Harborside- Bahamas

[elleny76]

I am looking to book and there is nothing available from may to august except 1-2 days. I own in Florida and have OP. When is the best time that I supposed to look to book in advance? 8months? or 9 Months? thanks

 

[sjsharkie]

I don't know what OP is ... Staroptions?

The best time generally to book is 8 months in advance of check-in date. But it really depends on when inventory is released - sometimes bulk inventory is released after the 8 month window opens. So keep checking.

 

[DeniseM]

For unknown reasons, Vistana is holding back summer inventory for Staroption reservations - it was not released at the 8 mo. mark.

 

[elleny76]

I don't know what OP is ... Staroptions?

The best time generally to book is 8 months in advance of check-in date. But it really depends on when inventory is released - sometimes bulk inventory is released after the 8 month window opens. So keep checking.

...lol yes SO!...

 

[elleny76]

For unknown reasons, Vistana is holding back summer inventory for Staroption reservations - it was not released at the 8 mo. mark.

Thanks Denise!..

 

[jlbanos17]

Good Morning,
I just bought a week at Harborside, I am trying to get the previous owner to book a week for me in August since I still don't have access to the system. He claims that there is no availability yet. Can some one please let me know when that inventory becomes available so that I can continue to pester him about it.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

 

[okwiater]

I just bought a week at Harborside, I am trying to get the previous owner to book a week for me in August since I still don't have access to the system. He claims that there is no availability yet. Can some one please let me know when that inventory becomes available so that I can continue to pester him about it.

It's way too early for August 2018, so you must be talking about this year. August is summertime and one of the most popular times. In addition, it is less than 8 months from now, which means any remaining inventory already became available to VSN traders. Harborside is also currently undergoing renovations which further limit the availability.

The only way to get a reservation in August 2017 at this point is to check, re-check, and re-check yet again. If somebody cancels then a room here and there may open up. But I wouldn't get my hopes up.

 

[jlbanos17]

Does having a "guaranteed" week mean anything at all or is that just a sales pitch?

 

[PamMo]

Does having a "guaranteed" week mean anything at all or is that just a sales pitch?

It depends on what kind of ownership you bought. If you bought a typical floating week in Harborside's second phase, your unit and week float and you are "guaranteed" the opportunity to book what you own during your season. BUT, you have to compete with other owners who will be trying to book their weeks. If 1,000 owners all want the Fourth of July week, you need to be the first online or call in when the reservation desk opens a year before your check-in date. At 8 months from check-in, everyone in the Vistana network has access to book at Harborside. Prime summer weeks and holidays are extremely popular with families, and very difficult to get if you don't book early (one year ahead of check-in).

If you own a Fixed Week VOI in the first phase of Harborside, your reservation for that week is guaranteed until 10 months prior to check-in. You MUST confirm usage between 10-12 months prior to check-in, or the week will be released for other HRA owners to reserve. HRA owners get first dibs on any unreserved units at 8-10 months prior to check-in. At 8 months, any Vistana member can book units at HRA.

Ultra Premium Week VOI's are automatically booked for owners, and owners do not have to confirm usage - they can just show up at the resort. Some Ultra Premium Week owners also have fixed units, so they get the same week/same unit every year.

You might find this old TUG thread useful: http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/building-map-of-harborside-anyone.69682/#post-510917

 

[elleny76]

Good Morning,
I just bought a week at Harborside, I am trying to get the previous owner to book a week for me in August since I still don't have access to the system. He claims that there is no availability yet. Can some one please let me know when that inventory becomes available so that I can continue to pester him about it.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

I am trying to book a week betw now to sept 2017 and there is NOTHING available at this time. Good Luck!

 

[jlbanos17]

It depends on what kind of ownership you bought. If you bought a typical floating week in Harborside's second phase, your unit and week float and you are "guaranteed" the opportunity to book what you own during your season. BUT, you have to compete with other owners who will be trying to book their weeks. If 1,000 owners all want the Fourth of July week, you need to be the first online or call in when the reservation desk opens a year before your check-in date. At 8 months from check-in, everyone in the Vistana network has access to book at Harborside. Prime summer weeks and holidays are extremely popular with families, and very difficult to get if you don't book early (one year ahead of check-in).

If you own a Fixed Week VOI in the first phase of Harborside, your reservation for that week is guaranteed until 10 months prior to check-in. You MUST confirm usage between 10-12 months prior to check-in, or the week will be released for other HRA owners to reserve. HRA owners get first dibs on any unreserved units at 8-10 months prior to check-in. At 8 months, any Vistana member can book units at HRA.

Ultra Premium Week VOI's are automatically booked for owners, and owners do not have to confirm usage - they can just show up at the resort. Some Ultra Premium Week owners also have fixed units, so they get the same week/same unit every year.

You might find this old TUG thread useful: http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/building-map-of-harborside-anyone.69682/#post-510917

Thank you this has been very useful!

 

[Helios]

Something to keep in mind, you really need to keep checking when you don't get your home or SO resie because the inventory gets released when it's not expected. I tried to make a new years home week resie at midnight 1 year in advance and there was nothing. On January 12 (or something like that) the inventory was released and got what I needed.

 

[PamMo]

It's probably more difficult to book HRA weeks this year because they're closing whole buildings for the refurbishment. Here's the schedule:

Multi-Year Maintenance Project – through December 2017:
Harborside Resort at Atlantis has a multi-year villa refurbishment and maintenance project underway that will continue through 2017. One building at a time will be closed for refurbishment. At the same time, villas in other buildings may be unavailable due to maintenance. During these projects, there is a possibility that Home Resort owners may be placed in a phase other than what is owned, and in some cases, Fixed villas may be unavailable due to maintenance. We do not anticipate that any of the planned projects will affect the resort’s amenities or impact the vacation experience of our Guests.

Our goal is to keep this site updated with the refurbishment schedule, please continue to check back for updates prior to travel.

Current Schedule (updated November 16, 2016)
Phase 1, Bldg 7 – individual villas closed November 26 – December 24, 2016
Phase II, Bldg 5 – individual villas closed January 7 – February 4, 2017
Phase II, Bldg 3 – entire building closed January 7 – April 22, 2017
Phase II, Bldg 6 – individual villas closed February 3 – March 10, 2017
Phase II, Bldg 4 – entire building closed April 2 – July 16, 2017
Phase I, Bldg 2 – entire building closed June 23 – October 26, 2017
Phase I, Bldg 7 – individual villas closed September 9 – December 23, 2017
Phase I, Bldg 1 – entire building closed December 3 – December 31, 2017​

 

[Helios]

Isn't it unbelievable they will take Building 1 out of commission during the highest demand week of the year. I guess all those fixed week owners will take the floating inventory from Phase II.

Luckily I got my reservation thanks to an IM from a fellow tugger...

 

[Lingber]

We will be heading to Harborside in early March for our second annual stay as an owner. It will be interesting to see if we get placed in Building 5 (we will be there Sat - Sat) with all the construction. Has anyone been there recently and have some photos to share of redone units? Any updates on the internet service? It worked fine for us on our last visit. 4 devices in the room were perfect. Pools and lobbies were spotty.

 

[mariawolf]

Internet is just about non existent==works in room but as soon as you go on balcony no longer works== forget about any access at ANY pool including Harborside==when you ask front desk they say it never worked there==untrue we have been owners for 16 years and it did till the last year. Over $150 for the week when VAT is added. Way to go is T Mobile==worked flawlessly everywhere there==husband got a text upon landing and never had an issue all week==