Vistana Resale Value & Starwood?

I own in the Fountains and am happy about the new look but not about the assessment…but that’s water under the bridge.

Before the assessment resale’s were between $2,500 -$3,500. I recently looked on e-bay and was shocked to see several units sell for around $300-$500. Now I can understand that resale values should have taken a hit for the special assessment but this seem a little extreme. Can anyone explain this and does anyone have any insight into if the values will ever go back up?

Also, what do my fellow Vistana owners think about the offer from Starwood to join their network for free? I’m kind of on the fence but am leaning towards just staying with RCI.

Try the Starwood forum.

I like being added to SVN for no fee, and whether or not I use it I am know able to be affiliated with RCI and II (although I will likely use RCI more as I am more comfortable with them) but I like to have options.

How many StarOptions or StarPoints can you get for your Vistana unit? When you see what you can get for your unit, you will be in a better position to make that decision. For example, a unit at Vistana Villages Key West section can get you 81,000 StarOptions to trade for Starwood Resorts.

I expect the dip in prices is purely due to the spike in inventory for sale---people hoping to saddle someone else with the assessment. What's more, most buyers will figure announced assessments into their offering price.

Hi,

Being able to join the SVN is news to me. I own at both the Springs and Falls and have no knowledge of this offer. Was it restricted to just the fountains?

Dave

Daverock said:

Hi,

Being able to join the SVN is news to me. I own at both the Springs and Falls and have no knowledge of this offer. Was it restricted to just the fountains?

Dave

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Starwood has started offering the ability to join SVN to owners in other phase of Vistana. At this point, I not sure which phases are now getting this offer but it was to those phases doing a big upgrade to their units.

Daverock said:

Hi,

Being able to join the SVN is news to me. I own at both the Springs and Falls and have no knowledge of this offer. Was it restricted to just the fountains?

Dave

Click to expand...

I’m not sure about the other sections. I got a letter about a month ago explaining it and when I called to bank my week they tried to sell me on it. I basically have to the end of summer to decide and the fee will be $105 a year starting in 2009 and that includes a II membership. I’m sure if you call them they can give you more info on your sections.

My dilemma is that I have my RCI membership paid up until 2011 and really don’t want to pay the $105 if it’s not worth it.

I too am leaning towards trying SVN but the catch is we get only 77000 for our Fountains week in prime season and most SVN weeks in other SVN properties, including the Lakes and Cascades sections in Vistana) cost 81000 or more ! And unlike RCI Points, you CANNOT even one extra point.

Remember when RCI upgraded all your Orlando weeks from blue and white to RED? Well, SVN just downgraded your week back to bronze, silver, or gold. You may even have PLATINUM! What you may discover is that your 2BR RCI RED week now only gets you a 1BR unit thru SVN. There is a lot to learn about the difference in week values before you jump into the SVN network. Take your time!

Also, I believe what they are offering you here are StarOptions, which can get you into other SVN Resorts, but not StarPoints, which allow you to take single or multiple nights at the Sheraton/Westin hotels (like the Disney Dolphin or Swan). The subject is very confusing.

Sea Six said:

Remember when RCI upgraded all your Orlando weeks from blue and white to RED? Well, SVN just downgraded your week back to bronze, silver, or gold. You may even have PLATINUM! What you may discover is that your 2BR RCI RED week now only gets you a 1BR unit thru SVN. There is a lot to learn about the difference in week values before you jump into the SVN network. Take your time!

Also, I believe what they are offering you here are StarOptions, which can get you into other SVN Resorts, but not StarPoints, which allow you to take single or multiple nights at the Sheraton/Westin hotels (like the Disney Dolphin or Swan). The subject is very confusing.

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When I talked to the resort they were offering both StarOptions and StarPoint. Of course if I call back I might get another story...we all know how that goes.

I own at Vistana Beach Resort which was renovated (complete with assessment) at the same time as Fountains. In fact, we could swap with Fountains at any time.

I researched the SVN pretty carefully a couple of weeks ago, and then last week when we were in Jensen Beach got a phone call inviting us to an owner's update.

Basically it was a sales presentation offering to sell us additional points.

I am pretty satisfied with the # of Staroptions and Starpoints they are offering for my unit. Starpoints for example will get me 7 nights in a hotel that would normally cost me $200/night. (for my 1 year maintenance fee of $1000, including assessment).

Judie

being part of the SVN is a really good thing. it will give you the ability to trade into all the starwood resorts at the 8month mark. the resorts are beautiful.

you will also be able to trade to starpoints. we have gone on the most amazing vacations with starpoints.

get the starwod amex card if you don't have it and if you can put all your everyday expenses on it and the starpoints will add up fast.

welcome to the SVN. go to the starwood forum and they will tell you everything starwood.

I own at Vistana Beach CLub..and considered joining SVN with the free offer..however, when I found out they were only offering 76,000 options I decided against it. 81,000 I would have joined..

Susan