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

dioxide45

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Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
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.
That is the great thing about the Westin studio units, they all have a cooktop, dishwasher and in room laundry. Well equipped studios are not a rarity it Westin timeshare properties. Usually a fridge that is larger than the bar fridge, but not usually full size. Sheratons don't have studio units for the most part, they lock off in to a 1BR Deluxe and a 1BR Premium. Though still no oven in the Deluxe units in most cases. We don't ever use an oven on vacation unless we happen to bake some store bought cookie dough and maybe once we have heated a lasagna from Costco.

I do agree about the villas at Kalanipu'u. Truly fantastic. Though from a resort grounds perspective, it is somewhat lacking and it is also somewhat isolated.
 

NYFLTRAVELER

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Is VSE a combination of former stand alone Westin and Sheraton TS programs with the non-affiliated Harborside as part of the portfolio? That would explain part of the difference between the higher end Westin TS Properties and some of the (older) Sheraton properties I’ve read about.
 

CalGalTraveler

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That is the great thing about the Westin studio units, they all have a cooktop, dishwasher and in room laundry. Well equipped studios are not a rarity it Westin timeshare properties. Usually a fridge that is larger than the bar fridge, but not usually full size.

The in-room laundry and completeness of the studio was one of the reasons we opted for the Westin Kaanapali over MOC. If we locked off the unit and wanted to extend to two weeks, we would be assured of a more complete studio unit.

BTW the studios in both the MVC and Westins are larger and include a couch to sleep 4. HGVC studios typically only accommodate 2 and may only have a king bed. Some studios units are bigger with seating areas but for some reason, they don't turn that into a sleeping sofa. Would need to upgrade a 1 bedroom to enable to friend or family member to join.
 
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suzannesimon

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Resorts Owned
Marriott Frenchman's Cove, Hyatt Sunset Harbor, Harborside at Atlantis, Marriott Aruba Surf Club, Marriott Grande Ocean, Westin Kierland Villas, Westin Lagunamar
Is VSE a combination of former stand alone Westin and Sheraton TS programs with the non-affiliated Harborside as part of the portfolio? That would explain part of the difference between the higher end Westin TS Properties and some of the (older) Sheraton properties I’ve read about.

Yes it is. VSE includes the Vistana, Sheraton, Westin and Harborside brands.
 

emeryjre

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Regarding Cost of Internet billed to Harborside.

I have commented on the WiFi at Harborside several times over the last several years.

The Internet/WiFi is provided by the Atlantis Complex and seems to be a profit center for the Atlantis Complex.

The Atlantis Complex has not seen fit to make any capital improvements to the Internet/WiFi.

As for the cost to the Atlantis Complex for phone service/internet services, it is any ones guess what they are being charged and by whom.

There could be some money being kicked back to some foreign officials for example.

There is also the issue of the VAT being tacked on to the Maintenance fees for the last several years. Not an insignificant amount. I believe it is now 30% of the total Maintenance Fees and does not provide any benefit to the owners of Harborside weeks.

Bottom line is that there does not seem to be much that can be done by the owners, and yes a lot of money seems to be disappearing and not being returned to complex for improvements.

I can not wait to go back and enjoy the property and live with what is.
 

echino

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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?

$169.45

This is a 2019 number for a 2br lockoff in Phase I.
 

Fasttr

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$169.45

This is a 2019 number for a 2br kickoff in Phase I.
Thanks for posting. So even considering that, the MF’s are crazy high.
 

NYFLTRAVELER

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Thanks for posting. So even considering that, the MF’s are crazy high.

When I did my mini sales presentation recently I was told that MF for am1br premium platinum is approx. $1850 which seems high. I pay something close to that for a 2br lockoff gold season at Aruba Surf Club.
 
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