Marriot GV vs. Hilton GVC vs. Sheraton Vistana vs. OKW

[FAMILYMAN]

Hi, we are are going to be travelling in November 2006 - looking for a higher-end place to stay for 7 nights. We are 3 adults (one of which is very asthmatic) and 3 children under 4 yrs old.

We require at least two separate sleeping areas. I looked at the websites and reviews for the Sheraton Vistana Villages, the MGV and the HGVC, as well as the Old Key West in WDW. I don't see any better options than these (unless I missed something).

Like everyone, we would like something safe, secure and clean.

Which would you recommend? what building in the resort should we request?

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

The only one on your list I have stayed at is OKW. Loved it. But there are some other options to consider. We also loved Marriotts Cypress Harbour and Fairfields Bonnet Creek. Those are the only 3 I can reccomend with peace of mind. We stayed other offsite villas and I can't honestly say I would go back. The 3 I mentioned I would in a heartbeat.

 

[utahkennedys]

We love OKW (own DVC there) but for a 7 night stay I don't recommend it since if you rent points the rates on Fri/Sat nights are very high. You should be able to rent a good week at any of the Marriotts for a decent price. We leave in a week for HGVC and grabbed an eBay week in a 3BR villa for $650...I see similar prices for 2BRs at Cypress Harbour and Horizons all of the time on eBay and other sites. We have stayed at the GV and enjoyed it as well, but I'd personally like to try Cypress Harbour next (unless we just absolutely LOVE HGVC!).

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

If money is no option, go for the onsite. Disney's Old Key West is wonderfull and very roomy.

I have no personal experience with the other resorts that you mentioned other than doing a timeshare tour at Grand Vista. I did like what we saw there and would definately consider it for a future visit. We have also stayed offsite at Marriotts Cypress Harbor and Fairfields Bonnet Creek and would not hesitate to recommend either place.

 

[disneynewbeemom]

We are staying at HGVC in October. We booked a timeshare package. We must attend a two hour timeshare presentation and in exchange we get a great price plus two tickets to Seaworld!! My sister and brother in law own there and constantly rave about it! It looks beautiful!

 

[SammieG]

we own at HGVC at international drive (but have stayed in lots of other 2 /3 bed suites too) - and just got back from our third trip there this morning.

From doing the DVC tour.. the apartments at HGVC are way better equipped and luxurious than the ones at the Boardwalk Villas where we looked... but of course you dont have the locality to Disney (although OKW might not be as good, and is only about 5 mins from Vistana Villages and HGVC) - I liked Vistana Villages but prefer HGVC

 

[jbthi]

I have stayed at all of these. If cost is not important, to me there is no contest. OKW wins hands down. If cost matters, I would stay at HGVC or Marriott. I don't personally care for Vistana, you can't depend on the units being clean and in good condition. Even in the newer phases. Last time we were there the washer wasn't working right and the maint. man had no clue as to how to fix it.

 

[Lisa P.]

Sheraton Vistana Villages is not the same place as mentioned in Jbthi's message (that's Sheraton Vistana Resort). "Villages" does not have "phases" - all of it is newer than the newest phase of the "Resort."

I don't think you'd go wrong with any of the resorts mentioned in the OP. Specific sections probably don't matter so much either. At MGV, I'd request a newer or newly refurbished unit. At any of the them, having children with you, I'd request any unit near the main pool area.

But for sheer comfort for a couple, 3 kids and another adult, I would prefer a 3BR. So for me, I'd select HGVC or MGV if a 3BR is available.

 

[jbthi]

Sorry, I didn't read it carefully enough.

 

[Lisa P.]

It's an easy thing to confuse them. You know, it's really a shame that Vistana Resort has not kept up consistently with their room quality. That resort has so much to offer in its common areas and amenities. When people have a nice room, it's an excellent place to stay in a great location. But when there are problems with the room... bleh, who wants it!?!

At this time, Vistana Villages is gorgeous. Hope they keep it that way!

 

[SammieG]

yes we didnt like (actually that is an understatement!) - Vistana.. but really liked Vistana Villages..

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

yes we didnt like (actually that is an understatement!) - Vistana.. but really liked Vistana Villages..

I second that. However, the older parts of Vistana used to be an apartment complex before Sheraton took over (correct me if I am wrong). It is their 25 year anniversary and I am betting when they made it into timeshares they did not project the boom in this type of accomodation. All of the Vistana rooms in which I have stayed were very nice and well kept. IF they were not I would be on the phone to the manager so fast their heads would spin.
When I first stayed at VV it was during construciton. The reservation takers lead me to belive that construction would not interfere with our stay. They were wrong and I wrote corportate. I got a call from the manager of VV and they gave me three free days on my next stay which I promptly accepted.

 

[Princess89]

We are owners at HGVC, and just got back from a weeks stay there. We had a 2 bedroom which was more than sufficient. We stayed at the location by Sea World. From what I was told is that you have to specifically request the 2 beds in the second bedroom, otherwise its a lock off with a king or queen bed. I personally really like the HGVC on International Drive just a bit more. However, I do have very recent pics of the resort that I could send your way if you want them. PM me and I can send them your way. I stayed there Aug 19-26, and the place was clean safe, and very roomy. We were a family of only 4, 2 adults and 2 children 10 and 3.

 

[mikkiwikki]

We are in a timeshare program that has MGV, OKW & Sheraton Villas

What are the pros and cons of each?

I would think for OKW PRO = location CON -sounds like price over weekends.

What are the pros of MGV> really beautiful....What is the Square footage of the rooms...In the UOG I read that OKW was 1336 for a 2 bedroom!

I cant find footage of MGV anywhere

 

[Lisa P.]

If you are talking about trading in (like trading a Westgate into one of them via II), then here are a couple thoughts:

Disney's Old Key West
Pro: Onsite at WDW, so extra hours in the parks and frequent free shuttles to the Disney parks; large rooms; main pool has a slide & lifeguards; onsite sitdown restaurant & golf - pricy; flowery foliage & shady landscaping w/small river & marina.
Con: Extra $95 fee added to your exchange fee; nice furnishings but not as plush as some; while very convenient to WDW, not as convenient to the other theme parks; never, ever available over Christmas/Easter holidays and rarely available during school break weeks; 3BR is never available; studio room is big but has disposable dishware, just a microwave & mini-fridge.

Marriott Grand Vista
Pro: Very near Sea World (and somewhat central between Universal & WDW); upscale furnishings; pools have waterfall, zero-entry & slide features; indoor active playroom for preschoolers (nice when it's rainy); onsite golf & limited restaurant - somewhat pricy; Florida greenery landscaping (more open, pleasant) & a very small lake & marina; 3BR may be available, if you need it.
Con: Small number of rooms undergoing refurbishment, so you could get one of them (not a problem if you're not going until next year); studio room is tiny - would not choose this size here.

Sheraton Vistana Villages
Pro: Newest of these 3 (all nice rooms); fairly central to the area theme parks; upscale furnishings; main pool has zero-entry & waterfall features; pretty landscaping includes fountains, waterfalls & walkbridges; conveniently located to a good grocer & several restaurants.
Con: No onsite sitdown restaurant; no onsite golf; some 1BRs are small and more basic (limited kitchen, no jacuzzi) while others are deluxe - exchangers have no choice regarding which they receive.

For the OP, here's more.

HGVC at Sea World
Pro: Located across from Sea World and a block from MGV - fairly central to the area theme parks; upscale furnishings; main pool has waterfall, fountains & deluxe features; pretty landscaping; small indoor theater; 3BRs are sometimes available.
Con: No onsite sitdown restaurant; no onsite golf; studios are small.

HGVC at Int'l Drive
Pro: Located next door to SVV above - fairly central to the area theme parks; upscale furnishings; main pool has waterfall & deluxe features; pretty landscaping; convenient to a good grocer & several restaurants; 3BRs are sometimes available.
Con: No onsite sitdown restaurant; no onsite golf; newest of all these resorts, therefore most limited in activity amenities; studios are small.

Pros for all of these 5 resorts:
Poolside bar/grill; nice games room & activities for the kids, very good customer service and the same interior room amenities. The 2BRs at all of them are very, very nice. Night lighting and landscaping is lovely at all of them, for evening walks (OKW and SVV may have a slight edge in this department). These 5 are definitely among the Top 10-15 "cream of the crop" Orlando area resorts.

Cons for all of these 5 resorts:
They tend to "nickle & dime" you for every amenity, compared with other mid-range resorts. Some families spend several hundred for small activities added in to their week (not golf or boating but crafts, child's night, etc).

Mikkiwikki, by the way your post is worded, I just want to caution you if you are using Westgate to go to Orlando. They have a history of telling people that they may go to these resorts (particularly the Disney ones) and will receive free park passes and meals as part of the deal. This is not true.

The only park passes provided to exchange guests are the result of sales pitches taken and those are only 1 or 2 day tickets for an adult and never at the Disney resorts. The only free meals are cook-outs or continental breakfasts and those are only at some of the Westgate resorts and they're not daily. If your timeshare program is a rental program, then you will want to see the price sheet before choosing of course. HTH!

 

[mikkiwikki]

Mikkiwikki, by the way your post is worded, I just want to caution you if you are using Westgate to go to Orlando. They have a history of telling people that they may go to these resorts (particularly the Disney ones) and will receive free park passes and meals as part of the deal. This is not true.

Thanks so much for your VERY detailed post Lisa!!!!
BTW - we arent in the westgate program its actually through

Interval International, 6262 Sunset Drive Miami, FL 33143
www.intervalworld.com

Have you heard anything bad about them?
We entered the program by investing a large chunk of $$$ - so hope not.

 

[littlestar]

Interval International is an exchange company that handles exchanges for Marriott, Disney, Westgate, etc, and numerous other resorts. We really like Interval.

We weren't allowed to join Interval until we bought a timeshare that trades with Interval, though. Even our DVC didn't qualify us for an individual membership with II (Interval International). We couldn't do that until we bought our Marriott week. I've never heard of someone being able to join Interval unless they owned a timeshare that made them eligible. Mikkiwikki, what timeshare do you own?

 

[Lisa P.]

II is a fine exchange company. When do you hope to travel? Your options will be limited to non-Disney resorts if you are planning to travel during Christmas/New Year's or the 2 weeks straddling Easter. Other school breaks can be tricky too, but not impossible. The other resorts may be found in II during holiday weeks.

Have a fun trip - these are nice resorts.

 

[mikkiwikki]

Interval International is an exchange company that handles exchanges for Marriott, Disney, Westgate, etc, and numerous other resorts. We really like Interval.

We weren't allowed to join Interval until we bought a timeshare that trades with Interval, though. Even our DVC didn't qualify us for an individual membership with II (Interval International). We couldn't do that until we bought our Marriott week. I've never heard of someone being able to join Interval unless they owned a timeshare that made them eligible. Mikkiwikki, what timeshare do you own?

We own a timeshare on Cape Cod that is in the II program. if you go to the intervalworld website, you can see that on the list of available resorts to choose from are disney dvc resorts. I was surprised! We just bought our time share a couple of months ago.

 

[littlestar]

We own a timeshare on Cape Cod that is in the II program. if you go to the intervalworld website, you can see that on the list of available resorts to choose from are disney dvc resorts. I was surprised! We just bought our time share a couple of months ago.

II's Getaway weeks are great for Orlando, too, especially if you can travel off season. That way you can take extra vacations without giving up your actual week at your resort if you don't want to.

Besides our DVC, we also like staying at Marriott's Cypress Harbour and Marriott Horizons. I think Vistana Villages is supposed to exchange through II starting in 2007. I wouldn't mind trying it out either. I've heard the older Vistana resort has a lot of activities, though, for families and lots of pools. Although some of the older sections might not be as nice depending on what section you end up in. DVC shows up a little in II in the off seasons. But not a whole lot, as most members use their points for Disney most of the time.

Familyman, if you can get a refurbished/new unit or area at Grande Vista or Vistana, those would be good choices. I've never stayed at any of the Hilton properties, but I've heard they are very nice. Of course, Disney's Old Key West is wonderful (especially if you're objective is mostly Disney parks as the convenience of being onsite with small children is wonderful). If you're doing Seaword and Universal mostly, then Grande Vista or the Hilton vacation club resorts in that area might be better for you. We also really like Marriott Horizons resort (especially when we have small children with us) because it has two themed swimming pools/zero entry with slides, an interactive water play area, and a miniature golf course. We stayed there in April in a new Building (Building 28). It's right down the street from Grande Vista.

Here are some pictures I found for Grande Vista, HGVC at Seaworld, and some shots of Horizons from my April vacation:

http://www.webshots.com/search?query=marriott+grande+vista

http://www.webshots.com/search?query=Hilton+seaworld

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b339407405f4&sid=0CbOGThs5YsXGA

You could also take a look at tripadvisor.com for some of the places you're thinking of staying at. Good luck and have fun.