Sheraton Vistan Resort Spas section - RCI trade

[mog]

I just called Vistana Resort to ask about how to make certain requests. They connected me to the Starwood Vacation Ownership Customer Service line. The lady there was very nice and looked up my reservation to note my requests. The thing I found odd was that when I said I realize that they don't assign the unit yet, she said that my reservation was for the Spas section. I traded in through RCI and was never told it was for a specific section, in fact they tell you that it is not for any certain unit and will be assigned upon check-in.
Has anyone else traded through RCI and been told you were trading into a certain section?

Has anyone stayed in the Spas and how was it?

 

[snoopy]

Do you have a Friday check in? It is my understanding that only Friday check ins get assigned to the Spas sections. And Sunday check ins get assigned to Falls - Saturday checks in would be assigned to any of the other sections.

The sections are, from oldest to newest:

Courts
Falls
Spas
Palms
Springs
Fountains I
Fountains II
Lakes
Cascades


I know the Spas section is near the "super pool" -- the buildings themselves look sort of 80's style, but I'm sure they are fine. We stayed in the Lakes section, which I requested upfront in their Diamond CHeck in lane on their website. They were lovely, but a little further back into the resort than the Spas which are in the front of the resort.

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by snoopy
Do you have a Friday check in? It is my understanding that only Friday check ins get assigned to the Spas sections. And Sunday check ins get assigned to Falls - Saturday checks in would be assigned to any of the other sections.

The sections are, from oldest to newest:

Courts
Falls
Spas
Palms
Springs
Fountains I
Fountains II
Lakes
Cascades


I know the Spas section is near the "super pool" -- the buildings themselves look sort of 80's style, but I'm sure they are fine. We stayed in the Lakes section, which I requested upfront in their Diamond CHeck in lane on their website. They were lovely, but a little further back into the resort than the Spas which are in the front of the resort.

I wish we had know that for our stay this past summer. We checked in on Sunday and got the Falls section with the RCI trade. The two villas were yuck! They were terrible and it left a bad taste in our mouths for Vistana Resort. Darn it! If we had known that, we would have done a Saturday check in if possible to get a newer portion of the resort. I read how lovely it is in the newer sections.

 

[ttfn3]

Has this been changed? I have a map from our last visit - which I believe was in 2000 - and it has a colored coded map with the checkin dates listed. I don't have it in front of me, but I believe it varied by area. I can check the map when I get home tonight. Anyone back recently and bring home a map?

 

[snoopy]

I never got any color coded map, I just have that information stored in my computer from research I did on the DIS. That was this past January, so it may have changed since then. I know when I checked with Vistana in January, it was valid at that time.

 

[snoopy]

Here is the link where this is discussed. Hawt1 was the expert at that time, perhaps he/she is still around and can confirm that these rules still apply:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=4683486&highlight=%2Bvistana+%2Bresort#post4683486

 

[monarchsfan16]

We stayed in spas several years ago ('98). Even my ultra picky grandparents were very pleased with it. And the location cannot be beat. You are located near 4 pools, the store, and one of the restarants. The store also has a Pizza Hut in it. The condition of the unit was very good. I believe (but don't quote me on it...cuz i'm not certain) that spas has been redone since then. I know that they're in the process of redoing all of the older units. There is nothing wrong with spas, in fact it was our favorite of the sections we have stayed in. And we've stayed in Courts, Spas, and Cascades.

 

[mog]

Well, I never heard that about the check in date before, but we do have a Friday check in so that would go along with that. I guess I'm not too concerned with being in the Spas section - have heard several good reports on it now and no bad ones yet. My concern now is that my parents are also staying there and we have some other family members staying with us between the 2 units. They have a Saturday check in. Does that mean that they won't be able to place us near each other since we have different check in days? I was going to request that we be near since it is a "family reunion" type of thing!

 

[monarchsfan16]

You probably won't be in the exact same section, but the Saturday check in areas, if I remember right (can't find my map right now), are all fairly close to the Spas section. And Vistana is smaller than it looks, so most sections are within an EASY walking distance. I think they split sections off by check in day to make it easier for cleaning, since litterally hundreds of units are being vacated at the same time, and have to be clean and ready within hours. You can check out a map at their website though, that would probably have the check in things on it. I could be wrong on that however.

 

[CrazySun27]

Mog-

I just exchanged my week through RCI and as I have read through the different reviews, I don't know what section is the best to stay in. I did try to specify my request, but RCI told me to call the resort 10 days before check in. I'll arrive on a Sat, Sept 11.

Any suggestions???

Thanks!

 

[mog]

Well, from what I've read here, since you are a Saturday check in you have more options. Before I found out that I am locked into Spas because of Friday check in, here was my preference based on my research:
Cascades
Lakes
Fountains

I guess I'll be seeing what the Spas section is like, though. I haven't necessarily read anything bad about it and a couple people even posted that they had stayed there and thought it was great! (thanks to those who did give info on Spas section!)

Good Luck! We're going at the end of July so I can let you know what I find out after that.

 

[CrazySun27]

Hi, Mog

According to my research, I found the same information. I'll will request the Cascades first, then Lakes, Then fountains...

Let me know what you find out about the resort's different sections in July.

I'm super excited!

 

[Cyndiu]

I don't believe the check in days are completely cast in stone. What I mean is, DH, DS, DD and I are arriving on Sunday 7/11/04 and we're reserved in Cascades this year. It doesn't hurt to ask about specific sections regardless of checkin date and if you have a number of villas reserved for a family reunion or something, you should mention that as well. I have found the reservation clerks at Vistana to be very helpful and if there is a way to put you together (or at least close) they will.

In terms of units, Cascades is the newest, tend to be the smallest (but not too small, just small in comparison to other phases) and are centrally located. Also, they are taller and have elevators. Lakes is second newest, and one of the larger size units, very lovely, but not as conveniently located. When the children were smaller we stayed in Lakes. We loved the unit, but had to take the car to the pools we preferred, which was a drag with small kids. Fountains II is the 3rd newest. Basic floor plan, but even less optimally lcated than Lakes. Then is Fountains I. Well located, still newish. Then Spas (if I'm not mistaken).

We stayed in Spas in July of 02 and were very happy with it. Like all of Vistana Resort it's decor is "Floribbean" so a little cheesy, but what you would expect to find in a Florida vacation resort (I think). We were right across the "street" from the general store on the second floor. We were completely satisfied. I know that there are some posters that insist you can only have a good time if you are lucky enough to get Cascades phase. But, I disagree. We've been in Lakes, Fountains I, Fountains II, Cascades and Spas. BIL and Sister have stayed in Lakes, Fountains II, Springs, and Falls. We all have had excellent vacations at Vistana year after year. (I know I'm gushing, but no, I don't work for Vistana!)

We love us some Vistana!

 

[CrazySun27]

Cyndiu-

Which of all the sections do think is best for small children that love the pool. I have 5,7,9????

THX!

 

[Cyndiu]

All of the pools are great and all have something a little different. Pool 2 http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/amenities.jsp?resortID=5&view=# (click on resort map) has a slide, and the Cascades pool has a waterfall and I think its the Fountains pool that has fountains (that would make sense). All of the pools are at your disposal though, regardless of the phase you're staying in, so I recommend trying them all! They all (I'm pretty sure) have small kiddie pools in their respective areas too, check the map.

(edited because correct spelling is nice)

 

[mog]

cyndiu (and others!),
I just wanted to thank you for all of your posts. You have made me feel better about the resort as a whole and not be so worried about which section we are in! I'm sure we'll have a great time no matter where we end up!

 

[CrazySun27]

Mog-

You are right.!!
At this point put me in a sleepy bag and I'll sleep at MK, Epcot or in Cinderella's castle...........

I'm more excited then my kids