Westin Timeshare Resales – Mandatory versus Voluntary Resorts

I’m Syed Sarmad, the Principal Broker for Advantage Vacation, a licensed real estate company located on Maui specializing in timeshare resales.  I often get asked about the difference between purchasing a Westin timeshare or a Sheraton timeshare at a “Mandatory Resort” versus purchasing at a “Voluntary Resort”.

Following you will find a list of Westin timeshare and Sheraton timeshares at Mandatory and Voluntary resorts and an explanation of the benefits associated with each ownership.

What is the difference between purchasing a Starwood timeshare resale at a “Mandatory Resort” versus a “Voluntary Resort” and why is it important?

There are six “Mandatory Resorts” which participate in the StarOptions program which is also known as the Starwood Vacation Network or SVN.  They are:

Westin Ka anapali Ocean Resorts Villas, Lahaina, Maui

Westin Ka anapali Ocean Resorts Villas North, Lahaina, Maui

Westin Kierland Villas, Scottsdale, Arizona

Westin St. John Villas (Hillside Phase), St. John, US Virgin Islands

Sheraton Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West Phases), Orlando, Florida

Harborside Resort at Atlantis (Phases I and II), Paradise Island, Bahamas

The most important factor about purchasing a Westin timeshare resale or a Sheraton timeshare resale in a “Mandatory Resort” is the owner is allowed to participate in the Starwood Vacation Network (SVN) and exchange into other Starwood Vacation properties. Purchasing resales of Westin timeshares or  Sheraton timeshares in a Voluntary Resort will not allow the owner to participate in the Starwood Vacation Network (SVN).

If being able to exchange into other Starwood Vacation properties is NOT important to you, you might want to consider purchasing Westin timeshare resales or Sheraton timeshare resales at one of the following 14 “Voluntary Resorts”:

Westin Princeville Ocean Resort, Princeville, Kauai

Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas & Spa, Cancun, Mexico

Westin Desert Willows Villas, Palm Desert, California

Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas, Rancho Mirage, California

Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas, Avon, Colorado

Sheraton Mountain Vista, Avon, Colorado

Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Lakeside Terrace, Avon/Vail, Colorado

Sheraton Desert Oasis, Scottsdale, Arizona

Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort, Port St. Lucie, Florida

Sheraton Vistana Resort, Orlando, Florida

Sheraton Vistana Villages (Amelia and St. Augustine Phases), Orlando, Florida

Sheraton Broadway Plantation, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Villas of Cave Creek, Cave Creek, Arizona

 

 For additional information, check out our video and blog resources:

Video:

What to look for when buying a timeshare resale:

 

 

Blog articles:

Timeshare Market Update 2014

Westin Starwood Right of First Refusal

 

Buying Westin timeshare resales or Sheraton timeshare resales on the secondary market is much less expensive than purchasing direct from the developer because of the fact that the developer incurs marketing costs that are passed on to the consumer. It is the developer who sets the price on the retail market. On the secondary market of time share resales, prices are determined by individuals and current market conditions.

A timeshare interval should be purchased for enjoyment. The purchase of resales of Westin timeshares and Sheraton timeshares ensures that you will be able to vacation and spend quality time with your family and friends each year. You might want to think of it as vacation insurance for all your future vacations!

 

Syed Sarmad, Principal Broker for Advantage Vacation