Thinking of buying at Sheraton Vistana..need thoughts !

[janmarhen]

Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a resale unit at the Vistana. The seller told me that they have fixed, floating week. The fixed week is week 26. They say I can book from 12 to 10 months in advance I am guaranteed week 26. I can also use the unit to pick any week of the year, if it is available

I would want to stay at this resort, but may need to exchange for a different week. Does anyone have any experience doing this ? Is it difficult to do ? Or relatively easy if I do it far enough in advance.

Thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

Sheraton Vistana Resort or Sheraton Vistana Villages?

Phase?

Unit size?

Price?

For more info. about how Starwood works, see the FAQ at the top of the forum.

 

[grgs]

To follow up on Denise's post, we really need to note what phase this unit is in. With that information, we should be able to answer your questions.

Glorian

 

[blondietink]

I own at Vistana Villages, Bella fixed floating week 5. We have never stayed week 5. We wait until 6 months before our scheduled vacation, call them and book whatever week we are looking for as long as that week takes the same amount of points we have from our fixed week. We always travel in low season, so this has not been an issue with us. Have always gotten what we requested. No problems.

 

[janmarhen]

Sorry, should have provided more detail.

Sheraton Vistana Resort - Cascade section (is this the phase ?)
2BR lockout
Week 26 fixed/floating
EOY
asking $1949
mf: $491/yr (but I'd only get to use every other year)

I would expect to visit this resort every other year for a trip to the Disney area. We have two kids so this would be a fun vacation for them, we've stayed at this resort before and we really like it. My concern is that we would probably be looking at Thanksgiving week, and I suspect that would be hard to get. Also, the price is more than I'd like ot pay.

Thanks everyone ! Appreciate your input and patience educating me !

 

[grgs]

Ok, Cascades section is technically a "fixed/float" week, but in practice I would treat it as a float week. I own Cascades week 13. Supposedly, week 13 is auto-booked for me, and I'm supposed to confirm by 10 mos. out, or the week will be released. However, when I called Starwood they said that the week isn't actually auto-booked. So, if you want a specific week, just book it 12 mos. You can book any week 1-52--just call Starwood up. You don't need to go through Interval. This is a huge resort; you shouldn't have any problem booking a particular week as long as you call 12 mos. out.

Just a heads up, SVR (maybe only some phases) requires pre-payment of mf when you make reservation or deposit in Interval.

Glorian

 

[jdunn1]

Nearly 2,000? Shouldn't the seller be paying you to take over his week? I thought any starwood resort that isn't points mandatory can't even be given away without the seller paying all closing and dues and maybe even a little more.

You might want to check ebay for the last few completed listings to make sure you are getting a good price.

 

[NEGreyhound]

MFs included

I believe in the ad it says all MFs have been paid and are included in the price so you would "technically" be staying free for this year and potentially saving $982.

 

[grgs]

Nearly 2,000? Shouldn't the seller be paying you to take over his week? I thought any starwood resort that isn't points mandatory can't even be given away without the seller paying all closing and dues and maybe even a little more.

Sometimes true, but not always. I agree $2K in the current market is likely too high. I have seen SVR weeks sell for a small amount with the buyer paying closing costs. I have also seen SVR weeks on e-bay with free closing.

There are some Starwood non-mandatory resorts that still have some value. Off the top of my head:

Westin Mission Hills Platinum weeks
Sheraton Desert Oasis 2 bedroom True Plat & 1-52 weeks
Sheraton Mountain Vista Platinum weeks

Glorian

 

[LisaRex]

IF 2012 MFs are paid, then $2000 all-in isn't horrific. However, as a point of comparison, I paid $2500 for an EOY odd 2 bdrm at Sheraton Vistana Villages Bella section. I really like the flexibility that this gives me, because it allows me to use it, exchange it in II, or use SVN. With banking, it makes it even a better option.

So, my advice is to look for a platinum unit at one of the mandatory phase. If you can get a lockoff, that'll give you even more flexibility. I don't think you'll pay much more than what you're looking at.

 

[DeniseM]

I wouldn't pay anything - they are giving these weeks away on ebay...

 

[janmarhen]

LisaRex, how do I know which phases at Vistana are mandatory ? What determines if it is platinum.

Thanks everyone for the comments ! I so appreciate the input !

 

[DeniseM]

LisaRex, how do I know which phases at Vistana are mandatory ? What determines if it is platinum.

Thanks everyone for the comments ! I so appreciate the input !

NONE of the phases at Vistana Resort are mandatory.

See the Starwood FAQ at the top of the forum for a summary of how Starwood works and a list of the mandatory resorts.

See the Staroptions chart in Starwood Owner Resources at the top of the forum for a list of the seasons.

 

[LisaRex]

LisaRex, how do I know which phases at Vistana are mandatory ? What determines if it is platinum.

Mandatory phases at Sheraton Vistana Villages are Bella and Key West. Vistana Villages (SVV) is a separate resort from Sheraton Vistana Resort(SVR), but it's also in Orlando. Platinum weeks for this resort are weeks 6-17, 23-34, 39-47, and 51-52.

If you buy a 2 bdrm platinum lockoff, that will give you 95,700 StarOptions, though the MFs are higher. A lockoff is nice because it allows you to use each side independent of the other. This opens up a myriad of possibilities. For instance, you can use one 1-bdrm side yourself, and deposit the other 1-bdrm side into II. Or you can stay one week in one side and another week in the other, giving you a 2 week vacation. If you deposit one side into II, it's possible to exchange up to a 2 bdrm at another resort, depending on availability, how diligent you are in searching, and a little luck. But I've read about fantastic exchanges here on Tug.

If you buy a 2 bdrm non-lockoff, your only option is to use the entire thing or deposit the entire thing. However, since it's assigned StarOptions, you can still use the StarOptions (SOs) to exchange into another resort at 8 months out using Starwood's internal system, SVN. Using SOs may be the only way to get into a place like Westin St. John or Harborside, so don't underestimate its appeal. Most intriguingly, now that you can roll-over SOs into another year, Vistana owners for the first time can accumulate sufficient points to exchange into a 2 bdrm at any resort during platinum season, subject to availability. So if you skip Orlando one year, it's quite possible to have enough SOs to exchange into a 2 bdrm in Hawaii the following year.

Hope this helps. Happy hunting!

 

[whwaldo]

Happy with SVR

I have a 2 br Lakes unit - floating week. Bought on eBay for under $1000 with use of the week for the year I purchased. We have been very happy with the unit - used it twice - the unit, resort and location are terrific. We have rented it out once, traded on II once, and traded for Atlantis later in 2012. Not sure how we would fare if we tried for Hawaii or St John.

Moral of the story - we have no regrets, you will enjoy it, you might be able to get a lower price on eBay, or try to negotiate a better price with the broker.

 

[tschwa2]

If you are paying that much you want to make sure there is already a reservation for 2012 and it is a week you want and will use. Unless you already have a II account you wouldn't want to have to set one up for an EOY you plan to primarily use. If not tell them you don't want this years usage and see if they can drop the price $1000 or more. Or Pass on this one and wait for another one to come along.

 

[seussg111]

I will give you mine

[Advertising in the discussion forums is not permitted. We have a forum for this - it is a sub-forum of Buying, Selling, Renting and it's called Bargain Deals. - DeniseM Moderator]

 

[amanven]

I have a 2 br Lakes unit - floating week. Bought on eBay for under $1000 with use of the week for the year I purchased. We have been very happy with the unit - used it twice - the unit, resort and location are terrific. We have rented it out once, traded on II once, and traded for Atlantis later in 2012. Not sure how we would fare if we tried for Hawaii or St John.

Moral of the story - we have no regrets, you will enjoy it, you might be able to get a lower price on eBay, or try to negotiate a better price with the broker.

No regrets here either. After 3 years of use and 1 exchange, I figure my unit doesn't owe me a thing even when I factor in MF's and yes you can get Hawaii with a Vistana Resort (not referring to the Villages). I got a 2bdr lockoff at WKORV when I exchanged my 2bdrm Fountains float week through II.

 

[Ron98GT]

No regrets here either. After 3 years of use and 1 exchange, I figure my unit doesn't owe me a thing even when I factor in MF's and yes you can get Hawaii with a Vistana Resort (not referring to the Villages). I got a 2bdr lockoff at WKORV when I exchanged my 2bdrm Fountains float week through II.

I know that this is an old thread, BUT... I have a question?

From what I've seen/read, the Fountains trade in RCI, where-as WKORV trades in II. SO, how did the Fountains trade for WKORV in II

Looking at picking up a Vistana SVR or SVV SVO, but decided to avoid the Fountains because they are in RCI.

 

[VacationForever]

I know that this is an old thread, BUT... I have a question?

From what I've seen/read, the Fountains trade in RCI, where-as WKORV trades in II. SO, how did the Fountains trade for WKORV in II

Looking at picking up a Vistana SVR or SVV SVO, but decided to avoid the Fountains because they are in RCI.

SVR for all phases trade in both RCI and II.