Vistana Villages

[greenfrog]

Hi

Do all units at Vistana Villages (SVV) have the ability to be locked off or does this facility have to be specifically deeded ?

Thanks

 

[bastroum]

I own both a 2BD unit that does not lock-off and one that does.

 

[greenfrog]

I own both a 2BD unit that does not lock-off and one that does.

Thanks Bastroum for replying. So your dedicated 2 bed can only be used or exchanged as a 2 bed and there is no facility within the Sheraton system to be able to lock it off ?

What has been you exchange experiences (I'm guessing you will have used I.I.) in terms of resort quality and ease of exchanges

 

[bastroum]

I have only used the 2BD unit at my home resort. I have never exchanged it. I only bought it last year.

 

[sb2313]

Thanks Bastroum for replying. So your dedicated 2 bed can only be used or exchanged as a 2 bed and there is no facility within the Sheraton system to be able to lock it off ?

What has been you exchange experiences (I'm guessing you will have used I.I.) in terms of resort quality and ease of exchanges

The dedicated 2 bedroom can't be locked off, it can only be traded as a full 2 bedroom. Via II, it's not a really strong trader except for when using it to trade back into another SVN resort using the internal preference. But there are other, more cost effective II traders than SVV.

 

[greenfrog]

But there are other, more cost effective II traders than SVV.

I'd be interested in your thoughts, Steve, on alternative traders as that would be the intention of ownership.

I currently own at Grand Vista and have been very pleased with it's trading results over the years, and saw SVV as a very similar resort, with similar trading strength. Have I misjudged it?

 

[pchung6]

I own SVV platinum. To me it seems the trading power is very good, not sure why you would think it doesn't trade well. SVV, You get one of the cheapest mf in Starwood and trade fairly well.

 

[vacationtime1]

Sheraton Desert Oasis and Sheraton Broadway Plantation have been used by many here as cheap Starwood traders.

I owned two of each and had fantastic trades using them (Hawaii, mostly) but have recently sold all four out of fear that Starwood would eventually choke off inexpensive trading possibilities. We shall see if their new FlexPoint system accomplishes that.

 

[greenfrog]

I own SVV platinum. To me it seems the trading power is very good, not sure why you would think it doesn't trade well. SVV, You get one of the cheapest mf in Starwood and trade fairly well.

Which trades have you snagged and do you recall if the trades were with the 2bed or did you lock the unit off ?

Thanks

 

[pchung6]

I can use my 1 bed SVV to see a lot 2 beds in almost all westin and Sheraton resorts right now with no problem. Except wkorv or wprov since nothing is available currently. I have an ogs, I expect to get 1 bed wkorv at least. You can consider 2br SDO it seems everyone says it trades well. SBP mf varies, if you can get cheap mf unit and platinum season, it will do well for sure. For me I like SVV just for cheap mf factor.

 

[greenfrog]

I can use my 1 bed SVV to see a lot 2 beds in almost all westin.

That's impressive. Is that usual and for which time of year would they be for ?

Would be interested to hear of other members experiences of Westin exchanges

 

[pchung6]

That's impressive. Is that usual and for which time of year would they be for ?

Would be interested to hear of other members experiences of Westin exchanges

I think SVV has about the same trading power equivalent to your Marriott's Grande Vista, i only assume since i don't own MGV. It is not bad, but not the best in Starwood system. Similar to MGV, it has cheap mf and nice demand in summer season if you want to rent out.

 

[greenfrog]

Further details on the Westin exchanges and availability would interest me.

Are the Sheraton resorts that you are considering to be stronger traders than SVV have comparable M/F's ?

 

[DeniseM]

Further details on the Westin exchanges and availability would interest me.

Are the Sheraton resorts that you are considering to be stronger traders than SVV have comparable M/F's ?

The main value of buying a Starwood II trader is the Starwood to Starwood trading priority in II. But, SVV will not have the same value when trading for other resorts (non-Starwood) because Florida has more supply than demand, which hurts trading value.

That being said, Starwood is going through some big changes right now, and there is no way to know how it will impact trading with Interval in the long-run.

1) They have split their timeshare and hotel divisions into separate companies, and renamed the timeshare division.

2) They have introduced a new Flex Points program at several resorts, and it appears that this is how they will sell all new resorts in the future.

In the past, it was relatively easy to get off-season trades to the top resorts like the Maui resorts, and Harborside. But now we are seeing fewer deposits.

Starwood has 100% control of what gets deposited, and there are some suspicions that they are holding back prime inventory for their new flex program, which is being sold at a number of resorts, and will be sold at the new Maui resort.

If you are completely flexible about where you go, and don't need high season weeks during holidays, you can definitely get some trades, but if you are hoping to trade for the top resorts, or high season, it's just not as easy as it used to be.

Because of these changes, one should not apply previous trading patterns to the future of Interval trading.

*You might want to post WHERE and WHEN you want to trade through II, to get more specific feedback.

 

[pchung6]

Further details on the Westin exchanges and availability would interest me.

Are the Sheraton resorts that you are considering to be stronger traders than SVV have comparable M/F's ?

Ok, this is what I can pull right now. Not sure if I am allowed to post here, or I have to put in sighting board.

[I'm sorry - but we request that sightings be posted on the Sightings Forum - or sent privately.]

If you don't mind to travel during off peak season, platinum SVV should be able to meet your need. Just exactly like MGV can do for you in Marriott. SVV platinum has enough power to pull most Westin or Sheraton, just need to wait II to have inventory.

It is not the best just like others said, platinum SDO or SBP will do better. Just up to you if you want to pay higher mf for slightly better trade power, if getting Westin Maui 2 bed is your goal.

 

[DeniseM]

Just exactly like MGV can do for you in Marriott.

I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. My understanding is that Marriott owners can choose and deposit the week of their choice, and many deposit high season weeks for higher trading power.

Starwood owners can't do this - Stawood decides what to deposit, and this results in more off-season weeks, at less popular resorts.

 

[pchung6]

I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. My understanding is that Marriott owners can choose and deposit the week of their choice, and many deposit high season weeks for higher trading power.

Starwood owners can't do this - Stawood decides what to deposit, and this results in more off-season weeks, at less popular resorts.

Denise is correct. your MGV allows you to reserve high demand week and getting higher trade power. SVV does not allow and will choose and deposit for you. SVV may or may not give you the same trade power as your MGV.

 

[greenfrog]

You might want to post WHERE and WHEN you want to trade through II, to get more specific feedback.

Thanks Denise for such a comprehensive reply

We have had great experiences with our Grande Vista, always locking off and exchanging both sides (thru. II) for other Marriott 2 bed units (and a 3 bed once). Probably most of the occasions would be described as shoulder season, but that suited as that was and still is the time we always vacationed.

We decided recently to add a further resale week to our GV but have been frustrated on 3 occasions by being ROFR 'ed each time. In our frustration, we thought a plan "B" was to maybe look at an alternative, but still good quality, brand, hence Sheraton.

My level of expectation would be to try and replicate my Marriott experience, locking off while exchanging into larger 2 bed units at quality resorts during or close to shoulder seasons

Is this what I could realistically achieve ?

Thanks

 

[greenfrog]

Ok, this is what I can pull right now. Not sure if I am allowed to post here, or I have to put in sighting board.

[I'm sorry - but we request that sightings be posted on the Sightings Forum - or sent privately.]

Apologies to Pchung6 if I aided in transgressing forum rules.

What is the sightings forum and where can it be found ?

Thanks

 

[okwiater]

What is the sightings forum and where can it be found ?

The sightings forum is located here. However, it's a TUG member benefit and won't be viewable to you as a Guest. You should consider a TUG membership.

 

[pchung6]

My level of expectation would be to try and replicate my Marriott experience, locking off while exchanging into larger 2 bed units at quality resorts during or close to shoulder seasons

Is this what I could realistically achieve ?

Thanks

Starwood and Marriott are different. With Starwood, lockoff unit usually comes with 2 of 1 bedroom. Good news is you get 2 1 bedrooms (1 large bed and 1 small bed), the small 1 br gives you more trade power than studio side of MGV, and there is no $80 lockoff fee. Bad news is lockoff hoa usually is much higher ($1400-1500?) than Marriott, even for SVV.

Just be careful if you add Sheraton Orlando resort to your existing II portfolio, Marriott will not allow you to access or exchange another Marriott Orlando resorts.

To achieve your need, I know Marriott is taking back MGV and MGC aggressively. you might want to consider EOY, it seems they don't exercise rofr as bad as ey. Or consider MWR, it seems they don't want Branson at all.

Back to SVN, you might want to consider platinum or platinum+ if your goal is to getting upgrade to 2 bedrooms. I would consider SDO or SBP as the choice. For me, I own SVV and I mainly can use star options (similar to dc points) to make reservation anywhere, and occasionally make II trade.

 

[greenfrog]

Bad news is lockoff hoa usually is much higher ($1400-1500?) than Marriott, even for SVV.

Wow, that was something I didn't see coming. So an SVV 2 bed lock off unit could be nearly 50% higher annual maintenance fees than the SVV 2 bed unit ? That may be a deal breaker

Thanks for making some good, relevant points.

BTW, what weeks are platinum+ season ?

 

[bastroum]

My Amelia 2BD MF is $940. My Amelia 2BD Lock-off MF is $1,345.

 

[pchung6]

Wow, that was something I didn't see coming. So an SVV 2 bed lock off unit could be nearly 50% higher annual maintenance fees than the SVV 2 bed unit ? That may be a deal breaker

Maybe you can consider to buy 2 small 1 bedroom units. I think HOA is about $450-550 for SVV or SVR small 1 br. It is about the same range for SBP? So 2 small 1br units will be around $1000-1100. I think MGC's MF is about $1150?

I'm just not so sure about the trading power, although it will probably be better than studio side of MGV because you can select 1br in Interval.