Question about Westin for Dean (or anyone else who knows!)

[DisnutDave]

DH and I went to Maui in the spring and saw a presentation there on the Starwood/Westin timeshare program. To buy into the new Maui location they were building, they were asking $22K for 40,000 points every other year, which allowed you to stay there (or any of the many Starwood resorts). We gave it some thought, it seemed like it would make a great addition to our DVC membership. We only have 210 DVC points, and while that allows for great trips to the member resorts, cruises and other destinations are harder to get to.

Our interest was re-awakened recently when a friend who was in Cabo San Lucas saw a presentation there. $12K for 40,000 points every other year, $22K for an annual allotment.

Their selling point is that you can use the points to stay at any of the resorts. So you can really stay just about any time, anywhere. Is it really as flexible as it seems? Or is it more like DVC, where points outside of the DVC resorts are much higher?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DisnutDave
DH and I went to Maui in the spring and saw a presentation there on the Starwood/Westin timeshare program. To buy into the new Maui location they were building, they were asking $22K for 40,000 points every other year, which allowed you to stay there (or any of the many Starwood resorts). We gave it some thought, it seemed like it would make a great addition to our DVC membership. We only have 210 DVC points, and while that allows for great trips to the member resorts, cruises and other destinations are harder to get to.

Our interest was re-awakened recently when a friend who was in Cabo San Lucas saw a presentation there. $12K for 40,000 points every other year, $22K for an annual allotment.

Their selling point is that you can use the points to stay at any of the resorts. So you can really stay just about any time, anywhere. Is it really as flexible as it seems? Or is it more like DVC, where points outside of the DVC resorts are much higher?

I can't speak as to how Starwood works. There are a couple of members on this board that are, or at least were, members of both systems. You should go to TUG at www.tug2.net and find out about how Starwood works then compare for yourself. But as a general rule, buying from the developer rarely makes sense. And owning in HI only makes sense if you want to go there routinely. If you want to complement your DVC, consider other choices. Points systems like Bluegreen, Fairfield, Worldmark and RCI might be good choices. And other systems like Marriott might hold good choices for you as well. Spend 6-12 months getting educated before you throw money away.

 

[PCWizard]

DW and I bought Starwood before we bought into DVC. The Starwood plan is extremely flexible with the points system, and all of the resorts are very nice.

You can stay at any of the Starwood Resorts just about any time just by calling and making a ressie. That simple. Anything from a week to a couple of nights - whatever you want.

You can also use the Starwood access to get to hundreds of hotels throughout the world that renge from 2,000 to 10,000 points per night. For instance, the Sheraton Safari in Orlando is 2,000 points per night, and the Swan/Dolphin (Starwood properties) run 10,000 points per night.

The third option is to trade out through RCI. Not as effective a use of points, but gets you some locations where there is not a Starwood unit.

Our only issue now is that my DW has fallen in love with DVC and WDW, and wants to go there exclusively (and who am I to complain).

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me and I will do my best to answer them for you.

 

[Dean]

Just reviewing the info on TUG, it looks like Starwood is a lot less flexible than DVC. No banking and I presume no borrowing. I does appear that home resort priority is important, likely more so than DVC since the points will expire at the end of the year.

 

[DisnutDave]

Thanks Dean and Wizard, it's food for thought.

 

[KLR-wlv]

HI

We just bought a resale at Sheraton Mt. Vista on ebay and I've done some research on Starwood - unfortunately buying resale at Mt. Vista doesn't allow you to get into the vacation network or utilize staroptions - but if you buy a resale at one of the "mandatory" resorts you do get that option. The resorts are: one part of Sheraton Vistana in Orlando (can't remember the area of the resort that is "mandatory" at the moment - the Villages maybe?), Westin Kierland, Westin Ka'anapali, St. John, or Harborside - then you can get into the vacation network for exchanges to any of the Starwood resorts and use staroptions every other year I think (someone may correct me on some of this - since I don't get into the network, I may have gotten a few of the details wrong) SO a resale at one of those would probably be your best option. I've had fun finding out about how Starwood works, and would love to buy a resale at Harborside someday!

Good luck!
Kristen

 

[eagle29]

I recently bought an odd-use-year 2 bedroom at the Westin Kierland in Scottsdale to complement my DVC. At the eight month window I was able to trade out to the Westin St. John into a three-bedroom Jan. 2nd to 9th. You are able to borrow from the next use year only within 90 days of a particular check-out date. Like DVC, internal exchanges are the best value. Although you can convert your week to Starpoints (for use at any Starwood Hotel) you will lose 50% value (ie. 148,100 Staroptions converts to only 72,000 Starpoints and there is also a $99 fee). Also, when I purchased I used my AMEX Starwood card to earn Starpoints, then paid off with Home Equity. Additionally, I received 90,000 Starpoints as an incentive. It can get complicated and may not be as flexible as DVC but I view it as a great complement for every other year vacations to St. John, Atlantis, Maui, or Colorado (although there are others as well).

Good luck with your decision!!