refurbished at least once at this point, and the resort only opened in 2000. The phase next up for refurbishment number 2 is the Key West phase which opened in about 2005. We typically stay in that phase when we go to SVV as it is the quietest. The villas are very nice and modern (granite countertops, updated appliances and tvs etc.). The St. Augustine phase of SVV has also been recently refurbished, and that phase opened in about 2009. That is closest to the pirate's pool and has lots of amenities, although it is a bit more crowded.

 

[Yolie912]

Thank you!

 

[Helios]

SVR had a very large special assessment several years ago to support an extensive renovation throughout the resort.

How much is a very large SA?

 

[YYJMSP]

How much is a very large SA?

Cascades was ~$2000 for a 2BR L/O spread over 3 installments in 2009. Total cost was around $40 million, of which less than 20% was covered by the reserve balance, so 80% was the SA.

Spas was ~$1600 for everyone (it's all 2BR) spread over 3 installments in 2009. Total cost was around $24 million, of which way under 10% was covered by the reserve balance, so 90%+ was the SA.

 

[Helios]

Cascades was ~$2000 for a 2BR L/O spread over 3 installments in 2009. Total cost was around $40 million, of which less than 20% was covered by the reserve balance, so 80% was the SA.

Spas was ~$1600 for everyone (it's all 2BR) spread over 3 installments in 2009. Total cost was around $24 million, of which way under 10% was covered by the reserve balance, so 90%+ was the SA.

Wow, that is pretty significant. Have they made arrangements to prevent this from happening again (increase MFs)?

 

[gnipgnop]

We have stayed at both resorts and prefer Sheraton Vistana Villages. This past week was our first stay at the Villages compared to 3 times at the Vistana Resort. At SVV we were in the Bella section, top floor facing the lake. It was beautiful and quiet. I especially like the quiet pool at the Villages.

When we stayed at the Vistana Resort we were in the Cascade section and loved it there. Any other section there I don't think I would like. I do not prefer the town house type of condo's. Just my opinion.

Both resorts are very nice and you will not be disappointed with either. We just liked the Villages better.

 

[YYJMSP]

Wow, that is pretty significant. Have they made arrangements to prevent this from happening again (increase MFs)?

They more than doubled the replacement reserve part of the MFs, so that's a good thing when the next massive update happens...