Sheraton Vistana Resort Question

[Serene]

Finally decided on Vistana Resort, and made a reservation for a 2 bedroom. We requested a King in master, a whirlpool, and a quieter area of the resort. I went with the no-housekeeping rate (I always do it myself anyway, so saving the money was a real deal maker for me).

We also check in on a Sunday, and I've gathered that what day you check in puts you in certain locations at the resort. Is this correct? If so, what locations, and are they new or old?

I'm hoping to find out how to best go about NOT getting an older, "smelly" unit. I'm not overly picky, but old and smelly will not work at all for me, and I'm getting a little worried after doing a search of posts about the resort on here. Lots of happy campers, and lots of unhappy campers.

Are my chances of getting a nice, clean unit really only 50/50? And what can I do to help insure I get a newer unit?

Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

first question - who did you make the reservation with? - Sheraton, RCI, II, travel agent, etc.

second question - do you pay cash?

a cash reservation with Sheraton will assure you of a newer building.

 

[Serene]

I made it through Dreams Unlimited Travel to support this site. I'd be happy to pay with cash, but used a credit card as I always do.

How would one go about paying with cash?

 

[spiceycat]

cash and credit should work the same way. ask dreams unlimited to try to get you a new one.

 

[lunabkat]

I would love to hear how your vacation went, I was going to try sheraton but went with marriot grande vistas instead, wish me luck.

PS: Spiceycat I just LOVE you username, it makes me smile.

LL

 

[Serene]

We'll be back by the 30th of this month, so I'll post back.

 

[Detailor]

I would love to hear how your vacation went, I was going to try sheraton but went with marriot grande vistas instead, wish me luck.

We've stayed at both of these twice and will be back at GV in March for a third visit. In my opinion Grande Vista is the better of the two resorts. And with that said, the Sheraton timeshare experience is pretty darn good. Both of these hotel chains' timeshare products earn, again in my opinion, 'A' grades. But I'd give Vistana Resorts an A- and Grande Vista a solid A for the consistency in quality of the villas and the amenities available at the resort.

Either way you'd likely not regret choosing either, but I'd bet that after visiting both most people would prefer the Marriott.

Dick Taylor

 

[lunabkat]

Thanks a bunch Detailor, you have eased my mind about my choice, it seems like i couldn't have gone wrong anyway.
LL

 

[MiaSRN62]

Finally decided on Vistana Resort, and made a reservation for a 2 bedroom. We requested a King in master, a whirlpool, and a quieter area of the resort. I went with the no-housekeeping rate (I always do it myself anyway, so saving the money was a real deal maker for me).

We also check in on a Sunday, and I've gathered that what day you check in puts you in certain locations at the resort. Is this correct? If so, what locations, and are they new or old?

Hi Serene ~
A Sunday check-in could get you any section but the Courts and Spas. You could get the Falls, but if you request two "double" beds in the second bedroom then you can cross Falls off the potential list. The Falls has only two "twin" beds in the second bedroom.

Next oldest is the Springs. Never stayed there but I know Spiceycat has and she liked it. My personal favorite section is the Lakes. See if Dreams Unlimited can secure that for you. Good luck !

 

[Lettie-RN]

Hello all.

We were going to try to stay on site but hubby nixed the prices =)

we opted for Vistana Resort. We will be checking in late Saturday nite (Feb 2) we requested king and two double beds in the second room. We have 4 kids (2,4,4,6) and am wondering if we should request a particular area for the best activities for them. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[EBONYPRINCESS]

We checked in on a Friday, about 2 weeks ago. We stayed in the Fountains, and it was very nice. booked through AAA though. I think that Vistana must throw reservations in the air, and where you land gets you a certain spot there.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We will be checking in late Saturday nite (Feb 2) we requested king and two double beds in the second room. We have 4 kids (2,4,4,6) and am wondering if we should request a particular area for the best activities for them. Any suggestions?

Hi Lettie,
Sat night could get you the Courts, Spas, Springs, Fountains I or II, Lakes or Cascades. I'd request the Lakes or Cascades. Both of these sections have zero depth entry pools which is nice with the really young children---as well as interactive fountains.

 

[seidelhd]

We got back last night and checked in on Sunday, 10/14. Do a search for my other, lengthy review/post about our stay in Cascades. Our unit was 2305. If they put you in this unit or one on either side, ask for a different one. We had bad mold problems that affected my son's allergies/breathing.

Last year, we stayed in the Lakes section and were very happy with that.

 

[MiaSRN62]

about our stay in Cascades. Our unit was 2305. If they put you in this unit or one on either side, ask for a different one. We had bad mold problems that affected my son's allergies/breathing.

Wow....it's pretty bad when the Cascades section has mold !!!

 

[llhodes]

A friend of mine wants to sell me her timeshare for nov 16 through nov 23 at the Sheraton Vistana Villages villas, not the hotel. Is this what you are discussing??? Is there noisy annoying construciton going on here? Is this the same property that you are talking about in this thread?

 

[MiaSRN62]

No....the Villages is the "sister" resort to the main Vistana. The Villages is newer. We are talking about the original Vistana.

There was some construction going on at the Villages this year but not sure if they are finished yet. I don't recall anyone ever complaining about noise at either resort.

 

[andychris14]

I just received an invitation to stay at the vv. We have stayed there in the past. I think we are going to book it. Which section in the vistana villages would you recommend. I forget where we stayed last time.
Any suggestions/recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[wdwlover54]

The Lakes section is a construction nightmare right now. Every building around the water with the pool is empty and being torn apart. We were unfortunately one of 4 families in our building from Oct 6-13. They were hammering, removing furniture and appliances all around us. I would avoid any Lakes unit until after January when I was told the refurbished units would become available. The noise and hub bub was very disturbing. We were offered to be moved on Weds but we were checking out Saturday anyway. So asked for and received a voucher for a 3 nights future stay.

By the way, we are Lakes owners. For the Thurs and Friday before our Lakes check in, we were in a Fountains 1 unit near the security gate. THEY need a refurb in my opinion. The walls are half blue and half yellow. Just seems very 1970's. It was clean though.

 

[MiaSRN62]

we were in a Fountains 1 unit near the security gate. THEY need a refurb in my opinion. The walls are half blue and half yellow. Just seems very 1970's. It was clean though.

They are on the list ! Owners there just got their assessment notices this summer. They are doing one section at a time understandably......thanks for the update on the Lakes.

 

[PirateMel]

Finally decided on Vistana Resort, and made a reservation for a 2 bedroom. We requested a King in master, a whirlpool, and a quieter area of the resort. I went with the no-housekeeping rate (I always do it myself anyway, so saving the money was a real deal maker for me).

We also check in on a Sunday, and I've gathered that what day you check in puts you in certain locations at the resort. Is this correct? If so, what locations, and are they new or old?

I'm hoping to find out how to best go about NOT getting an older, "smelly" unit. I'm not overly picky, but old and smelly will not work at all for me, and I'm getting a little worried after doing a search of posts about the resort on here. Lots of happy campers, and lots of unhappy campers.

Are my chances of getting a nice, clean unit really only 50/50? And what can I do to help insure I get a newer unit?

Thanks!

Well, Here is my story...stay someplace else.
Just returned from my stay at what I now consider to be the WORST trade I have ever made. I belong to RCI and traded my week from Parkway to Vistanna for the location. We checked in on Saturday and got stuck in the springs section #826. The place is old, dumpy, and not very clean. Houskeeping doesn't matter, the don't know how to clean anyway, IMHO. emptying trash and replacing towels are not considered houskeeping in my book. We cleaned both bathrooms before I would even take off my shoes, and would not sit on the couch in PJ's, so gross.
I was very disappointed and filed a compalint with RCI, who has made good with me for the bad recommendation to this resort. I know there are newer sections but would never opt to stay here again playing roulette with the selection. Part of my frustration is that we usually stay onsite at Disney, and was sooo disapponted, Noting beats Disney CS IMHO. I am Extremely disappointed with Sheraton, and there lack of customer service, will never stay at another Sheraton again.
Also, if you need to to check in, flew with SW, and print boarding passes, you will have to find and go to the business center, this costs .20 minute for online access and .75 per page to print, everywhere else I have ever stayed in any city has done this a compliment.
IF YOU HAVE TIME - look at the reviews and potentially make a different selection.
Alternatives, IMHO, are Silver Lakes resort, Hilton Grand vacation club for time shares. Also, a new resort which jsut opened this year and gets as 12+ in my travel booking is the Mike Ditka Lighthouse key and resort on 192.