Westin Resale

[Mongoose]

I’ve stayed at several HGVC properties and I’d say the unit itself is very comparable to Westin in terms of quality but overall Westin is better. The buildings, on the other hand, are much older at HGVC (at least, those that I visited). Of course, like Marriott, HGVCs smaller unit sizes don’t have washer/dryer in the unit and don’t have as amenity-rich a limited kitchen as Westin.

I’ve been considering HGVC as my next timeshare purchase, so even with the differences I see it has value and the limitations won’t stop me from eventually buying.

I haven’t personally dealt with the reservation process, though I have seen their reservation web site, and while it has its own program rules to be aware of the biggest differences IMO to Westin is that it has reservation fees for shorter stays and other incidental booking fees IIRC. However, the HGVC reservation web site itself, especially in the ease of viewing resort availability, is leaps and bounds ahead of Westin.


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Thanks Ken. What makes Westin overall better?

 

[ljmiii]

How do you Westin/vistana owners feel about the product? How does it compare to HGVC?

Generally speaking, Westin is slightly nicer than Marriott or Sheraton which in turn is slightly nicer than HGVC (though the Ritz Carlton Clubs accessible through Abound are nicest of all). Nicer beds, appliances, furnishings, and service (though the last varies wildly).

I know I want to buy at a mandatory resort.

I am curious as to why. Like @daviator, in general I recommend buying where you want to stay. Only if you have extraordinary flexibility ("I want to spend a week in Hawaii and I don't care where or when"), are happy staying in less competitive locations ("I want to sample the different Vistana Orlando resorts"), or like less desirable times of the year ("I love Colorado in mud season") does it make sense to buy a less expensive mandatory resort so you can book at 8 months using Staroptions.

That said, nothing in Vistana or MVC (aside from owning a fixed week) compares to the ease of use of HGVC's Home Week reservations.

 

[rog2867]

I own both programs, I can tell you that Vistana has not built anything new in years and years, while Hilton is buying up a lot of other timeshare companies and branding them hiltons. While the rooms are comparable the places you can go just with Vistana are stale and old.

 

[dioxide45]

I own both programs, I can tell you that Vistana has not built anything new in years and years, while Hilton is buying up a lot of other timeshare companies and branding them hiltons. While the rooms are comparable the places you can go just with Vistana are stale and old.

I would agree. Though apparently Savannah and Charleston are slated to be Westin Vacation Club properties. We just don't know if they will be part of VSN and available to book with StarOptions.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I own both programs, I can tell you that Vistana has not built anything new in years and years, while Hilton is buying up a lot of other timeshare companies and branding them hiltons. While the rooms are comparable the places you can go just with Vistana are stale and old.

There are a lot of truly dumpy resorts in Diamond that Hilton is taking over. These resorts have not been updated and are in terrible condition. Who is going to pay to get these units/ resorts up to Hilton standards? OWNERS, that's who. It's going to happen. Stay at any of the older Diamond resorts in Orlando and compare to any Hilton.

The Hilton brand stands out, and only a few Diamond resorts are close to that quality.

Now Hilton has taken over Bluegreen. Bluegreen took over our Blue Ridge Village in Banner Elk, NC. The SA's we have had over the last three years total almost $2,000 for our two bedroom. I am so sorry I own anything that was taken over by Bluegreen, and now Hilton has its own standards. This should terrify every owner of a deed at any Bluegreen or Diamond property.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Staying on topic with Westin in comparison to Hilton, I would say Hilton is right there with Westin as far as room quality and pools/ amenities. Hilton's Big Island properties and Oahu properties are beautiful. Westin doesn't have anything on those islands. I have never stayed at Hilton's Maui resort, which is new and probably the absolute best in Kihei. It looks pretty fancy to me.

I hope to exchange into the resort at some point, but so far, that's not happening. I won't stay at Ka'anapali Beach Club (Diamond) because there are choices in West Maui that I prefer, and the fees are a killer for me. Parking, concierge and taxes end up being about $500 for a week via exchange. Did it once, never again. Diamond has always been a big turnoff for me. I won't stay at any Diamond again, not even on Kauai (though my favorite Diamond is Point at Poipu). The fees are exorbitant.

 

[ljmiii]

I own both programs, I can tell you that Vistana has not built anything new in years and years, while Hilton is buying up a lot of other timeshare companies and branding them hiltons. While the rooms are comparable the places you can go just with Vistana are stale and old.

I would say the opposite...that if the ex-Diamond and (shudder) ex-Bluegreen properties are considered "Hiltons" then Westin goes from 'nicer' to 'way, way nicer'. But that's just semantics - thus far (knock on wood) the HGVC resorts haven't been affected by HGV's acquisitions.

But even within each brand there is substantial variation. The finishes and furnishings of Grand Islander are slightly nicer than our beloved post-refurb Lagoon and much nicer than McAlpin (as much as we love the South Beach location and architecture).

 

[Mongoose]

I would say the opposite...that if the ex-Diamond and (shudder) ex-Bluegreen properties are considered "Hiltons" then Westin goes from 'nicer' to 'way, way nicer'. But that's just semantics - thus far (knock on wood) the HGVC resorts haven't been affected by HGV's acquisitions.

But even within each brand there is substantial variation. The finishes and furnishings of Grand Islander are slightly nicer than our beloved post-refurb Lagoon and much nicer than McAlpin (as much as we love the South Beach location and architecture).

The Diamond locations are being branded HVC vs HGVC. HVC is supposed to be upscale, while HGVC is upper upscale and luxury. My understanding is that Westin is supposed to be Luxury. i think Bluegreen is supposed to be upper Midscale and will complete with Wyndham and Worldmark.

I’ve only stayed at Westin hotels, No TS. I’ve also stayed at Sheraton, and owned/own Marriott, HGVC and Hyatt. In my opinion the HGVC locations and Hyatt locations have been far superior to Sheraton and on average the units are nicer than Marriott. Marriott seems to spend more on grounds and amenities. This seems to hold true with the ratings on TripAdvisor. Just my opinion. I think I’m going to hold off on Westin for now. Not sure I want to have to learn another system. I might pick up more HGVC if the right one comes along.

 

[ljmiii]

HVC is supposed to be upscale...

In my opinion the HGVC locations and Hyatt locations have been far superior to Sheraton and on average the units are nicer than Marriott...

I think I’m going to hold off on Westin for now...I might pick up more HGVC if the right one comes along...

HGV's take on branding follows below...and no argument whatsoever on the Sheraton timeshares. And I agree from what you've written that learning the Staroption system makes no sense for you...(at least of the majors) HGVC is the easiest to own and use and has many wonderful resorts.

Wanting to own at a particular Westin is another matter - we were so impressed with the Westin St John that I just bought there. But from what you've written that doesn't sound like what you were hoping to achieve.

 

[rog2867]

Not even taking into consideration all the new timeshare properties Hilton has acquired, Hilton still has more locations and are expanding their own timeshares. Westin has nothing new to offer except now you can book Marriott properties also. To bad vistana really puts no effort into building anything new. All the want to do is try to move owners off deeded weeks onto points ownership with their existing stale inventory of places that have no new inventory for what ten years now? Don't get me wrong we love some of the places, like st. john, and the Arizona properties but it would have been nice for them to expand out and build at new locations like hilton has done say with Hilton head which is a beautiful location. Last time we went to an update they wanted to switch us to this and move us that, all they are doing is trying to change your ownership type from say sheraton to westin to get more money out of you. It must be hard being a TS salesman for them as they have nothing new to try to sell you.

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

Not even taking into consideration all the new timeshare properties Hilton has acquired, Hilton still has more locations and are expanding their own timeshares. Westin has nothing new to offer except now you can book Marriott properties also. To bad vistana really puts no effort into building anything new. All the want to do is try to move owners off deeded weeks onto points ownership with their existing stale inventory of places that have no new inventory for what ten years now? Don't get me wrong we love some of the places, like st. john, and the Arizona properties but it would have been nice for them to expand out and build at new locations like hilton has done say with Hilton head which is a beautiful location. Last time we went to an update they wanted to switch us to this and move us that, all they are doing is trying to change your ownership type from say sheraton to westin to get more money out of you. It must be hard being a TS salesman for them as they have nothing new to try to sell you.

Nanea opened in 2017 and they still haven't sold out there.

 

[rickandcindy23]

According to the salesperson (Cheyenne) here on Maui at Westin Nanea, Westin is building in Ko Olina. That was a salesperson of course, so who knows?

Westin Nanea oceanfront are apparently sold out. No discussion on buying OF occurred today. When I asked, I was quickly shut down.

 

[Mongoose]

I believe most Westin deeds just have a $25 transfer fee payable to Vistana. You will have the usual closing costs, escrow and recording fees but I wouldn't call those junk fees. I think Lagunamar transfers may be more expensive due to the nature of the transfer and how it is set up. St John and also Harborside can be prohibitively expensive for closing costs.

So beyond a $25 transfer fee at Mandatory Resorts are there any other club activation fees? HGVC charges $474 transfer fee and $695 activation fee.

 

[dioxide45]

So beyond a $25 transfer fee at Mandatory Resorts are there any other club activation fees? HGVC charges $474 transfer fee and $695 activation fee.

No activation fees at the time of transfer.