starting fresh with a new property

[bonjourashley]

Hi All,
I'm a newer member to the TUG community, but I've been reading threads here and there for about a year now.

I recently dumped my Diamond Resort (formerly Monarch) property which I hadn't really gotten good usage out of. I'd used it within the Monarch -> Diamond system a few times over my 13-ish years of ownership, I'd made a decent trade in Orlando a few years back, then a fantastic trade to the Grand Luxxe in Nuevo Vallarta last summer. Though I had okay experiences with it, the maintenance fees were OUTRAGEOUS, and I'm not a fan of the Diamond system I got thrown into with the Monarch buyout. For the types of vacations I like (Hawaii, Mexico, nice beaches in general), the property I'd owned just wasn't what I wanted/needed, and I've regretted the purchase ever since I got suckered into it so long ago.

That being said, I'm looking to pursue a new, higher quality timeshare than I'd owned previously. I travel frequently within the Sheraton system (as an SPG platinum), and I like the experiences I always have at Sheraton hotels, but I'm wondering if it's a similar experience with SVO. I've been looking into ownership at Vistana Resort (it appears to be a good value economically), however, I'm very open to suggestions. I would I likely will use my week as a trader in the II system because I like the diversity of resorts/locations that the system offers- that is unless I snag a decent deal on a property within the mandatory StarOptions program.

With that in mind, I'm looking for any advice to be given in this general area. Is Vistana a good value in relation to maintenance fees and trading power? Are there other properties/companies I should be looking to?

Thank you in advance

 

[DeniseM]

It is possible to trade into the Starwood Hawaii resorts with a Starwood II trader, but only if you are very flexible. Starwood has 100% control over what is deposited and they don't deposit high season weeks or holidays - they primarily deposit off season weeks - mostly fall. Deposits have been down recently.

Mexico, is one of the easiest trades in the world, because it has more supply than demand.

Owning a Stawood resort with Staroptions is a far more reliable way to get into a Starwood resort. You can often pick up deeds in the mandatory phases of Sheraton Vistana Villages for free or nearly free.

Marriott and Starwood owners both have first priority for exchanges back into their respective resort systems with II, so if that it's your goal to trade into Marriott or Starwood in Hawaii, you need a trader in that system.

 

[taterhed]

There is a massive debate on one of the threads right now

http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230520

I researched SVO pretty heavy, but decided to hold out based on my Marriott ownership and the amount of change in the Starwood system right now.

That being said--SVV ($) does offer one path to SVO and trading--it's affordable--and the thread above has lots to say about WKV ($$) and SDO/SVR ($).

The only problem with SVO (mandatory) is the high number of points required to reserve Hawaii. Of course, if you're trading....or using every other year then you're in better shape.

Take a look at the thread above and ask the long-term owners on there your questions.

SDO/SVR can certainly be gotten 'cheap as chips.' with good MF's and SVV is not far behind. That Starwood preference would be the key tool for Hawaii or other high demand.

good luck.

 

[taterhed]

Hi All,
I'm a newer member to the TUG community, but I've been reading threads here and there for about a year now.

I recently dumped my Diamond Resort (formerly Monarch) property which I hadn't really gotten good usage out of. I'd used it within the Monarch -> Diamond system a few times over my 13-ish years of ownership, I'd made a decent trade in Orlando a few years back, then a fantastic trade to the Grand Luxxe in Nuevo Vallarta last summer. Though I had okay experiences with it, the maintenance fees were OUTRAGEOUS, and I'm not a fan of the Diamond system I got thrown into with the Monarch buyout. For the types of vacations I like (Hawaii, Mexico, nice beaches in general), the property I'd owned just wasn't what I wanted/needed, and I've regretted the purchase ever since I got suckered into it so long ago.

That being said, I'm looking to pursue a new, higher quality timeshare than I'd owned previously. I travel frequently within the Sheraton system (as an SPG platinum), and I like the experiences I always have at Sheraton hotels, but I'm wondering if it's a similar experience with SVO. I've been looking into ownership at Vistana Resort (it appears to be a good value economically), however, I'm very open to suggestions. I would I likely will use my week as a trader in the II system because I like the diversity of resorts/locations that the system offers- that is unless I snag a decent deal on a property within the mandatory StarOptions program.

With that in mind, I'm looking for any advice to be given in this general area. Is Vistana a good value in relation to maintenance fees and trading power? Are there other properties/companies I should be looking to?

Thank you in advance

Here's a nicer starter....
http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229668