VISTANA: What would you do?

[OneMoreTry]

A week for $1000 at Xmastime. Section unknown.

OR

A week guaranteed at Fountains for $1400.

??? ???

 

[dani0622]

I'd go with the fountains you don't want to end up in the older sections. I've been in them and they are so dated. I just got back from two weeks in the fountains. go for it.

 

[DianeV]

Just so you know Fountains isnt that new either..I know there are older sections but I think you could do better then these deals (cant you???)

 

[MiaSRN62]

Is this Christmas week ? That would be about $200/night and pretty on par for prime holiday time. But then again, I'm just not sure if you could go to the sites often posted here and do better ? Who did you book through ?
As for the Fountains sections----it's a gamble for the extra $400----but to be guarenteed Fountains over the older sections would be worth it to me. I actually stayed in the older Spas and I much prefer the Fountains over that section. I also toured the Courts, Falls & Palms. The Springs is the only older section I have not been in.
There are 5 older sections than the Fountains. The Fountains I/II is in the top three newer sections with Lakes and Cascades being newer.
The Fountains I/II were built in '90-'92. Lakes were '94-'96 and Cascades was about '98 on.
Just want to make sure you checked all the sites and are getting the best rate :
http://www.hotelkingdom.com/
http://www.condodirect.com/iw/cs?a=5

Also, did you check the allearsnet rates ? http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_svistana.htm

Edited to add : The Fountains II are slightly newer than the 1st phase and have the jacuzzi in the master bedroom. The whirlpool tub is in the master bathroom in the Fountains I. I prefer Fount II.
Good luck !

 

[aquidneck]

I'm staying in a two bedroom for two weeks for under $1,200. I stayed last year over Thanksgiving for $400+. I love vacationing in nice places on my budget.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Skyauction does seem to have the best rates (they practically give these timeshares away ! lol) How far in advance can you bid may I ask and are you assigned a specific section ? Or do you risk getting the older sections ? Initially I was thinking Christmas week would be very tough to get, but then I see you got Thanksgiving for $400 which is a steal

 

[aquidneck]

We loved it. We had the Cascades ground floor, end unit closest to the pool. Plenty of parking. Parked infront of our door every day. Everything was clean. Enough room for our family of six. I did use the Diamond Lane. Great for checkin, we were the only ones in line at about 2:00 pm. There was a line if you didn't use the Diamond Lane check in. Skyauctions is only booking Vistana through 12/10. It seems they offer more dates frequently (probably within the month).

 

[MiaSRN62]

We had the Cascades ground floor,

And this was Thanksgiving week ? Wow.....I really have to wonder how you got so lucky (but more power to you !). We stayed over Thanksgiving in '98 and the resort was booked to capacity (the Lakes was the newest section at that time). I would just think Cascade owners would be booking their weeks during prime holiday time ?
Thanks for the info aquidneck

 

[OneMoreTry]

You guys are so helpful. I am going to check out these sites. I checked Skyauctions but they didn't have the right dates yet.

QUESTION: Is this too early to look for Xmastime deals?

QUESTION: Is the section determined at time of booking and preassigned? Or is it flexible and assigned based on request or time of check-in?

Mia, I'll check those sites.

The reason we're staying at Vistana is that is where my sister's family will be and we want to stay close to them. They are going to be in the fountains section. That's why I would like to stay there.

ANOTHER QUESTION: What is Diamond Lane? Is it available to anyone?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi again !

No...I never feel it's too early to book. You can always book now and then if you see a special later on, call and ask them to switch to the lower rate.

Normally for guests I believe the section is assigned at check-in, BUT, I have seen several people on these boards have a guarenteed section on their ressies at time of booking. Generally, I feel the resort reserves the right to move non-owners to where they choose to. I do know you can pay extra to be guarenteed a section because we did this in '94. On our first visit to Vistana we actually used a TA . This was pre-internet days for me ! We paid a little bit of a surcharge to be guaranteed the Lakes section which was the newest at that time. We had never seen the resort before and our TA had recommended this.

Diamond Lane : https://www.svosecure.com/starwoodvo/diamond.jsp?resortID=5
It's a priority check-in service and an online form you can fill out about a week or so before arriving at the resort listing your requests. From the Vistana web site :
<<<<<<<<Get into the fast lane with our Diamond Lane check-in form, and use Express Check Out for a quick, convenient way to check out of your villa. For more information on these services or if you need to change your reservation, please call Sheraton Vacation >>>>>
Yes, it's available to anyone (it used to be just for owners before Sheraton/Starwood took over). When you arrive at the lobby for check-in, you will see the Diamond Lane area off to the right of the lobby and slightly further down the counter. TIP: look for the shorter line You can put any requests such as ground floor or top floor or elevator bldg or water view in your requests. Just a head's up. If you decide to pay the extra to secure the Fountains and wish to go with Fountains II, there are about 15 villas that do NOT have a water view but rather back up to a small grassy area and wood fence. These are #'s 1601 thru 1672. The rest of Fountains II do have a nice water view.

you can view my pics here if you like : http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4287948459

Hope this helps !

 

[aquidneck]

I wouldn't pay the $200 a night. I'd wait and book via skyauction. When your date does come available you bid on the auction. After winning the auction you'll be asked for your dates. You need to read the auction. Some are for one bedroom and another for two bedrooms. Check in dates are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Last time I had a Sunday check in, this time Friday check in. I didn't have to pay anything more than my auction bid price and the $195 processing fee. So if the auction price is $300 you'll end up paying $495. The cost of two and 1/2 days if you book directly through them. Like I said I did a week last year and am doing two weeks this year. Also, have a friend that booked through skyauction after he learned about my experience. I laugh at my parents who purchased a timeshare in Miami last year. I go on awesome vacation cheaper than they do and their committed. Diamond Lane is a must. I do have pictures but don't know how to link them. My room was much nicer than the other pictures on this link.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I wouldn't pay the $200 a night.

I merely suggest booking the $200/night (being that this is the very busy Christmas week) and then trying to book for less on skyauction. But someone mentioned that you can't even book for that time period yet and there is also no guarentees that Vistana will have availability on skyauction during that week. I just wanted to make sure the OP at least secures a room there---it can always be switched to the lower rate IF one becomes available.

My room was much nicer than the other pictures on this link.

aquidneck, you were placed in the newest section---Cascades---and I do have pics of that section in that link. It is the newest section on the resort. It is also the most requested section, and my feeling is it may be tough to get it during the high occupancy time period of Christmas week. I suspect many Cascades owners will be booking their weeks there.

 

[fac]

I agree with MiaSRN62, I doubt there is availability for Christmas week via skyauction for Vistana. I suspect it may be last minutesfixed week auction, but I am not sure whether you want to wait till the last minute.