Renting Starwood timeshares

[ckelly14]

We are frequent Starwood travelers (4 seperate Starwood credit cards for work/personal). We really enjoyed staying at the Westin Princeville resort, but thought the 1 bedroom was a bit small for my family. We are considering the Lagunamar resort for a trip to Mexico but can only book a studio at this time using StarPOINTS. Anyone know when and if 1 bdr (or larger) accomodations will be available for Starpoints? Is there any other way to directly rent Starwood resorts other than the official channels (i.e. rent Staroptions from owners, like Disney Vacation Club?).

Thanks

 

[ragdoll]

We are frequent Starwood travelers (4 seperate Starwood credit cards for work/personal). We really enjoyed staying at the Westin Princeville resort, but thought the 1 bedroom was a bit small for my family. We are considering the Lagunamar resort for a trip to Mexico but can only book a studio at this time using StarPOINTS. Anyone know when and if 1 bdr (or larger) accomodations will be available for Starpoints? Is there any other way to directly rent Starwood resorts other than the official channels (i.e. rent Staroptions from owners, like Disney Vacation Club?).

Thanks

Have you tried vrbo.com?

 

[DanCali]

From my experience, when you try to book with Starpoints the website will always show you the smallest unit. If you want a larger unit (e.g., "suite," which is what i would classify the 1BR timeshare) you need to call on the phone. Have you tried that?

 

[DeniseM]

You can rent any size unit from any owner at the resort, or any Starwood owner with available Staroptions. The owner can make a reservation in your name and have the resort send you an official confirmation. There is usually lots of availability.

 

[ckelly14]

Thanks

Thanks. I did call but they said 1bdr was not available yet. I will try the VRBO and any other sites you could think of. May need to by that SVO timeshare after all... (but not at Lagunamar- I've been reading the message boards

 

[DeniseM]

I recommend that you try the TUG Marketplace first - linked in the red bar at the top of the page. Only registered TUG members can advertise on TUG.

 

[jnsywg]

Thanks. I did call but they said 1bdr was not available yet. I will try the VRBO and any other sites you could think of. May need to by that SVO timeshare after all... (but not at Lagunamar- I've been reading the message boards

Call and ask the resort directly. I booked WKORV one-bedroom at a time when the SPG call centre said it was not available.

 

[ckelly14]

I will try the resort directly. I guess if I book separately a studio and a 1 bdr, I might request a connecting room?

Very few available on TUG but a number on Red Week. I assume there will be even more as we get closer to next year.

Questions about the resort:
1. Anyone know where I can find a resort map?
2. Starwood offers "oceanfront" 1bdr for a significant increase in rate. Is there really much of a difference between buildings that one is truly "oceanfront?".
3. Anyone know relative numbers of float vs fixed weeks in this resort?


Thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

I will try the resort directly. I guess if I book separately a studio and a 1 bdr, I might request a connecting room?

If you book them separately, Starwood will not guarantee that they will be connecting or even near each other. If you need them together - reserve a 2 bdm.

Very few available on TUG but a number on Red Week. I assume there will be even more as we get closer to next year.

Remember - it doesn't have to be an owner at the resort - any Starwood owner with Staroptions can make a reservation for you and rent it to you.

Questions about the resort:
1. Anyone know where I can find a resort map?

Click on Starwood Owner Resources at the top of the forum and Scroll down to Resort Maps.

3. Anyone know relative numbers of float vs fixed weeks in this resort?
Thanks!

I believe that except for event weeks, like Christmas, everything was sold as a floating week, but that doesn't really impact you renting a reservation from an owner.

 

[ckelly14]

Denise:

Thanks for the quick reply! Searched TUG marketplace and didn't find any point rentals. Let me know of any site that rents Staroptions.

Thanks again,

Chuck

 

[ckelly14]

I assume that the "oceanfront" units are in building 100 or 900. Are they still planning to build phase II?

 

[KevinWells18]

Phase II is complete.

 

[ckelly14]

I've been looking at this website for some time, but still don't understand how views/specific units are assigned. If the unit does not come with a specific view (i.e. oceanfront), is it in order of booking, or are there other factors involved? Anyone know if Lagunamar had views specified?

Thanks

Chuck

 

[ckelly14]

Just joined the ranks of TUG members and added my Lagunamar wish to the marketplace. Happy to see that my week is Off-season (? gold season) and will only "cost" 81,000 staroptions. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[jarta]

I've been looking at this website for some time, but still don't understand how views/specific units are assigned. If the unit does not come with a specific view (i.e. oceanfront), is it in order of booking, or are there other factors involved? Anyone know if Lagunamar had views specified?

Thanks

Chuck

All views at Lagunamar are ocean views. StarOption trades are assigned for stated preferences based upon the date the reservation was made (time stamp). The rooms are assigned within/about a week from arrival.

Just joined the ranks of TUG members and added my Lagunamar wish to the marketplace. Happy to see that my week is Off-season (? gold season) and will only "cost" 81,000 staroptions. Thanks for everyone's help!

"joined the ranks of TUG members and added my Lagunamar wish to the marketplace" Don't really understand what you did or are attempting to do. I see nothing new in the TUG Rentals Offered or Rentals Wanted and only a small studio at Lagunamar for sale in the TUG Marketplace (only 8 Mexico Rental Wanted listings in the Marketplace - none Lagunamar).

Did you deposit your week in II? Are you seeking to have a Starwood owner reserve for you at Lagunamar and you to reserve for them at an SVO resort in return? Are you planning to rent an advertised 2-br and use your StarOptions elsewhere or try to bank or convert them?

Nobody can accept your 81K StarOptions as payment for an advertised rental week. Only you can make a reservation with them (or convert or bank them). Just trying to find out if you are going about this in a way that will actually work.

Finally, the "Ocean Side" 2-br units you refer to as "oceanfront" units are only in the tier nearest the ocean in buildings 1, 9 and 14. Salty

 

[scootr5]

"joined the ranks of TUG members and added my Lagunamar wish to the marketplace" Don't really understand what you did or are attempting to do. I see nothing new in the TUG Rentals Offered or Rentals Wanted and only a small studio at Lagunamar for sale in the TUG Marketplace (only 8 Mexico Rental Wanted listings in the Marketplace - none Lagunamar).

I'm probably wrong (happens frequently), but I think new members need it approved before it will show up.

 

[VacationForever]

Jim,

OP does not own timeshare, just trying to figure out how to book a 2-BR unit at WLR by renting through another TS owner or thru Westin directly.

SP

 

[jarta]

Scott, ... I'll assume you are right this time. lol! That would explain it. I hope the TUG Marketplace works for the OP. Salty

 

[grgs]

Just joined the ranks of TUG members and added my Lagunamar wish to the marketplace. Happy to see that my week is Off-season (? gold season) and will only "cost" 81,000 staroptions.

Sent you a pm.

Glorian

 

[ckelly14]

Yes, I am not an owner but am interested in a [Lagunamar rental]. I was not able to book a 2 bdr in the past (in Hawaii) using starpoints or cash, so I am thinking of alternatives. Called the resort and they are only offering studios with starpoints, and up to 1 bdr with cash. Thought the one bedroom was a little cramped for our family.