Sheraton Vistana Villages - St. Augustine

[Bigboy1967]

Greetings all!

I am brand new to this forum; we just purchased at SVV (St. Augustine phase) in late November 2009. I *think* we got a decent deal; we bought every other year (odd years). We got a bonus of 70,000 Starwood points plus a free year's worth of Star Options. Is this typical?

We stayed at the SVV as a free week given to us by my sister. We toured St. Augustine and it was beautiful. It was still under construction and it was unclear when the phase would be complete. The pool area was not finished yet either.

We want to go back to SVV in Feb/March this year, but we aren't sure if St. Augustine will be completed. Anyone have any info on this?

Thanks much,

Bigboy1967

 

[blondietink]

Welcome from a fellow Sheraton Vistana Villages owner!

We were there in late August and were told that the new pool would be done in a month. Since it was not open when you were there, I would expect that it probably won't be done anytime soon, JMHO. We also got a letter in the fall about cutbacks in staffing at the resort due to the economy and members not paying their yearly dues/assessments. I don't this this is a unique problem in today's economy, but is worth watching.

The villa we were assigned to when we were there had horrible internet service and we were moved into a 2 bedroom villa from a 1 bedroom for free. That villa's internet service was better, but not by much. Hopefully they will get this problem fixed before our next visit.

We also are owners at Disney Vacation club, and owned there first before joining at the Vistana Villages. There is no comparison as far as services and upkeep of the property as far as we are concerned (Disney being much better). We bought at Vistana Villages to have a larger variety of resorts in the entire network as well as the Starwood points that we can use at many hotels throughout the country.

I am sure you will be happy, we are with both of our choices.

 

[vistana101]

Vistana Villages is a wonderful resort! I have recently spoken with Owner Services about this very same topic. They told me that the interactive pool would open in late February without any construction delays. I would expect that if you go at the end of March/April, amenities should be open and ready to use. Then again, they first told us November 2009, and that deadline worked well. Don't forget that because you were not able to book in your "home preference period", you are not guaranteed to stay in the St. Augustine section.

 

[pointsjunkie]

Greetings all!

I am brand new to this forum; we just purchased at SVV (St. Augustine phase) in late November 2009. I *think* we got a decent deal; we bought every other year (odd years). We got a bonus of 70,000 Starwood points plus a free year's worth of Star Options. Is this typical?

We stayed at the SVV as a free week given to us by my sister. We toured St. Augustine and it was beautiful. It was still under construction and it was unclear when the phase would be complete. The pool area was not finished yet either.

We want to go back to SVV in Feb/March this year, but we aren't sure if St. Augustine will be completed. Anyone have any info on this?

Thanks much,

Bigboy1967

if you want to stay in st. augustine ask the reservationist to put that in your notes and they will try to accomodate you. no guarantees but it is worth a shot. svv is a great resort and the staff is eager to help.

 

[Bill4728]

Greetings all!

I am brand new to this forum; we just purchased at SVV (St. Augustine phase) in late November 2009. I *think* we got a decent deal; we bought every other year (odd years). We got a bonus of 70,000 Starwood points plus a free year's worth of Star Options. Is this typical?

BigBoy,
Welcome to TUG,

I'll let the other Starwood experts talk to you about the resort BUT I wanted to comment about your comment I *think* we got a decent deal;

Most of the time buying direct from the developer isn't a good deal at all. Right now you can buy from a current owner for about 10% of what you paid the developer.

SO before you even consider buying any more time, look into resale. AT SVV you can buy either of the first two phases and still get StarOptions (not starpoints) So by buying resale you can double you time at the resort & other starwood resorts for a fraction of what you paid Starwood.

 

[Bigboy1967]

Thanks to everyone for responding. I did learn quite a bit, and thanks for the tips on resale! Happy vacationing!

 

[Suethepoohs]

My husband called the resort today, and was told that the interactive pool at the St. Augustine phase is now open! We head there on Sunday....hoping for warmer weather to take advantage of it!!

 

[slgibbs1]

Vistana Village St. Augustine

Just got back last Friday. The new pool is open. It's very nice, but not as big as the main pool complex. Enjoy!!!

 

[NEGreyhound]

Pool is open but in the shade a lot

We stayed there till Feb. 21 and the pool was open and being supervised by a lifeguard, a first for a resort that I've stayed in. There is a slide and a ship that young children seemed to be enjoying playing on. It definately looked like a young children's pool. The pool is in the shade quite a bit and with the cold weather it wasn't a good option for us. I believe building 25 is beside the pool. It looks finished but no one was apparently staying there. If that building opens then you'll have no problem staying in St. Augustine. Lots and lots of b'bq areas. Two small gymns with a bit of equipment but no exercise mats in either. The main pool is great but during a warm sunny day (whenever that will be) there will definately be a lack of chairs. The pool is heated unfortunately the air is not!
Enjoy!

 

[Bigboy1967]

We're on our way home right now (In PHL airport). We stayed in St. Augustine from 2/190 to today...beautiful area. Pirate ship themed pool was lots of fun for my 3 year old...but we only had 3 days of 'pool weather'. Boy the salesman there don't give up. They don't care if you just spent a bunch of money on one of their timeshares a few months ago. They want you to buy more time right away. I will be looking into resales...especially if can get the associated star options at about 10% of the original purchase price!

Does anyone have links or can point me to where I can shop for resales?

Thanks to all who responded and helped!

Bigboy1967

 

[DeniseM]

Ebay is the cheapest place for resales. Note that only a few SW timeshares have Staroptions with a resale & and they sell for more than the resorts without Staroptions - there is a list in the SW FAQ at the top of the page.

What is your goal in buying a resale? Where do you want to exchange? In some instances, a week without Staroptions will accomplish your goal for a lot less money.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Geographical Clarification.

Vistana Villages is in Orlando, Florida, USA. -- all sections (including St. Augustine section).

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[LisaRex]

Before looking to buy another unit, here's some food for thought:

1) Since you bought your unit from the developer, you have SOs. Use these SOs to trade internally within SVN OR deposit your week into II and enjoy the Starwood priority (3 days or more) all Starwood owners get for trading into other Starwoods. These are your best options for getting into Harborside or Lagunamar or Hawaii. If you use II, a 1 bdrm might fetch you a 2 bdrm within II.

2) If and when you want to go back to SVV, check into booking via IntervalWorld's GetAways. GetAways are basically clearance houses for timeshare companies who want to dump their unused inventory. There are tons of Orlando weeks available most weeks of the year for LESS than what you currently pay in MFs. I'm talking $500 for a 2 bdrm at very nice TSs, including Starwood and Marriott. You can also buy weeks for friends and relatives at this rate plus a modest guest certificate fee.

 

[Bigboy1967]

Thanks DeniseM and LisaRex. As my son is a toddler now, we'll be going back to Orlando every year at least for the next 5-8 years. When we bought last year we did a biennial unit, so we get it every other year. So I guess my short term goal is to be able to go every year to Orlando and stay at SVV. I'm trying to weigh the options...whether to buy another week, more staroptions, or not buy at all...just maybe use the Getaways.

Of course after my son outgrows Orlando we'll want to start trading for properties all over (not just within Starwood).

Just a clarifyer...I thought all properties within Sheraton Starwood came with Starpoints? Is this incorrect?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks,

B

 

[capjak]

No resales come with starpoints (hotel stays) some come with staroptions (timeshare stays).

My suggestion for every year use is to use getaways rather than purchase more starwood or rent DVC points and try out a on-site DVC timeshare ( you would be a prime canidate for DVC, by the way my daughter is 17 and still wants to go there as do we). Otherwise if I was going to purchase look at other systems that have lower MFs and more options for trading like Marriott resale of course.

 

[DeniseM]

I would not buy another Starwood week right now - especially if you financed the first one. I think I'd try out the new purchase first and see how you like it. Right now, you can get rentals and getaways in Orlando for far less than buying another week - especially since your son isn't in school yet and you can travel off-season. Then you can take your time and research all your resale options before buying again.

If you decide you have to have another Orlando week, you can get a week at Sherton Vistana Resort for literally nothing, the MF are less, and it is in the middle of a major renovation which will bring it up to par with SVV.

Sheraton Vistana Resort - Cascades (Sm. 1 bdm) - $674.17
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Cascades (2 bdm) - $835.06
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Cascades (2 bdm. L/O) - $1065.11
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Falls (2 bdm.) - $714.50
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Fountains I (2 bdm.) - $801.69
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Fountains II (2 bdm.) - $942.52
Sheraton Vistant Resort - Lakes (2 bdm.) - $923.27
Sheraton Vistana Resort - Springs (2 bdm.) - $795.19​