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Westin Kierland

Docklander

Docklander

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I've done my research and am probably going to buy a Gold Week at Kierland but I wanted to see if there is anything that owners out there (or people who have stayed) recomend I consider...just in case I've missed something. I'm primarily going to use it in conjunction with my Vegas week to give a me a 2 week vacation in September (it's a long way accross the pond just for a single week) - lose some money and then lose at golf...perfect vacation! :whoopie: Any thoughts?
 
If you're buying to use then I think Gold season is fine--especially considering how much less it will cost than Platinum.

If you're buying for SVN exchanging or renting, I'd get Platinum.

Glorian
 
I'm also thinking of buying a Westin Kierland. I really wanted to purchase the Atlantis Harbourside. When you figure the cost of the Timeshare and another $2,000 for closing and $2,200 for matt. It really doesn't seem worth it. Do you think if I purchase a 2 Bedroom at Kierland 148,000 points. Would I be able to trade back into Harbourside at the 8 month? Also would I need a Gold or Platinum week? I won't be going on Spring vacation or summer.
 
ctmary said:
I'm also thinking of buying a Westin Kierland. I really wanted to purchase the Atlantis Harbourside. When you figure the cost of the Timeshare and another $2,000 for closing and $2,200 for matt. It really doesn't seem worth it. Do you think if I purchase a 2 Bedroom at Kierland 148,000 points. Would I be able to trade back into Harbourside at the 8 month? Also would I need a Gold or Platinum week? I won't be going on Spring vacation or summer.
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Exchanging into Harborside can be challenging. St. John, Harborside, and Maui are the 3 most popular Starwood exchanges. If you buy at another resort with the plan of exchange into one of the "Big 3" most of the time, you are going to be disappointed.

When you make an SVN exchange, it doesn't matter whether it's a gold or platinum week, or even where you own - what matters is how many StarOPTIONS your week is worth.

There are Staroptions charts on the TUG advice page, so you can see how many Staroptions you need for various exchanges.

This TUG advice page article about how Starwood works, is also very helpful.

As far as "paying $2,200 to Matt," there are lots of ways to buy timeshares directly from an owner without a middle man.
 
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ctmary said:
Do you think if I purchase a 2 Bedroom at Kierland 148,000 points. Would I be able to trade back into Harbourside at the 8 month?
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If Harborside is your goal, I wouldn't recommend buying elsewhere. Harborside is one of the hardest exchanges within SVN to get. It might work if you can go to Harborside in low season. But don't buy Kierland expecting easy trades into Harborside.

ctmary said:
Also would I need a Gold or Platinum week? I won't be going on Spring vacation or summer.
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A 2 bedroom Gold week at Kierland is worth 81,000 StarOptions. Will this be enough for the unit size you'd like at Harborside? Look at the StarOption chart here:

http://www.tug2.net/advice/SVNSOChart0107.pdf
(note: this is not the most up-to-date chart, as the new Cancun values are not reflected--but for the purposes of this question, it will suffice.)

Harborside is listed at the end.

Again, though, I would not recommend a Kierland purchase if your goal is to routinely go to Harborside. If you'd be happy going to Kierland, with a trade elsewhere from time to time, that's another matter.

Glorian
 
I just looked at Interval Internatinal getaways.If anyone is interested they have 1 Bedroom Westin Kierland sleeps 4 for $399. They have 3 weeks available July13-20,July 14-21,July 15-22. Mary
 
Docklander said:
Got the Gold week I was after.....close thing on ebay but I got there in the end. After everything I've read and seen about the place I can't wait to go. Bring on the end of the year! :whoopie:
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Congratulations! Nothing like owing what you want, when you want and at a price you're willing to pay. I've always found it to be a great feeling.
 
Docklander said:
Got the Gold week I was after.....close thing on ebay but I got there in the end. After everything I've read and seen about the place I can't wait to go. Bring on the end of the year! :whoopie:
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Congrats :hi:

Even though WKV is a easy trade in September, given the fact that you coordinating the stay with your Marriott LV and given the currency situation, you did the the correct thing in buying.

We love WKV in the hot summer; we are going to break-down soon and buy one of these Gold weeks also.

The lazy river in the Hotel is amazing and note that there is excellent bar service at the river too !
 
Docklander said:
Got the Gold week I was after.....close thing on ebay but I got there in the end. After everything I've read and seen about the place I can't wait to go. Bring on the end of the year! :whoopie:
Click to expand...

Congratulations :banana: ! Was that you for $10,850?! Enjoy your Starwood!
 
Yes that was me...I got very very lucky, I got the winning bid in with 1 second left!!!! It was 3 o'clock ihn the morning over here when the auction closed...the things I do for a TS! :D Looking at other resale sites I think I got an ok deal, just looking forward to seeing the place in the flesh.
 
congratulations, you will love wkv. it is one of my favorite places.i see you also own at harborside, that is also one of my favorite places on earth. good luck.:cheer:
 
Docklander said:
Yes that was me...I got very very lucky, I got the winning bid in with 1 second left!!!! It was 3 o'clock ihn the morning over here when the auction closed...the things I do for a TS! :D Looking at other resale sites I think I got an ok deal, just looking forward to seeing the place in the flesh.
Click to expand...
Congrats on your purchase.

When buying on Ebay, you may wish to use an automatic snipe program. You put in your highest bid and at the last second it enters a bid (under your max amount) which will be the lowest amount which will still win. So you can sleep and still get a great deal bidding on ebay.

I find the worst thing about sniping is that if the bidding goes over my max amount, the program will never bid. But isn't that what's setting limits is all about?
 
i actually won one using the sniper. i got such a rush ,must be similar ro the rush when gambling.i got an sdo 1 br annual worth 37000 so's for $785.
 
We own a gold week at the Westin Kierland and just got back last Sunday. This resort is absolutely beautiful. Although it was hot, hot, hot, we had a great time, as there's nothing like the Westin experience. Try and ask for the corner unit of building 3 (room 111,112). It faces the golf course, on the first floor and is close to the relaxation (adult) pool and the lobby. We really lucked out with this unit as it was easily accessible to everything. The main resort is also something to see. Make sure you take a ride over there. The Westin hospitality is not to be missed. Scottsdale is an upscale community with plenty of shopping & fine dining. We drove to Sedona and had brunch at The Enchantment Resort in the Red Rock area. Jaw dropping beauty. I could go on and on !! I know you'll enjoy this resort as much as we did and will continue to enjoy it for many years to come.:whoopie:
 
susiequeve said:
We own a gold week at the Westin Kierland and just got back last Sunday. This resort is absolutely beautiful. Although it was hot, hot, hot, we had a great time, as there's nothing like the Westin experience. Try and ask for the corner unit of building 3 (room 111,112). It faces the golf course, on the first floor and is close to the relaxation (adult) pool and the lobby. We really lucked out with this unit as it was easily accessible to everything. The main resort is also something to see. Make sure you take a ride over there. The Westin hospitality is not to be missed. Scottsdale is an upscale community with plenty of shopping & fine dining. We drove to Sedona and had brunch at The Enchantment Resort in the Red Rock area. Jaw dropping beauty. I could go on and on !! I know you'll enjoy this resort as much as we did and will continue to enjoy it for many years to come.:whoopie:
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Was it kid friendly at all? I'm going to start looking into trading my WSJ and seeing some other Westin beauties...
 
LauraS93 said:
Was it kid friendly at all? I'm going to start looking into trading my WSJ and seeing some other Westin beauties...
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I just took my 1 & 3 (now 2 & 4) year olds to WKV in April. We had a great time and we hardly left the resort / hotel. We spent most of our time at the pools all 8 days. Botht the hotel and the resort have pop up sprinklers near the pool areas that our kids loved running through. We spent 3 days at the resort and 5 days at the hotel. The hotel has a nice 0 entry into the pool and it is pretty shallow for at least 20-25 feet. The hotel also has a nice slow lazy river. The food and drinks are a little more expensive at the hotel. Next year we will likely take a trip to Karchner Caverns or the Grand Canyon.
 
LauraS93 said:
Was it kid friendly at all? I'm going to start looking into trading my WSJ and seeing some other Westin beauties...
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Yes - kid friendly, but not sure you would want WKV over WSJ? As you know - we own both (we are here at WSJ now!!! - our guests bought a 'puter...) - it is so incredibly beautiful here. It is going to be tought to come home.
 
LauraS93 - I thought it was kid friendly. There's a pool strictly for children (w/adults present of course) and there are activities scheduled throughout the day for the children at the villas. There's a recreation area over at the hotel side of the resort for kids and of course the lazy river which I think the kids will enjoy. I would definitely consider bringing my 4 year old granddaughter with us the next time we go. :banana:
 
DavidnRobin said:
Yes - kid friendly, but not sure you would want WKV over WSJ? As you know - we own both (we are here at WSJ now!!! - our guests bought a 'puter...) - it is so incredibly beautiful here. It is going to be tought to come home.
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I dunno... we are going to WSJ next June. We tend to go every 3 years or so. I've been to St. John 4 times since 1998. There's so many more places we want to go, like Hawaii, Harborside, Mexico. Both of my kids (currently ages 3 and 7) just LOVE pools. When we were at Beaches Turks and Caicos this past March, we spent 95% of our swim time at the pool. The extra money we paid to be closer to the beach was not well spent, because it didn't get any view, just a more central location.
 
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