Sheraton Vistana Resort

[mog]

I have read a lot of the older threads on this resort, but our trip is getting closer, so I thought I would start a new one.

I know that Cascades is the newest section and it would be great to be placed there. But not everyone can get that section and we are going in the summer (busy time!), so I'd like to give a few choices when I email them a request. Those of you who have stayed there - what would be the 2nd and/or 3rd choice for you if you couldn't have Cascades? It seems like I've heard that Lakes is nice - but I've gotten confused over the months on all the different sections and what I've read about them!

I'd welcome opinions from anyone who has stayed in any section at Vistana!

Thanks!

 

[AZKathy]

Try not to get the Falls. Our rooms smelled very bad from old cigarette that would not get out of the rooms and they were very dated. They were on the periphery of the lovely resort and it was a bit to get to the main building/pool. We also had a big problem with ants, although it is Florida and bugs are everywhere. I have heard the other areas are nicer. We were very disappointed with our villas but I have read that other people are very pleased with their villas, so I think we just got bad luck this trip with our stay! Good luck with your getting the area you want!

 

[bynum66]

I've been told that two weeks before checkin Go to www.starwoodvo.com

Click Resort Collection
Click Sheraton Vistana Resort
Click Diamond Lane

Put in all your pertinent information and in the Services I Would Like area - put in your location request in this order:

Cascades
Lakes
Fountains

Top Floor and smoking preferences.

Good Luck.

 

[spiceycat]

the way I think the Sheraton work is smoking is allowed period.....

So if I find smoke in the room I get - I am going back to the front desk - I am allergic to smoke and they will have to get me another room - or remove the smoke - yea I know - forget - it clinks to curtain and carpert - even the walls

when I brought a condo I had to replace all the carperts and paints the walls - including the closets to get rid of that smell.....

 

[Jamieb]

You can make a request for various areas using Diamond Lane check in but you can't make the request two weeks out since RCI does not give the resort your name until 24-72 hours before your arrival.

 

[mog]

Thanks for the information! Keep it coming! I've started a list:
No Falls, Yes Cascades, Lakes, Fountains
Do the Diamond Lane Check-in with requests before leaving...

I was thinking of requesting a top floor, too, but just out of curiosity why did you suggest it, bynum66?? Just wondering if there are reasons other than those I thought of (no noisy feet thumping above us, maybe less lizards/bugs than on ground floor)

 

[disneymom3]

The trouble with requesting the top floor is that many of the older sections do not have elevators. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I think only Cascades has elevators. I don't want to go up two flights of stairs with tired preschoolers after a day at the parks! We ahve been on all floors in several sections and only once did we have a problem with noise. That was from a family who were clearly raised in a barn and would have shouting conversations from the landings in the stairwell with people in the parking lot and then would stampede up and down the stairs several times. Thankfully, they were gone a lot!

We actually like the layout in Fountains and Lakes better. They are also in a quieter part of the resort and while everyone else's kids seem to have the cascades pool as their favorite pool, my kids like one of them over on that side of the resort. It is not the Super Pool, it is the one with zero depth entry that you can walk to from the Super Pool.

We have never stayed in the Falls, but most of what I have heard has not been good. You have to wonder WHEN they are going to revamp that area! We have always found the staff to be very helpful and friendly unlike at their sister resort Vistana Villages.

 

[Cyndiu]

We stayed in Spas last year and it was fine too. Somewhat dated, true, but clean and didn't smell of smoke at all. If that's where you end up, don't despair!

We'll be at Vistana in July, I can't wait!! Once there, I'll be on

 

[Scotfan]

We own in Spas and so am probably biased, yes it is dated but all the soft furnishings and carpets were replaced recently, ours has never smelt smoky, and its bigger than the newer units. Plus we just walk out of the door cross the road and walk into the super pool. Location location location.

 

[mog]

Okay, lets talk about pools. I keep seeing people refer to the "super pool" - what is that and what section is it in. What other pools can you describe and what sections are they in?
Thanks! This information is great!

 

[Cyndiu]

The Super Pool is in the Spas neighborhood and is the largest pool onsite (I believe) Cascades may be bigger overall though. From the air the Super Pool looks like side by side circles and it is right alongside Zimmies (our favorite restaurant on-premises).

Go to this link http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/amenities.jsp?resortID=5&view=# and click on Resort Map. The Super Pool is in the upper left corner of the resort (on the map)

When are you going?

 

[mog]

We are going to be there the last week in July. I can't wait and I have read a lot of more positive reviews of it lately! I think I will put down Cascades, Lakes, Fountains and maybe even Spas for our requests - hopefully if I give more choices they will be able to honor one of them.
My kids are very excited about all the pools. They want to know if there are slides at any of them.

Thanks for all the information!

 

[ttfn3]

mog - we'll be there the last week of July also!! It will be our second time at the Vistana Resort. The first time was about 3 years ago. We're looking forward to it. Maybe we'll see you at the pool!

 

[Cyndiu]

Can't remember which one, but there is definitely a slide in at least one of the pools. I think its one of the small ones to the left on the map of the Super Pool. Either the Courts or the Falls pool most likely.

 

[mog]

I just wanted to say thanks again to everyone for the great information you posted about Sheraton Vistana Resorts for me. We are very excited to stay at this beautiful resort and the information we've gotten here has helped so much!