There are six “Mandatory Resorts” which participate in the StarOptions program which is also known as the Starwood Vacation Network or SVN.
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 a timeshare resale of Westin timeshares or Sheraton timeshares in a Voluntary Resort will not allow the owner to participate in the Starwood Vacation Network (SVN). And, if you wish to make an exchange you would have to enroll in Interval International or another external exchange network.
In addition, StarOption benefits are transferable ONLY when purchasing a resale in a “Mandatory” resort.
Westin Kierland Villas Aerial View
Following are the 6 Mandatory Starwood Resorts:
- Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Lahaina, Maui
- Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North, Lahaina, Maui
- Westin Kierland Villas, Scottsdale, Arizona
- Harborside Resort at Atlantis (Phase 1 and 2), Paradise Island, Bahamas
- Westin St. John Resort Villas Hillside, St. John, US Virgin Islands
- Sheraton Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West phases), Orlando, FL
StarOption benefits do not transfer when purchasing a resale in a “Voluntary” resort.
If being able to exchange into other Starwood Vacation properties is NOT important to you, you might want to consider purchasing a Westin timeshare resale or a Sheraton timeshare resale at one of the following 14 “Voluntary Resorts”:
- Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, Princeville, Kauai
- Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort, Cancun, Mexico
- Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert, California
- Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas, Rancho Mirage, California
- Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas, Avon, Colorado
- Westin St. John Bay VistaVillas, Coral Vista and Sunset Bay Villas, St. John, USVI
- Sheraton Mountain Vista, Avon, Colorado
- Lakeside Terrace, Avon/Vail, Colorado
- Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Sheraton Desert Oasis, Scottsdale, Arizona
- Villas of Cave Creek, Cave Creek, Arizona
- Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort, Port St. Lucie, Florida
- Sheraton Broadway Plantation, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Sheraton Vistana Resort (Falls, Spas, Courts, Palms, Springs, Fountains I, Fountains II, Lakes and Cascades), Orlando, Florida
- Sheraton Vistana Villages (Amelia and St. Augustine Phases), Orlando, Florida
*Voluntary Resort Owners: You are entitled to book up to 12 months in advance at the resort. If you wish to make an exchange you would have to enroll in Interval International or another external exchange network.
NOTE: StarPoint benefits do not transfer on any resale unless your transaction is “Retroed”.
When you purchase a time share resale week it is possible to have your resale week(s) “retroed” which gives you all the same benefits of StarOptions, StarPoints, Interval International membership benefits and your resale purchase will apply toward Elite Status. This however, requires you to purchase a week directly from a Starwood Resort at the current retail prices.
Following is the procedure to follow in order to have your resale week “retroed”:
After you have made a resale purchase, you must then have it recorded by SVO.
After the resale you purchased has been recorded by SVO, contact a salesperson at the resort where you want to purchase from the developer.
Make sure the sales agent confirms when you purchase a week direct from the developer that they will “retro” your specific resale week with all the benefits of StarOptions, StarPoints and applying toward Elite Status. Do not sign the contract without getting this agreement in writing.
NOTE: You must purchase a new week from the developer in order to have your resale week “retroed”.
For additional information about timeshare resales, check out our video and blog resources:
Video:
What to look for when buying timeshare resales:
Blog articles:
Westin Starwood Right of First Refusal
Syed Sarmad, Principal Broker for Advantage Vacation
