jenniann

I got a call from Starwood tonight offering a special deal for their Vistana Resort in Orlando, $299 for 4 nights ($199 if you arrive on certain days of the week) for a one bedroom condo. They're selling condo ownership, so you have to sit through a 90 minute session one day, which the person seemed to say was more of a Starwood program overview.

Has anyone taken advantage of this offer and were you able to get the dates you wanted? It seems like a pretty good deal - but you do have to pay upfront and then use the days within a year.

Family flyer

If you do a search in the Starwood forum you'll find several threads about the Vistana deals.

I took one for 10K Starpoints and stayed at the Sheraton Safari.

I wouldn't make a special trip, but if you're already going anyway, why not get a bonus for 90 minutes of your time.

jenniann

Thanks - I didn't look far back enough in the threads to see the prior discussions.

WeLookGood

I was wondering if anyone did the $199 offer for 4 nites and 6000 starpoints? Does this deal include in room jacuzzi?

Salisbury5

Does anyone have a promotional code for the above deal - or anything else resembling such a deal. Planning trip to Orlando Nov 10 - 17.

Many thanks.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I stayed here last November. The master
bedroom has the jacquzzi. I would think
every unit has one.

OB one

took up Vistana last year on a 10,000 Starpoint offer for taking the 1 1/2 hour salespitch for the vacation ownership/ time share at Vistana. All the Vistana rooms were booked, so we ended up in Buena Vista suites, was just Ok there but we were in Disney all day so very little to complain about.

The sales pitch at Vistana we took started at like 7:30 am on the first morning, over by nine am. Saw three units all with Jacuzzis. Had to get through three hard sells, but for 10,000 points it was worth it. Made for a nice long weekend for the wife and kids at Disney.

Be careful though, I understand the shuttles are not always free and there are sweeteners, the last sales person offered 75,000 Starpoints if we signed the $18,000 one week per year deal. Thought about it, no chance to mull it over, they want your signature right then and there, so if you do want to buy it later, no bonus.

Starwood Lurker

Actually the deal is for 4 days and 3 nights and the $199 per night rate is good for arrivals on Sunday or Monday only. Arrivals Tuesday through Saturday are $299 per night. You may choose either 6,000 Starpoints or 2 adult tickets to Universal Orlando after participating in a 90 minute preview tour of Sheraton's Vistana Villages. The number to call is 1-800-339-7227. Ask for promotion code VSH243995671. Space is subject to availability at the time you call. There is no mention of the suite having a jacuzzi, so I would ask whoever answers the toll-free number referenced above.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

rhodeweary

Has anyone stayed here? Anything to share? I'll be in town for 5 days, working at the convention center. SVV's locadtion and the rate ($129!) make it enticing. Since it's a vacation ownership place, will I be missing out on typical hotel services? Anyone ...?

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I stayed at Vistana last November when a
couple of the buildings were still under
construction. Not that close to Disney
World. A drive with no problems. They may
have a shuttle. Close to outlets. The
units are one king bedroom and one double
bedroom. Balconey, living room area, dining
area, kitchen and pantry. No complaints.
Great value for the $. No room service but
I believe they had pay per view. Large
Walmart to stock up on stuff about 10 minutes
away. You should have no complaints about
this property.

Starwood Lurker

Just a reminder regarding Starwood Preferred Guest and Starwood Vacation Ownership:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/002328.html

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

paradocs

Beautiful property! Lovely accomodations! You must have a rental car! Restaurants not close. Drive to WDW 20-30 minutes. Shuttles very limited (like 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening).

Bring your own shampoo and conditioner!

I thought it was a wonderful property. However, if you are on a limited schedule stay on the WDW property. That would be much more convenient.

Salisbury5

I just came back from a week at this property where I stayed with wife and baby daughter.

There is a very long and detailed trip report on the disboards.com web site for this property. did not write it but I agree with it.

In summary, it is very new and very nice. But if you are Canadian, they won't give you a timeshare tour! (our dollar is too low and odds are we won't buy).

I reserved through hotelkingdom.com and saved a bundle on the week's stay (Sheraton reservations wanted $169 a night and I stayed for about $105 a night in a brand new 2 bedroom villa. 1 bedroom went for $79).

The pool is the largest I have even seen (and there is even a second, "quiet" pool). The large pool has a wonderful zero-entry depth kiddie section which my daughter LOVED.

I stayed on the top floor of the building farthest from the pool. Noise was not a problem but I have heard that lower floors may not be as quiet.

The fitness center was very nice and with the exception of the 45 year old guy who preferred to watch Little House on the Prairie with the sound turned up while he was on the treadmill, it was excellent.

The Wal-mart is a much better bargain than the closer but more expensive Publix (especially for us po' Canadians).

I strongly recommend this timeshare property to any family, especially those with young children. I wouldnt buy a timeshare there - or anywhere else for that matter - but at $105 a night it was a steal (our villa was just a bit smaller than our home!). I am not so sure whether I would recommend this to a business traveller. There are no amenities (not even shampoo!) that a business traveller would be accustomed to.

[This message has been edited by Salisbury5 (edited 11-22-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Salisbury5 (edited 11-22-2001).]

jsg143

Is this thing anywhere near the Westin Swan or Westin Dolphin? I have a conference there later this year and I'm trying to find a way to cut costs.

Thanks!

------------------

Jonathan Goldstein
[email protected]
http://www.urbantechgroup.com

OB one

The Vistana is in the Lake Buena Vista area and is among the closest non-Disney properties. I believe Swan and Dolphin are actually on Disney property or at least very close to being on site. While Vistana is close it is not walking distance close, most likely a short cab ride. It was very convenient to Disney World. This property will fit your bill if looking for convenience and price. They have shuttles to the parks as well.