Sheraton Vistana Resort and Non Smoking

[SWB]

I was trying to book a non smoking 2 bedroom villa for this coming labor day weekend and was given a message that the non smoking preference was not available for those dates. I find it strange that six months in advance there is not one available. Are there any non smoking 2 bedroom villas? Should I be concerned that the one we get will be a smoking unit? I am not a non smoking fanatic, but don't like the stale smell if it is really strong.

 

[spiceycat]

Sheraton Vistana Resort - does not have any non-smoking rooms period.

smoking is allowed all over the place.

that say - just tell the front desk.

 

[FlFairygirl32405]

We were in what I assumed was a non-smoking 2 bedroom villa a few weeks ago. I say this because there was a sign on the kitchen counter that read if there was evidence found that there had been smoking in the villa, we would be charged a $250 fumigation fee. My husband smokes so he would always smpke out on the patio. There was an ash try provided on the patio furniture. We were in the Lakes unit 1835.

 

[MiaSRN62]

All the remodeled rooms are non-smoking except for the balcony. Any villas that have not been rehabb'd, are the ones that are still smoking. Hope this helps.

Maria

 

[MiaSRN62]

UPDATE FROM THE OWNER'S SITE :

Announcements

Exciting enhancements are underway at Sheraton Vistana Resort.

Villa Renovations
Villa renovations are in progress at Sheraton Vistana Resort. These significant enhancements will add a new level of ambience and comfort to your stay. As standards are elevated to meet modern expectations, you will enjoy a superior vacation experience.

The Lakes phase was the first to undergo the upgrades. Renovation crews worked 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week to meet the February 2008 completion deadline.

Villa renovations in the Fountains phase were completed in August 2008 and are now underway in the Fountains II phase with completion anticipated by the end of 2008.

The Falls and Springs phases are scheduled* for renovation from January through June 2009, with the Cascades following from April 2009 through May 2010.

For your convenience, all resort amenities will be available for use during renovations. Rest assured, the staff at Sheraton Vistana Resort is dedicated to providing you with memorable vacation experiences during this refurbishment period.

For more information on the villa upgrades, please click here.

*Dates are estimated and subject to change

New to Property—The Market Place
Designed with your convenience in mind, The Market Place is a combination specialty delicatessen, market and mini gift shop. New features include a "We Proudly Brew" Starbucks® Coffee experience, ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken and a full deli, featuring top quality Boar's Head brand meats and cheeses. The Market Place will continue to feature many of the grocery items and souvenirs previously offered at the General Store.

Pizza Hut—New Location, New Menu
Pizza Hut® has moved to the Fountains Recreation Center. Now featuring an extended menu that includes a salad bar, Pizza Hut offers "America's favorite pizza," wings, breadsticks and the salad of your choice. Stop by or have food delivered directly to your villa.

Thank you for your patience during the villa renovation period. We look forward to unveiling the beautifully enhanced villas.

The Sheraton Vistana Resort refurbishment is being completed in select phases and is expected to continue through the end of 2010. If you are planning to visit the resort before the refurbishment is complete, the villa you will be assigned may not be renovated. If you're interested in experiencing the resort's contemporary furnishings and latest technologies, contact Owner Services to reserve your week today.

Beginning January 1, 2009, Sheraton is going smoke-free. All Sheraton Vacation Ownership resorts request that guests refrain from smoking in all enclosed public areas and smoking inside the villas at the resort. The balcony and lanai, if so equipped, of the villa is a designated smoking area.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We were in what I assumed was a non-smoking 2 bedroom villa a few weeks ago. I say this because there was a sign on the kitchen counter that read if there was evidence found that there had been smoking in the villa, we would be charged a $250 fumigation fee. My husband smokes so he would always smpke out on the patio. There was an ash try provided on the patio furniture. We were in the Lakes unit 1835.

And yes, you had this warning because you were in a newly remodeled villa. The Lakes were the first to be done.

Maria

 

[SWB]

UPDATE FROM THE OWNER'S SITE :

Announcements

Exciting enhancements are underway at Sheraton Vistana Resort.

Villa Renovations
Villa renovations are in progress at Sheraton Vistana Resort. These significant enhancements will add a new level of ambience and comfort to your stay. As standards are elevated to meet modern expectations, you will enjoy a superior vacation experience.

The Lakes phase was the first to undergo the upgrades. Renovation crews worked 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week to meet the February 2008 completion deadline.

Villa renovations in the Fountains phase were completed in August 2008 and are now underway in the Fountains II phase with completion anticipated by the end of 2008.

The Falls and Springs phases are scheduled* for renovation from January through June 2009, with the Cascades following from April 2009 through May 2010.

For your convenience, all resort amenities will be available for use during renovations. Rest assured, the staff at Sheraton Vistana Resort is dedicated to providing you with memorable vacation experiences during this refurbishment period.

For more information on the villa upgrades, please click here.

*Dates are estimated and subject to change

New to Property—The Market Place
Designed with your convenience in mind, The Market Place is a combination specialty delicatessen, market and mini gift shop. New features include a "We Proudly Brew" Starbucks® Coffee experience, ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken and a full deli, featuring top quality Boar's Head brand meats and cheeses. The Market Place will continue to feature many of the grocery items and souvenirs previously offered at the General Store.

Pizza Hut—New Location, New Menu
Pizza Hut® has moved to the Fountains Recreation Center. Now featuring an extended menu that includes a salad bar, Pizza Hut offers "America's favorite pizza," wings, breadsticks and the salad of your choice. Stop by or have food delivered directly to your villa.

Thank you for your patience during the villa renovation period. We look forward to unveiling the beautifully enhanced villas.

The Sheraton Vistana Resort refurbishment is being completed in select phases and is expected to continue through the end of 2010. If you are planning to visit the resort before the refurbishment is complete, the villa you will be assigned may not be renovated. If you're interested in experiencing the resort's contemporary furnishings and latest technologies, contact Owner Services to reserve your week today.

Beginning January 1, 2009, Sheraton is going smoke-free. All Sheraton Vacation Ownership resorts request that guests refrain from smoking in all enclosed public areas and smoking inside the villas at the resort. The balcony and lanai, if so equipped, of the villa is a designated smoking area.

Based on this, it appears that all the villas will be renovated by June 2009 with the exception of the Cascades. It's my understanding that the Cascades are good even before renovations - is that correct? So the likeyhood of getting a bad villa is zero - correct?

Steve

 

[FlFairygirl32405]

If I remember reading one of Maria's previous posts correctly, the Courts are not scheduled for remodeling until 2010.

 

[spiceycat]

If I remember reading one of Maria's previous posts correctly, the Courts are not scheduled for remodeling until 2010.

though they started with the courts and it was done last year?

so this is wonderful!!!

non-smoking at Sheraton Vistana Resort.

will definitely exchange back to this one soon then - that is pretty wonderful news.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Steve and Pat. Sorry to hand over some disappointing news, but the major remodel is not done. Pat, the Courts received a "soft" rehab---minor facelift, but it's big remodel is not done. Once a section has begun it's big remodel (which includes the new flat screen TV's with Bose sound system, granite countertops, all new furniture, new carpets etc etc), then that section becomes non-smoking (except for the outdoor balcony). They will warn you at check in if they had to deodorize your villa due to smoke smell, you will incur a $250 charge on your credit card.

I think, to be safe, you need to book "non-smoking and newly remodeled villa" to get one of the recently done sections. The comment about the Cascades is correct. They were not nearly as in need of a rehab as the older sections.....neither were the Lakes if you ask me----but they are getting them. However, since the Cascades has not yet received it's remodel, the villas are probably not considered non-smoking except for the ones that are done. This is a huge section and will take close to a year to finish.

I'll post the remodeling schedule as I see on the owner's website :

The refurbishing is well under way....and these are major rehabs. The sections that are already completed or will be complete by June this year will be :
Lakes (done)
Fountains (done)
Fountains II (done)
Falls
Springs

Cascades is on the schedule as well, but was probably the least in need of it anyway.

So really, we're left with the Courts, Spas and Palms. These three sections have all voted for the remodel but won't be complete until :

Courts : Aug-Dec 2010
Cascades : May '09 to May '10
Spas : April '10 to Jan '11
Cannot find any dates for the Palms.



Maria

 

[SWB]

Hey Maria,

I am glad you posted the additional renovation schedule. When I look at the Sheraton Vistana Resort's website, they do not show the Spas, Courts or Palms floor plan. That is why I thought most all the villas would be renovated by June. Here is the page I was looking at: http://www.starwoodvacationownership.com/sheraton_vistana_resort/twobedroom_villa_springs.jsp

I wonder why they don't show those three?

Steve

 

[MiaSRN62]

Interesting Steve....this page is new.

I would guess, they have only listed the newly remodeled rooms on their website. These would most likely be what is available for cash paying guests. The Cascades is listed, because while not remodeled yet, are still in very good shape.

I think they save the older sections that aren't completed yet, for discounted rates as well as RCI/II exchanges...........

Just my guess..........because the Falls and Springs weren't even listed on the website last year.

 

[CindyKansas]

We stayed in the Cascade section of the resort 1 night during our last trip, I wanted a washer and dryer for a day before driving home. Anyway, when we checked in I asked for a non-smoking room and I was told that since this was a timeshare unit smoking was allowed in the rooms BUT if the smell was too much in the room they would move us. When we got to the room I could find no evidence that smoking had taken place. I also found the note about being charged a fee if smoking took place in the room. Anyway, we had no problem and I would stay here again.