Timeshare at Sheraton Vistana resort

[tony64]

We are looking at buying a timeshare resale in the Falls section at the above.
It's 64000 RCI points in a 2 Bed 2 Bath Apartment for $5200.00.
Is this a good deal?
Does anyone have a timeshare in this resort?
Any comments about the resort or the Falls section of it?
Thanks for any help

 

[MiaSRN62]

We are looking at buying a timeshare resale in the Falls section at the above. It's 64000 RCI points in a 2 Bed 2 Bath Apartment for $5200.00. Is this a good deal? Does anyone have a timeshare in this resort? Any comments about the resort or the Falls section of it?

Hi Tony,
I own the Fountains section at Vistana. The Falls is one of the older sections---the second bedroom has 2 twin beds vs 2 double beds in all the other sections. Normally this section is sold as a fixed week (possibly as floating), but as starpoints I'm not familiar. The owner must have converted his ownership over to points which is an option (at a cost) for owners. Here's a link that explains that : http://www.starwoodvo.com/ownership/pdf/Weekly_StarOptions_Chart.pdf and : http://www.starwoodvo.com/ownership/discover_vo_p8.html
I strongly urge you to visit: http://www.tug2.net/
and register for the bulletin boards there : http://www.tug1.net/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi (there is a board for just point-based timeshares). I'm not so sure that 64,000 points will get you alot per exchange per year and the price sounds a tad high to me for that section. You will get alot more first-hand help on TUG. It's $15 to join ($10 to renew each year) and very much worth it. Perhaps someone on these boards can help you further. I'm simply not involved in the starpoints at Vistana. I own a floating prime week. Good luck.
If you click here : http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/ then go to my "Vistana" album, you'll see some pics from the "Spas" section. The Spas is a little newer than the Falls but the decor is probably very similar. It's kind of got an 80's feel to it, but all the appliances were brand new when we stayed there.

 

[tony64]

Thanks Mia
i have been on to TUG but i must admit i find it all very confusing
What is SVN about in plan ENGLISH
we don't want to make an expensive mistake.
The RCI points looklike they would ework well for us as we only to to Florida every other year

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi again Tony. I believe SVN stands for Starwood Vacation Network. Starwood took over Vistana several years ago (after I purchased). They have several resorts that they consider within "their" network where you can use your points (negating having to go through RCI or II) as I understand it. Sort of like DVC has their "network" of DVC resorts. Despite where your home resort is, you can exchange into any one of them without going through II. Here's a list of some of those resorts in the Starwood network :
http://www.starwoodvo.com/ownership/discover_vo_p6.html

I really wish I understood the point system better so I could help you. That's why I gave you the link to the TUG Bulletin/message boards. You could ask people who actually are involved in the points at Vistana. I do believe there are a couple of members on DIS who do but can't recall their member names, so hopefully maybe they will stumble upon this thread and help you further. If you only go to FL eoy, then the 64,000 points could be banked to give you 128,000 and with that you could most likely do more. I still think that the price is a tad high for the Falls BUT, when you factor in the starpoints conversion this may be a reasonable asking price. Post a direct question over on the TUG message boards (you have to register first just like with these boards) and hopefully someone can give you a point-blank answer if that price is good or not. I think you're being very wise in doing your homework first and reseaching all this. Take your time and make sure you understand everything completely because the point system can be a little confusing.
Hey....just found another message board for Vistana owners (doesn't look like a real active board though) : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Starwood_Vacation_Ownership/

Best of luck to you......hope someone with more knowledge on the points chimes in.

 

[spiceycat]

I think you are paying too much - but again check with tug

you can post and ask questions without having to join.

just sign up - like this site

you can't see the reviews or the sighting/distress forum - but you can definitely post./

 

[MiaSRN62]

I think you are paying too much - but again check with tug

Thanks for this validation Pat. I was thinking so too, but I'm just not as familiar with the starpoints option. The points is where I get stuck factoring in that selling price. I know for sure if there were no points, that would be high for the Falls section.

 

[sherE810]

Hi there! I myself was given a link to tug maybe 2 weeks ago. I have been on there researching since. We are interested in buying a timeshare as well. I'm so glad I found out about it because the wealth of info I've learned has been amazing!! I know its confusing but worth it if you take the time. I would suggest going to the points discussion board and read back as far as you can handle. I just finished 100 days back today. Haven't slept much this week!! As for Vistana you can definetly get a better price than that. I saw one on "Redweek" for $2000 today.(2 bed 2 bath) 2 more on "myresortnetwork" both 2bed 2bath and both under $3000. The great thing about Vistana is they will convert your week to RCI points if thats what you want. They only charge $200 to do it. If you have any more specific questions about understanding how it works, just email me. People on tug have been so great answering my questions and emailing me, try it out as well. But please don't pay that kind of money for those points I promise you, you can do better!! sherry