Sheraton Vistana Resort

[inkycat]

We have been offered a week rental from our friends who own a time share at the SVR. We are looking to go in February 2010. They are asking us $900 for the week and it would be a 2 bedroom condo. Considering we would also have other costs like airfare, park tickets, car rental, etc., would this be a good offer to accept? I have no idea how much these time share rentals cost the owners, so I don't know what to expect to rent one for from an owner.

 

[spiceycat]

that is probably what they are paying in maintence fees

but you don't have to - just click on this link

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/sheraton/vistana/index.html

 

[MiaSRN62]

I agree with Pat.....they are probably just trying to cover their yearly maintenance fees. It's not like they're making a profit off your rental or anything---they are not.

But you can get it cheaper. The only thing with renting from an owner, is you are assured you will be placed in whatever section they own in (if they're not renting a "banked" week out to you). Banked weeks could put you anywhere. But, for example, if they own in the Cascades section (one of the most desirable ones), and they are renting their 2009 week to you, you will have no doubt that you will be placed in the Cascades.

The link Pat provided will give you cheaper rates for sure----but where you are placed will depend on whether or not Vistana will grant your request. As an owner, there have been a couple times even my requests were not granted. So if you don't mind that you could possibly get an older section that hasn't been remodeled yet, you'll be fine with the link provided.

Maria

 

[inkycat]

Thank you for your replies. I do believe it probably is a banked week. They said if they didn't use it, they would lose it and we had until the end of next summer(2010) to use it.

Are there any hidden fees with this $99/day deal that I should be aware of? I assume it is for no housekeeping, which isn't a big deal for us. I don't see the economy changing real soon, so I am hoping these offers would still be available around this time(Feb. 2010). I would also assume we might not get a choice of which unit we wanted and could end up in an older (not updated) unit. Not a huge deal either as long as they are clean. Although being in a newer upgraded unit would be nice.

 

[j-ariel]

Hey!, I am going to that resort in May with my in-laws, they own time share there. I do believe its a good deal especially in feb. it is very busy there then and hard to get rooms in some places. They pay all year long for the time share so its probably just to cover the costs and maintenance fees.. I can let you know how it was when i get back if you like..It is classified at a 4.5 star resort..

 

[spiceycat]

Thank you for your replies. I do believe it probably is a banked week. They said if they didn't use it, they would lose it and we had until the end of next summer(2010) to use it.

Are there any hidden fees with this $99/day deal that I should be aware of? I assume it is for no housekeeping, which isn't a big deal for us. I don't see the economy changing real soon, so I am hoping these offers would still be available around this time(Feb. 2010). I would also assume we might not get a choice of which unit we wanted and could end up in an older (not updated) unit. Not a huge deal either as long as they are clean. Although being in a newer upgraded unit would be nice.

can you easily find out if they own in SVR - if not that is way too much money.

no hidden fees - and you might get housekeeping. the 1-bedroom are only in certain places (Cascades and Lakes only) and those are the newest.

now if you need a 2-bedroom - then yes you could be any where.

 

[inkycat]

Hey!, I am going to that resort in May with my in-laws, they own time share there. I do believe its a good deal especially in feb. it is very busy there then and hard to get rooms in some places. They pay all year long for the time share so its probably just to cover the costs and maintenance fees.. I can let you know how it was when i get back if you like..It is classified at a 4.5 star resort..

I've actually been there twice and agree that it is a nice resort. Once in 1999 and once in 2002. We had nice condo's both times. I was most impressed with our 2002 visit because at that time I think we were in the newest units and they were 2 story units.

I guess I am just wondering if I should take the deal they are offering now, or wait and risk trying to get a $99/night offer as we get closer to our trip.

Again, I appreciate everyones input and suggestions. Thank you.

 

[ansadler]

My parents own through Interval and we can get a "get away" discounted vacation there for $625- seven nights, 2 BR Villa. If I used it as their exchange week, it would cost them $129 for the week. They have a maintenance fee each year of $750.00.

I think Interval and Starwood are very similar in fees and prices.

 

[spiceycat]

internal international is an exchange company

starwood actually has some money invested in the timeshares

here is II public site

www.condodirect.com

 

[Del]

It sounds like much $ to me. We've paid anywhere from $99 to $149. Always a discount.

Del

 

[lakerz5]

Well and I thought I'd received a great deal for a 2 bedroom villa in July through redweek for 2 nights at $179 but now I need to find out if taxes are included or not. DU's offer is better if taxes are not included at $159 plus taxes...thanks so much for the tip

 

[MiaSRN62]

It sounds like much $ to me. We've paid anywhere from $99 to $149. Always a discount.

Del,
Is this for a 7 night week ? Or nightly rate ?

Because the OP's friend is really only charging them $129/night. I don't think this is terrible and they will get midweek cleaning.


Maria

 

[inkycat]

Yes, $900 is what they are charging us for a whole week. I am hoping if we reserve it soon, that we may get a choice of what section we will be in. I don't think $129/night seems bad and we are even splitting that with another family that is going with us.

Which brings me to another question. What is the newest or most recently updated condo section at Vistana Resort? That way IF we do get a choice I can request the newly remodeled ones. The ones we stayed at last time were 2 bedroom 2 story condos and were very nice.

We are looking at flying Northwest because we can book out beyond 6 months with them. It seems coach seats are around $197/seat,plus tax and fees.

 

[MiaSRN62]

What is the newest or most recently updated condo section at Vistana Resort? That way IF we do get a choice I can request the newly remodeled ones. The ones we stayed at last time were 2 bedroom 2 story condos and were very nice.

Inky...
Do u mean the actual villa/room was 2 stories ? If so, sounds like you were in the absolute oldest section---the Courts---most people don't like them. They are the only 2 story villas I'm aware of---they have 2 story townhomes on the end units. I think they sleep like 10 ?

As for the rehab, by the time you get there in 2010, The Cascades will be done in May 2010 Here is the schedule :

REHAB SCHEDULE :
Lakes, Fountains I, Fountains II complete in 2008
Springs : Feb -June 2009
Falls : Jan --May 2009
Spas : April 2010--Jan 2011
Courts : Aug--Dec 2010
Cascades : May 2009 to May 2010 (largest section)

Maria

 

[inkycat]

Inky...
Do u mean the actual villa/room was 2 stories ? If so, sounds like you were in the absolute oldest section---the Courts---most people don't like them. They are the only 2 story villas I'm aware of---they have 2 story townhomes on the end units. I think they sleep like 10 ?

As for the rehab, by the time you get there in 2010, The Cascades will be done in May 2010 Here is the schedule :

REHAB SCHEDULE :
Lakes, Fountains I, Fountains II complete in 2008
Springs : Feb -June 2009
Falls : Jan --May 2009
Spas : April 2010--Jan 2011
Courts : Aug--Dec 2010
Cascades : May 2009 to May 2010 (largest section)

Maria

Yes, it was like a townhouse unit. The master Bed/Bath, Kitchen, Living Room were on the main level. There was a guest bedroom/bath and sofa sleeper on the second level. That would have been in the Spring of 2001.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Yes, it was like a townhouse unit. The master Bed/Bath, Kitchen, Living Room were on the main level. There was a guest bedroom/bath and sofa sleeper on the second level. That would have been in the Spring of 2001.
__________________

You are one of the first that I can recall who really liked the Courts. They are unique, in that they already existed on the property when Vistana purchased the ground. They used to be condos but were integrated into the resort. They are due for their reahab in mid to late 2010. The Courts are the only section on the property that offers the townhome units.

Maria

 

[inkycat]

You are one of the first that I can recall who really liked the Courts. They are unique, in that they already existed on the property when Vistana purchased the ground. They used to be condos but were integrated into the resort. They are due for their reahab in mid to late 2010. The Courts are the only section on the property that offers the townhome units.

Maria

Really? Most people don't like the Courts? Maybe I don't know what I am missing. I liked the 2 levels of the unit and it felt like each group in our party had more privacy. When we went in 2001, they seemed recently updated.

We also went in 1999 and stayed at in the Lakes. I remember a very "peach" colored condo. LOL! I was still impressed back then, it really was my first condo experience and my first REAL vacation to WDW. So it was all very overwhelming, but very enjoyable.

I guess it will be almost 10 years since we have gone....so I am sure things will look very different.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Most people don't like the courts because they are quite old (existed in 1980 when Vistana purchased the land). Many feel they are very out-dated/not up-to-standards in the timeshare industry. Vistana finally agreed when they lost Gold Crown status a year or more ago. That was the catalyst for this major remodel. To regain Gold Crown status and compete with other timeshares.

I guess it will be almost 10 years since we have gone....so I am sure things will look very different.

You will definitely see a difference .....here are some photos of what the remodels will look like from now to 2010 :

Spas will look like :

Courts :

Cascades :

Cascades :

Springs :

Falls :

Lakes :

Fountains I :

Fountains I :

Fountains II :

Maria

 

[inkycat]

Maria,

Thanks for posting those pictures. They really look nice and much different than I remember. I am sure we won't be disappointed with whatever unit we end up with. Considering we will probably be on the "go" 80% of the time we are there....we won't have so much time to actually enjoy the condo. But I might have to take a day or two to do that, just to unwind.

Thanks again. You've been very helpful.

~Kathy