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MVCI Owner - Experience at Vistana Harborside Resort (Including Mini Presentation)

pchung6

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Thanks for trying to combat the Fake News posted with the sole intention to confuse.

It's not fake news. I was just trying to get my point across. If you will be annoyed by something like no elite nights when resort has nothing to do with Marriott or quality of a resort at isolated island in middle of water and resources are limited, just stay at MVC and be happy. HRA and WKORV are great resorts, but just might not for few.
 

Dean

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For Bluegreen and HGVC they make it clear which resorts are club resorts and which are just affiliated resorts. Although BG has a couple that are club resorts and not managed by the club so the example may be more accurate there. But even within MVC (and all others systems I have experience with) there is some variability in terms of experience and quality.
 

dioxide45

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We spent all of about 30 minutes in a 2BR at Harborside last December during our cruise stop. As far as the furnishings, I would have compared it to the Westin Lagunamar. The furnishings seemed fairly well made and high end. There were granite countertops throughout but the cabinets were perhaps a little rough, but no worse than some we have seen at Marriott properties. The floor tile in the walk in shower didn't look very good. Did it compare to Maui Ocean Club or Aruba Surf Club, certainly not, but I wouldn't say it was bad. Perhaps we somehow ended up with a renovated unit? Here is a video I made of the unit.
 

Fasttr

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It's not fake news. I was just trying to get my point across. If you will be annoyed by something like no elite nights when resort has nothing to do with Marriott or quality of a resort at isolated island in middle of water and resources are limited, just stay at MVC and be happy.

And the purpose of this one much earlier in the thread?

I totally agree MVC is higher quality. Should stay with MVC, that's no brainer. Westin or Vistana doesn't live up to MVC standards.
 

pchung6

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And the purpose of this one much earlier in the thread?

If you read clearly. It was a response to another post earlier. Not sure why you didn't pick that post up, but had issue with my post when it was just a joke?

Yes, Vistana is lower quality compared to MVC. Especially in HI, St. John and Mexico where there is an evil wizard. Stay far far away (so we can keep it to ourselves!) LoL
 

dioxide45

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If you read clearly. It was a response to another post earlier. Not sure why you didn't pick that post up, but had issue with my post when it was just a joke?
I think the joke is getting a little old...
 

pchung6

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I think the joke is getting a little old...

Yes, we should stop. I just want my point across, if these little things at HRA bother you, Aruba is better.
 

DannyTS

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We spent all of about 30 minutes in a 2BR at Harborside last December during our cruise stop. As far as the furnishings, I would have compared it to the Westin Lagunamar. The furnishings seemed fairly well made and high end. There were granite countertops throughout but the cabinets were perhaps a little rough, but no worse than some we have seen at Marriott properties. The floor tile in the walk in shower didn't look very good. Did it compare to Maui Ocean Club or Aruba Surf Club, certainly not, but I wouldn't say it was bad. Perhaps we somehow ended up with a renovated unit? Here is a video I made of the unit.
The OP seems to have an issue with the bathrooms at HRA and just by looking at the Lagunamar and Harbourside pictures on Tripadviser I do not see any resemblance

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Re...egationId=101&albumid=19&filter=2&ff=29810713

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Re...gationId=101&albumid=19&filter=2&ff=347434609
 

NYFLTRAVELER

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The OP seems to have an issue with the bathrooms at HRA and just by looking at the Lagunamar and Harbourside pictures on Tripadviser I do not see any resemblance

My original post was not about the “bathrooms” at HRA per se, but rather my impression of the overall appearance of Harborside (the exteriors and interiors of the villas including the condition of the furnishings, tile and bathrooms) as opposed to my experiences as a MVCI owner. I had believed VSE properties were considered to be on par with MVCI properties, and through this thread learned that HRA is not really a Westin/Vistana property but rather a “third party” property managed through the VSE system.

The other part of my post had to do with what was being offered vis-a-vis ownership at HRA and in the VSE system.
 

pchung6

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HRA does have some weird colors and might not being built within US standards compared to most of MVC resorts. I think Marriott built Aruba resorts? Overall HRA is still a very nice resort and a decent place to visit, I would have no issue to visit every few years.

Just like WKORV’s location, HRA will not be appealing to few MVC ppl with its pros and cons. If you watched @dioxide45 video, HRA is just not that luxury as some domestic MVC places. HRA is just a good resort in another country getting first and direct hurricane impact every year. OP should just stick to MVC resorts and be happy with these, they are really good.
 

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My original post was not about the “bathrooms” at HRA per se, but rather my impression of the overall appearance of Harborside (the exteriors and interiors of the villas including the condition of the furnishings, tile and bathrooms) as opposed to my experiences as a MVCI owner. I had believed VSE properties were considered to be on par with MVCI properties, and through this thread learned that HRA is not really a Westin/Vistana property but rather a “third party” property managed through the VSE system.

The other part of my post had to do with what was being offered vis-a-vis ownership at HRA and in the VSE system.
I think even most Vistana owners do not know the ownership structure at Harbourside. Talking about the exterior appearance, I just took this picture last week at Westin Los Cabos. Hard to see the details (I had to downsize the pic) but everything is impeccable.

upload_2019-9-5_23-14-56.png
 

JIMinNC

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I think even most Vistana owners do not know the ownership structure at Harbourside. Talking about the exterior appearance, I just took this picture last week at Westin Los Cabos. Hard to see the details (I had to downsize the pic) but everything is impeccable.

View attachment 13864

As a MVC owner, Westin Los Cabos is the only Vistana resort we have stayed at, but we've been there twice, and it is one of the best if not THE best timeshare we have ever stayed at. Certainly equal to and more probably superior to any Marriott as far as the overall property and the accommodations. If there is ever a cost effective way to use our MVC ownership at VSE resorts, the Westin Los Cabos will be a main attraction for us.
 

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As a MVC owner, Westin Los Cabos is the only Vistana resort we have stayed at, but we've been there twice, and it is one of the best if not THE best timeshare we have ever stayed at. Certainly equal to and more probably superior to any Marriott as far as the overall property and the accommodations. If there is ever a cost effective way to use our MVC ownership at VSE resorts, the Westin Los Cabos will be a main attraction for us.


I bet this is one of the best infinity pools of any Marriott owned resort


upload_2019-9-6_7-58-56.png








and this is one of the best ocean views from any MVC condo



upload_2019-9-6_8-10-53.png



(both pictures taken at Westin Lagunamar in Cancun)
 
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I own both systems, and stayed quite a few resorts in both. In my opinion in terms of average quality, Westin > Marriott >> Vistana. If the destination has both Westin and Marriott, I normally pick Westin, for instance in Maui, Palm desert, AZ, VI/St Thomas, plus Westin Lagunamar one of my favorite. The strength of Marriott is more locations, and I still prefer Marriott for ski trips.
 

suzannesimon

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We love Harborside. I find the quality of the units just fine. The last time we were at Frenchman's Cove, there were tiles missing from the living room floor and the King bed in my daughter's unit was really a queen. My biggest complaint with Harborside is that there are no ovens and no BBQ grills. I believe it is a conspiracy to force us into the expensive Atlantis restaurants. The maintenance fees are high. My daughter and I own 4 3-bedroom weeks @ $3,700 each. My thought on that is what would be the maintenance fees on Orlando timeshares if they included daily access to the Parks? I especially like the lock-offs I have at Harborside and at Kierland Villas that are a full one-bedroom, not just a bedroom with a microwave like the Marriotts.
 

suzannesimon

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I own both systems, and stayed quite a few resorts in both. In my opinion in terms of average quality, Westin > Marriott >> Vistana. If the destination has both Westin and Marriott, I normally pick Westin, for instance in Maui, Palm desert, AZ, VI/St Thomas, plus Westin Lagunamar one of my favorite. The strength of Marriott is more locations, and I still prefer Marriott for ski trips.

I totally agree with your rankings. I think my favorite anywhere is Westin Lagunamar and I love Harborside for the amenities. Westin Kierland Villas is a beautiful resort especially with access to the hotel amenities next door. I'm not a big fan of baseball or golf, but their hotel water park is beautiful and the units are first-rate.
 
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Fasttr

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We love Harborside. I find the quality of the units just fine. The last time we were at Frenchman's Cove, there were tiles missing from the living room floor and the King bed in my daughter's unit was really a queen. My biggest complaint with Harborside is that there are no ovens and no BBQ grills. I believe it is a conspiracy to force us into the expensive Atlantis restaurants. The maintenance fees are high. My daughter and I own 4 3-bedroom weeks @ $3,700 each. My thought on that is what would be the maintenance fees on Orlando timeshares if they included daily access to the Parks? I especially like the lock-offs I have at Harborside and at Kierland Villas that are a full one-bedroom, not just a bedroom with a microwave like the Marriotts.
In your MF's, does it list a per week fee for the Atlantis privlidges...and if so, care to share what that amount is?
 

CalGalTraveler

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The studio units at WKORVN are complete with a washer and dryer. So very self-sufficent. So if you have a full 2 bedroom, you have two washers and dryers to get that done more quickly. MOC doesn't have that. The kitchens at the older MOC are not full kitchens either, but the towers have them. Would like an oven at WKORVN but have heard that they are adding them in the next reno. Lots of available BBQs. The Ritz Kapalua residences had neither ovens nor BBQs and a wimpy refrigerator.
 

suzannesimon

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In your MF's, does it list a per week fee for the Atlantis privlidges...and if so, care to share what that amount is?

I've never noticed. I do know that cruise ship passengers have to pay $130-150 per person per day for access. I'm sure Harborside isn't paying that much, but that totals $130 x 10 people x 7=$9100 in my 3 bedroom which is why it is an excellent rental.
 

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maybe we should start to post the annual budgets online so we can compare resorts and see what is out of ordinary. I looked at SVV Bella and Lagunamar for example, I still do not understand why the internet at Lagunamar costs 300,000 a year while at SVV Bella only 50,000 year (for the same unit size).
 

dioxide45

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maybe we should start to post the annual budgets online so we can compare resorts and see what is out of ordinary. I looked at SVV Bella and Lagunamar for example, I still do not understand why the internet at Lagunamar costs 300,000 a year while at SVV Bella only 50,000 year (for the same unit size).
Is the budget at Lagunamar in US$?
 

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Yes
 

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As a MVC owner, Westin Los Cabos is the only Vistana resort we have stayed at, but we've been there twice, and it is one of the best if not THE best timeshare we have ever stayed at. Certainly equal to and more probably superior to any Marriott as far as the overall property and the accommodations.
Jim, if you ever stay at Kauai Lagoons, I would be interested to see how you compare their villas to those at Westin Los Cabos (where we have never been). To me, Kauai Lagoons is the cream of the crop of the Marriott system in terms of villa quality.
 

JIMinNC

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Jim, if you ever stay at Kauai Lagoons, I would be interested to see how you compare their villas to those at Westin Los Cabos (where we have never been). To me, Kauai Lagoons is the cream of the crop of the Marriott system in terms of villa quality.

Never stayed there but would love to sometime.

The thing that was cool about the Westin Los Cabos was the studio we stayed in had a cooktop, full refrigerator, microwave, and washer/dryer - something MVC studios don't have. We didn't need it since we got breakfast with our Bonvoy status and eat out for dinner, but I was impressed that the studios were that well equipped.
 

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Never stayed there but would love to sometime.

The thing that was cool about the Westin Los Cabos was the studio we stayed in had a cooktop, full refrigerator, microwave, and washer/dryer - something MVC studios don't have. We didn't need it since we got breakfast with our Bonvoy status and eat out for dinner, but I was impressed that the studios were that well equipped.
Well equipped studios are so rare that when a resort has them it is awesome. Kauai Lagoons has no lockoffs, only 2BR and 3BR villas.
 
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