|
Author
|
Topic: Starwood Sheraton
|
becky123
TUG MemberPosts: 75
From: Tempe,AZ
Registered: JAN 2001
|
posted 07-29-2001 18:20
 
Does anyone have any thoughts or experience dealing with this company. Just went through the T/S presentation in Scottsdale AZ. They said they were the best in all the different ways you can use their system. Sounded good. They were talking in the 14k range for a 2 bedroom lockout. This would come with 100,000 points which could be use in their network of hotels. They really played up the fact that you can use option in their systems for Atlantis in the Bahamas. Thanks in advance for any input.
|
seenett
TUG MemberPosts: 931
From: Oregon , USA Owner: BeachPlace; Foxrun; Westin Kierland
Registered: JAN 2001
|
posted 07-29-2001 18:59
I am a Starwood (SVN) owner, and they do have a pretty good points system - in theory. It's good because you can convert your unit into SVN points to trade into other SVN properties of similiar points value - these are guaranteed trades with no waiting or guessing games. The down side is that there are not nearly enough SVN resorts (currently) to make it appealing. We use II (or RCI, depending on the SVN property) like everyone else to trade. Note that the SVN points are a timesharing terminology only; not to be confused with Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points, which is their frequent guest program. Like Marriott, you can exchange your usage for SGP points annually or bi-annuually, which you can convert to airmiles, hotel stays, etc. These are what you were offered 100,000 of as an incentive. Also, Starwood has no "blackout" dates for award travel, which is nice.------------------
seenett
|
Cathryn
unregistered
TUG MemberPosts: 931
From: Oregon , USA Owner: BeachPlace; Foxrun; Westin Kierland
Registered: JAN 2001
|
posted 07-29-2001 19:05
Although I am not 100% sure, I believe that Starwood has a property in the Bahamas near (next to) Atlantis and you can use Atlantis facilities and beach, but you don't actually STAY in Atlantis. Can anyone confirm this?------------------
Miracles abound when you are open to the possibilities! Catharine
|
seenett
TUG MemberPosts: 931
From: Oregon , USA Owner: BeachPlace; Foxrun; Westin Kierland
Registered: JAN 2001
|
posted 07-29-2001 21:55
Starwood does have a property at Atlantis; it was co-developed by Starwood and Sol International (aka Atlantis). It is called Harborside Resort at Atlantis and is technically part of the complex. Guests/owners receive full privledges at the Atlantis Resort. As to whether this is actually "staying at Atlantis", it is a matter of semantics. No; you're not in one of the towers occupying a 450 sqft, 2 bed hotel room - you're in a very nice, 1400 sqft 2/2/8 villa about 100 yards away with it's own facilities (pool, workout facility, etc.). Harborside guests get full access to Atlantis, but Atlantis guests do not get access to Harborside.------------------
seenett
|
dlpearson
TUG MemberPosts: 998
From: Marriott BeachPlace Towers, Marriott Monarch, 7 Mile Beach Club, Vistana Villages
Registered: MAR 2001
|
posted 07-30-2001 07:44
And I'm VERY excited because I just got a trade confirmation into Harborside/Atlantis for next May--using a Marriott non-prime week. As a Marriott owner who just took the Westin tour in Rancho Mirage, the StarWood program sounds like it has a LOT of flexibility/attractiveness. They say they want to have 50 resorts in the next 5 years, but I don't see how that's technically feasible unless they buy/take over existing properties.........The announced Maui resort sounds great.
|
gzemeida
TUG MemberPosts: 11
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Registered: JUL 2001
|
posted 07-30-2001 10:18
My wife and I bought a unit at Sheraton Desert Oasis about a week ago. We are not experts in the timeshare area, but feel we got a pretty good deal.
We bought a 2br lock-out on an interval basis (we get to use/trade it every even year). It costs us about $12,000. For buying that day, we were also given 125,000 SPG (Sheraton Prefereed Guest) points. We plan to use the points for airline trips in the future.
We were sold because not only could we exchange our unit for points, but we could exchange through both RCI and the SVN network. I'm am still learning about how this whole timeshare thing works, but I'm pretty happy right now. Contact me if you have any questions.
|
bentlew
TUG MemberPosts: 93
From: Olathe, KS, US : Own Vistana Cascades wk 19, Powhatan wk 25, HGCV Flamingo Platinum
Registered: JUN 2001
|
posted 07-30-2001 12:41
I too am an owner with Starwood at Vistana in the Cascades. The flexibility is great and they have been extensively upgrading their Sheraton hotels. From what I have been able to surmise looking at points comparisons (called Star Points) between them and Marriott and Hilton, is that this may be the best program for converting into hotels and airfare. If you convert Star Points to airline miles, they will provide you 25,000 miles for the cost of 20,000.One area that you have to be aware of is trading within the SVN network. This is done based upon the Star Options value of your unit. As you exchange, the Star Options needed will depend on the location, unit size, and season.
|
gretel
TUG MemberPosts: 890
From: NJ, USA
Registered: MAR 2001
|
posted 07-30-2001 14:20
As a Starwood Preferred guest member I just received two free weekends anywhere (I booked Niagara Falls and Los Angeles). I got these for staying 10 nights at Four Points Sheratons. The reservationists were very accommodating and booked anywhere I wanted.Also, regarding the Harborside at Atlantis, they are having a special- $189 a night per person including all meals and transfers through the end of Sept, i think. great deal! ------------------
--Laura
|
Maz
TUG MemberPosts: 2757
From: Scottsdale,Arizona
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 07-31-2001 10:21
Becky...If you can be a litle patient,why not buy resale and save yourself around $6000??? Or...Buy a week at a Starwood resort on the resale market and convert it o points....either way you will save yourself thousands of dollars...Maz
|
jagmeister
TUG MemberPosts: 125
From: Chesapeake, VA, USA Owner at: Sheraton Vistana Villages (Orlando) and Disney's Beach Club Villas
Registered: JUL 2001
|
posted 07-31-2001 16:53
Unfortunately, I was told that private resales do not qualify for the Starwoods points system -- much like Marriott. Could save some money and trade but lose the points. ------------------
Rob "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then you you will be a mile away and have their shoes!"
|
becky123
TUG MemberPosts: 75
From: Tempe,AZ
Registered: JAN 2001
|
posted 07-31-2001 18:09
Thanks Maz. Where would I go to purchase a resale. Are we better to stick with Marriott if we a point based system. Thanks
|
Maz
TUG MemberPosts: 2757
From: Scottsdale,Arizona
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 07-31-2001 18:19
Resales are all over the internet...I own a red 2br lockoff at Marriott Summit Watch so thats about the only area I cant speak first hand about with regard to Marriott..I split my lockoff this year and got a 1br for 4th of JUly at Marriott Kauai and used the other side to land a spring break ski week in a 1br at Summit Watch...I have been very happy with Marriott thus far...Maz
|
pdaoj
unregistered
TUG MemberPosts: 2757
From: Scottsdale,Arizona
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 07-31-2001 20:34
Sounds like you have had a pretty good experience so far. Can you tell me an email on who to contact for more info on the Starwood program?Thanks.
|
Maz
TUG MemberPosts: 2757
From: Scottsdale,Arizona
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 07-31-2001 21:37
quote:
Originally posted by jagmeister:
Unfortunately, I was told that private resales do not qualify for the Starwoods points system -- much like Marriott. Could save some money and trade but lose the points.
----------------
Thats not true..I just had a friend who owns at Desert Oasis tell me they tried to sell him points and when he said no ,they offered to convert his week for free...Starwood desperately needs inventory so it is offering free conversions..They wont tell you this until the end of the presentation and you arent buying..My friend said they kept telling him there was a $2000 fee to convert but everything changed just as he was getting ready to leave..Buy an inexpensive resale and get it converted for free..Maz
|
jagmeister
TUG MemberPosts: 125
From: Chesapeake, VA, USA Owner at: Sheraton Vistana Villages (Orlando) and Disney's Beach Club Villas
Registered: JUL 2001
|
posted 08-01-2001 03:42
That is some great info. I need to check it out. Thanks!------------------
Rob "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then you you will be a mile away and have their shoes!" [This message has been edited by jagmeister (edited 08-01-2001).]
|
JEFF H
TUG MemberPosts: 2286
From: Tucson,AZ
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 08-01-2001 04:50
quote:
Originally posted by seenett:
Starwood does have a property at Atlantis; it was co-developed by Starwood and Sol International (aka Atlantis).
Is Harborside at Atlantis actually available as Part of the Starwood timeshare system or is it available only as a frequent guest point reward?
How many points would this cost?
Would you actually get to stay at the Timeshare section or only the Hotel? I don't see it listed as a resort in the Starwood Vacation club program on there website. I know Starwood frequent guest points can be used for the Atlantis Hotel. [This message has been edited by JEFF H (edited 08-01-2001).]
|
jagmeister
TUG MemberPosts: 125
From: Chesapeake, VA, USA Owner at: Sheraton Vistana Villages (Orlando) and Disney's Beach Club Villas
Registered: JUL 2001
|
posted 08-01-2001 08:52
quote:
Originally posted by JEFF H:
Is Harborside at Atlantis actually available as Part of the Starwood timeshare system or is it available only as a frequent guest point reward?
How many points would this cost?
Would you actually get to stay at the Timeshare section or only the Hotel?I don't see it listed as a resort in the Starwood Vacation club program on there website. I know Starwood frequent guest points can be used for the Atlantis Hotel. [This message has been edited by JEFF H (edited 08-01-2001).]
It is actually part of the Sheraton Vacation system. All Sheraton Owners are assigned Star Option points value (different from Starwoods points) to their property. I don't have the paperwork in front of me but I believe my two bedroom at Vistana Villages has 79,500 points assigned. I can use those to purchase individual days or a week at Harborside or other Sheraton Vacation resorts. If I remember correctly, 79,500 star option points gets you a midseason premium one bedroom. A high season one bedroom costs you somewhere in the 80k region. Lockout two bedroom significantly more. ------------------
Rob "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then you you will be a mile away and have their shoes!"
|
Dani
Moderator
TUG VolunteerPosts: 4974
From: New York
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 08-01-2001 09:52
Maz, Now I'm confused. Did your friend own a resale and was later made an offer to convert? I thought I read here on the BBS that resales couldn't be converted to Starwood points? If resales can be converted to points, does anyone have any ideas about inexpensive Starwood resales with enough points to obtain a week at say Harbourdside Atlantis ..even if it's off-season? Dani
|
Maz
TUG MemberPosts: 2757
From: Scottsdale,Arizona
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 08-01-2001 10:55
Dani...He owns a 1br at Sheraton Desert Oasis and bought it off an ad on the internet around 2 years ago..They called and invited him in on tour to be "briefed" on the new points plan..They kept telling him a conversion of his existing week would cost $4995 but they'd wave that if he bought more points that day at some outrageous price..He declined and just as they were finishing up a manager came around and offered the conversion for free..Free conversions seem to always exist when companies make the transition from fixed week companies with lots of fixed week owners to points..Fairfield offered free conversions in the very begining too..then they went to a $500 fee,then a $995 fee,and stair stepped it up to present day levels..These companies desperately need people to convert in the early days so there is some inventory for the new owners who are buying points from the outset..This is where Shell has been having major problems..None of their existing SF,Hawaii,and California "Weeks" owners are converting which leave their points owners with very little internal inventory...Maz
|
Sallylee
TUG MemberPosts: 494
From: Tucson, AZ USA Sheraton Desert Oasis, Scottsdale AZ and Los Abrigados, Sedona AZ
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 08-01-2001 11:03
This is my recent experience with My Desert Oasis Ownership. I bought originally when it was Embassy Scottsdale and was sold by week. I bought the 2bd lockoff from the developer. (Oh that is painful :{ Then Starwood bought the resort and it became Desert Oasis. I was there a couple weeks ago and asked for the pitch they give to owners (I wanted to know about their pts, etc.) They told me as an owner I was grandfathered at their 3rd level out of 4 as to pts values if I wanted to convert, no charge. To reach the 4th tier I would need to buy another 1 bedroom (which of course means more maintenance fees, etc. They did offer 10% off, I almost laughed in the guys face, how generous!!) I couldn't see the value in converting for free (or being grandfathered as they call it) to a 3rd level position. It also ticked me off that I bought top of the line 2bd (which is their top of the line also) but because it was before their ownership it is not considered top tier. Supposedly I still get priority priviledges with embassy and now with Starwood as well, they claim. All in all my 1st year of timeshare has been an eye opener and fun, and I am overall pleased and feel I got what I paid for. I do see Desert Oasis in resales for around $10,000 2 bd annual and $7000 EOY use. I wonder how they value the original 1 bds and EOY units. I think that they are still working out the bugs in their pt system and think using my 2 bd as 2 1bd weeks will work out just fine for me for now.
Sally
|
Dani
Moderator
TUG VolunteerPosts: 4974
From: New York
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 08-01-2001 19:28
Thanks Maz..I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but to go from a rate of nearly $5,000 to $0 to convert is really outrageous. I never realized that there was any incentive for developers to convert weeks for free. Once again..this place is just chock full of information!!
|
mtpetro
unregistered
TUG VolunteerPosts: 4974
From: New York
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 08-08-2001 11:43
quote:
Originally posted by becky123:
Thanks Maz. Where would I go to purchase a resale. Are we better to stick with Marriott if we a point based system. Thanks
I also own a 2-bedroom lockoff at Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale. We originally bought ours from the developer before we knew about "resales" for $17,000 (every year use, float week). I believe they now go for around $18,000. If you've never stayed there, the rooms are really impressive. There are a variety of resales for Sheraton Desert Oasis on the TUG Classifieds that are worth checking out. This property trades really well and the 2-bedroom lockoff will get you 2 weeks to trade with. And remember, EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE!
Good luck,
Arlene  [This message has been edited by mtpetro (edited 08-08-2001).] [This message has been edited by Dani (edited 08-08-2001).]
|
AdMan
unregistered
TUG VolunteerPosts: 4974
From: New York
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 08-09-2001 09:25
How many timeshares does Sheraton own?
|
Marina_K
TUG MemberPosts: 6170
From:
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 08-09-2001 09:32
You'll find most of them here http://www.starwoodvo.com and they also have a *higher level* which includes Harbourside (next to Atlantis) and some Westins (St. John, Mission Hills, to be constructed in Maui, etc)------------------
Marina Keeney
Mexico Reviews Editor
Moderator :
Marriott, Points & HGVC boards
|
JEFF H
TUG MemberPosts: 2286
From: Tucson,AZ
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 08-10-2001 02:23
quote:
Originally posted by Marina_K:
You'll find most of them here http://www.starwoodvo.com and they also have a *higher level* which includes Harbourside (next to Atlantis) and some Westins (St. John, Mission Hills, to be constructed in Maui, etc)
So a cheap resale converted to starwood points won't get me harborside?
Do you need to own at the Higher Level resorts to exchange your points into them?
|
Timeshare Users Group Bulletin Boards
