Sheraton vistana resort VIP check in

[tony64]

Hi
Has anyone been through Sheraton Vistana VIP check in ( Diamond Lane) I have just been on the phone for 20 mins with a very nice lady who is going to meet us when we arrive and we will even be shown to our apartment.
This is me being me but whats the catch Life is not normally this good!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I have registered at the Diamond Lane check in for many years. Never have I had anyone escort us to our room ? Neither have I heard anyone else have this experience ? Possibly a new technique Vistana is using to try and lure prospective buyers ? I'd be leary of a timeshare pitch. Just be on guard about attending a breakfast buffet or getting discounts etc. This is normally the bait they use Tony. Have a good stay

 

[tony64]

Thanks Maria
they did say it is a new thing that has only been going about 10 months and it is for Sheraton owners only.

 

[MiaSRN62]

they did say it is a new thing that has only been going about 10 months and it is for Sheraton owners only.

Got ya....thanks for the info Tony. I was there last in the beginning of Aug 2005. So they must have started it shortly after that.

 

[tony64]

Nice for me to be able to give you some info for a change

 

[MiaSRN62]

Nice for me to be able to give you some info for a change

I do appreciate the head's up Tony . When do u leave again ? I have not gotten any type of phone call such as you mentioned.....I will arrive on Aug 6 at Vistana. Just wondering how close to your arrival date you received the phone call.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Well, I just got the "call" this evening. Spoke with Vanessa from the VIP dept. She said she wanted to inform us of the new check-in for owners. When questioned, she said many owners were complaining about the long check-in lines and the lack of personal touch. So, on Sunday, Aug 6, we are to bypass the main lobby for check-in and proceed through to the Cascades Recreation Center for check where there will be rum punch and fruit punch for the kids. Apparently, as Toni mentioned in his earlier post, we will have concierge/bell hop take our luggage to our room for us. On the phone, I was asked what my requests were and that they will do their best to honor them. I'm with Toni, while this person was very nice, I'm a little leary of a sales pitch in the wings.........

 

[erinch]

i'm fascinated to hear how this goes. I'm betting you don't get out of the nice room, with the ahhh, rum punch, until they've given you a pitch on "enhancements" you can purchase.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Erinch, I agree it could be a battle to get out of the room, but we plan to claw our way out if we have to ! Doesn't sound like I even have the option of checking in at the main lobby from the way Vanessa spoke. But I will post back upon my return on Aug 17. We are planning our strategies now...........

 

[erinch]

just watch out for the rum punch

when we checked in last summer via diamond lane, some chick was walking around with jello shots. a few of those, and you would have signed your pension away

 

[MiaSRN62]

some chick was walking around with jello shots. a few of those, and you would have signed your pension away

I will def heed your warning !

We leave Saturday.....thinking about bringing our laptop, so maybe I can update you.

 

[MichelleChell]

I am not an owner but was there a few weeks ago. The check-in was a breeze. They had alot of staff at the front desk and they even worked hard to get us in the Keys on the first floor. I would be carefull going down to checkin. I am sure they want to sell you something.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I am not an owner but was there a few weeks ago. The check-in was a breeze. They had alot of staff at the front desk and they even worked hard to get us in the Keys on the first floor. I would be carefull going down to checkin. I am sure they want to sell you something.

The Keys is in Vistana Villages, not the Resort. Villages does not have Diamond Lane (at least as far as I know). Were you able to make your request for the Keys before you arrived in Florida or did you just ask for the section at check-in?

TIA!

 

[MichelleChell]

I asked when I checked-in. I bet if I owned I could have done it before hand.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi ~
At Vistana now. Fountains II unit 1703. Just checked in via VIP this afternoon. It was quick. We were the only ones actually. They offered us punch---we declined.
We got a "goody" bag that consisted of soft drink mix samples, soap samples, chewing gum, a ceramic Vistana coffee mug, a Mickey head antennae topper and a Universal VHS promo tape to name most.
Then we were shown to our villa by a Vistana staff (concierge). He pranced thru our villa to "check" that all was "ok" , then stood in the kitchen chatting about his family while we unloaded our luggage from the car. He was friendly enough but then at the end hit us up for the owner's "breakfast" presentation. He "would like our feedback on the new check-in system". Not buying it. We made our breakfast time just to get him to leave as we were tired and wanted to unpack. Plan to not show up and unplug the phones..........I wish they would stop this relentless sales pitch because there's no way they just want our feedback on the new check-in policy.

 

[Princess89]

Out of curiosity, what do they want you to buy? You said you were an owner right? What more do they want? I'm an owner at HGVC and finally going "home" in 2 weeks, I know its not Vistana but am hoping I don't get some sales pitch, especially since they all try to keep up with each other lol. Enjoy your time!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Princess,
They would like us to buy even more time. I even wonder if they'd ever let up on us even if we did buy more. The last sales pitch I went to back in '00, they wanted us to buy into the Starwood network via the Cascades section. We've owned at Vistana since '94 before Starwood took over in '99. Since that time, we feel the sales pitch has just gotten very aggressive.
We ended up buying DVC after the very aggressive/stressful Vistana tour we took in '99 and never regretted that decision. Our 90 min presentation stretched to over 2 hours and the sales guy got very upset that we didn't want to buy right there. It was literally unbelievable. Won't ever subject ourselves to that again. Right now our phones are unplugged ----> last year, we got no less than 4 calls bugging us to attend the owner's "breakfast" They just didn't want to take "no" for an answer.
Have fun on your trip home in 2 weeks Princess89

 

[Princess89]

Thanks for your response. Sorry that you have to deal with annoying phone calls. I am in the market for more time this year, but I don't want to sit through their drawn out sales picth. So I'll make sure I don't mention it until its fits in my schedule. Our '90 minute sales presentation' lasted 4 hours never again! Either way, enjoy your time while down there. Ive heard nothing but wonderful things about Vistana.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Our '90 minute sales presentation' lasted 4 hours never again! Either way, enjoy your time while down there. Ive heard nothing but wonderful things about Vistana.

Wow.....4 hours ! That's crazy ! Sorry you had to go through that.
We do enjoy our stays at Vistana, the resort is very lovely. But I wish we could be put on a "Do Not Call" list as far as the pesky timeshare sales pitches go...........

 

[keishashadow]

enjoy your trip Mia

thanks to your advice we were able to use the diamond lane but, it took almost a 1/2 hour (but still far better than the other line that stretched out the door). We got a couple of bottles of water & the goodie bags w/candy & kool aid.

confused as to why they're trying to "sell you" when you already own? guess they're going for more weeks?

I honestly thought we'd be barraged w/phone calls after June trip but, haven't received any from them. also, rec'd credit card statement & there were no additional charges submitted in addition to our original deal ($149 + 32 tax - $100 cash = $20/night!)

Hope they send another "no ts presentation required" offer our way soon. Anyone remember how often they get the offers?