Vistana Villages - Key West vs Bella

[Myrddin12]

Hi. My husband and I have a flex package and are looking to buy a deeded week at Vistana Villages so we can get a larger room as our kids are getting to the point where they don't want to share a pullout couch anymore - LOL. We have stayed at several phases (through their Explorer packages), but I can't remember which is which, so am looking for some pros and cons/general recommendations and why for both Key West and Bella. Thank you! Heather

 

[vistana101]

I prefer Key West! It's in the back of the resort so it's very quiet (but still has its own pool), and the units just got a beautiful refurbishment so the units are the most 'fresh' and updated.

Bella's units, while renovated, are still a bit dated. You are, however, closer to the main pool and restaurant, which is good for younger kids. Regardless, you can get to the other, more lively pools, in a 5-10 minute walk from the Key West phase if you so desire.

Have a great stay and let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[Myrddin12]

I prefer Key West! It's in the back of the resort so it's very quiet (but still has its own pool), and the units just got a beautiful refurbishment so the units are the most 'fresh' and updated.

Bella's units, while renovated, are still a bit dated. You are, however, closer to the main pool and restaurant, which is good for younger kids. Regardless, you can get to the other, more lively pools, in a 5-10 minute walk from the Key West phase if you so desire.

Have a great stay and let me know if you have any other questions!

Thank you! I really wish I could remember which room was which from our prior stays, so I am glad I can get some opinions here

 

[vistana101]

Thank you! I really wish I could remember which room was which from our prior stays, so I am glad I can get some opinions here

No problem! You may have already seen it, but maybe the resort map might help you decide/remember: http://vistana-web-static.s3.amazonaws.com/vistana-web/destinations/maps/svv-resort-map.pdf

Here is a picture of the newly renovated Key West villas: https://exp.cdn-hotels.com/hotels/1000000/540000/539500/539487/0b6e2d98_z.jpg
And a picture of the Bella villas: https://arquivosja.info/wp-content/...sheraton-vistana-villages-2-bedroom-villa.jpg

 

[Myrddin12]

No problem! You may have already seen it, but maybe the resort map might help you decide/remember: http://vistana-web-static.s3.amazonaws.com/vistana-web/destinations/maps/svv-resort-map.pdf

Here is a picture of the newly renovated Key West villas: https://exp.cdn-hotels.com/hotels/1000000/540000/539500/539487/0b6e2d98_z.jpg
And a picture of the Bella villas: https://arquivosja.info/wp-content/...sheraton-vistana-villages-2-bedroom-villa.jpg

Thanks! We had looked at the resort map and know we have stayed at Key West, Bella and Augustine - but just couldn't remember which was which inside! These pictures definitely helped. Thinking we want Key West!

 

[BA21]

If you you interested in purchasing, there is very little difference between the deeds. I own both Key West and Bella units. 2018 maintenance fees were $28 higher for the Bella 2 bedroom compared to Key West. Deed availability and purchase price would be the deciding factor for me.

I've only stayed at SVV once and requested a Key West building as I preferred the Key West section and pool. My reservation was at the 8 month mark as I was staying for less than a week so it didn't matter which deed I used to make the reservation. I'm not sure if a home reservation makes a difference in which section you are assigned at check in. My experience at Vistana properties is that room and building assignments are based on the reservation timestamp.

 

[SandyPGravel]

If you you interested in purchasing, there is very little difference between the deeds. I own both Key West and Bella units. 2018 maintenance fees were $28 higher for the Bella 2 bedroom compared to Key West. Deed availability and purchase price would be the deciding factor for me.

I've only stayed at SVV once and requested a Key West building as I preferred the Key West section and pool. My reservation was at the 8 month mark as I was staying for less than a week so it didn't matter which deed I used to make the reservation. I'm not sure if a home reservation makes a difference in which section you are assigned at check in. My experience at Vistana properties is that room and building assignments are based on the reservation timestamp.

I once asked why I was not placed in the section I own (floating week in St. Aug). I was told by front desk that I had to reserve the actual week, using a home reservation, to be guaranteed in my own section. I had used a home res, but not week 31, I reserved 52. Silly answer now that I know better. With a floating week the week and unit number are just for deeding purposes.

 

[controller1]

I once asked why I was not placed in the section I own (floating week in St. Aug). I was told by front desk that I had to reserve the actual week, using a home reservation, to be guaranteed in my own section. I had used a home res, but not week 31, I reserved 52. Silly answer now that I know better. With a floating week the week and unit number are just for deeding purposes.

True. Also, could Week 52 have been sold as a Fixed Week in the section you own and therefore was not available for a floating week in that section?

 

[dioxide45]

I once asked why I was not placed in the section I own (floating week in St. Aug). I was told by front desk that I had to reserve the actual week, using a home reservation, to be guaranteed in my own section. I had used a home res, but not week 31, I reserved 52. Silly answer now that I know better. With a floating week the week and unit number are just for deeding purposes.

Do you own a voluntary ownership or did you use StarOptions inside of 8 months?

 

[SandyPGravel]

Do you own a voluntary ownership or did you use StarOptions inside of 8 months?

I used my developer purchased ownership of SVV- St. Aug At 12 month mark. So, it's a voluntary section, but a developer purchase.

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[dioxide45]

I used my developer purchased ownership of SVV- St. Aug At 12 month mark. So, it's a voluntary section, but a developer purchase.

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That is odd. I certainly would have expected them to keep you in St Augustine section. I suspect that they just treat the entire resort as floating units and make no consideration for the different phases when assigning rooms.

 

[SandyPGravel]

That is odd. I certainly would have expected them to keep you in St Augustine section. I suspect that they just treat the entire resort as floating units and make no consideration for the different phases when assigning rooms.

It was quite awhile ago and I didn't know any better, just took what the said at face value. If I ever choose to go to Orlando again, low probability, I'll know better and see what happens. I'd like to see the type unit I own in person and swim in the pirate ship pool.

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[dioxide45]

It was quite awhile ago and I didn't know any better, just took what the said at face value. If I ever choose to go to Orlando again, low probability, I'll know better and see what happens. I'd like to see the type unit I own in person and swim in the pirate ship pool.

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You can swim in any of the pools regardless of the section you are staying in. So that won't be a problem. We own in Key West and Bella. When we booked, we were placed in Key West, though we were using StarOptions.

 

[SandyPGravel]

You can swim in any of the pools regardless of the section you are staying in. So that won't be a problem. We own in Key West and Bella. When we booked, we were placed in Key West, though we were using StarOptions.

it's a cold walk from st aug pool back to key west section in dec/jan so we stayed close to our unit. did see an armadillo once when walking to main pool from key west though!! i'm easily fascinated, being from Wisconsin!