Vistana Signature Experiences is the new name for what used to be the Sheraton Vacation Club and Westin Vacation Club. Both of these programs were under the umbrella of Starwood. Starwood Hotels and Resorts is one of the major hotel companies and operates under various different brands including Aloft, Design Hotels, Element, Four Points, Le Méridien, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Tribute Portfolio, W, Westin.
Vistana has spunoff from Starwood and operates vacation ownerships. Vistana currently has 20 properties around the world. A complete list of the current properties are found here.
Vistana, like other major timeshare companies, is a hybrid system where you purchase a specific deed week but each deeded week is assigned a certain number of StarOptions.
STAROPTIONS CHART:
The StarOptions Values Chart, as shown below, indicates the specific number of StarOptions points that are required by night and weekly. Nightly rates differ depending on whether it is a Monday – Wednesday, Thursday or Friday-Saturday. As you would expect, it requires more points to stay on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
Vistana has spunoff from Starwood and operates vacation ownerships. Vistana currently has 20 properties around the world. A complete list of the current properties are found here.
Vistana, like other major timeshare companies, is a hybrid system where you purchase a specific deed week but each deeded week is assigned a certain number of StarOptions.
STAROPTIONS CHART:
The StarOptions Values Chart, as shown below, indicates the specific number of StarOptions points that are required by night and weekly. Nightly rates differ depending on whether it is a Monday – Wednesday, Thursday or Friday-Saturday. As you would expect, it requires more points to stay on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
Additionally, the amount of StarOptions given per week will be based on the size of the unit and the season. As you can see in the chart above, the first column is the Villa type (size of the unit), the next column is the week of ownership expressed as a number (1-52) and the additional columns are the nightly rates based on the day of week.
DEVELOPER PURCHASE VERSUS RESALE PURCHASE:
Vistana properties are interesting since there can be a material difference between purchasing directly from the developer versus resale. Purchasing directly through Vistana allows the owner to have the ability to have the StarOptions and reserve within the Vistana system. However, an owner that purchases a resale unit does not have these benefits and will only be able to use the specific week or exchange it with the exchange companies.
This is very material so you will need to determine whether you should purchase directly or through resale.
However, some of Vistana properties do come with the StarOptions, regardless of whether you purchase directly or by resale. The following are properties that automatically come with StarOptions, regardless of where you purchased.
JOINING THE STAROPTIONS PROGRAM WITH A RESALE WEEK:
Vistana sometimes allows owners of resale weeks to get the benefits of StarOptions if they purchase an additional week directly from Vistana. There are certain minimum price requirements that would allow you to get the StarOptions for a resale week.
At times, Vistana has been known to make offers to owners to join the StarOptions. The cost has varied over time so if it is presented, you will need to see if it is worthwhile.
RESERVATION WINDOWS:
When you use StarOptions to book, you are subject to various reservation windows. You can make a reservation at your own deeded resort 12 months in advance.
Reservations at other Vistana properties can only be made 8 months in advance.
BANKING STAROPTIONS:
Owners with StarOptions can “bank” their StarOptions for two years. This will allow an owner to combine two years of StarOptions to use. This can be helpful for those years where you may not travel or may not use your StarOptions.
EXTERNAL EXCHANGES:
Vistana uses Interval International for external exchanges. You can use your StarOptions to exchange through Interval for various units. The amount of StarOptions points are based on the Travel Demand Index or TDI. Basically, the higher the TDI, the more in demand for the week.
As you can see in the chart below, you need 110,000 StarOptions to travel in a 2-bedroom unit during the highest season.
DEVELOPER PURCHASE VERSUS RESALE PURCHASE:
Vistana properties are interesting since there can be a material difference between purchasing directly from the developer versus resale. Purchasing directly through Vistana allows the owner to have the ability to have the StarOptions and reserve within the Vistana system. However, an owner that purchases a resale unit does not have these benefits and will only be able to use the specific week or exchange it with the exchange companies.
This is very material so you will need to determine whether you should purchase directly or through resale.
However, some of Vistana properties do come with the StarOptions, regardless of whether you purchase directly or by resale. The following are properties that automatically come with StarOptions, regardless of where you purchased.
- Harborside Resort at Atlantis
- Sheraton Vistana Villages, Bella and Key West phases only
- Westin St. John, Virgin Grand/Hillside phase only
- Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas
- Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, North
- Westin Kierland Villas
JOINING THE STAROPTIONS PROGRAM WITH A RESALE WEEK:
Vistana sometimes allows owners of resale weeks to get the benefits of StarOptions if they purchase an additional week directly from Vistana. There are certain minimum price requirements that would allow you to get the StarOptions for a resale week.
At times, Vistana has been known to make offers to owners to join the StarOptions. The cost has varied over time so if it is presented, you will need to see if it is worthwhile.
RESERVATION WINDOWS:
When you use StarOptions to book, you are subject to various reservation windows. You can make a reservation at your own deeded resort 12 months in advance.
Reservations at other Vistana properties can only be made 8 months in advance.
BANKING STAROPTIONS:
Owners with StarOptions can “bank” their StarOptions for two years. This will allow an owner to combine two years of StarOptions to use. This can be helpful for those years where you may not travel or may not use your StarOptions.
EXTERNAL EXCHANGES:
Vistana uses Interval International for external exchanges. You can use your StarOptions to exchange through Interval for various units. The amount of StarOptions points are based on the Travel Demand Index or TDI. Basically, the higher the TDI, the more in demand for the week.
As you can see in the chart below, you need 110,000 StarOptions to travel in a 2-bedroom unit during the highest season.
CONVERTING STAROPTIONS TO STARPOINTS:
As a Vistana owner, you will automatically be given Starwood Gold status for all Starwood properties. In addition, Vistana does allow owners to convert their StarOptions into Starwood Starpoints for use in their hotel program.
Starwood Starpoints are very valuable currency and Starwood has many nice and luxurious properties around the world. Vistana does charge a fee of $130 to convert in Starpoints.
Generally, converting into Starpoints will result in a poor exchange rate but it may make sense in certain limited situations.
As a Vistana owner, you will automatically be given Starwood Gold status for all Starwood properties. In addition, Vistana does allow owners to convert their StarOptions into Starwood Starpoints for use in their hotel program.
Starwood Starpoints are very valuable currency and Starwood has many nice and luxurious properties around the world. Vistana does charge a fee of $130 to convert in Starpoints.
Generally, converting into Starpoints will result in a poor exchange rate but it may make sense in certain limited situations.