Westgate renting out for apartments

[Vacay0606]

Westgate Vacation Villas has now started out renting their units for apartments thru a website "Vintage Grove". When we arrived in December, we noticed the buildings on Entry Point had large numbers on them. We asked an employee and they said that they are being rented as apartments that range from studios to 2 bedrooms. Rent starts at $1900 a month and goes up to $2400.
We never liked staying in those buildings because they are not in the main loop of everything. Farther to walk for activities. When I went on the Vintage Grove website this morning, I noticed that the rentals are now starting on the back side of the complex that are nearer to the Walmart driveway. Leases start at 6 months and go up to 12 months. All utilities included.
My concern is how will it change the clientele that will have full access to the grounds with the other timeshare owners? Westgate used to be a very nice resort but it definitely has gone downhill in the past 10 years.
Ironically this new situation was not mentioned by management at the annual owner's meeting in January.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

It actually may be a good idea if they're sitting on a lot of unsold (or foreclosed) inventory......














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[swditz]

I agree that it may be a good idea.
We really like vacation villages. This may help a lot with unused inventory.
Also I think people staying full time will be more prone to keeping things better. Short term stays often don't seem to care how they treat things.
I realize these would be renters not owners but hopefully may feel more invested.
As an owner I never stay in those units as they are too far from activities but would be ok with them being rented.
This approach is being used at Briarwood on cape cod. They are not rentals but full ownership. it has made the resort much better and more viable for time shares. Hope this is a positive as we like it there. Time will tell. Good thing is rentals are reversible. Sales not so much.

 

[andre10056]

Westgate Vacation Villas has now started out renting their units for apartments thru a website "Vintage Grove". When we arrived in December, we noticed the buildings on Entry Point had large numbers on them. We asked an employee and they said that they are being rented as apartments that range from studios to 2 bedrooms. Rent starts at $1900 a month and goes up to $2400.
We never liked staying in those buildings because they are not in the main loop of everything. Farther to walk for activities. When I went on the Vintage Grove website this morning, I noticed that the rentals are now starting on the back side of the complex that are nearer to the Walmart driveway. Leases start at 6 months and go up to 12 months. All utilities included.
My concern is how will it change the clientele that will have full access to the grounds with the other timeshare owners? Westgate used to be a very nice resort but it definitely has gone downhill in the past 10 years.
Ironically this new situation was not mentioned by management at the annual owner's meeting in January.

If they don't have ENORMOUS closets, I don't see how that might work for an annual apartment dweller. Just compare what you have in your closets at home, even if they're not walk-in closets, and compare with what you normally pack for your timeshare week. And hotels and timeshares were designed with the assumption that you don't need much in the way of closet space so it's unlikely that the closets will be enormous..

Hence, much of your possessions/tools/paperwork records and files, etc. will have to be out in the rooms' space. Not optimal.

 

[moonstone]

If they don't have ENORMOUS closets, I don't see how that might work for an annual apartment dweller. Just compare what you have in your closets at home, even if they're not walk-in closets, and compare with what you normally pack for your timeshare week. And hotels and timeshares were designed with the assumption that you don't need much in the way of closet space so it's unlikely that the closets will be enormous..

Hence, much of your possessions/tools/paperwork records and files, etc. will have to be out in the rooms' space. Not optimal.

That is the situation with a former timeshare near our home (at Horseshoe Resort, north of Toronto) when they converted the old original timeshare building at the base of the ski hill into condos. There wasnt nearly enough storage. The bedroom closets were not walk in and there were not enough kitchen cabinets to store dishes and other kitchen necessities as well as groceries. They took a long time to sell and the lack of storage was a major issue. It appears many sold to be 2nd (or 3rd) homes for skiers.

When the Carriage Ridge and Carriage Hills timeshare complex at the top of the hill was sold, they underwent major renovations before being re-sold as condos or as vacation rentals. Part of the renos were due to structural (rot) issues but mostly to increase storage and redesign the kitchens.


~Diane

 

[dioxide45]

I recall those buildings being almost completely void of vehicles parked near them when we visited a couple years ago. It was a ghost town over there. I also wonder how they are handling shared costs? Certainly those units would have a maintenance fee that is close to $1000 per unit week, no? When they take them out to rent as residential apartments, who covers the costs of the underlying timeshare week? Were the units sold out previously as timeshare? Vacation Villas isn't a new property. It was originally started in the 1980s.

I don't know how much it will change the dynamics of the resort. Will those renters have access to the main resort complex that is Westgate Town Center and contains the waterpark?

Okay, the description indicates access to only three pools. So they must not provide access to the other section of the main resort.
ELECTRIC, WATER, CABLE, INTERNET & FURNITURE INCLUDED IN PRICE!! Welcome to Vintage Grove by Westgate, where tranquil and comfortable living awaits!! Choose between four spacious and fully equipped accommodations inside this quiet gated community, conveniently located near Walt Disney World (R) and other world-famous attractions, dining, and shopping. Here, you'll feel at ease in one of our two-bedroom units, offering up to 12-month extended stay opportunities with the option to transition into a fully furnished space. You'll also enjoy our on-site amenities, including three pools, convenient parking, security, maintenance, groundskeeping, and so much more. Starting at $1,700, including electricity, water, cable, and internet, your stay at Vintage Grove includes everything you need to feel at home! We will be in contact via email for any inquiries and questions sent from Application fee is nonrefundable. Find more at LiveAtWestgate ,com

 

[rickandcindy23]

Carol C (may she rest in peace) posted several years ago about what a dump the original villas had become. They were nice back in the day. Waaayyy back in the day. We visited in about 2000 and thought they were looking pretty bad. Now they look uninhabitable.

 

[Vacay0606]

Carol C (may she rest in peace) posted several years ago about what a dump the original villas had become. They were nice back in the day. Waaayyy back in the day. We visited in about 2000 and thought they were looking pretty bad. Now they look uninhabitable.

9 out of the 11 buildings are not recently remodeled. Old brown leather couches, crappy window blinds and patio furniture.